Oman will raise state expenditure by 9 per cent to RO7.18 billion ($18.65 billion) in 2010 as the Gulf state's revenues are expected to rise 14 per cent, the country's economy minister said on a state website.

Ahmad bin Abdul-Nabi Mekki said the non-Opec oil exporter will assume $50 oil price for its 2010 budget, compared to $45 in the previous year, according to the Ministry of National Economy website.-Reuters