Saudi Q3 budget results show ‘significant improvement’: Al-Jadaan

Saudi Arabia's budget for the third quarter (Q3) of 2018 has implied “significant improvement” in state finances with a gradual decline in deficit rates, Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan said on Wednesday.

“This improvement is reflected in the decrease in the deficit rates, as compared to the same period last year, and to the approved budget,” Al-Jadaan said.

“This has marked a positive growth in oil and non-oil revenues in spite of the increase in social spending on multiple initiatives, such as Citizen Account and Cost of Living Allowance in addition to the capital expenditure's increase on infrastructure,” he further added.

“The Kingdom will continue its economic reforms to achieve the objectives of the Fiscal Balance Program through maximizing revenues, raising the efficiency of government spending and stimulating the economic growth rates," Al-Jaadan continued.

“Regardless of the Q3 positive indicators, challenges in the public finances still exist and require us to maintain our efforts to move forward with our reforms,” he concluded.

Saudi Arabia reported a fiscal deficit of SAR 7.3 billion in Q3 2018, down from SAR 48.7 billion a year earlier thanks to a surge in oil revenues, Argaam reported.