Oman's government budget surplus widened to RO988.6 million ($2.55 billion) during March against a surplus of RO 897.2 million during the same period last year, said a report.

The government's total general expenditure rose by 2.9 per cent to hit RO2.59 billion compared to RO2.52 billion last year, reported the Oman Daily Observer, citing data from National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

The rise in the general expenditure was mainly because of a 8.3 per cent jump in current expenditure, which stood at RO1.69 billion against RO1.56 billion during the corresponding period in 2013, as well as a 0.5 per cent rise of the contributions and support of the private sector at the end of March to RO 362.7 million against RO 360.9 million during the same period last year.

The investment spending declined by 9.7 per cent to RO 543 million against RO 601.4 million during March 2013, the report added.

The government revenues also fell by seven per cent at the end of March to hit RO3.21 billion against RO3.45 billion during the corresponding period in 2013.