The announcement was made by the Minister of Economy and Finance, Azucena Arbeleche, after finishing the council of ministers on Monday 27. Accompanied by other members of the cabinet, the hierarch informed that the next Rendering of Accounts will allocate resources to strengthen the educational transformation , citizen security, and comply with the salary recovery of public officials.
Arbeleche was accompanied at the press conference held in the Executive Tower by the Ministers of Labor and Social Security, Pablo Mieres; of the Interior, Luis Alberto Heber, and of Education and Culture, Pablo da Silveira.
The head of Economy indicated that the meeting reviewed the growth of the economy during 2021, which after a year of pandemic increased by 4.4%. “It was well above the estimates of analysts and the economic team itself,” she said.
He also said that the increase went hand in hand with the generation of jobs, and that last year almost all of the jobs lost during the pandemic were recovered. “The focus of economic policy is on job creation,” he specified.
He added that during 2021 poverty in Uruguay decreased by one percentage point, and that it was a year in which, from the government, resources were provided to overcome the pandemic through the COVID Fund. He stressed that, “despite increased spending, the government maintained the commitment not to raise taxes.”
Arbeleche reviewed the international context with the pandemic situation and the war in Ukraine and in this sense argued that the country was not immune to the consequences of these events, in relation to the increase in prices and fuel.
The minister explained that in the first quarter of 2022 the economy in Uruguay grew, compared to the same quarter of the previous year, more than 8%, and stated that, based on this situation, the economic team projects economic growth for this year of 4.8%, one percentage point above what was projected in February. As she indicated, this increase will bring about the creation of approximately 40,000 jobs.
Regarding the salary recovery planned for public officials, Minister Mieres explained that the government is currently maintaining a dialogue with the education unions and representatives of COFE, which is in the final stages. He affirmed that the recovery “has already begun” and that the government’s will to comply with what was agreed upon is clear.
Regarding the possible reduction of income tax and IASS taxes, Minister Arbeleche recalled that the president, Luis Lacalle Pou, was clear in saying that if there was greater growth there would be a decrease in taxes. According to the hierarch, the commitment is still valid and it is necessary to wait until the announcements of June 30, when the Surrender will be delivered to Parliament.
“The axes of Accountability have to do with a look to the future and growth,” concluded Arbeleche. Presidency
