Prime Minister: State budget for 2017 will trigger development and growth of Ukraine

Elaborated by the Government State budget for 2017 will be the budget that is capable of triggering development and growth of Ukraine’s economy. This was stated by Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman at a meeting with President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko during which the President signed the Law of Ukraine "On the State Budget of Ukraine for 2017".

"We did a good job and found the right approach while drawing up the budget for the upcoming 2017. We believe that it will be a budget of development, a budget of growth," said Volodymyr Groysman.

"In fact, we have balanced the budget in order to protect the interests of people and our beautiful state", stressed the Prime Minister.

The Head of Government noted that 2017 Budget is expected to ensure growth of the economy, and notably implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects to build roads, raising the minimum wage up to UAH 3200, funding of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Among the planned activities are measures to supply medicines for Ukrainian citizens, in particular through a mechanism to reimburse for drugs to cure cardiovascular diseases, diabetes type II and asthma, thereby creating conditions to increase lifespan and to prevent illnesses.

Besides, the Budget for 2017 envisages for preserving and prolonging decentralization including larger responsibility of local authorities. "There is necessary resource for the development and modernization, and other things as well. Today local budgets have the money. If they experience difficulties, we will support, help and will never allow to lose pace", noted the Head of Government.

The Prime Minister welcomed signing by the President of the Law "On State Budget of Ukraine for 2017". According to him, it became the outcome of the huge work the Government was engaging in the past 3.5 months in a public discussion of the draft budget with experts, committees and factions of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the National Council of Reforms under the President of Ukraine.

He also stressed that the adoption of the budget-forming law on amendments to the tax system will facilitate improvement of business climate in the country.

Immediately after signing of the Law "On State Budget of Ukraine for 2017" the Government starts implementing it. The Prime Minister noted that the Cabinet of Ministers still has to take a series of decisions.