Joint plenary of the two Chambers to debate the draft budget. PM Ciuca: 2022 budget, responsible, balanced and realistic, capable of consolidating economy
The 2022 budget is a responsible, balanced and realistic one, capable of meeting the imperative financing needs and consolidate the economy in the medium and long term, Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca said on Wednesday.
“Today we are discussing the state budget and the state social insurance budget for next year, the most important annual budgetary programming legislation. We have before us a balanced, responsible and realistic budget, capable of meeting the imperative financing needs and strengthen the economy in the medium and long term, capitalizing on the financial resources provided by the European Union. Romania has a responsible vision of fiscal and budgetary policies, a strategy of gradual fiscal consolidation, which can enhance and maintain economic growth at a level of over 4-5 percent on the reference horizon, aware that we need to use all the levers to prepare the economy in the event of future shocks,” the prime minister said in Parliament’s plenary.
He noted that the 2022 budget is based on principles such as transparency, realism, avoidance of waste of public money, reconsideration of funding priorities in line with the European agenda.
Prime Minister gives assurances that the government does not target increases in taxes and dues next year while investments will be allocated RON 88 bln
Prime Minister Nicoale Ciuca gave assurances on Wednesday that the government does not target increases in taxes and dues next year and that the draft budget foresees 88.8 billion RON for investments, representing the largest allocation in the last 32 years.
“We will not increase taxes and dues, we will not put pressure on the business environment. We will maintain the current tax regime for SMEs, state aid schemes to encourage investment and all the steps in place to support entrepreneurs. We will support the access to finance of SMEs, by continuing the IMM Invest programme, essential for supporting companies, severely affected by the COVID-19 crisis,” he said during the debates in the joint plenary of the two Chambers.
Nicolae Ciuca mentioned that next year’s budget “is based on stability and predictability”, coordinates meant to encourage investment.
“It is the budget with the highest allocation of investments in the last 32 years, the funds amount to about RON 88.8 billion. It represents, practically, double the amount of investments made in Romania in 2019,” he said.
According to the prime minister, the government’s intention is “the gradual reduction of the budget deficit” over the next years, given that the effects of the pandemic are still felt at national and global level.
Pension point to increase by 10 pct, and minimum social allowance to increase to 1,000 lei
Prime Minister Nicoale Ciuca said on Wednesday, during the debates in parliament’s plenary session, that the adoption of the 2022 draft budget is a guarantee that social measures will be implemented, such as increasing child allowances, increasing pensions, granting social assistance for pensioners and the annual allowance for people with disabilities.
“At the heart of the government’s concerns is the citizen, a commitment that is reflected in the way the budget is structured.
In order to protect the incomes of the population, especially those with low incomes or vulnerable groups, we have established a package of social measures, and the approval of the budget for 2022 is the guarantee that these measures can be applied and will take effect from January next year,” said Ciuca.
The Prime Minister announced the following social measures:
– the pension point will increase by 10 pct from January 1, 2022;
– the minimum social allowance is increased to 1,000 lei;
– increase of state allowances for children to 600 lei, for those up to 2 years old, respectively 3 years for children with disabilities and to 243 lei for children aged between 2 years and 18 years;
– the application of social protection measures for the vulnerable energy consumer, by granting the incentive for energy throughout the year and aids for heating the house in the cold season, differentiated by energy source and the family income;
– the provision, in January, of a support that would benefit low-income retirees, in order to support the increases in utility prices;
– support scheme for the payment of bills related to electricity and natural gas consumption for non-household consumers, namely small and medium-sized enterprises, micro-enterprises, authorized individuals, individual enterprises, family enterprises, through the budget of the Ministry of Energy.
