GAROWE, Somalia Jan. 7, 2013 (Garowe Online)
- Lawmakers in Somalia
's Puntland government have approved the new 2013 budget, after days of debate and presentations by Puntland Finance Ministry officials, Garowe Online reports.
Puntland Parliament Speaker Abdirashid Mohamed Hersi chaired Monday
's session in Garowe, the Puntland capital.
Speaker Hersi said:
"There are 47 MPs present and 46 MPs voted in favor of approving the 2013 budget and one MP abstained. The new 2013 budget is hereby approved after days of debate and discussions.
"
Mr. Farah Ali Jama, Puntland'
s finance minister, was present during
the
vote. He responded to questions raised by Puntland MPs regarding salaries and support services for Puntland security forces and civil servants
in the new budget.
Minister Jama, speaking on BBC Somali Service, said:
"The new budget is $41.1million for 2013 fiscal year. Around 70% of the budget is based on taxes on import-export business, particularly livestock trade. The remaining 30% is collected from inland revenue sources.
"
Continuing, Puntland
's finance minister said:
"
O
f course, peace and development reinforce each other. Revenue generation increases with political stability. Lately
we hear people spreading negative information and propaganda on the media about Puntand. I am informing everyone that there is a government and a working system in Puntland and everything will continue normally.
"
