Government agrees framework budget for 2002
The government has agreed the budget framework for 2002 based on a forecast of real growth in GDP of 1.75 per cent and an inflation rate of two per cent.
The GDP forecast is higher than the 1.6 per cent predicted by the Swiss National Bank in December but below the two per cent forecast made by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.
The details of the 2002 budget are due to be published in April.
The Finance Ministry also said it was pleased with the 2000 budget surplus of SFr4.55 billion ($2.73 billion) which it put down to improved economic circumstances.
The surplus will be used to pay off part of the national debt which stood at around SFr104 billion at the end of 2000.
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