Doha, December 12 (QNA) - HE Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari announced that Qatar's total expected revenues for the 2025 fiscal year budget are estimated at QAR 197 billion, reflecting a 2.5 percent decrease compared to the 2024 budget revenues.

HE the Minister emphasized that Qatar continues to adopt a conservative approach in estimating oil and gas revenues, with an average oil price of USD 60 per barrel. This approach aims to enhance financial flexibility and ensure spending stability.

He stated, "The anticipated oil and gas revenues for 2025 are QAR 154 billion, down from QAR 159 billion in the 2024 budget, marking a 3.1 percent decrease." Additionally, he noted that non-oil revenues for 2025 are estimated at QAR 43 billion, remaining unchanged from 2024 levels.

On the expenditure side, HE Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari highlighted that total expenditures are projected at QAR 210.2 billion, a 4.6 percent increase compared to 2024. He added that the expected budget deficit of QAR 13.2 billion will be financed through local and external debt instruments, as required.

The Minister underlined that allocations for the health and education sectors stand at QAR 41.4 billion, accounting for 20 percent of the total budget. This allocation underscores Qatar's commitment to enhancing human capital development and improving public service quality.

Furthermore, strategic sectors such as trade and industry, research and innovation, tourism, digital transformation, and information technology have been allocated significant resources to support economic diversification and sustainable development efforts.

Allocations for salaries and wages are set to rise by 5.5 percent in 2025 compared to 2024, reaching QAR 67.5 billion. Current expenditures will see a 6.3 percent increase, while secondary capital expenditures are expected to grow by 7.7 percent. Meanwhile, major capital expenditure allocations will experience a modest 1.4 percent increase to ensure the ongoing implementation of strategic and developmental projects.

HE Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, Minister of Finance, will provide further details on Qatar's general budget for the 2025 fiscal year during a press conference scheduled for Sunday.

(QNA)