Prague, Aug 17 (CTK) – Czech Regional Development Minister Karla Slechtova was given an additional two billion crowns for her sector for 2017 from Finance Minister Andrej Babis (both ANO), she told reporters after a meeting with him yesterday.
Apart from the promised two billion, Slachtova originally demanded another 2.4 billion crowns.
But she said her sector would get only several hundred billion crowns more at the end. The particular sum will be agreed at her next meeting with Babis to be held in a couple of days, she added.
These additional finances will be spent on the reconstruction of roads, senior homes and support for tourism, she said.
The two billion crowns extra, which Babis promised to her before the meeting, will go to the Integrated Regional Operation Programme, she said.
The Regional Development Ministry was to get 21.94 billion crowns in 2017, according to the Finance Ministry’s original draft.
Slachtova called the talks with Babis very positive yesterday.
Apart from the above mentioned areas, Slachtova would like to use the additional finances in support of CzechTourism, which she would like to turn into a big state agency boosting tourism in all regions.
“The campaigns naturally cost some money. Moreover, branches of the Centre of Regional Development have been established in all regional capitals, which also requires some costs,” Slachtova said.
In late May, Slechtova demanded an additional eight billion crowns for her sector, but she said later her ministry had found savings.
The original draft 2017 budget of 21.94 billion crowns for the Regional Development Ministry was about 8.5 billion higher than this year, but 6.7 billion crowns lower than in 2015.
($1=23.918 crowns)
