Yassin Expects Approval of the 2024 Budget Next Week

Minister of Environment in the caretaker government, Nasser Yassin, expects the "approval of the 2024 budget and clarity on the proposed taxes next week at the latest." In a statement to "Voice of Lebanon," he revealed a "challenge facing the government to cover the expenditure deficit after the Central Bank stopped financing the state." He discussed "differences regarding the source of revenue increase through enhancing the collection capacity of the Ministry of Finance and stopping tax evasion, in addition to increasing fees on certain services provided by government agencies." He proposed "the introduction of a tax ranging between $2 to $3 on waste to prevent the solid waste sector from collapsing," while affirming the government's commitment to "not adding burdens on citizens." He urged the parliament to "hurry in addressing the reform laws to complete the agreement with the International Monetary Fund to secure external funding," noting that "agreement on the proposal to raise the VAT has not yet been reached, but the matter may be reconsidered." Regarding the proposal to impose a tax on coffins, he concluded by explaining that "a mistake occurred, which was corrected, and it should not have led to all this confusion."