March Financial Outlook

I looked at this month's numbers and I found Deficit staring smugly back at me.

Following various increases in meat, cooking oil, and egg prices, the Minister of Logistics and Sustenance requested, no, insisted that her budget be adjusted accordingly. Similarly, policy changes in the Ministry of Transportation--the upgrading of KRL Ekonomi to KRL Ekonomi AC while retaining the former's schedule, inevitably triple the transportation budget. Hopefully, the Ministry of Vehicle Maintenance will stick to its budget considering its only asset, the Astrea Legenda 2002, is not due for tune up until next month. The Ministry of Children Welfare also receives a significantly increased budget after a compelling argument about the condition of the Republic of Bekasi Permai BL-15's only state-sponsored child's wardrobe.

This month also marks the first installment to be paid as a part of 36-month long foreign loan treaty signed last month which worth in excess of 20 million IDR in total. This comes on top of the existing foreign debts programs, which, if combined, absorbs nearly half of the fledgling republic's total revenue. Thankfully, one of these loan treaties is expiring late this year so the much-needed breathing space is within sight.

Oh, well, something tells me this small republic will manage. Moreover, after a couple of rounds of intensive physical lobbying last night, an exhausted Governess of the state's Central Bank assured me that she still holds 'adequate' reserve. Hmm, perhaps I should do some more lobbying to determine how much is 'adequate'. Maybe tonight.