At the end of September, the country reported a deficit of RON8.1 billion, or 1.3% of GDP.
The smaller imbalance was due to a surplus of RON577.8 million recorded in October, on the back of increased collections from the third-quarter tax on profit, the ministry said in a statement.
It said total revenue to the consolidated budget rose 4.6% on the year to RON166.7 billion in the January-October period, while overall expenditure increased at a similar rate to RON174.3 billion.
“For the fourth quarter, we estimate a wider deficit; therefore spending is expected to increase further. If revenue collection remains within the estimated range, the 2013 budget deficit could be slightly below our latest target,” Budget Minister Livi Voinea told Mediafax.
“Either way, the gap will certainly be within the cash target.”
In early November, Romania and the International Monetary Fund have agreed to raise the 2013 budget deficit target to 2.5% of GDP from 2.3% previously to accommodate higher spending, including with EU co-financed projects. (EUR1=RON4.4447)