Media Review September 12, 2019

The results of the ongoing implementation of two social packages, preparing parents for school, and discussing the draft state budget for next year are topics of today's media.

The newspaper Azerbaijan writes about the implementation of two social packages. The reforms carried out at the beginning of the year were mainly aimed at increasing pensions, benefits and scholarships. These reforms reached 4.2 million people. In total, both packages covered 40% of the population and make up 2.3 billion manat this year, and 3 billion manat next year. Thus, over the year, salaries and pensions in the country doubled.

The website Yeni Sabah.az writes how much it costs parents to prepare their children for school. In connection with the beginning of the school year, fairs are organized in the city where school supplies are sold.

Prices for school backpacks vary from 15 to 100 manat. As for the school uniform, its cost varies between 40-56 manat. In total, preparation for school costs at least 200 manat for parents, and if there is more than one child in the family, the amount is big enough.

The Yeni Musavat newspaper writes about the draft state budget for the year 2020. The Ministry of Finance sent the draft budget to the Cabinet of Ministers on September 9. Experts note that at the end of this year, the oil price will be 63-64 dollars per barrel. For 2019, the budget was drawn up at the rate of $ 60.

As a result of budget execution for the first half of the year, it turned out that the budget deficit amounted to 545.5 million manat. Experts believe that the government should not rely on these $ 60 and should not relax. Next year's state budget should be calculated in such a way as not to cover it with oil profits.