JEDDAH: Kuwait’s government projected its budget deficit to rise by 11.9 percent to 6.31 billion Kuwaiti dinars ($20.4 billion) for the fiscal year 2025-2026, up from the 5.6 billion dinars shortfall estimated for the current fiscal period.  The Cabinet approved the draft budget on Feb. 2 for the upcoming fiscal year, which will be submitted for final approval by the Emir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah.