2001 finance bill meant to meet constraints, minister says

Economy, finance, privatization and tourism minister, Fathallah Oualalou, said Tuesday the 2001 draft finance bill is meant to meet constraints caused by drought, oil price hikes, debt-alleviation and human rights dossiers settlement.

Answering questions at the plenary meeting of the House of Representatives on the draft budget bill, he said the compensation fund got $300 million to make up for hydrocarbons price-increases and spare consumers.

The minister conceded the economy still depended on weak points like rainfalls and shared the opposition concerns over the promotion of the rural world recalling measures taken in fighting drought-effects such as fiscal exemption and electrification.

The government is fully aware of the situation the private sector is going through, he said further inviting actors to show more initiative and daring to make the most of investment opportunities available.

Oualalou who had introduced his draft finance bill for the year 2001 in the house on October 23 said the government is keen on ending abuse within the administration and public institutions.