The finance ministry said this year they have collected over 169 billion AFs, 16 billion over the specified target.

AVA- Ministry of Finance (MoF) on Monday said this year they have collected over 169 billion AFs in national revenue which is more than the target specified by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Finance minister Iklil Hakimi said the target for national revenue in 2017 was set at 152 billion AFs, but the ministry managed to collect 169 billion AFs, 16 billion over the target.

“The difference between what was specified and what was collected is 16,6 billion AFs,” Hakimi said.

Hakimi also said this year, on average around 67 percent of the development budget was spent by the budgetary units.

According to Hakimi, the predictions show that Afghanistan’s economic growth will increase by three percent in 2018.

“I want to give good news to the people - our economic situation has improved against the past years,” Hakimi added.

Meanwhile, a number of economic analysts said government, in addition to increasing its revenue, should also think about improving people’s lives and their economic situation.

“We will reach economic and political stability when the approaches are chosen based on the country’s current situation,” economic affairs analyst Abdul Wasi Haidari said.

The finance ministry also said it hopes that the new budget for 2018 is approved by parliament soon so that development projects can start early.