BEIRUT, April 26 (NNN- Prensa Latina) – The modified State budget of 2019 will exempt the most disadvantaged classes in Lebanon from more taxes, Finance Minister Ali Hasan Khalil was quoted as saying by local media on Thursday.
The new budget will have neither major tax burdens, nor increases in fuel prices nor wage cuts, Khalil pointed out while presenting a draft in August, to which he introduced adjustments being aware of the current domestic financial situation.
The version planned for debate soon, the minister advanced, adds austerity measures aimed to reduce the public debt of about 85 billion dollars and eliminate waste of money, he revealed.
According to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, the budget will not affect the poor, nor those with less income and not even the middle class.
It is likely that the discussion of the issue will be added to today’s agenda as part of a cabinet session although so far no source has confirmed it.
After the Council of Minister approves the budget proposal, the legislative house must ratify it.
NNN- Prensa Latina
