Budget deficit for 2016 should not exceed 3% of GDP - Putin
NOVO-OGARYOVO. Sept 22 (Interfax) - The 2016 budget deficit should not exceed 3% of GDP, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting on Tuesday in Novo-Ogaryovo.
"Today I suggest highlighting the budget policy priorities for the next year, discussing the key outcomes, and arriving at concrete decisions on the federal budget's main parameters," he said, opening the meeting.
"I'd like to mark several priority areas. First, it is vital to ensure balanced, robust public finances, and to substantially lessen the budget's dependence on oil prices. The planned budget deficit for next year must not exceed 3% of GDP. This is one of the government's key priorities in the course of the budgetary process," he said.
"In order to achieve this level, I ask you to pay the closest attention to budget revenues, improving administrability, increasing tax collection," Putin said.
