The Greek state budget deficit reduced by 26 percent in the year of 2006, with the budget revenues surpassing forecasts and spending below budget targets in 2006, Greek Economy and Finance Deputy Minister Petros Doukas said on Friday.

The figures in the 2006 budget, released by the State's General Accounting Office (SGAO) "showed a clear improvement in all indexes", Doukas said.

According to SGAO, budget revenues rose 9.7 percent in 2006, while spending grew by 3.1 percent compared with a budget target of 3.5 percent for the year.

Primary spending rose 5.3 percent in 2006, down from the 6.0 percent budget target for the year, while revenues in a Public Investments Program grew 38.3 percent from a budget target of 32.2 percent. Spending on the program grew 8.8 percent, up from a budget forecast of 7.7 percent.

The Greek minister said the 2006 budget figures were, among others, "a credibility measure of Greece's improved picture in the EU, international organizations and foreign investors".

Source: Xinhua