2024 budget focuses on investments
The ruling coalition in Bucharest is working on the budget for next year.
Leyla Cheamil, 03.11.2023, 14:00
With the end of the year in sight, the authorities in Bucharest are working on the 2024 budget, which, they say, is focused on investment and development, with special emphasis on EU-funded projects. By allocating significant budgets to infrastructure projects, economic development and innovation, the authorities are aiming to create more jobs, stimulate economic growth and improve the quality of life for every citizen. Prime minister Marcel Ciolacu says next year’s budget must maintain this year’s pace and even overtake it with respect to funding major projects.
The government has already adopted a memorandum drawn up by the finance ministry containing a list of significant public investment projects based on which next year’s budget is drafted and the leaders of the government coalition have already made a first assessment. The priorities are essential sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure and public services. The transport ministry is to receive the biggest budget, accounting for 90% of all investment funds. This ministry is in fact, running the largest number of projects, 108, which are at different stages of completion.
According to government sources, the healthcare budget will contain considerable funds for the modernisation of the medical infrastructure, the purchase of latest-generation medical equipment and assuring the necessary conditions for the staff to provide quality services. The aim is to improve citizens’ health and provide healthcare to everyone. In the education sector, the authorities wish to invest in school infrastructure, the training and payment of teachers and other teaching resources, being determined to give all pupils and students the opportunity to fully develop their potential. At the same time, the budget will be focused on combating tax evasion and a better collection of public incomes. It will also include measures and investments to consolidate the fiscal system, enhance transparency and improve the collection of public incomes. In the area of the judiciary, justice minister Alina Gorghiu said she wished the next budget to allocate funds for projects such as building two new prisons and granting vouchers to crime victims. Once the ruling coalition agrees on the structure of the budget, the latter will be adopted by the government and then submitted to Parliament for debate and vote. (CM)
