tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897197.post115319030737102349..comments2023-10-31T19:42:52.968+07:00Comments on random exegesis: Mid 2006 LookUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897197.post-1153394368089541862006-07-20T18:19:00.000+07:002006-07-20T18:19:00.000+07:00The thing is, we also have to import both crude oi...The thing is, we also have to import both crude oil and oil-based fuels. Worse yet, our consumption is increasing while production is decreasing. I don't have numbers now, sorry.Acohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16457844915547531461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897197.post-1153295369713806172006-07-19T14:49:00.000+07:002006-07-19T14:49:00.000+07:00thanks. so far really, i've heard of no really pla...thanks. so far really, i've heard of no really plausible excuse for this inability to spend from gov't officials, i heard ppl mention the scrutiny is an issue, but still, as you said, i don't really buy that.<BR/><BR/>as for the oil price, i understand the subsidy bit, only my understanding is that the subsidy is currently lower than it was, higher oil price also means higher income, right? how much is the ratio between the subsidy/expected profit from the oil increase? JK said something about how oil increase wouldn't really affect the budget, while i won't rush to nominate him for Math nobel prize, i'm still curious how he gets his number.<BR/><BR/>thanks again.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13453903374418067594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897197.post-1153221010742182292006-07-18T18:10:00.000+07:002006-07-18T18:10:00.000+07:00"They can't handle the money!" (to borrow Jack Nic..."They can't handle the money!" (to borrow Jack Nicholson's tune). So this is what happens: The Govt pledged to spend to boost job creation (infrastructure and all that). The money was sent by MoF to technical departments/ministeries and to local governments. Alas the recipients are very slow in disbursing the money into useful projects. Why? Because they are afraid that they might be scrutinized by KPK or other any kind of auditors. Strange? Yes. Ask project leaders around. They're not happy with all this "fighting against corruption" thingy. As for me, that's the price of reform. I don't buy the "zero-tolerance(to corruption)-zero-growth" concern. But many do. In addition, there are new systems everywhere that are supposed to minimize abuse. Govt apparatus are yet to get used to them. All these explain the slow progress on spending. Last year, the government failed to spend what it promised. The amount got carried over to this year. Alas, until May, the budget is still surplus. <BR/><BR/>If oil price increases significantly, then it burdens the state budget, esp. via subsidy (BBM, etc). We're now a net importer. So higher oil price means higher spending. (Well even if we're net exporter, we're still paying that damn subsidy).Acohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16457844915547531461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5897197.post-1153217425137859962006-07-18T17:10:00.000+07:002006-07-18T17:10:00.000+07:00okay, do enlighten me, what is so difficult in spe...okay, do enlighten me, what is so difficult in spending? i'm assuming that you mean that they have the money and have problem in actually spending it, right? where's the problem? (they should elect me to gov't if you ask).<BR/><BR/>also, where can i learn (or perhaps you care to educate me a little), if oil price increases significantly - say to 80$ - how would impact the budget? i don't understand this things enough really.<BR/><BR/>thanks a bunch.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13453903374418067594noreply@blogger.com