Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ At the plenary meeting of the Parliamentary Session on October 4, the parliamentarians continued the first discussion of the draft bills on the 2019 State Budget, Social Insurance Fund budget for 2019 and Health Insurance Fund budget for 2019.

The Government submitted the Bill on State Budget to Parliament and the budget revenue is calculated to be MNT 9 trillion and 676.5 billion or 27.4 percent of the GDP and the expenditure as MNT 11 trillion 589.8 billion or 32.8 percent with a deficit of MNT 1 trillion 913.3 billion or 5.4 percent of the GDP.

In connection with the discussing issue, MP Kh.Bolorchuluun noted “The Government maintained the budgetary discipline well this year, which positively affected the economic growth. Thus the budget had not amends. The account for exporting 42 million tons of coal next year seems to be too optimistic. Is it right time to privatize the National Cancer Center. With the increasing number of cancer incidences, the State should keep the specified hospital and provide support.”

Clarifying the situation Minister of Finance Ch.Khurelbaatar said “It was expected to export 28 million tons of coal in 2018. At that time the ports were overloaded. However, since the Prime Minister’s visit to China the port problems were resolved and the coal transportation became faster. The National Cancer Center will still receive the money from the state budget, but the hospital will manage the expenditure.”

In the recent years, MNT 650 billion has been deposited in the SME Development Fund. The Finance Minister said that small and medium sized entrepreneurs would be able to intensify their operations with this money. Also, no budget is planned for establishment of a new plant or factory in 2019.

MP B.Delgersaikhan asked about the opening of the Zamyn-Uud free zone. Deputy Prime Minister U.Enkhtuvshin clarified that the opening is planned next year and MNT 1 billion will be invested from the state budget.

Answering MP L.Bold’s question on the construction of schools and kindergartens, Finance Minister said that the Government plans to build 117 schools, 143 kindergartens and 57 dormitories, construction of 46 schools, 57 kindergartens and 24 dormitories will start in 2019.

On the possibility to increase the budget for maintenance of newly-built roads, Minister Ch.Khurelbaatar said “MNT 30 billion has been budgeted for the road maintenance. However, some roads need to be turned into tolls. There is no way to build a road with a loan and repair it with the state budget. Therefore, the maintenance should be made with the revenue from tolls.”

The discussion on the state budget will continue on October 5.