LatinNews Daily - 14 November 2023

* Paraguay’s 80-member lower chamber has approved the 2024 state budget for G$116.5trn (US$15.72bn), up 10.6% on the 2023 budget. The approved budget, which now goes to the 45-member senate for ratification, is based on forecasts of 3.8% GDP growth and 4% inflation. According to a press release by the lower chamber, the budget initiative prioritises efforts to strengthen health, education, and security. As regards health, it assigns G$2.9trn for medicines, supplies and vaccines, up G$1.1trn on the current budget, among other things. As regards education, the lower chamber press release highlights the need to improve teachers’ working conditions, noting that G$699bn has been assigned to honour “historic commitments” with this sector, with salary increases of 8.2% earmarked for primary school teachers; 16% for directors, departmental coordinators, and supervisors; and 4% for secondary school teachers. The lower chamber press release also highlights security as a priority, with a total investment of G$3.5trn allocated for the interior ministry.