Afghanistan's cabinet approves 2018 budget

AVA- Finance Minister Iklil Hakimi said that this is the first time that the general expenditure and development expenditure are allocated together based on economic classification, tasks and provincial divisions and according to international standards and accountability. He added that this is the first budget that includes explanation of financial risks, conditional loans and assets.

Of the $5.128 billion expenditure allocation, $3.829 billion will go toward general or administrative spending, while $1.299 billion will go toward development programs.

$2.317 of the budget will be funded by domestic resources, while $2.701 will be funded by donor countries.

The budget targets $109.63 million deficit, which the government expects to fill through existing cash statements and loans.

The budget will be sent to parliament which can either approve it or send it back to the government.