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Saudi budget deficit tops $4 bln in second quarter

Saudi Arabia's deficit spending rose to 15.3 billion riyals ($ 4.09 billion) in the second quarter, nearly three times the deficiency taped a year earlier, finance ministry information showed on Wednesday, reflecting the impact of rising costs on state financial resources.

Overall income rose 12% to 353.6 billion riyals throughout the quarter, but that was outpaced by a 15% increase in investing to nearly 369 billion riyals.

The kingdom's stretching Vision 2030 agenda requires numerous billions of dollars in investments to develop new financial sectors and more sustainable earnings streams to lower the dependence of the world's top oil exporter on nonrenewable fuel sources.

Oil earnings was simply under 213 billion riyals in April-June, up 18% year-on-year, while non-oil income increased 4%.

Aids rose 68% during the quarter and capital expenses rose nearly 50% year on year.

After the very first 6 months of the year the budget deficit stood at 27.7 billion riyals, the ministry's budget efficiency report said. The government is anticipating a budget deficit of 79 billion riyals for the entire year.

The International Monetary Fund, which previously this month cut Saudi Arabia's economic development projection by nearly a. portion indicate 1.7%, has actually approximated the kingdom would. need oil prices at $96.2 to balance its 2024 budget plan.

To cover its funding needs, Saudi Arabia has already. raised $17 billion from the general public financial obligation markets this year and. its oil giant Aramco and sovereign wealth fund PIF, which is. steering Vision 2030, have also raised billions from bonds.

Saudi overall public debt stood at 1.149 trillion riyals at. completion of June, up from 1.05 trillion riyals at the end of last. year.

(source: Reuters)