His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah has approved the emirate’s largest-ever budget of approximately AED 42 billion. This budget aims to promote financial sustainability, improve living standards, and support social welfare across the emirate. Focused on strengthening social security, enhancing safety, and ensuring the sustainability of vital resources like energy, water, and food, it also addresses critical global and regional challenges such as inflation, rising interest rates, and geopolitical tensions.
The Sharjah government is committed to leveraging its financial, economic, and strategic resources to mitigate these challenges’ effects on the region’s financial landscape. This approach will protect the interests of UAE citizens, residents, businesses, and institutions operating within Sharjah.
The budget emphasizes a strategic focus on key sectors, with an overall aim to improve government efficiency, optimize spending, and boost sustainability. It incorporates national human resources as a critical element for sustainable development, prioritizing citizen welfare. The government is also working to streamline operations and minimize red tape to improve its financial system.
Notably, the 2025 budget reflects a 2% increase in expenditures over the 2024 budget. A significant portion is allocated to salaries and wages (27%) and operating expenses (23%). The budget continues to support capital projects, which remain a priority at 20% of the total. Furthermore, loan repayments and interest have risen by 2%, making up 16% of the budget, reinforcing the government’s financial stability.
Sharjah’s commitment to infrastructure development is evident, with the infrastructure sector receiving 41% of the total budget, marking a 7% increase from 2024. Economic development follows with 27%, while social development accounts for 22%, ensuring continued support for citizens and residents. Government administration, security, and safety have increased by 8% to make up 10% of the budget.
In line with its financial strategy, Sharjah has placed a strong emphasis on boosting public revenues through enhanced collection efficiency and smart tools. Public revenues are expected to rise by 8% in 2025, with operating revenues accounting for 74% of the total. Capital revenues will make up 10%, while tax revenues are set to contribute 10%, reflecting a 15% increase over 2024 projections. Customs revenues will remain steady at 4%, while oil and gas revenues will account for 2% of total revenues.
With this budget, Sharjah is taking decisive steps to ensure its financial and economic stability, enhance public services, and invest in sustainable development for the future.-WAM
