Sharjah-UAE:
March 12, 2014 – HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan
bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of
Sharjah, has approved the general budget of the Government of
Sharjah, which translates his strategic vision for the emirate in
various economic, social and infrastructure development fields.
Throughout the process of preparing the general budget for 2014, the
wise directives of HH the Ruler of Sharjah crystallized into hard
work on bringing happiness and prosperity to Sharjah citizens and
residents and continuous development of the scientific and cultural
characteristics that distinguish the emirate locally and regionally,
given that it represents a cultural tributary and a scientific
edifice for other societies.
HE
Walid Al Sayegh, Director General of Sharjah’s Central Finance
Department, noted that the general budget had increased in terms of
expenditure by nearly 7 percent, amounting to AED15.4 billion
compared to AED14.5 billion in 2013. The increase was particularly in
wages and salaries, which have gone up by 16 percent compared to
2013. Operating expenses have also risen by 9 percent compared to
last year.
With
regard to the sectoral distribution of the general budget, 47 percent
has been allocated to the economic sector. The social development and
infrastructure sectors have been allocated about 11 percent and 26
percent respectively. As for the government services sector, it has
been allocated nearly 16 percent. 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.
HE
Al Sayegh clarified that total government revenue has jumped by 8
percent compared to 2013, which reflects the great efforts exerted by
government departments and organisations to increase revenues and
develop government services for clients and the entire society.
The
Director General of Sharjah’s Central Finance Department affirmed
that the budget process of the Sharjah Government, which is based on
many performance indicators in several strategic government 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 in the emirate. This
enhances Sharjah's ability to continue developing its solid base
culturally, socially, medically and economically.
