Sharjah Finance Department Hosts 4th Financial Forum To Enhance Budget Preparation And Spending Efficiency

The Sharjah Finance Department (SFD) recently held its 4th Financial Forum for 2025. The event saw participation from officials, financial experts, and employees representing over 70 government and independent bodies in Sharjah. This initiative aims to promote best practices in public budget preparation and foster a culture of financial efficiency and sustainability within the emirate.

Arwa Al Owais, who leads the Fiscal Policy office at SFD and heads the Financial Forum Team, highlighted the forum's significance. She noted that it serves as a strategic platform for knowledge exchange and enhancing financial performance across government entities. She stated, "At the Sharjah Finance Department, we believe in the importance of building an integrated financial system based on efficiency, transparency, and proactive planning. This forum is part of a roadmap set by SFD to develop financial capabilities and achieve the necessary balance between controlling expenses and meeting the development priorities of the emirate. This is in line with the SFD's overarching vision to support government entities in enhancing the quality of budgets and linking them to financial indicators and institutional performance."

A key session titled "Rationalizing Expenditures" was presented by Dr. Abdullah Al Barakat during the forum. He discussed modern tools for managing government spending effectively while boosting financial efficiency. Emphasis was placed on adopting advanced financial analysis techniques and leveraging digital transformation to align resources with national priorities.

Moreover, a workshop conducted by employees from the Budget and Financial Planning Department focused on preparing for the 2026 budget proposal. It reviewed government entities' financial performance during 2024 and early 2025. The workshop outlined steps for crafting the 2026 budget proposal, stressing early coordination among departments to ensure alignment with governmental directions.

The forum concluded with an interactive session where attendees could ask questions, fostering an environment of cooperation. Participants shared experiences and knowledge aimed at improving government financial performance. Attendees praised SFD's efforts in organising such events, underscoring their role in enhancing financial planning efficiency and optimising resource use.

The ongoing commitment to these gatherings reflects positively on government entities' outputs during fiscal years. By ensuring early coordination in data collection and analysis, departments can better align their requirements with governmental objectives, ultimately benefiting overall performance.

With inputs from WAM