Mohammed bin Rashid approves Dubai’s budget for 2015

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has approved Dubai's budget for the year 2015 based on a set of core principles, namely: - 41 billion dirhams, up 9% from the balance of the fiscal year 2014 - Provides 2,530 job opportunities - Continues to stimulate economic growth - Accentuates the social services sector - Has an operating surplus of Dh 3.6 billion The budget directly applies directives as set by His Highness to focus on a prudent fiscal policy that provides the stimuli necessary to economic growth in the emirate, raise the efficiency of government agencies to provide the best health and social care services for all citizens and residents.
Abdulrahman Saleh Al Saleh, Director General of Government of Dubai's Department of Finance, said: "Dubai managed to move beyond the budget deficit, but kept on increasing expenditure by 9% for fiscal year 2014, which pushes the principality's macroeconomic growth to be in line with the planned levels".
"The benefit of the budget has reflected the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, who emphasised the need for attention to the social aspect and development of investment incentives, which contributed to the high ranking in global competitiveness".
"The break-even point between government revenues and expenditures has come as a result of strict financial policies of the Supreme fiscal Committee, chaired by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Committee, which focused on increasing spending for the development of the sectors of the economy, infrastructure, communications, security, justice and safety, government services and excellence, and social development," Al Saleh added.
Government revenue figures show Dubai's success in increasing public revenues for fiscal year 2015 by 11% compared to revenues for the fiscal year 2014.
Revenue from government services, which represents 74% of total government revenue, increased by 22% compared to 2014. The increase reflects the projected growth rates for the principality, and the evolution and diversity of government services. This increase is due to the remarkable real economic growth by 2014 budget, with limited increments on certain government services, and other increments designed to regulate the real estate market.
Tax revenues increased by 12% of the total government revenue compared to fiscal year 2014, and came to represent 21% of total government revenues, which include customs and taxes of foreign banks, according to the development outcome of the customs by the Emirate's economic growth.
The net estimates of oil revenues accounts for only 4% of government revenue, decreasing by 5% from the fiscal year of 2014. The budget accordingly does not rely on oil revenues. The government revenues rose 11% for the fiscal year 2014, despite lower net oil revenues. The Emirate has cut down the budget allocation from the government investment returns to support the increased allocations reinvested, to contribute to the development of the Emirate's economic growth.
Distribution of government expenditure figures shows that wages and salaries represented 37% of total government spending, underscoring the government's desire to support recruitment and human resource support in the emirate, as well as provision of 2,530 new jobs for citizens by working to balance the fiscal year 2015. This is a continuation of the settlement policy and creating new job opportunities for citizens, the Dubai government has adopted 1,650 posts in fiscal 2014.
General and administrative expenses, capital expenditures and grants and subsidies accounted for 44% of total government spending in 2015. The government is keen to keep the development, advancement and support of government institutions to provide better government services for citizens and residents on its territory, as well as government support for housing bodies and institutions, sports and public welfare associations, charities and the media to achieve the well-being of citizens and residents and raise the rates of happiness community.
On the other hand, the government continues to support infrastructure projects by allocating 13% of government spending to infrastructure, and the hard work of building excellent infrastructure contributes to making the emirate always attractive to investments. Dubai is planning to maintain the size of its investments in infrastructure over the next five years.
Figures contained in the budget for the year 2015, as well as the interest of the government of Dubai to continue dealing with loans seriously across routing 6% of total spending for debt service, in support of the government's financial sustainability.
The government's interest in human, guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who says "the human being is the wealth of the nation", clearly appears in the review of the distribution of government expenditure in key sectors. The expenditures on social development in the areas of health, education, housing and community development, 35% of government expenditure, the government has taken to support social services through continued support for public benefits fund to support families with children, and maternal and child welfare, disabled persons, youth and sports clubs.
The budget of 2015 re-stressed the great support to the security, justice and safety sector, being one of the most important authorities for the community. The budget has allocated 22% of government spending to support this vital sector.
Maintained sector of economy, infrastructure and transport in 2015 to the attention of the government, which has been monitoring the 36% of government expenditure to this sector, which will contribute to realizing the aspirations of the Principality to establish distinct infrastructure are constantly evolving and attracting investment.
"The government's success in achieving no-deficit balance is a result of applying prudent fiscal policies," said Arif Abdulrahman Ahli, Executive Director of budget and planning in the Department of finance. "The 2015 balance has been prepared in accordance with rule of using recurrent revenues to finance recurrent expenditures, which is one of the sound scientific bases of fiscal policy. The operating surplus of 3.6 billion dirhams will contribute to the financial sustainability of the principality".
Jamal Hamed Al-Marri, Executive Director of Central Accounts in the Department of Finance, said: "Department of Finance is working hard with the government to prepare an implementation plan for the budget and provide the necessary funds in accordance with the priorities of the government. The government's cooperation with the Department of Finance in this regard will enable a smooth and hassle-free implementation of the 2015".
Source: WAM