Prime Minister Najib Mikati chaired a meeting of the Council of Ministers this afternoon, Thursday, at the Grand Serail to discuss the draft law for the 2024 budget. The Cabinet began reviewing the budget provisions, with further discussions scheduled for a meeting at 3:30 PM next Monday. Additionally, the Cabinet will hold a special session at 11 AM on Monday to address updates regarding the Syrian displacement issue, particularly the illegal infiltration of the displaced.
Deputy Prime Minister Saadeh Chami stated that "so far, the 2024 budget is not reform-oriented, as the measures related to reform have not been discussed yet, and we need dollars." Finance Minister Youssef Khalil confirmed, in a television statement following the Cabinet session, that "the 2024 budget is reform-oriented, and what matters to us is to collect revenues, and not all fees will be in dollars."
Regarding medicines for chronic diseases, Minister of Public Health Firas Al-Abyad announced during a statement from the Grand Serail that the Council of Ministers decided in the morning session to continue supporting medicines for chronic illnesses. An amount of thirty million dollars was approved, in addition to 1.5 trillion Lebanese pounds for this purpose. Al-Abyad stated: "Mikati emphasized during the discussions that the issue of medicines is a red line that cannot be debated."
Minister of Telecommunications Johnny Qarm highlighted that "of 17,000 companies in Lebanon, 35% are not registered for income tax and 60% are not registered for VAT," calling on the Ministry of Finance to provide a plan regarding this, "showing how companies pay fees while others do not."
Also participating in the session were Ministers of Information Ziad Makary, Youth and Sports George Kallas, State for Administrative Development Affairs Naglaa Riachi, Industry George Bouchikian, Interior and Municipalities Judge Bassam Mawlawi, Tourism Walid Nassar, Environment Nasser Yassin, Culture Judge Mohammad Wissam Mortada, Labor Mustafa Bayram, Public Works and Transport Ali Hamieh, and Displaced Persons Issam Sharafeddine.
The Director General of the Presidency of the Republic Antoine Chaqir and the Secretary General of the Council of Ministers Judge Mahmoud Makki also attended the meeting.
