Acting Minister of Finance Briefed the Finance and Budget Commission of Wolesi Jirga on Budget Adjustment and Current Financial Status of the Country

H.E. Abdul Hadi Arghaniwal, Acting Minister of Finance met with Finance and Budget Commission of Wolesi Jirga, and briefed them on the budget adjustment to fight the coronavirus, national revenue collection, donor funds, and the current financial status of the country on June 02, 2020.

H.E Arghandiwal indicated that the coronavirus outbreak in Afghanistan, the region, and the world has brought us into a new situation; the national budget prepared before coronavirus outbreak, did not assume such risks to be indicated in the budget document. Therefore, the government had to make a series of adjustments to fight against coronavirus. On the other hand, significant changes had to be made to anticipate revenue and donor assistance.

Acting Minister of Finance added that the situation caused by the coronavirus outbreak has reduced our national revenue, and it is anticipated that the domestic revenue will decrease from 208 billion Afghani to 153.4 billion, which indicates 55.5 billion or 26.6 percent reduction this year. He stated that the government seeks new sources of revenue to compensate the decline.  An estimated 22.4 billion Afghani is going to be added to the national revenue this year.

In addition, the Acting Minister of Finance provided information on the donor assistance and commitments, adding that the international partners have expressed further commitments to the Afghanistan government in the fight against coronavirus. According to him, 30.3 billion Afghani will be contributed to Afghan government through national budget; this includes 15.4 billion Afghani in voluntary, and 14.9 billion Afghani in non-voluntary donations during the FY-1399; it will be transferred to the government’s account.

In the end, taking into account the current emergency situation, the Acting Minister of Finance asked the representatives of people in Wolesi Jirga to approve the adjustments made in the budget urgently.