KUALA TERENGGANU: The Terengganu government has allocated RM1.860 billion for the state’s Budget 2024 with an estimated deficit of RM131mil compared to the previous budget.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said the budget, themed "Heading to a New Era Terengganu", included a RM500mil contribution to the Development Fund.
"Under operating expenditure, RM84.77mil was allocated for dependent expenses and RM1.775bil for supply expenses comprising RM278.30mil for emoluments, RM251.48mil (supply services); RM23.86mil (assets); RM1.220bil (grant and fixed payments); and RM1mil (other expenses)," he said while tabling the budget on Monday (Nov 27).
He tabled the budget at the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly sitting at Wisma Darul Iman, here Monday.
Ahmad Samsuri said the development expenditure for the budget has three focuses, encompassing RM425.19mil for the social sector, RM44.10mil (administrative sector); and RM30.71mil (economic sector).
He said the estimated state revenue in 2024 is expected to be RM1.860bil through tax revenue amounting to RM80.06mil, non-tax revenue of RM169.01mil and non-revenue receipts including the federal special fund which is petroleum revenue of RM1.610bil.
The Ru Rendang assemblyman also outlined 10 main strategies for next year, including ensuring that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) remains growing between 3.5% to 4.1%.
He said efforts to improve infrastructure in all 28 industrial areas and exploitation of advantages in state border areas and East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) project stations need to be intensified so that the volume and balance of trade can be increased up to 7%.
"The tourism industry needs to be empowered with the diversity of products, the availability of facilities and the conservation of various resources to attract 13.2 million domestic visitors including 4.5 million tourists, an increase of 30% compared to last year," he said.
In the meantime, he said the government will establish the Terengganu State Digital Economy and Digitisation Council to drive the formulation, implementation and monitoring of the Terengganu Digital Economy Blueprint.
Without detailing the amount of allocation for each initiative to be implemented through the budget, Ahmad Samsuri said the approach was made after taking into account his position as a candidate in Kemaman's by-election (PRK) to ensure that no issues arise in the future. - Bernama
