The cabinet pursued on Friday the discussions of the budget draft law, and agreed to hold another session on Monday at noon.
Following the session, Minister of Finance Ali Hassan Khalil told reporters that the ministers completed a large number of the budget’s items, adding that there was a softening of some items and a limited change of others without any radical changes.
“There was also a discussion on the issue of raising the interest rate from 7% to 10%. All opinions were heard and the decision on this article was postponed to the next session,” he stated.
The minister added that “no one is thinking of depriving the soldiers and other employees in public institutions of the medical services and school assistance and this is absolutely out of question,” explaining that they also discussed yesterday the issue of unifying social aids.
“Regarding the personal tax declaration (R8), it needs to be reconsidered from now until it is approved so that there will not be injustice and so that the fines will not accumulate on those who do not know about this tax. Also, the proposal of exemption of fines on this tax was approved."
Hassan Khalil concluded that “there is a reassessment of the situation of the Beirut port and other public institutions."