| – Focus is on macro-economic preservation, security revamp and addressing the constraints of the sugar industryFinance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh on Saturday, for the first time, made some extensive pronouncements on this year’s budget preparations, noting that it will confront the challenges in the sugar industry, address macro-economic stability and provide the revamp of the security sector among other things.During a press conference held on Saturday last at the National Communication Network,Cheap Authentic Jerseys, Singh expressed disappointment in the opposition’s public utterances on budget talks.Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni SinghAccording to the Minister, the Opposition is seeking to cast a negative cloud upon budget talks by forecasting a negative outcome, while the government doesn’t believe in making premature comments on the engagement.Dr. Singh opined that the opposition’s preempting of the outcome of the discussion means that “they” are trying to “prejudice public opinion, which is not helpful at all.”“If two groups meet to address a matter of public interest then both parties should have an open mind,” Singh said.He noted that the government is committed to being open-minded although it is under no illusion that “we” might necessarily agree on every detail.“We are willing to listen to every priority brought forward by the opposition… and not only the parliamentary opposition but other stakeholders countrywide.”Dr. Singh told media operatives that at the last budgetary engagement held on Friday last,Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys, the opposition made a number of suggestions.He said that some suggestions were very specific while others were quite vague. As such, Dr. Singh said, the government will require an opportunity to examine and consider each suggestion and to add detail to some of the more vague or general suggestions.The Minister proceeded to inform that the technical work, which is a prerequisite to the conclusion of the budget, started several months ago.He said that the budget will not witness any “dramatic” economic deviation from previous budgetary paths.One of the priorities of the government that is to be reflected in this year’s budget,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, as stated by Singh, is the continued emphasis on the preservation of macro-economic stability.According to Dr. Singh,Cheap NFL Jerseys, Guyana has been recognized regionally and globally for the magnitude of accomplishments as it relates to sustained economic growth in “an extremely hostile external environment.”He said that for the country to continue that trend,holesale NFL Jerseys, a certain amount of macro-economic development is required to be in place.Further, the Minister disclosed that the budget will also focus on continued stability in Guyana’s exchange rates and interest rates.He added that “continued” efforts will be made to manage indebtedness so as to ensure preservation of external balances to sustain the external economic activities.Emphasis will be placed,Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys, he said, on investments in physical infrastructure, social services, education, health, housing, water and sanitation.Dr. Singh noted that the sugar and rice industries will be modernized and the budget will seek to maintain competitiveness within the business environment.Singh said that the sugar sector remains a key element in sustaining the economy, notwithstanding progress in diversification.He admitted that the industry is experiencing a number of challenges and those are expected to be confronted through this year’s budget.He said that for the sugar industry to play the role it is expected to and ensure a profitable industry, long term modernization is needed.The budget will also provide for a security sector revamp, accelerated investments in other agriculture projects, investment in the social sector, labour market, skills and training programmes and the education sector with an online delivery of university programmes. |
