Saudi newspapers highlighted in their editorials today a number of issues at local, regional and international arenas. Al-Riyadh, Okaz and Al-Yaum newspapers commented on the state's budget announced yesterday, saying that the budget for the new fiscal year 2018 is considered the largest one in the history of the Kingdom despite the drop in oil prices achieving the governmental trends based on clear objectives of the Kingdom's vision of 2030 for reducing dependence on oil as a basic income, noting that this year's budget has succeeded in reducing reliance on oil by 50% of revenues. The papers pointed out that the state's budget for the new fiscal year amounting to SR 978 billion reflects the ability of the governmental financial management to control expenditures and raise the efficiency, indicating that the budget has adopted 12 programs to diversify sources of income, support the private sector and reduce burdens on citizens. The papers noted that the budget includes a series of new developmental initiatives aiming at achieving the financial and economic stability outlined in the Kingdom's vision 2030.
