Sharjah approves budget of Dh15.4 billion for 2014

Emirate's ruler says focus of general budget was to bring happiness and prosperity to the people of Sharjah.

Al Qasba area in Sharjah. The ruler of the emirate, Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, has focused on bringing happiness and prosperity to citizens and residents. Pawan Singh / The National

SHARJAH // A Dh15.4 billion budget for the government of Sharjah for this year has been approved by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah and Supreme Council member, it was announced on Wednesday.

It translates his strategic vision for the emirate in various economic, social and infrastructure development fields, the Sharjah Media Centre said.

It added that throughout the process of preparing this year’s general budget, the Ruler had focused on bringing happiness and prosperity to Sharjah citizens and residents, as well as developing the scientific and cultural characteristics that distinguish the emirate locally and regionally.

Walid Al Sayegh, the director general of Sharjah’s Central Finance Department, said the budget had increased by 7 per cent from the Dh14.5bn spent in 2013.

The increase was largely attributed to government salaries, which have gone up by 16 per cent since last year. Operating expenses have also risen by 9 per cent compared with last year.

“With regard to the sectoral distribution of the general budget, 47 per cent has been allocated to the economic sector,” Mr Al Sayegh said. “The social development and infrastructure sectors have been allocated about 11 per cent and 26 per cent, respectively.

“As for the government services sector, it has been allocated nearly 16 per cent.

“These indicators reflect the extraordinary attention given by the Government to the development of Sharjah’s economic and social systems, for the purpose of strengthening its competitive role in many critical areas, including education, culture and economy, on the regional and international levels.”

Mr Al Sayegh said total Government revenue has jumped by 8 per cent compared with 2013, which he said reflected the great efforts by government departments and organisations to increase revenues and develop government services.

He added that the process of developing a budget, which is based on many performance indicators in several strategic sectors, has contributed to improving the methodology of preparing the general budget, linking it to government priorities and directing it towards areas that achieve welfare and prosperity.

“This enhances Sharjah’s ability to continue developing its solid base culturally, socially, medically and economically,” Mr Al Sayegh said.