The Cambodian National Assembly (NA) approved the 2009 national budget of over 1.88 billion USD on December 9, with its emphasis on education, health and military defense.
"We thank the parliament for agreeing with the request of the government for the expenditure of the national budget for 2009; it will contribute to reducing poverty in the country and lead to more economic growth,” Ouk Rabun, Secretary of State of Cambodia’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, told the parliament following the approval.
Tea Banh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense said the Ministry of National Defense is expected to receive approximately 160 million USD during 2009, to cover salary raises and troop pensions, as well as the construction of new military headquarters.
The budget will also prioritize programmes of education, health, agriculture and land management, said Chep Yeam, Chairman of the NA committee of finance, banking and audition.
The national budget for 2009 is 29.6 percent more than the previous year’s./.