OREANDA-NEWS. December 06, 2012. The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has taken on approval the draft Law of Ukraine "On the State Budget of Ukraine for 2013", presented by the Ministry of Finance.

Speaking of next year's budget, it should be noted that that in the conditions of worsening of the evaluation of the global economy the Government of Ukraine faces new challenges and a number of urgent problems, which have to be solved in 2013. Of course, we realize that today's economic conditions have changed. In particular, the demand at international commodity markets has been reduced, consequently, product prices for the main articles of domestic exports reduced, energy prices have increased and we have lack of financial resources in the global capital markets.

However, regardless of external conditions through effective team interaction and a balanced approach to planning, the Government has managed to find financial resources to support economic growth and lay effective safeguards against financial instability and concentrate available resources to minimize the negative impact of the global financial crisis.

State budget for next year is formed based on realistic macroeconomic indicators
:
GDP growth rate - 3.4%;

Nominal GDP – UAH 1.576 bln.

CPI - 4.8%;

PPI - 5.5%.

At the same time revenues of consolidated budget will be UAH 463.1 billion, expenses – UAH 525.6 billion.

Fiscal revenues will amount to UAH 359.9 billion, spending – UAH 424 billion.

One of the priorities of the 2013 budget remains holding progressive policies aimed at improving social standards and increasing welfare spending.

At the end of 2013, compared to the same period in 2012, the minimum wage and living wage will rise by 7.4%, while the Consumer Price Index 4.8%.

The draft budget for the following year provides social spending at the amount of UAH 61.5 billion of them, including:

assistance to families with children – UAH 40.1 bln.
privileges – UAH 2 bln.
housing benefits to the population – UAH 8.2 billion.,
social protection of Chornobyl victims – UAH 2.6 billion.,
Scholarships – UAH 8 billion.

In addition, next year planned allocations to the Pension Fund of Ukraine will provide financial performance of social initiatives of the President of Ukraine in the field of pensions, which were introduced this year.

As for the economic component of the budget, the rules laid down in the bill aimed at:

a reduction of the tax burden on entities and giving them preferences;

a promotion of economic development through various budgetary mechanisms (cheaper loans, state guarantees) and others.

Budget 2013 - perfectly balanced document aimed at implementing strategic socio-economic tasks necessary to stimulate economic growth and improve the welfare of citizens.