The state's budget for 1433H – 1434H (2012) is to be announced during the Council of Ministers' session Monday. Minister of Finance Dr. Ibrahim Al-Assaf will announce its details in a televised speech later in the day. Economics experts are already predicting it to be the biggest one in the nation's history. “The total revenues for the Kingdom's budget for the year 2011 are estimated at SR1,185 trillion while the total expenditure is estimated at SR704 billion and the surplus is estimated at SR481 billion,” experts said. The large revenue has been attributed to steady oil prices, which are expected to remain stable throughout 2012. Non-oil revenues are expected to stay at the current level of about SR60 billion. Education and health sectors will likely see an increased expenditure. Experts say that “the lion's share of revenues will go towards human resource development and investment.” They expect allocation of SR256 billion. The new budget will become effective on Saturday, Dec. 31. __
