His Highness Shaikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, has issued Amiri Decree No. (1) of 2013, approving Ajman’s general budget for the fiscal year 2013. The decree directed government departments and institutions to pursue sound fiscal policies and procedures under the emirate’s government consolidated financial system and commit themselves in expenditures to the earmarked financial allocations. Shaikh Ahmed bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Representative of the Ruler of Ajman for Financial and Administrative Affairs, has stated that the general budget of the Government of Ajman was planned in line with directives and visions of His Highness Shaikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, and Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of the Ajman Executive Council Shaikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, to achieve economic development and sustainable stability through optimal allocation and efficient use of resources so as to reflect the government plans and directions in implementing its programs through rational and balanced fiscal policies, which in turn, provide basis needed to further stimulate economic growth and raise the efficiency of government agencies in providing better services for citizens and residents of the emirate. He also said the budget focused on supporting qualitative Emiratization and human resources and infrastructure development, enhancing services in the emirate and raising the standards of government services and modifying government fees and fines to accommodate the delivered services without placing any financial burden on the citizens or residents. He stressed that the Government of Ajman had taken advanced steps in preparing the performance and programme budget since more than three years, a method that helps to evaluate the government financial performance and review strengths and weaknesses in order to come up with prompt, appropriate solutions. He pointed out that the budget reflects Ajman Government’s determination to implement the approved financial plans in order to support all its strategic sectors. The budget, he noted, took into account the regional and international developments. Shaikh Ahmed said the government was in favor of public expenditure expansion to support the emirate’s economy and contribute to the economic growth through increasing public spending for the fiscal year 2013 compared to the 2012 budget.