VOL. XLV

No 51/52

23/30-December-2002

IRAN

Irans Draft Budget Projects 21% Increase In Spending

Iranian President Mohammad Khatami on 18 December presented to the Majlis (parliament) the draft budget bill for the Iranian year 1382 (which starts on 21 March), in which total spending is projected to rise by 21% to IR859,743bn ($107.5bn) over the previous year. Outlining the priorities of the budget bill, the reformist president said the emphasis will be on privatization, creating jobs, attracting...