Jordanian Parliament approves 1999 budget

The Jordanian parliament on Tuesday approved by a majority of 55 parliament members out of 80 the state's general budget for 1999, which is expected to have a deficit of US $340 million.

The Parliament approved the budget project as proposed by the government. Its expenditures are estimated at US $3 billion against revenues estimated at US $2.7 billion including US $282 million in foreign aid.

The budget dedicates US $433 million to payment of foreign and internal debts. Jordan's foreign debts are estimated at US $7 billion.

During a three-day parliamentary discussions, the Jordanian parliamentarians called for increasing the salaries of state employees, linking wages to higher living standards, finding export markets and other relevant issues.