Ukraine's security and defense remain the Government's topmost priority. Expenditures for this sector in the draft state budget for next year amount to UAH 267 billion or 5.93% of GDP.

This was emphasized by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on air of Savik Shuster's Freedom of Speech program on September 18.

"The second priority is healthcare domain. Expenditures on the maintenance of the medical sector increased to 4.2% of GDP. In 2022, we plan a 4.6% increase and in 2023, we plan a 5% increase in the expenditures for the medical sector. UAH 2.6 billion has been budgeted on vaccines, and approximately UAH 1 billion has been envisaged to ensure a safe educational process," the Head of Government said.

The economy, according to the Prime Minister, is the third priority: "State guarantees, interest refunds, support for small and medium-sized businesses, support for farmers - all those are provided for in the budget."

"The fourth priority is the social sphere. Both education and subsidies. The amount of subsidies is indeed lower in the draft budget, but it should be noted that the price of gas this year will be the lowest in 5 years, the minimum wage is rising. Given these indicators, we have thoroughly calculated and budgeted the sufficient amount of subsidies to be on the safe side", said Denys Shmyhal.

According to the Prime Minister, the Government has a strategy until 2023 to reduce public debt and cut external borrowing. Denys Shmyhal stressed: "Ukraine is a large country, our economy has the capacity to demonstrate progress."

Apart from that, the Prime Minister called industry as one more Government's priority. The established Ministry of Strategic Industries will facilitate export orders and contracts.

"We already have first agreements, the result of which, I assure, we will see next year. KRI for the Ministry is rather simple: at least $ 1 billion worth orders in foreign markets for our industry," said Denys Shmyhal.