ABU DHABI - The UAE consolidated government revenues increased to AED455.5 billion by the end of 2018, with expenses picking up to AED388.147 billion by the end of the year, creating a surplus of around AED67.5 billion, according to the Ministry of Finance statistics.

The consolidated government revenues increased to AED304.5 billion during the first nine months of 2018, up 4.8 percent on year, with expenses picking up from AED259.3 billion over the first nine months of 2017 to AED276.2 billion in the corresponding period of 2018.

The MoF attributed the rise in consolidated revenues to the significant oil rally witnessed in 2018, along with the consistent financial reforms being adopted and which contributed to diversifying income streams away from oil.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2019.