The government has submitted to the Parliament initial draft of 2015 state budget, which sets revenues at GEL 7.93 billion, up from this year’s targeted GEL 7.319 billion, and spending at GEL 7.891 billion, up from this year’s target of GEL 7.539 billion.

The government expects GEL 7.46 billion in tax revenues next year, up by GEL 640 million from this year’s target. GEL 180 million is expected from foreign grants in 2015, according to the initial draft.

The draft projects 5% economic growth next year, same as in 2014, and inflation forecast is set at 4%.

Breakdown of funding per ministry, according to the initial draft is as follows:

• Ministry of Healthcare and Social Protection – GEL 2.75 billion (GEL 2.658 billion is allocated for the ministry in 2014);
• Defense Ministry – GEL 625 million (in 2014 initial funding was set at GEL 660 million, but it was downsized to GEL 615.9 million, which was mainly attributed to transfer of Delta military industrial complex from MoD to the Ministry of Economy; in 2013 MoD’s funding was set at GEL 660 million, but actually spending amounted to GEL 610.4 million; 2012 - figure stood at GL 730.6 million and at GEL 711 million in 2011);
• Interior Ministry – GEL 600 million (2014 – GEL 600 million; 2013 – GEL 570 million);
• Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure – GEL 955 million (2014 – GEL 875 million);
• Ministry of Education and Science – GEL 828.9 million (2014 – GEL 754.3 million);
• Ministry of Agriculture - GEL 291 million (2014 – GEL 263.5 million);
• Finance Ministry – GEL 100 million (2014 – GEL 96 million);
• Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development – GEL 120 million (GEL 87 million was initially planned in 2014, but it was then revised upwards to GEL 131 million);
• Ministry of Energy – GEL 135 million (2014 – GEL 114.6 million);
• Justice Ministry - GEL 65 million (2014 – GEL 60.5 million);
• Prison system ministry – GEL 155 million (2014 – GEL 154 mln);
• Foreign Ministry - GEL 100 million (2014 – GEL 90 mln);
• Ministry of Culture and Protection of Monuments – GEL 85 million (2014 - GEL 80 million);
• Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs - GEL 55 million (2014 – GEL 53.9 million);
• Ministry of Environment Protection - GEL 35 million (2014 – GEL 31 million);
• Ministry for Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Accommodation and Refugees - GEL 60 million (2014 - GEL 48 million);
• State Ministry for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Office of the State Minister for Reintegration – GEL 1.350 million (2014 - GEL 1.350 million);
• Office of the State Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration – GEL 2.8 million (2014 – 2.8 million);
• Office of the State Minister for Diaspora Issues – GEL 1 million (2014 – GEL 900 thousand).

According to the initial draft, funding of the Parliament will remain same next year at slightly over GEL 52 million.

President’s administration and President’s discretionary fund will receive GEL 9 million and GEL 5 million, respectively, same as in 2014. 

The government’s reserve fund will be increased by GEL 20 million to GEL 70 million, while the funding of government’s administration will remain unchanged at GEL 20 million, according to the initial draft.

Funding of the public defender’s office is set at GEL 3.4 million, up by GEL 100,000.

Funding of Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) will also increase from this year’s GEL 38 million to GEL 40.8 million, according to the initial draft.
 
Funding of the Georgian Orthodox Church will remain unchanged at GEL 25 million next year, according to the draft.

This initial draft may be revised before it is put on parliamentary vote in December.