Kosovo’s government approves 2020 state budget, avoiding "financial collapse"

By bne IntelliNews March 10, 2020

Kosovo's government said on March 10 it approved the 2020 state budget setting the deficit at 2% of the planned GDP.

The budget was endorsed with a delay as the country held a snap election in October 2019 and only formed the new government led by PM Albin Kurti four months later. March was the deadline for the 2020 budget to be endorsed, with experts warning that without this, Kosovo could collapse financially.

Total revenues in the 2020 state budget will amount €2.2bn, up 7% from a year earlier, while total expenditures are set at €2.36bn, the government said.

The economic growth for 2020 is projected at 4.2% and an annual inflation at 1.3%.

The budget bill was sent to the parliament for approval.

Kurti promised that the state budget under the new cabinet will be completely reoriented from "unnecessary spending" towards projects that directly reduce unemployment, with a focus on tackling youth and women's unemployment, improving education, health and the military.

The World Bank projected Kosovo to end 2019 with a deficit of below 3% of the country’s GDP.

Related Articles

Uzbekistan’s key rate held at 14% as central bank points to fears over reacceleration of inflation

Uzbekistan's central bank on April 25 kept its benchmark interest rate on hold at 14%, pointing to risks that inflation could once more accelerate. Planned hikes of state-regulated prices for ... more

Ukraine's DTEK seeks $350mn to restore energy capacity after Russian attacks

Ukraine's leading private energy company, DTEK, has sounded the alarm, indicating an urgent need for $350mn to recuperate lost capacity resulting from Russia's relentless assaults on thermal power ... more

Kazakhstan can expect GDP growth of 3.1% this year and 5.6% next, says IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects real GDP growth of 3.1% this year and 5.6% in 2025 for Kazakhstan in its newly released ... more

Dismiss