218 News shed the light on the Government of National Accord (GNA)’s recent approval of the 2019 general budget through hosting several economic experts to explain the new financial arrangements for the country.
Economic expert Ismael El-Meheshy ruled out that GNA has a comprehensive vision for the state expenditures in 2019, noting that the government has been focusing recently on intensifying security measures rather than development.
He wondered how this year’s budget increased despite the decline of development projects, adding that the government’s lack of clear planning actually contribute to “deepening political division” in Libya.
Another expert, Ramzi Aljadi, believes the incompletion of the economic reform program would increase concerns of looting inside the government.
He added the expenditure areas would remain unclear as long as there is no joint political vision in the country.
On the other hand, economic expert Ali el-Soleh said half of the budget is allocated for salaries, noting that recent attempt to reform the country’s economy have failed due administrative and financial corruption.
The 2019 budget reached LYD 46.8 billion ($33.83 billion), with an increase of LYD 42 billion, compared to last year.
