Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 17 / Trend , U.Ismayilova/ Some 154 million manats was allocated from the Azerbaijani President's reserve fund to finance important events in 2008, Finance Minister Samir Sharifov said at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers which was focused on social and economic results in 2008 and held under Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's chairmanship.
"A total of 115.7 million manats was allocated to finance some events which were not envisaged at the Azerbaijani public budget from the reserve fund," the minister said.
Expenses on industry and construction increased by 2.2 times in structure of the country's public budget in 2008 compared to 2007, as well as housing economy - by 69.5 percent, expenses on defense - 62.8 percent, state service - 41 percent, salaries of juridical, law-enforcement and prosecutor bodies - 23.8 percent, agrarian sector and protection of environment - 13.9 percent.
To improve people's welfare, in 2008 annual salaries of the budget organizations' employees, including in fields of science, education, health, social protection and culture, was increased by 50 percent. An average level of grants of postgraduates, students, pupils and students of profession schools was increased by 40 percent.
A minimum size of salary in the country was increased from 50 manat to 75 manat. Monthly benefits for IDPs were increased by 50 percent. In 2008 some 145 million manat was allocated to improve social and living conditions of IDPs, as well as to their resettlement in new towns with social infrastructure. The last camp town was liquidated in 2008.
A total of 125 million manat was allocated from public budget and through investment expenses to increase interest to sport and healthy life.
On Jan. 17, the official exchange rate is 0.8039 manat to $1.
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