HH Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has approved the emirate’s 2025 general budget, amounting to Dh42 billion, marking the largest budget in Sharjah’s history. The budget reflects a 2% increase in expenditures compared to 2024 and focuses on financial sustainability, social welfare, and infrastructure development.
The 2025 budget is designed to enhance Sharjah’s competitiveness and promote economic growth while addressing global challenges such as inflation, rising interest rates, and geopolitical tensions. It prioritises infrastructure investments, which constitute 41% of the total budget, an increase of 7% over the previous year. This sector remains the cornerstone for attracting foreign and local investments, driving sustainable development across the emirate.
Economic development ranks as the second-largest allocation, accounting for 27% of the budget, while the social development sector is allocated 22%, ensuring quality services, support, and assistance to citizens and residents. Government administration, security, and safety sectors make up 10% of the budget, reflecting an 8% increase compared to 2024.
The budget also underscores the government’s commitment to capital projects, representing 20% of the total expenditures. Operating expenses account for 23%, while salaries and wages constitute 27%. Additionally, loan repayments and interest expenses make up 16%, reflecting the government’s robust financial stability. Support and aid allocations represent 12%, and capital expenditures are 2%.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Finance Department, emphasised the strategic priorities of the budget, which include enhancing financial stability, improving infrastructure, and fostering economic and social development. The government aims to create an attractive environment for investors while expanding Sharjah’s role as a cultural, scientific, and tourism hub.
The budget includes initiatives to optimise revenue collection and expand public revenues, projected to increase by 8% in 2025. Operating revenues, accounting for 74% of total revenues, reflect a 16% increase over the previous year, while tax revenues, projected to contribute 10%, are expected to grow by 15%. Customs revenues remain steady at 4%, and oil and gas revenues account for 2%.
The budget aligns with the emirate’s financial plan for 2023-2030, focusing on efficient spending management and adopting innovative financing techniques to enhance government operations. Strategic investments in digital transformation and smart technologies aim to modernise financial services and improve operational efficiency across government entities.
Guided by the directives of the Ruler of Sharjah, the 2025 budget reinforces the emirate’s commitment to improving residents’ quality of life, addressing societal needs, and strengthening Sharjah’s cultural, economic, and financial standing both regionally and globally.