Allocating Huge Budget for Pro-poor Program Creates Opportunity to Sustain Economy: PM

Addis Ababa July 06/2018 Prime Minister Abiy Amhed said allocating over half the country's budget for pro-poor program will create opportunity to sustain economy and ensure the benefit of citizens. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has addressed to questions raised by members of the House of Peoples' Representatives related to the budget bill today. The House has approved today more than 346.9 billion birr budget for the fiscal year of 2018/19, which shows a 3.6 billion birr increase preceding fiscal year. The budget sets aside 64 percent for pro-poor program on education, health, water, among others. This illustrates that the government's keen interest to have fair wealth distribution   for citizens from the affluence of the country, he said. The Premier added that over 450 million birr additional fund is also allocated to emerging regions of Afar, Somali, Gambella and Beni Shangul Gumuz. Such budget allocation for pro-poor program compare to the other African countries, which is 40 percent, is very huge in Ethiopia, he noted. The budgetary reform to subsidize regions is based on the policies and strategies of the country, Premier Abiy said. The prime Minister forecasted the national economy to grow by 9 percent in the upcoming fiscal year. Likewise, the country needs to create conducive investment environment and boost up trust to attract more investors, he emphasized. "Investors need confidence to invest their resources, knowledge and time," he said, adding that "for this we need peace and stability to sustain across the country."