USD560 million to be spent on improving services in provinces

Prime Minister S. Batbold told Parliament that USD560 million would be spent on improving services in the provinces while Ulaanbaatar will get USD20 billion to strengthen its infrastructure. The recent 30% raise in public servants’ wages, pensions, and allowances will be further increased in 2012. Minister of Finance S. Bayartsogt later clarified that this will be done as a routine administrative arrangement, and without any public announcement, so that there is no political debate and economic repercussion.