“Expect a people’s budget” – finance minister

By Michael Younge
Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh said the 2012 National Budget, which will be presented on Friday, March 30, will be a ‘people’s budget’ containing measures and projects all aimed at meeting the needs of citizens and advancing the country’s economic development.

Speaking with Guyana Times International during an interview, Dr Singh explained that he is optimistic ahead of his sixth budget presentation that there is much Guyanese and the opposition can celebrate about this “special” budget.
Dr Singh stated that the budget will represent some of the expectations and aspirations of the Guyanese public, while arguing that the comprehensive document would focus on paving the way for more development to occur within the context of a changing regional and global world.
“The budget will have much in it that goes to the core of the needs of the Guyanese people and in fact, the entire budget is about the immediate, medium- and long-term needs of the people while focusing on helping to create an environment where their aspirations can be fully realised,” he confidently said.
He argued that this year’s budget will see projects and policies being put forward for public scrutiny that have the potential to impact directly and indirectly on the lives of thousands of hardworking and law-abiding citizens.
Nothing that the economy continues to perform creditably as a result of government’s prudent economic policies and fiscal management programmes, Dr Singh registered confidence that the story he will share with the nation through the 2012 budget is one that all Guyanese should be proud and appreciative of.
He said that the document, which has been already compiled, will emphasise the country’s performance economically, financially and socially over the past year. It will include detailed information on the growth and impact of traditional sectors such as rice and sugar on Guyana’s gross domestic product and the livelihoods of thousands. Dr Singh disclosed that the budget places more focus on social spending and social sector development as government continues to experience huge gains in this sector.
“This budget is premised on the presentation of the macroeconomic gains made, protection of our macroeconomic stability, the promotion and facilitation of economic growth and social investment,” he noted.
Opposition acceptance
“I remain hopeful. It is hard for me to comprehend how the opposition could seriously argue with many of the things that they will see in the budget. I don’t believe frankly that it is easy for them to argue or disagree with a lot of things contained in the budget,” the finance minister said optimistically.
The opposition, like many Guyanese, has been calling for a budget that will address the hardships and economic difficulties affecting some Guyanese families and businesses. Dr Singh in response said the 2012 budget continues to focus on improving infrastructural development, which indirectly results in a better standard and quality of living for all, and add renewed emphasis to addressing core bread and butter issues.
He said that the opposition and all independent thinking Guyanese must use the opportunities presented in the public debates to “closely scrutinise” the budget.
“I hope that the debates that will unfold will be based upon the issues of development, which should be based upon merit rather upon partisan political considerations for the purposes of grandstanding,” Dr Singh said.
He argued that opposing for the sake of opposing, in the face of a good budget, would confirm charges made by stakeholders that this is the attitude of an irresponsible and politically immature opposition. He expects the opposition parties and parliamentarians to be “objective” and “rational” in their criticisms of the 2012 proposed expenditures.
“The opposition will find favour with this budget,” Dr Singh opined. When asked what would occur if the opposition is dissatisfied and blocks parts or the entire document, a hesitant Dr Singh said: “Were we to find ourselves in that situation, then we would have to be guided by the relevant statues. And we would need to consider the other relevant options. But I don’t think that is where we will head.”
Questioned further as to the level of consultations with the opposition ahead of his presentation of the budget, Dr Singh said that this did occur. The finance minister said the intra-political parliamentary party dialogue did occur at the level of the economic and budget committees.
He said that while there were some difficulties in meeting, several priority areas were agreed upon by the government and opposition.
By Michael Younge
Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh said the 2012 National Budget, which will be presented on Friday, March 30, will be a ‘people’s budget’ containing measures and projects all aimed at meeting the needs of citizens and advancing the country’s economic development.Speaking with Guyana Times International during an interview, Dr Singh explained that he is optimistic ahead of his sixth budget presentation that there is much Guyanese and the opposition can celebrate about this “special” budget. Dr Singh stated that the budget will represent some of the expectations and aspirations of the Guyanese public, while arguing that the comprehensive document would focus on paving the way for more development to occur within the context of a changing regional and global world.“The budget will have much in it that goes to the core of the needs of the Guyanese people and in fact, the entire budget is about the immediate, medium- and long-term needs of the people while focusing on helping to create an environment where their aspirations can be fully realised,” he confidently said. He argued that this year’s budget will see projects and policies being put forward for public scrutiny that have the potential to impact directly and indirectly on the lives of thousands of hardworking and law-abiding citizens. Nothing that the economy continues to perform creditably as a result of government’s prudent economic policies and fiscal management programmes, Dr Singh registered confidence that the story he will share with the nation through the 2012 budget is one that all Guyanese should be proud and appreciative of. He said that the document, which has been already compiled, will emphasise the country’s performance economically, financially and socially over the past year. It will include detailed information on the growth and impact of traditional sectors such as rice and sugar on Guyana’s gross domestic product and the livelihoods of thousands. Dr Singh disclosed that the budget places more focus on social spending and social sector development as government continues to experience huge gains in this sector.“This budget is premised on the presentation of the macroeconomic gains made, protection of our macroeconomic stability, the promotion and facilitation of economic growth and social investment,” he noted.
Opposition acceptance “I remain hopeful. It is hard for me to comprehend how the opposition could seriously argue with many of the things that they will see in the budget. I don’t believe frankly that it is easy for them to argue or disagree with a lot of things contained in the budget,” the finance minister said optimistically. The opposition, like many Guyanese, has been calling for a budget that will address the hardships and economic difficulties affecting some Guyanese families and businesses. Dr Singh in response said the 2012 budget continues to focus on improving infrastructural development, which indirectly results in a better standard and quality of living for all, and add renewed emphasis to addressing core bread and butter issues. He said that the opposition and all independent thinking Guyanese must use the opportunities presented in the public debates to “closely scrutinise” the budget. “I hope that the debates that will unfold will be based upon the issues of development, which should be based upon merit rather upon partisan political considerations for the purposes of grandstanding,” Dr Singh said. He argued that opposing for the sake of opposing, in the face of a good budget, would confirm charges made by stakeholders that this is the attitude of an irresponsible and politically immature opposition. He expects the opposition parties and parliamentarians to be “objective” and “rational” in their criticisms of the 2012 proposed expenditures.“The opposition will find favour with this budget,” Dr Singh opined. When asked what would occur if the opposition is dissatisfied and blocks parts or the entire document, a hesitant Dr Singh said: “Were we to find ourselves in that situation, then we would have to be guided by the relevant statues. And we would need to consider the other relevant options. But I don’t think that is where we will head.” Questioned further as to the level of consultations with the opposition ahead of his presentation of the budget, Dr Singh said that this did occur. The finance minister said the intra-political parliamentary party dialogue did occur at the level of the economic and budget committees.He said that while there were some difficulties in meeting, several priority areas were agreed upon by the government and opposition.