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Oman's Budget Records Surplus of Almost $1Bn

Oman's state budget recorded a surplus of $928 million at the end of the first quarter of 2022. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Oman's state budget recorded a surplus of $928 million at the end of the first quarter of 2022. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Oman's Budget Records Surplus of Almost $1Bn

Oman's state budget recorded a surplus of $928 million at the end of the first quarter of 2022. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Oman's state budget recorded a surplus of $928 million at the end of the first quarter of 2022. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Oman's state budget recorded a surplus of $928 million at the end of the first quarter of 2022.

The Finance Ministry announced the surplus would be used to accelerate economic recovery, enhance development expenditure, and reduce the risks of the country's public debt portfolio.

As of the end-first quarter of 2022, public revenue amounted to OMR3.025 billion, up by 66.3 percent compared to the same quarter in 2021, according to the monthly bulletin of the Ministry of Finance.

The monthly bulletin issued by the Ministry of Finance indicated that, until the end of the first quarter of 2022, the state's public revenues increased by 66.3 percent, to a record $8.45 billion compared to $4.3 billion revenues collected in the same period in 2021.

The ministry said net oil revenue was $4 billion at the end of the first quarter, up by 70.2 percent from the same period a year earlier.

The increased oil revenues were driven by a hike in average oil prices, which rose to $78 a barrel, as well as increased oil production at the rate of 1.025 million barrels a day, compared to the average oil price of $45 a barrel for the same period in 2021.

The data showed that Oman also recorded a more than doubling of gas revenue in the first quarter.

Gas revenues rose 124.4 percent, compared to the same period in 2021, due to the rise in gas prices and production increases.

Current revenues increased by 23.7 percent, compared to the same period in 2021, due to the inflows from the value-added tax, excise tax, and improved collection of government revenues.

Total public spending until the end of the first quarter of 2022 amounted to about $6.7 billion, recording a 3.8 percent increase over actual expenditures for the same period in 2021.

The development expenditure of civil ministries and allied organizations rose 130.8 percent during the first quarter of 2022 to reach $390 million, compared to the same period in 2021. This amount represents 13.6 percent of the development budget of $2.86 billion allocated in 2022.

Contributions and other expenses accounted for another $465 million, including $130 million for public debt service.

By the end of the first quarter of 2022, the Ministry of Finance paid the private sector $380 million, reflecting the payment vouchers received through the e-financial system, those that have completed the documentary cycle.

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Revenue Growth, Improved Operational Efficiency Boost Profitability of Saudi Telecom Companies

A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)
A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)
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Revenue Growth, Improved Operational Efficiency Boost Profitability of Saudi Telecom Companies

A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)
A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)

Telecommunications companies listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) achieved a 12.46 percent growth in their net profits, which reached SAR 4.07 billion ($1.09 billion) during the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 3.62 billion ($965 million) during the same period last year.

They also recorded a 4.76 percent growth in revenues during the same quarter, after achieving sales worth more than SAR 26.18 billion ($7 billion), compared to SAR 24.99 billion ($6.66 billion) in the same quarter of 2023.

The growth in the revenues and net profitability is the result of several factors, including the increase in sales volume and revenues, especially in the business sector and fifth generation services, as well as the decrease in operating expenses and the focus on improving operational efficiency, controlling costs, and moving towards investment in infrastructure.

The sector comprises four companies, three of which conclude their fiscal year in December: Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Mobily, and Zain Saudi Arabia. The fiscal year of Etihad Atheeb Telecommunications Company (GO) ends on March 31.

According to its financial results announced on Tadawul, Etihad Etisalat Company (Mobily) achieved a 33 percent growth rate of profits, bringing its profits to SAR 661 million by the end of the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 497 million during the same period in 2023. The company also achieved a 4.59 percent growth in revenues to reach SAR 4.47 billion, compared to SAR 4.27 billion in the same quarter of last year.

The Saudi Telecom Company achieved the highest net profits among the sector’s companies, at about SAR 3.304 billion in the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 3.008 billion in the same quarter of 2023. The company registered a growth of 4.52 percent in revenues.

On the other hand, the revenues of the Saudi Mobile Telecommunications Company (Zain Saudi Arabia) increased by about 6.69 percent, as it recorded SAR 2.55 billion during the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 2.39 billion in the same period last year.

Commenting on the quarterly results of the sector’s companies, and the varying net profits, the head of asset management at Rassanah Capital, Thamer Al-Saeed, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Saudi Telecom Company remains the sector leader in terms of customer base expansion.

He also noted the continued efforts of Mobily and Zain to offer many diverse products and other services.

Financial advisor at the Arab Trader Mohammed Al-Maymouni said the financial results of telecom sector companies have maintained a steady growth, up to 12 percent, adding that Mobily witnessed strong progress compared to the rest of the companies, despite the great competition which affected its revenues.

He added that Zain was moving at a good pace and its revenues have improved during the second quarter of 2024. However, its profits were affected by an increase in the financing cost by SAR 26.5 million riyals and a rise in interest, while net income declined significantly compared to the previous year, during which the company made exceptional returns.