Damascus, Aug. 31 (SANA) Syria recorded public revenue of about $2.7 billion and expenditure of $3.7 billion in the first half of 2026, leaving a fiscal deficit of around $1 billion, Finance Minister Mohamed Yisr Barnieh said Monday.
Barnieh, citing the Finance Ministry’s report on state budget performance for the first six months of the year, said revenue reached about 31% of the annual estimate, while expenditure accounted for around 35% of approved spending.
Revenue rises 111%
Public revenue rose by about 111% compared with the first half of 2025, while expenditure increased by around 331%, Barnieh said.
He attributed the rise in spending mainly to higher salaries and wages, increased expenditure on government priorities and higher costs for some goods, services and inputs due to regional developments and rising import prices.
Barnieh said oil and gas revenue began flowing to the Finance Ministry in May and was expected to contribute more significantly to state finances during the second half of the year.
Higher oil revenue, improved tax and customs collection and some exceptional revenue are expected to strengthen Treasury resources during the remainder of 2026, he added.
Spending expected to accelerate
Barnieh said expenditure was also expected to accelerate in the second half as the full impact of salary and wage increases takes effect and implementation of projects and investment spending picks up, particularly in support of affected areas.
The ministry will continue prioritizing expenditure and managing liquidity and financing within available resources while maintaining fiscal discipline, he said.
The report is the third publication in the ministry’s fiscal disclosure series, following its 2025 financial performance report and the 2026 Citizens Budget.
Barnieh said the ministry is moving from publishing approved budgets to periodically disclosing actual implementation results as part of efforts to strengthen fiscal transparency and provide citizens with clearer information on public finances.
The Finance Ministry has also begun preparing Syria’s 2027 state budget, with the draft scheduled to be completed before the end of the third quarter.
R.D/MR
