$30 million increase in spending

By Cherelle Jackson

Government spending will increase by more than 20 million tala within the next financial year according to the Budget Summary General Estimates for 2007-2008.
The new Budget delivered in Parliament last week has seen a jump in overall spending under current and development expenditures.
The last financial year recorded an estimate of $420,000,000.00 in current expenditures; the next financial year will see an estimate of $470,000,000.00 a good $30million jump from the last budget.
The Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture is projected to spend the highest amount of funds, totaling to more than a $100 million tala in total expenditures.
Second highest expenditure of close to $70 million will be spent by the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure.
The Ministry of Health is due to spend close to $60 million within the next financial year.
Revenues expected amount to $554,334,406.00 a good $20 million more from the last financial year.
The highest estimated earnings will be made by the Ministry for Revenue, expecting close to $400 million in total ordinary revenue.
Following behind is Ministry of Finance at close to $50 million.
Ministry of education, Sports and Culture is projected to earn a little over $17 million within the next financial year.
Overall Samoa is expected to make SAT$945,940.00 surplus after borrowing.
The official start of the next financial year is the 30th of June.