Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – On 27 May 2020, the committees of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis on budget and economic reforms, industry, construction and trade, defense and security, agriculture and water resources during a video conference reviewed the reports of the Cabinet of Ministers on the implementation of the State budget Republic of Uzbekistan and the budgets of state trust funds for 2019 and the first quarter of 2020.

Deputies heard reports of the Ministry of Finance and other ministries, state committees and departments.

It was noted that in 2019 macroeconomic indicators, as well as the volume of state budget revenues, have positive growth dynamics.

Particular attention is paid to the further development of the social sphere, raising the standard of living and ensuring social protection of the population. In particular, during the reporting period, the volume of financing of social expenses made up 53.8% of the total expenditures of the state budget, i.e. 12.4% of GDP.

In the 1st quarter of 2020, state budget revenues made up 28.5 trillion soums, which is 23.6% more than in the same period last year.

State budget expenditures for the 1st quarter of 2020 made up 27.66 trillion soums. It was noted that in a pandemic, due to the uniform receipt of income, wages and equivalent payments to budget organizations are paid on time.

During the discussions, deputies noted that the improvement of sound fiscal policy in the country, economic reforms have provided stable, balanced economic development and high rates of economic growth.

The coronavirus pandemic, which spread in almost all countries of the world, in the first quarter of this year had an impact on the decline in international integration, foreign trade and the standard of living of the country, but did not affect budget revenues.

During the event, the issue of allocation of funds in the health sector in the context of a pandemic, their targeted use, implementation of decrees and resolutions on the complete elimination of coronavirus in the country were considered. There was a need to pay attention to the targeted use of funds allocated from the Anti-Crisis Fund in the amount of 343.6 billion soums.

The meeting also discussed issues requiring decisions on the implementation of the state budget.

In particular, in connection with the adoption of the state budget as a law, it was proposed to formulate and submit reports to the Legislative Chamber on the implementation of the state budget and the budgets of state trust funds in accordance with applicable law and international experience and standards.

It was noted that the government should critically analyze and improve the activities of internal audit and control departments in ministries and departments, as well as take measures to coordinate its activities with the Department of State Financial Control in order to effectively use budget funds allocated by first-level budget allocators.

They talked about the need to post information on tenders and public procurement, as well as the distribution of funds by first-level budget allocators, trust funds and local authorities on the official websites of their budget organizations periodically until the 25th day of the first month of the next quarter.

During the videoconference, deputies emphasized the need to strengthen parliamentary control over timely and high-quality execution of the state budget and the budgets of state trust funds in a pandemic, as well as determining specific tasks for cooperation with the respective Councils of People’s Deputies.

Following the meeting, a joint resolution was adopted by the relevant committees of the lower house of parliament.