Saudi Arabia, the biggest Arab economy, will continue handing out allowances to its citizens in 2019, similar to payments made this year, as the kingdom prepares to announce an expansionary budget.
King Salman issued a decree to dispense monthly allowances for a year to help lower the cost of living until social protection mechanisms are studied, state-run Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The allowances "should continue to support spending by nationals in 2019, who have tended to be more shielded from the fiscal reforms," said Monica Malik, chief economist at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank. "The signs of recovery in private consumption from the second half of 2018 was likely led by household spending by [Saudi] nationals."
The state employees and military personnel will get 1,000 riyals a month cost of living allowance for one year, according to the royal decree carried by SPA.
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Saudi Arabia unveils biggest ever budget to propel growth
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The Saudi monarch also ordered an allowance of 500 riyals for pensioners and 500 riyals for social security beneficiaries.
Saudi students’ allowances will be increased by 10 per cent, according to the decree.
The slew of government measures will help offset the increases in the cost of energy and electricity prices as well as the 5 per cent introduction of VAT this year.
The kingdom’s budget in 2018 was the biggest ever in its history as the world’s biggest oil exporter sought to propel economic growth. It is expected to reveal another expansionary budget for 2019.
Saudi Arabia is forecasting economic growth of 2.1 per cent in 2018 and 2.3 per cent next year.
"We expect to see non-oil economic activity gradually accelerate in 2019, largely supported by the stronger government spending," said Ms Malik.
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
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Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.
- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The figures behind the event
1) More than 300 in-house cleaning crew
2) 165 staff assigned to sanitise public areas throughout the show
3) 1,000 social distancing stickers
4) 809 hand sanitiser dispensers placed throughout the venue
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Day 3, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage, the Sri Lanka pace bowler, has had to play a lot of cricket to earn a shot at the top level. The 29-year-old debutant first played a first-class game 11 years ago. His first Test wicket was one to savour, bowling Pakistan opener Shan Masood through the gate. It set the rot in motion for Pakistan’s batting.
Stat of the day – 73 Haris Sohail took 73 balls to hit a boundary. Which is a peculiar quirk, given the aggressive intent he showed from the off. Pakistan’s batsmen were implored to attack Rangana Herath after their implosion against his left-arm spin in Abu Dhabi. Haris did his best to oblige, smacking the second ball he faced for a huge straight six.
The verdict One year ago, when Pakistan played their first day-night Test at this ground, they held a 222-run lead over West Indies on first innings. The away side still pushed their hosts relatively close on the final night. With the opposite almost exactly the case this time around, Pakistan still have to hope they can salvage a win from somewhere.
