At the end of July, the country reported a deficit of RON6.02 billion, or 0.96% of GDP.
The ministry said total revenue to the consolidated budget rose 4.4% on the year to RON131.2 billion in the January-August period, while overall expenditure was up 4.8% in nominal terms to RON139.1 billion.
Romania’s GDP is estimated at RON626.2 million in 2013, up from RON587.5 billion in the previous year.
The country recently pledged a series of measures to keep the budget deficit in check following lower-than-estimated revenues recorded in the first half of the year. The low revenues have prompted the government to raise its deficit target to 2.3% of GDP in 2013, from 2.1% of GDP initially.
“Given the weak revenues and increasing spending pressures, we are undertaking several measures to achieve the deficit target,” the government said in its letter of intent to a potential EUR2 billion loan deal with the International Monetary Fund.
Among the measures considered, the authorities in Bucharest mention keeping a stable number of public employees, increasing excise duties on alcohol and luxury cars and other items, as well as capping domestically financed capital spending.
The government expects the deficit will widen to around 1.46% of GDP at the end of September. (EUR1=RON4.4635)