How do officials spend public funds for business trips?

Two weeks before the New Year, the Ministry of Transport gets anotyher Br350 million for foreign business trips. And this is extra to what was already used from the public budget. Where are transport officials heading to on with Christmas holidays around the corner?

People from the accounting office at the Ministry of Transport seem surprised as they do not understand why media should be allowed to know this information. Eventually, they note that the money is allocated in order to pay back a debt.

"…Because people traveled at their own cost. There was no money in the budget for that earlier, but the money is there now. Ministry of Transport officials travel around the world to conclude deals. This is the money we had not enough."

Defense ministry's press spokesman immediately reports about his trip to Germany.

"If you do follow my publications, I describe there my visit to Bundeswehr and also how I talked to Strauss Berge at the Academy of Information and Communication and other, so to say, colleagues. We have normal relations with all countries: Russian Federation and other countries of the far and near abroad."

But the press official declines to elaborate on where exactly, how often and how much money was spent for official trips made by the defense officials.

This year, the Мinistry of Trade had around Br300 million allocated for official foreign trips. Yet, they embarked on less trips than originally planned, because the negotiator function was laid on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"Our number one destination is Russia, because naturally Russia is our major trade partner," say people at the Ministry of Trade and note that it was the right decision to hand over the negotiator function to the foreign ministry, because "they have trade advisors and connections."

The press office of the House of Representatives promises to provide a full account about the "expenses of MPs for foreign trips within days." However, it is known that MPs are set to visit Algeria and South Africa on official trips. Besides, according to the speaker of the House of Representatives, MPs are going to visit Singapore and Indonesia.

Several ministries seem to have cut their foreign trips, but the Ministry of Agriculture stands out as an exception. Despite living in the Saving Year, officials embark on trips to exotic destinations:

“Uganda, South Africa or New Zealand. We travel where ever our country leadership tells us to go. We are the No 3 donor as far as exports revenues are concerned, so there is nothing to be surprised about."

Literally, there is only one hope: agriculture. Well, if this is our only hope, then no regret abou the money.