The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine takes into account lawmakers’ proposal to retain the 2017 national budget deficit at 3% of the gross domestic product (GDP) when finalizing the draft state budget for the second reading, Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman has said.
“We believe that the balance will be maintained, the deficit will be at the level of 3% (of GDP), as planned: through bringing the economy from the shadow and equitable distribution of taxes we will be able to raise the minimum wages in the public sector”, he said.
Groysman said that the government confirmed its plans to double the minimum wages starting from January 1, 2017 – to 3,200 UAH per month.
“All the calculations were made and we do understand that this would be a reality starting from January 1”, the prime minister said. (Interfax/Business World Magazine)