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Social programs to get 60 percent of budget spending next year, lower chamber’s chairman says

Next year’s draft budget provides for the allocation of up to 60 percent of its expenditures on social programs, Uladzimir Andreychanka, chairman of the House of Representatives, said while opening the lower chamber’s fall session on October 2.

“The 2010 draft budget will keep its social orientation. An increase in expenditures on healthcare, education, culture, sports and the social policy will be secured,” he said.

The budget will provide funding to priority economic sectors, efforts to make Belarusian enterprises more competitive, boost exports and attract foreign investment, according to Mr. Andreychanka.

Speaking about a bill of changes to the Tax Code, the speaker said that it would exempt healthcare establishments from paying value-added tax on proceeds from health services to individuals, simplify land tax concessions for families with three and more children, reduce the income tax rate for disabled people and cut the rate of income tax on stock dividends from 15 to 12 percent.

The lower chamber is expected to consider laws governing small business support, electronic documentation, local self-government, veterinarians’ activities, the government’s policy regarding youths, and the State Control Committee’s activities, as well as a draft Education Code. //BelaPAN