DUBAI- Oman's budget deficit amounted to 660.6 million rials ($1.72 billion) in the first six months of the year, a 53% reduction on an annual basis, the government said on Sunday.

In the first five months of this year the state budget deficit stood at 358.4 million rials, a 67% reduction on an annual basis, the Sultanate said last month. 

($1 = 0.3840 Omani rials)

(Reporting by Davide Barbuscia) ((Davide.Barbuscia@thomsonreuters.com; +971522604297; Reuters Messaging: davide.barbuscia.reuters.com@reuters.net))