Sharjah's ruler Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi has approved a Dh15.4 billion ($4.2 billion) budget plan for 2014, up nearly 7 per cent compared to Dh14.5 billion last year.

The spending boost by Dr Sultan, who is also the UAE Supreme Council Member, translates his strategic vision for the emirate in various economic, social and infrastructure development fields, said a senior government official.

Walid Al Sayegh, the director general of Sharjah’s Central Finance Department, pointed out that the budget increase was particularly for wages and salaries, which have gone up by 16 per cent compared to 2013.

The operating expenses too have risen by 9 per cent compared to last year, he explained.

With regard to the sectoral distribution of the general budget,  Al Sayegh said 47 per cent had been allocated to the economic sector.

The social development and infrastructure sectors have been allocated about 11 per cent and 26 per cent respectively.

As for the government services sector, the official said 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.

Al Sayegh pointed out that total government revenue had jumped by eight per cent 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.

He affirmed that the budget process of 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, he added.-TradeArabia News Service