Economics
![Qatar announces $549.2 million budget surplus for Q1 2024](https://economymiddleeast.com/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/Xfg_b7GtigYi5mxeAzkt9w/economymiddleeast.com/2024/05/Qatar-budget-1.jpg/w=1024,h=683)
MoF stated that this surplus was directed towards reducing public debt, and therefore there was no cash surplus
![Emirate of Sharjah ‘BBB-/A-3’ ratings affirmed; outlook stable: Report](https://economymiddleeast.com/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/Xfg_b7GtigYi5mxeAzkt9w/economymiddleeast.com/2024/05/Sharjah-SP.jpg/w=1024,h=683)
The report expects Sharjah's fiscal deficits to gradually narrow over 2024-2027 due to several factors
![Four Egyptian banks receive positive outlook on improved foreign currency liquidity: Report](https://economymiddleeast.com/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/Xfg_b7GtigYi5mxeAzkt9w/economymiddleeast.com/2024/05/Egypt-banks-1.jpg/w=1024,h=683)
These revisions reflect reduced pressures on these banks' capital ratios in the upcoming FY2024/2025
![Saudi Arabia maintains steady inflation rate of 1.6 percent in April 2024](https://economymiddleeast.com/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/Xfg_b7GtigYi5mxeAzkt9w/economymiddleeast.com/2024/05/Saudi-Arabia-inflation.jpg/w=1024,h=682)
Inflation in April was driven by a 10.4 percent increase in rental prices, largely due to a 9.4 percent jump in villa rents
![UAE construction sector flourishes despite global challenges, holds $590 billion project pipeline: Report](https://economymiddleeast.com/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/Xfg_b7GtigYi5mxeAzkt9w/economymiddleeast.com/2024/05/UAE-construction-1.jpg/w=1024,h=683)