SYRIA - Oct. 30 - New Budget.

Pres. Assad passes the 2001 state budget's bill to the People's Assembly. It specifies spending at LS322,000m ($7 bn), up LS46,000m ($1 bn) on 1999. Revenue from taxes and fees are set at LS158,700m ($3.45 bn). The budget is expected to be passed by parliament by end-2000. (It is the 1st time in 10 years that the government presents the bill to parliament before the beginning of the new fiscal year. On Oct.26, the cabinet announced a decision to abolish sugar and rice subsidies from Nov.1. The move, which is permanent, was made in view of Damascus plans to join the WTO and sign an association agreement with the EU. The subsidy plan allowed each Syrian to buy 1.5 kilos/month of white sugar at LS9 - $0.17 - compared to a cost price of LS16. A similar subsidy on rice had enabled Syrians to buy half a kilo for LS9 instead of LS18).