Cabinet approves budget

07 January 2005
The cabinet has approved the draft budget for 2005/06, projecting a fiscal deficit of KD 2,330 million ($8,034 million), an 18 per cent decrease from the 2004/05 budget. Total expenditure is projected to climb by almost 11 per cent to KD 6,930 million ($23,896 million), while total revenues are estimated at KD 4,600 million ($15,862 million), up 39 per cent. The budget now goes to the National Assembly (parliament) for approval.

Much of the projected revenue rise is based on a more realistic average oil price forecast of $21 a barrel, compared to the conservative $15-a-barrel figure used in previous budgets. Oil income projections of $13,300 million mean that about 85 per cent of state revenue will come from the hydrocarbons sector.

Kuwait customarily projects budget deficits, but end-of-year balance sheets tell a different story, with the state instead posting large surpluses. With oil prices averaging over $30 a barrel, the government's revenues for this year will likely reach $30,000 million.

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