TALLINN, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Estonian government on Monday approved the draft state budget for 2027 and the state budget strategy for 2027-2030, with next year's total budget volume set at 21.3 billion euros (24.3 billion U.S. dollars).
According to the government, budget revenues are projected at 19.4 billion euros (22.1 billion dollars), expenditures at around 20.2 billion euros (23 billion dollars), and investments at about 1.2 billion euros (1.4 billion dollars). The nominal general government deficit is expected to stand at 4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).
The government said the main priorities of the 2027 budget are strengthening Estonia's defense and crisis resilience, supporting economic growth, and improving people's well-being, while continuing efforts to consolidate public finances.
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said the Estonian economy is recovering, with production and exports increasing, wages rising and unemployment declining.
"The economy is growing and confidence is recovering: companies are producing and exporting more, wages are rising and unemployment is falling," Michal said.
Michal is scheduled to present the draft state budget to the Estonian parliament, the Riigikogu, on Tuesday. ■