1391 National Budget of Afghanistan

According to M Mustafa Mastoor, the Deputy Minister of Finance, “The national budget is more than just a financial document. It is government’s plan for the development of Afghanistan. We are committed to include citizens from this important policy process because transparency is important. In the context of transition, and, particularly in this period of global fiscal challenges, budget transparency is more important than ever before”. Afghanistan has made remarkable progress in Open Budget Index, known as OBI. Thanks to continued efforts of the government, country’s OBI is set to jump to 41% in 1391 from 8% in 1387 and 21%in 1989 – just in four years. Similarly, the revenue collection of the country has now reached AFS 100 billion from AFS41 billion in 1387 – an increase by 150%. Encouraging active participation from both CSOs and media Deputy Minister Mastoor continued, “You have a very important role to play in the ‘making of’ budget. Not only you can help fellow Afghans to be informed about what the government is doing but also, and more importantly, you can hold the government accountable of their actions.”