Sultan secures financial sustainability for Sharjah

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has approved the emirate’s general budget, which reached an impressive total of approximately Dhs42 billion—the largest in the emirate’s history.

This budget aims to foster financial sustainability, uphold a decent standard of living, and promote social welfare for all residents.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Saud Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Finance Department, emphasised that the emirate’s general budget encompasses a range of strategic and financial goals that resonate with the ambitious directives of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah.

This reflects his comprehensive and evolving vision, along with the guidance from the Executive Council and the strategic outlook of the Central Finance Department. Their aim is to achieve the highest levels of financial sustainability and to manage government financial resources efficiently.

The budget also focuses on enhancing the emirate’s competitiveness across various economic, social, and infrastructure domains, while ensuring ample support for government agencies to deliver services that meet international standards. Performance indicators from the budget are tailored to measure these standards effectively. Furthermore, there is a strong emphasis on bolstering strategic partnerships with the private sector, providing ongoing support to ensure its continuous growth and advancement within the emirate.

For the 2025 general budget, multiple development tools and innovative financing techniques have been adopted to explore the best possible funding opportunities both internally and externally.

This approach aims to secure financial sustainability for the government, which has rolled out an integrated strategy in collaboration with relevant government agencies to enhance the digital transformation of various financial services. This includes modernising electronic payment and collection methods, thereby offering competitive services to customers. Additionally, these efforts improve the capacity of government agencies to streamline operations and minimise red tape, ultimately paving the way for a significant improvement in the emirate’s government financial system.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Saud stated that the 2025 general budget has two main dimensions: economic and social development aimed at improving the quality of life for residents, and strategic development focusing on enhancing the financial sustainability of the government. The budget includes strategic priorities to stimulate the emirate’s economy through discounts and a review of various service fees to lower costs for customers and investors.

According to Sheikh Mohammed, the budget outlines a strategic direction for the emirate, focusing on the development of infrastructure in key facilities and areas, environmental preservation, public health initiatives, and the promotion of tourism through various projects overseen by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah.

These efforts are intended to enhance the emirate’s status as a destination for tourism, science, and culture, while establishing a favorable investment environment.

The budget aims to develop investment in human resources and increase employment opportunities, which are identified as strategic priorities. It also emphasises financial support for government agencies to meet their funding requirements, thereby enhancing their capabilities to implement strategic and operational initiatives. Additionally, the budget seeks to provide high-quality services to all residents, adhering to standards and practices that contribute to the well-being of society, positioning Sharjah as a notable location on the global cultural, scientific, and tourism landscape.

The figures from the general budget for 2025 reveal a 2% increase in expenditures compared to the 2024 budget. In this budget, salaries and wages make up 27%, while operating expenses account for 23%. The government has continued its commitment to capital projects, ensuring that this budget remains significant at 20% of the total. Additionally, the budget for loan repayments and interest has risen by 2% to constitute 16% of the overall budget for 2025, reinforcing the government’s capability and financial stability in fulfilling its obligations.