Sharjah Budget 2026 Approved By Sharjah Consultative Council To Boost Infrastructure And Public Services

The Sharjah Consultative Council approved the draft general budget for 2026 for government departments and entities, confirming strong cooperation with the Finance Department and wider executive authorities. The plan supported economic growth, better services, and digital projects, in line with the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and the emirate’s long-term development vision.

The session formed part of the third regular session of the eleventh legislative term and took place during the Council’s sixth meeting at its Sharjah headquarters. The meeting was chaired by Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi and attended by senior officials from the Finance Department, who presented the main features of the Sharjah 2026 budget and answered questions from the Council members.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Member of the Executive Council and Chairman of the Finance Department, said that presenting the draft general budget to the Council represented an important institutional step. He stressed that the move reflected firm coordination between the executive and legislative branches, and embodied the consultative method established by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi as a key reference for policy design and government decision-making.

In his speech, Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi expressed appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi for ongoing support for comprehensive development and financial stability in Sharjah. He also thanked H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler and Chairman of the Executive Council, for continuous follow-up of government work, and praised the Sharjah Consultative Council’s role in serving the emirate and its community.

He said, "At the beginning of his speech under the parliamentary dome, I extend to Your Excellencies my sincere thanks and great appreciation for the kind invitation extended to the Finance Department to discuss the draft general budget for the Emirate of Sharjah for the year 2026. It is a source of pride for us to present this draft to your esteemed council, as this discussion represents a true translation of the integration and constructive cooperation between the executive and legislative authorities in the emirate."

He added, "We seize this opportunity to commend the pioneering role of the Consultative Council and its specialised committees in supporting the work of the government, strengthening the consultative approach, and addressing issues that directly affect society. This reflects the strong sense of patriotism, integrity, and responsibility demonstrated by the Council’s members in serving the Emirate of Sharjah and its people. I am also pleased to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation for the objective and constructive observations presented by Their Excellencies, members of the Council’s Committee on Financial, Economic and Industrial Affairs, during the discussion of the general budget, which we regard as a valuable contribution to enhancing and developing government financial performance."

The Finance Department explained that the Sharjah 2026 budget aimed to keep economic growth stable, improve government efficiency, and advance public services. Officials noted that allocations focused on infrastructure, health, education, and digital transformation projects, while also considering global economic conditions and financial challenges. The department underlined its commitment to sound resource management and careful handling of economic risks facing the emirate.

According to the Finance Department, the Sharjah 2026 budget sought to balance community needs with sustainable finances. The plan supported projects that improve quality of life for citizens and residents, encouraged investment in productive sectors, and promoted transparent financial management. The department stated that upcoming projects and challenges were treated as opportunities to further enhance Sharjah’s financial performance and maintain steady growth across all main sectors.

Sharjah 2026 budget committee review and sector allocations

Earlier in the session, the Council had approved the minutes of its fifth meeting before moving into a closed discussion to study the report prepared by the Financial, Economic, and Industrial Affairs Committee. The committee, led by rapporteur Dr Fatima Khalifa Al Muqarrab, had undertaken a detailed examination of the Sharjah 2026 budget draft covering central and decentralised departments across the emirate’s key sectors.

Dr Fatima Khalifa Al Muqarrab said the committee reviewed all expenditure items and revenues, with special attention to social sectors such as education and health, economic activities including trade and industry, and development schemes that strengthen infrastructure. The review also covered measures to expand support for decentralised sectors, aiming to guarantee balanced development across Sharjah’s cities and regions through clear financial priorities and planned programmes.

Sharjah 2026 budget priorities, recommendations and oversight

In its report on the Sharjah 2026 budget, the committee stressed the importance of aligning allocations with government strategic goals, especially in infrastructure, technology use in services, and quality-of-life projects. The committee assessed comments raised during discussions and examined how spending priorities for 2026 could improve implementation efficiency for programmes and projects, while remaining consistent with the emirate’s economic and social objectives.

Dr Fatima Khalifa Al Muqarrab highlighted recommendations calling for higher funding for sectors that directly influence citizens’ welfare, particularly education and health, and for projects that generate jobs and support the private sector. The committee also urged continued focus on preserving financial sustainability. It recommended stronger cooperation among all bodies involved in executing the Sharjah 2026 budget and regular monitoring to confirm that projects follow the approved financial plans.

Council members’ interventions after the report presentation included many suggestions on improving project execution mechanisms, setting spending priorities according to community needs, and reinforcing the vision of the leadership of Sharjah. At the end of the meeting, the Council approved the Sharjah 2026 budget draft law, while Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi expressed thanks to the Finance Department for its efforts and its role in supporting higher levels of government performance and development.

With inputs from WAM