Presidency issues measures to curb public spending

The Ministry of Finance announced that, based on a proposal from the ministry, the General Secretariat of the Presidency issued a circular outlining measures to control and rationalize public spending, with the aim of strengthening fiscal discipline, maintaining budgetary balance and improving the efficiency of available resources.

In a post on its official Facebook page, the ministry said the measures come amid current geopolitical and regional developments and the resulting pressures on energy and transportation costs and the provision of essential needs. It said the measures aim to reduce unnecessary spending and reprioritize expenditures and investment projects.

The ministry explained that the measures protect salaries, wages and necessary expenditures required to ensure the continued operation of public institutions, including spending related to healthcare, education, water, energy, public security and safety, and essential operational maintenance.

It added that the circular calls for a review of investment projects and the allocation of resources to priority projects with a direct impact, while postponing projects that can be delayed without significantly affecting services or economic activity. This, it said, would help strengthen the budget’s ability to withstand current pressures and maintain fiscal sustainability.