UAE: Gov’t Expenditures Total $25.1 Bln in Q1

The Emirati capital Abu Dhabi. (WAM)
The Emirati capital Abu Dhabi. (WAM)
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UAE: Gov’t Expenditures Total $25.1 Bln in Q1

The Emirati capital Abu Dhabi. (WAM)
The Emirati capital Abu Dhabi. (WAM)

The preliminary results of the UAE Government Finance Statistics Report for the first quarter of 2023, published by the Ministry of Finance, revealed that the government’s revenues amounted to AED115.6 billion ($31.4 billion), and its expenditures totaled AED92.5 billion ($25.1 billion).

Total revenues included AED63.5 billion ($17.2 billion) of tax revenues, AED3.9 billion ($1 billion) of revenues from social contributions, and AED48.2 billion ($13.1 billion) of other revenues from property income, sales of goods and services, fines and penalties, and transfers not elsewhere classified.

According to the Ministry of Finance’s data, the value of total expenditures amounted to AED92.5 billion ($25.1 billion) consisting of net investment in nonfinancial assets and current expenses, including employees’ wages, use of goods and services, consumption of fixed capital, paid interest, subsidies, grants, social benefits, and other transfers.

The results of financial transactions during the first quarter of 2023 show the value of net lending/net borrowing amounted to AED23.2 billion ($6.3 billion). The net lending/net borrowing value is a summary measure of a governments’ ability to lend or their need to borrow, and an indicator of the financial impact of government activity on other sectors of the economy.

Younis Haji Al Khouri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance, said: “These results reflect the efficiency of government expenditure and effective utilization of financial resources in directing them to priority strategic sectors. It also showcases the advancement of the government’s financial framework and its success in developing new and diversified sources of government revenue away from oil and adopting effective financial policies to manage and develop the government’s financial resources.”

“The government’s financial performance enhances the UAE’s competitiveness and its move towards sustainable socio-economic development. The World Bank projects that the UAE’s non-oil sector is expected to achieve strong growth by the end of 2023, driven by robust domestic demand, particularly in tourism, real estate, construction, transportation, and manufacturing sectors,” he added.

Publishing the preliminary results of the UAE Government Finance Statistics Report for the first quarter of 2023 is in line with the open data policy followed by the UAE and based on the standards of the Government Finance Statistics Manual issued by the International Monetary Fund.

Government Finance Statistics (GFS) show the total volume of government operations in the country and measure the financial activities of the government in an economy, and the government’s allocation of resources.



Spain Gives Green Light for Saudi STC to Raise Stake in Telefonica to 9.97%

STC said it aimed to build up an interest of 9.9% in the Spanish telecoms company worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) and become a major shareholder - File Photo
STC said it aimed to build up an interest of 9.9% in the Spanish telecoms company worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) and become a major shareholder - File Photo
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Spain Gives Green Light for Saudi STC to Raise Stake in Telefonica to 9.97%

STC said it aimed to build up an interest of 9.9% in the Spanish telecoms company worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) and become a major shareholder - File Photo
STC said it aimed to build up an interest of 9.9% in the Spanish telecoms company worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) and become a major shareholder - File Photo

The Spanish government has given the green light to Saudi Arabia's largest telecoms operator, STC Group, to raise its stake in Telefonica beyond 5% and reach 9.97%, Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said on Thursday.

Cuerpo confirmed an earlier report by El Pais newspaper during a news conference following the cabinet's weekly meeting in which the stake increase was approved, Reuters reported.

"Measures and conditions have been set and accepted voluntarily by the Saudi company to ensure that (the operation) takes place," Cuerpo told reporters.

He said the government's decision followed an "exhaustive analysis based not only on compliance with current legislation but also to guarantee the national interest in defense and ensure the strategic element in telecommunications".

Last year, STC said it aimed to build up an interest of 9.9% in the Spanish telecoms company worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) and become a major shareholder.

The Saudi group said at the time it owned a 4.9% stake in Telefonica and financial instruments giving it another 5% in what it called economic exposure to the company.

The Spanish government had to authorize the deal as Telefonica is considered a defence service provider and therefore a strategic company.

The Saudi company has said it does not intend to gain control of or a majority stake in Telefonica.