Economy grows 6.3 percent on the back of consumer sector

National Statistics Office released the preliminary results of social and economic situations of 2017. Driven by the upswing in tax revenue, goods and services, the economy grew to MNT 8 trillion, a 6.3 percent growth. In details, service sector grew 5.8 percent to MNT 184.9 billion, wholesales and retail - 9 percent to MNT 73.7 billion, net taxes on products - 21.4 percent to MNT 192.1 billion. The monthly average income of household jumped 13.7 percent year-over-year, to MNT 1.1 million. Key drivers were the average salary growth of MNT 46.4 thousand and MNT 28.5 thousand or 41.7 percent raise in income from non-agricultural production and services. The household expenditures averaged at MNT 1.1 million, which is MNT 96.7 thousand or 9.7 percent higher than the same period of last year. This was driven by an increase of MNT 73.1 thousand or 9.7 percent in non-food expenses and services and other expenditure. In the first 7 months of 2018, total equilibrated revenue and grants of the Government Budget reached MNT 5 trillion, and total expenditure and net lending amounted to MNT 4.8 trillion. As such, the budget balance totalled MNT 291.3 billion in surplus. Another highlight was the 33 percent surge (year-over-year) in tax revenue, reaching MNT 4.5 trillion. Specifically, value added tax revenue hiked 34.1 percent, income tax - 31.5 percent, excise taxes - 68.5 percent, social welfare income - 20.5 percent, others - 33 percent and revenue from foreign activities jumped 39 percent. The State revenue accounted for 79.6 percent of tax revenue, 10.3 percent of non-tax revenue, 7.3 percent of the future heritage fund and 2.8 percent of stabilization fund. In the first 7 months of 2018, total expenditure and net lending of the General Government Budget amounted to MNT 4.8 trillion, increased by MNT 271.9 billion or 6.1 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. The General Government expenditure and net lending accounted for 84.3 percent of current expenditure, 11.8 percent of capital expenditure and 3.9 percent of net lending. In addition, inflation increased by 5.5 percent in July.