BASED on an analysis carried out at the beginning of 2006 and on other information, the Finance Ministry expects that public finances this year should be Sk6 billion (€158 million) better off than originally projected.
The ministry has identified several factors that should improve the state budget balance in 2006. Debt servicing costs are expected to be Sk1.9 billion lower than in the approved budget thanks to lower than expected interest rates.
Tax revenues for 2006 are expected to contribute Sk2 billion more than forecast. Higher than expected GDP is also forecast to generate extra income of Sk1.2 billion. A lower jobless rate should translate into savings of Sk900 million on welfare payments, the SITA news agency wrote.
