The budget is part of a three-year government financial plan with total
spending of Dh133 billion [From 2011-2013] in order to implement strategic
plans
Shaikh
Mohammad with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Lieutenant
General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Presidential Affairs Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan during
the Cabinet meeting in Abu Dhabi.
The UAE has put maximum emphasis on education and social development in the
country’s federal budget for 2013, as part of the government’s three-year
UAE Federal Government Strategy for 2011-2013 that is aimed at preparing the
Arab World’s second biggest economy for the next phase of development.
The UAE Cabinet, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on
Tuesday approved a Dh44.6 billion ($12.1 billion) balanced federal budget
for 2013, which focuses on education and social development.
“The budget is part of a three-year government financial plan with total
spending of Dh133 billion [From 2011-2013] in order to implement our
strategic plans,” His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice
President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said in a
statement.
This seeks to meet the requirements of the Federal government’s strategic
plan for all sectors and at enhancing various services and social care
provided to the citizens within an integrated vision that extends to the
year 2021.
Social development sector and social welfare represented 51 per cent of the
budget, with a total allocation of Dh22.7 billion. Education sector will
receive Dh9.9 billion, of which the Ministry of Education received an
allocation of Dh6 billion to help carry out the ministry’s plan to equip
schools with modern and advanced methods of learning and the Ministry of
Higher Education to receive allocations of Dh3.9 billion to achieve the
strategy for higher education development, and providing scholarships abroad
for Emirati students.
“Priorities for the 2013 budget will be health, education and social
benefits for citizens as well as the improvement of government services,”
Shaikh Mohammed said.
The Ministry of Social Affairs received an allocation of Dh3 billion to
ensure that beneficiaries are provided with dignified standards of living.
The Ministry of Health received an allocation of Dh3.4 billion for providing
comprehensive medical services for Emiratis, setting up medical institutions
and facilities in various areas of the UAE, and emiratisation of jobs in the
medical sector.
Infrastructure received an allocation of Dh5.2 billion to meet the
continuously rising demand for water and electricity in the Northern
Emirates.
In addition, the Cabinet also approved the composite union budget for 2013,
which includes the draft general budget as well as the budgets of
independent federal authorities with total revenues estimated at Dh55
billion and a surplus of Dh5 million.
Dr Giyas Gokkent, Chief Economist at the National Bank of Abu Dhabi, said,
“The federal budget does not come as a surprise given that the UAE federal
government announced a three year budget last year. The 2013 budget is in
line with expectations.”
The Governmental Affairs category, including defence, interior, justice,
foreign affairs and other federal departments, accounted for 41 per cent of
the federal budget with total allocations standing at Dh18.3 billion.
“Most budgetary expenditures occur outside the federal budget in the UAE.
Consolidated expenditures in the UAE are at relatively high levels.
Fortunately, high oil prices have allowed for the consolidated budget to
register a surplus,” he said.
