MANAGUA, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Nicaraguan government presented its general budget for 2019 to Congress on Thursday, which guarantees 56.2 percent of the funds destined for programs to alleviate poverty.
During the presentation, Finance and Public Credit Minister Ivan Acosta said that the funds will finance health, education and social protection programs.
The funds are also intended to ensure employment with a 5 percent salary adjustment and a subsidy to public transport, according to Acosta.
He said that 56.2 percent of the more than 2.5 billion U.S. dollar budget will go towards the "restitution" of the rights of Nicaraguan people and the fight against poverty.
Furthermore, the budget also guarantees the Public Investment Program to build and improve the country's infrastructure.
Acosta said the government had created a "responsible and austere budget" despite the recent "attempted coup."
The country has been in crisis since April 18, when mass protests broke out following the government's repeal of social security reforms, which caused millions of U.S. dollars in losses to the country's economy, according to the government.
According to Acosta, the "attempted coup" cost the local economy over 200 million U.S. dollars, with public buildings, schools and roads damaged as well as serious impact on the tourism sector.?
