(Tbilisi, Civil Georgia, July 25, 2002) – Parliamentary Committee on Budget and Finances discussed the fulfillment of the budget in the first half of the 2002 on July 25. The shortfall for this period consists 62 million Lari (USD 28 million).
Mirian Gogiashvili, the Finance Minister, said at the Committee meeting that the shortfall is mainly caused because of not receiving foreign financial assistance and grants.
It was scheduled to receive 37 million Lari (USD 16 million) in the first six months of this year, while only 16.6 million Lari (USD 7.5 million) is received up to now.
Mirian Gogiashvili did not excluded budgetary sequester by the end of the year, in case the shortfall in receiving grants persist.
The Finance Ministry also expressed concern regarding the continues refusal from the Adjarian Autonomous Republic to transfer in the central budget of the country tax incomes.
Mirian Gogiashvili stated that in the nearest future he intends to visit Batumi, capital of Adjara to hold talks with the local authorities concerning the problem.