Azerbaijan, Baku / Trend corr U. Ismayilova / The Azerbaijani Government developed its public budget forecast in three variants. The forecast envisages an increase of state investments depending on budget expenses.
Investments will increase, but the dynamics will slow down in 2008. "That is natural, for they cannot constantly rise with such a high growth rate," Heydar Babayev, the Azerbaijani Economic Development Minister, said.
According to the Minister, the main purpose of the Finance Ministry and Azerbaijani Government today is to complete the commenced projects, as well as plan new ones.
The Economic Development Ministry is intensely negotiating with the Finance Ministry regarding the development of a state investment program for 2008 and its submission to the Azerbaijan Cabinet of Ministers for consideration, Babayev noted.
The Government planned state investments to comprise AZN 1.9bln ($2.24bln) and inflation not to exceed 10% in 2007.