Third of Dubai's budget for infrastructure

More than 33 per cent of Dubai's budget expenditure in 2009 will be earmarked for infrastructure projects, according to the head of the financial department.

This follows the Dubai's department issuing Notice No2 of 2008, which starts the process for drawing up the budget for 2009.

Sami Al Qamzi, Director-General of Dubai Department of Finance, said an initial expenditure ceiling has been set along with September 30 as the deadline to receive the budgets of various departments and authorities. These will then be studied and referred to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to in turn issue the final ceiling of the general budget for Dubai's government sector.

The circular covered the general framework of the budget and Dubai's financial policy that will be pursued when compiling the budget and the financial plan for each department and authority.

The circular stressed the need for efficiency in government spending while upgrading government services through the best use of available resources.

He said the framework of the budget lays stress on infrastructure projects, and the bulk of the budget's expenditure will be devoted to boosting the emirate's infrastructure, in line with the goals of Dubai's strategic plan.