Budget deficit increases in Q1

AMMAN — The country’s budget deficit during 2017 first quarter amounted to JD192 million, up from JD174 million in the same period of the previous year, according to the figures of the Finance Ministry.

Excluding foreign grants, the deficit amounts to JD242 million compared to around JD305 million, according to the ministry’s monthly bulletin, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported on Thursday.

Computed separately, total revenues and foreign grants were around JD1,563 million during the first quarter of 2017 compared to JD1,593 million, Petra said.

The foreign grants amounted to JD50 million whereas the local revenues were JD1,513 million, Petra indicated, citing the ministry’s figures.

The volume of total expenditure reached JD1,755 million in the first quarter of 2017 compared to JD1,767 million in last year’s first quarter.