The Cabinet held here today a session presided over by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and approved the general budget of the state for the fiscal year 1431/1432 H. In a statement to Saudi Press Agency, Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohyeddin Khojah said, "At the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the cabinet discussed in this session the general budget of the state for fiscal year 1431-1432 H. and approved it." Then, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques delivered a speech in which he announced the budget. The following is the king"s speech delivered by Secretary General of the Cabinet Abdulrahman bin Mohammad Alsadhan. "With Allah"s help and guidance and with praise to Him, We announce the budget of the new fiscal year 1431/1432 H. which amounts to 540 billion riyals, which shows an increase of 14% over the estimated budget of last year 1430/1431 H. When prepared, the budget took into consideration the continuation of boosting sustainable development in our beloved country despite the international economic circumstances which led to the decrease of the prices of oil and quantities of its exports. This will be implemented through directing resources to be spent on aspects that are more supportive of economic growth, development, boosting the attraction of our economy for investment and creating job opportunities for citizens through concentration on the sectors of human development, the infrastructure and social services. --More
