The former all-rounder has returned to cricket during the past year after a horrific car crash at the end of 2022
cricket5 hours ago
Saudi Arabia plans to more than triple the government's non-oil revenues and clamp down on public sector salaries over the next five years, ministers said on Monday as they described reforms designed to reduce the economy's dependence on oil and build a sustainable future.
The National Transformation Plan (NTP) aims to boost non-oil revenue to 530 billion riyals ($141 billion) by 2020, creating some 450,000 non-government jobs, according to comments by ministers and documents distributed to reporters in Jeddah.
The plan aims to "enhance the level and quality of services" provided by government and "achieve a prosperous future and sustainable development," it said.
The NTP, which includes over 500 projects and initiatives as well as performance indicators for ministries and other government agencies, will cost around 270 billion riyals to implement, the document showed.
Minister of State Mohammed Al Al Shaikh said the cost would have no impact on Saudi budget spending, and added that a further 300 billion riyals was expected to be contributed to NTP initiatives by the private sector.
The plan is part of a wider, long-term reform drive known as Vision 2030, which was announced by Saudi Arabian Deputy Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, who is also the Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Defence, in April. He aims to overhaul many aspects of Saudi Arabia's economy and society as the kingdom prepares for a future of shrunken oil revenues and a rising population.
The finances of the world's top oil exporter have been hit hard since the summer of 2014, when crude prices plunged, producing a state budget deficit of nearly $100 billion last year.
The plan aims to increase the percentage of government debt to gross domestic product to 30 per cent from 7.7 per cent now.
Under Vision 2030, new non-oil revenue is expected to come from the introduction of a value-added tax (VAT), "sin taxes" on sweet drinks and tobacco, and fees imposed on the private sector.
Al Al Shaikh said there were no plans to introduce income tax for citizens. The text of the plan proposed to spend 150 million riyals on preparing income tax for residents, a phrase normally applied to expatriates. Al Al Shaikh said the only tax commitment approved so far was for VAT and said that further questions on taxation should be addressed to the finance minister.
According to the NTP, the government will strive to reduce the value of public salaries and wages as a proportion of the budget to 40 per cent from 45 per cent by 2020, and cut water and electricity subsidies by 200 billion riyals.
The energy ministry aims to maintain its oil production capacity at 12.5 million barrels per day (bpd), raise gas output capacity to 17.8 billion standard cubic feet a day from 12 billion, and raise refining capacity to 3.3 million bpd from 2.9 million, the document said.
Saudi Arabia will also aim to install 3.5 gigawatts of renewable power capacity by 2020 and spend 300 million riyals on identifying locations for atomic electricity plants and preparing them for construction, the plan said.
An appendix to the plans listed spending targets for initiatives aimed at boosting both economic and social goals, including 4.7 billion riyals on improving hospital emergency rooms and intensive care units. Other spending included 2.1 billion riyals to restructure the postal sector, 5 million to set up an intellectual property authority, 8 million to improve civil service performance and 3.5 billion to maintain cultural heritage. - Reuters
The former all-rounder has returned to cricket during the past year after a horrific car crash at the end of 2022
cricket5 hours ago
Dubai Police have asked drivers to be extra cautious
emergencies5 hours ago
The country has set a new Guinness World Record by creating the largest falcon hood, beating the previous record of 1.65 metres
uae6 hours ago
Hamas' health ministry said that 94,616 people have been wounded since the conflict began on October 7
mena6 hours ago
In most Islamic countries, including the Gulf countries, the Prophet's birthday is observed on 12 Rabi’ Al-Awwal 1444
uae holidays7 hours ago
Traffic will be diverted to the opposite side during this period
transport8 hours ago
The citizen was seen shooting the firearm through a car's window while being seated inside
gulf8 hours ago
During the visit, officials from both countries will explore opportunities to further strengthen cooperation in key economic sectors
uae10 hours ago