Dubai attains Dh2.1b surplus

Dubai Municipality ?on Wednesday said it has achieved a Dh2.1 billion surplus in 2011 budget, mainly on rationalisation of expenses in operational activities.The civic body implemented a number of programmes and initiatives in rationalisation of expenditures in its balance sheet of 2011, said Mohammed Abdul Karim Julfar, Assistant Director General of Dubai Municipality.Julfar said that the municipality has applied nine programmes for the rationalisation of expenses in operational activities, which could save Dh245 million and in projects saving Dh120 million. It also applied four programmes in the field of income developments saving Dh328 million.The overall benefits are totalling Dh693 million, which reflected on the financial performance of the civic body that achieved the surplus of Dh2.1 billion in the budget of 2011, he added.“The role of Finance Department and other sectors is very big in developing a rational budget studying the actual needs of organisational units, exploiting human and material resources in the implementation of programmes and projects without resorting to outsourcing. They could also expand partnerships with the private sector in the implementation of investment projects and sponsoring community events. In addition, it could reduce the operational cost of the stock and the revival of idle stock with a world record,” Julfar said.He praised achievements of the team of expenditure rationalisation and revenue development and the cooperation of all sectors and organisational units. Saif Al Shamsi, director of Finance Department said: “Our zero visit initiative reflected positively on reducing expenses.”