Romania revises budget, Labor and Finance get the biggest slices, Health budget almost doubles

As many as 39 of the 51 state institutions which receive funds from the state budget will have higher funding this year, as included in the latest budget revision. The highest increase will come at the European Funds Ministry – more than a four-fold increase, but its budget is one of the lowest – some RON 173 million or EUR 38.4 million. The highest budget in nominal terms will go to the Labor Ministry, some RON 30 billion – or EUR 6.7 billion. The increase here is of just 2 percent. The second highest budget was allotted to the Finance Ministry, some RON 23.4 billion – or EUR 5.2 billion. The Health Ministry budget almost doubled, to some EUR 1.9 billion. The Ministry allotted more money for programs such as trauma and vascular emergencies, as well as for the ambulance service. Several institutions will have lower expenses – the Romanian Television Company, down 18 percent, the National Integrity Agency – down 17 percent. The Transport Ministry will most likely get some EUR 1.6 billion, around 40 percent more than in 2012, but this budget does not include the budget of the National Highways Company, which was moved to the Minister for Large Infrastructure Projects, Dan Sova. The General Secretary of the Government will receive some EUR 1.3 billion for roads and bridges development. In total, Romania's budget expenses this year are expected to reach the EUR 25.8 billion target. editor@romania-insider.com (photo source: sxc.hu)