South Sudan’s parliament passed on Monday a budget of 81.5 billion South Sudanese pounds ($600 million) for the 2018-19 fiscal year.
South Sudanese government depends heavily on crude oil, but production was affected by the conflict. The government said it will resume oil production in Unity region next month.
Finance Minister Salvatore Garang Mabiordit said that 40 percent of the adopted budget will go for salaries.
“Its 81 billion South Sudan pounds or about $ 600 million because of inflation, otherwise it could have been more. This is a bank rate which is about 140 per one dollar,” said Finance Minister Salvatore Garang.
“Salaries take the bigger part of the budget because we have not yet developed the pension package. “Salaries take about 40 percent,” Minister Garang said, pointing out that Garang service delivery will take about 25 percent of the total budget.
The minister explained that the budget will be funded by oil and non-oil revenues.
The lawmakers have also lifted fuel subsidies.