Syrian 2003 budget appropriations announced

Syria's Minister of Finance Mohammed Atrash announced yesterday that the appropriations of the State General Budget for the year 2003 which totaled SP. billions 420 distributed among the Investment projects appropriations with SP. billions 211 and Current General Expenditure required for meeting the general debt, export subsidies and others.

Atrash indicated that in a statement to reporters that one of the most important priorities which was taken into account during the preparation of the State Budget for the year2003 was the expansion in the budget appropriations by SP billion 64, including the investment projects for the activation of the economic growth and for creating job opportunities.

He indicated that the analysis of the State General Budget blocks of the appropriations were centered in spheres of industry, agriculture, electricity, transport and communications which formed 48.51 percent of the overall appropriations of the budget, while the services of the society including education, healt, and social care and general services represent 44.56.