BRIEFS: Government

Public payroll to go up by $50 million in 2009

The government's payroll will be increased by $50.2 million for 2009, according to Ministro de Economía y Finanzas Héctor Alexander.

Alexander said the increase was mainly due to salary increases granted to the country's lowest paid state employees, as well as bonuses being handed out to teachers who work in remote areas. The government also plans to add staff in the health sector.

The increase is part of the proposed 2009 budget, which is currently being debated in the Asamblea Nacional.

The Asamblea's budget committee will begin examining the document today with officials from the Banco Nacional, the Superintendencia de Bancos, the Agencia del Área Panamá Pacífico and the Ministerio de Comercio e Industrias (Mici) expected to participate.

Mici officials are seeking a 64 percent budget increase. This increase will be used to fund projects such as Impulsa Panamá, which seeks to support small- and medium-sized businesses.