The Ministry of Economy and Finance finished month-long consultations with key ministries on Thursday in preparation for the drafting of Cambodia’s budget for 2017.

Each ministry was required to submit its desired budget and a justification for the sum, including priorities for the upcoming year, according to a report by state media service Agence Kampuchea Presse.

Education Ministry spokesman Ros Salin yesterday confirmed his ministry participated in the meetings and requested a slightly higher budget than it had received the year before, though he could not confirm the exact amount his ministry is asking for.

“We requested just a slight increase, a little over $500 million,” Salin said. “We’ve already negotiated with the Ministry of Economy and submitted the final number.”

Still, Salin noted it is the Council of Ministers that will ultimately approve the final budget for each ministry before they are moved on to the National Assembly.

Vongsey Vissoth, secretary of state for economy and finance, could not be reached.