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The 2004 Fiscal Budget. 1 October 2003. Highlights. Treasury revenue balance for 2004 estimated to be ISK 6.4 billion or ¾ % of GDP. Net Treasury financing balance for 2004 estimated to be ISK 13 . 7 billion. Public Finances 2002-2004. Revenue surplus excluding irregular items.
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The 2004 Fiscal Budget 1 October 2003
Highlights Treasury revenue balance for 2004 estimated to be ISK6.4 billionor¾% of GDP Net Treasury financing balance for 2004 estimated to be ISK13.7 billion
Treasury balance shows a year-on-year improvement of ISK 13 billion, reflecting greatly increased restraint in public finances
Medium-term Public Finance Programme 2005-2007 • Treasury surplus of at least 1¾% of GDP in 2005 and 1% in 2006 • National public works cut by ISK 5 billion over the next two years, then increased by the same amount 2007-2008 • Growth of public consumption slowed • Annual growth max. 2% in real terms
Medium-term Public Finance Programme 2005-2007 • Moderate growth in transfer payments • Annual rise in transfer expenditure no more than 2½% in real terms • Tax cuts of approx. ISK 20 billion2005-2007 • Neither the Norðurál enlargement nor income from sale of assets are included in budget premises
Main assumptions for 2004 • Economic growth 3½% • Price level rise 2½% • Purchasing power increase 2½% • Unemployment 2½% • Current account deficit 3¼% of GDP • ISK Index 125
Treasury expenditure drops in real terms* * Excl. irregular items
Priority areas • Allocations to seniors’ pensions increase by 17% • Health care allocations increase by 8% • Increased allocations to education, esp. to universities, upper secondary schools, research and Students’ Loan Fund • Restructuring of research with expansion of research and technology funds
Special measures concerning income and expenditure • Operating expenditure reduced by ISK 700 million • ISK 1500 million reduction in transfer payments • New investment reduced by ISK 1500 million • Additional revenue of approx. ISK 1000 million
Additional contribution to Civil Servants’ Pension Fund, with interest Imputed 5% interest 2003 and 2004
In summary • Public finances applied to counter inflationary effects of heavy industrial projects • Debt and debt service burden reduced • Opening up possibilities for tax cuts 2005-2007 • Ensuring stability
The Budget itself and accompanying documentation is available on the Ministry’s website:www.ministryoffinance.is