BRATISLAVA, January 27, (WEBNOVINY) — The government should introduce systemic measures to increase state revenues and reduce spending this year, Finance Minister Ivan Miklos declared in his presentation at Thursday’s HN Club forum. Miklos opines that state revenues can be raised even without higher tax rates and payroll levy hikes. Cuts to public expenditures can be achieved, as well. The prepared payroll levy reform, including the reform of tax and health and social insurance premium administration, is expected to improve premium collection and trim down administrative costs of system. The Finance Ministry is working on tools to eliminate tax evasion and to modify the administration of state receivables. “We also want to increase revenues from companies where the state holds a stake,” the minister added.
Miklos plans to revaluate functioning of public institutions to improve efficiency of their performance. The minister commented that the public sector often carries out unnecessary activities and its performance is inefficient. In addition to this, the Cabinet wants to crack down on corruption in Slovakia by changing rules for public procurement. Miklos admitted that the public sector suffers from overemployment.
The minister pointed out four areas that must adopt measures in the near future: fiscal consolidation, improvement of the business environment, efficiency in public administration and knowledge-based economy.
SITA