Government budget balance

The Turkish Parliament has approved the government’s 2018 budget, which includes increased spending on defense and projects a rise in the fiscal deficit to 65.9 billion Turkish Liras ($17.28 billion).

BELGRADE - The Serbian parliament on Thursday passed the 2018 budget bill, which envisions revenues of 1,178 bln dinars and expenditures of 1,207 bln dinars.

The planned national fiscal deficit for 2018 is 0.6 pct of GDP, or 28.4 bln dinars, which is 40.7 bln dinars below the deficit planned in the 2017 budget.

BELGRADE - The parliamentary Committee on Finance on Monday unanimously adopted in principle the 2018 budget bill, which envisions revenues of 1,178 bln dinars and expenditures of 1,207 bln dinars.

The planned national fiscal deficit for 2018 is 0.6 pct of GDP, or 28.4 bln dinars, which is 40.7 bln dinars below the deficit planned in the 2017 budget.

Tanjug file photo

Greece expects to overshoot its budget surplus targets for a third consecutive year in 2018, a senior government official said on Monday, an outcome that could help ease the austerity burden imposed on a recession-weary population.

Greece's current account surplus shrank in June compared to the same month a year earlier due to a wider trade gap and a deficit in the primary income balance, the Bank of Greece said on Monday.

Greece's current account deficit contracted in April compared to the same month a year earlier, thanks to a lower trade gap and an increase in the primary income surplus, the Bank of Greece said on Tuesday.

The data showed the deficit at 462 million euros from 872 million euros in April 2016.

Rapid consumption-based growth, lack of investment in education and innovation, unpredictable fiscal policies as well as low-skilled labour are some of the main risks facing Romania's economy, the Central Bank, BNR, warned on Friday in a report.

Greece improved its public finances last year, achieving a general government surplus of 0.7 percent of gross domestic product compared to a 5.9 percent of GDP deficit in 2015, the country's statistics agency ELSTAT said on Friday.

BELGRADE - For the first time since WWII, Serbia's budget is set to end a year with a surplus, even without major privatisation revenues, says Serbian PM Aleksandar Vucic.

BELGRADE - The Serbian government on Thursday adopted the 2017 budget bill, with a planned deficit of 1.7 pct of GDP, the lowest-ever in the history of Serbia, the government announced in a statement.

The government is resolved to ensure economic growth and better life for citizens in 2017 as well, the statement said.

The adopted budget bill was sent to the parliament.