Modernising the economy, creating worthwhile jobs, revamping the education system, and protecting Amerindian culture are all part of A Partnership for National Unity’s planned economic reforms, if it gets into government.
Revealing its economic policy at its secretariat on Regent Street on Monday, September 19, APNU said its policy will see the establishment of a “modern economy” which combines skill- intensive with natural, resource-based development.
Reading from a prepared statement, Carl Greenidge, a member of APNU’s Policy and Manifesto Committee, said that the economic policy primarily targeted the vulnerable, particularly young women and men.
For this reason, priority will be given to quality jobs and remuneration as APNU diversifies the economy’s output as well as its markets, Greenidge said.
The creation of new jobs begins with not only modernisation of the economy, but institutions and business practices, he said. He added that APNU’s plan includes the radical refashioning of schools and training curricula to deal with 21st century life and the related ongoing digital and information revolution.
“We will employ special measures to ensure that effective and relevant primary education is delivered to all Guyanese, so that it may once again become the pillar of our education system,” Greenidge quoted from the statement.
An APNU-led government proposes to “deal with the fundamental problems identified as barriers to improvement in the wellbeing of Guyanese”. According to Greenidge, “policy decisions need to be taken on the basis of considered decisions about proper sequencing – careful planning. There is an order in which investments might best be undertaken, and that order is based on the examination of the country’s needs.” The APNU economic policy will be based on the needs of the country in general and carried out under the obligation of not abusing power, Greenidge added.
“With these policies, we offer a message of hope for the young with the prospect of a better tomorrow, which is in keeping with their aspirations.” The party’s plan includes a youth- focused human resource development plan, which will offer special training and adjustment programmes for the unemployed young.
While acknowledging the growth of the economy, as reflected in the mid-year report, Greenidge pointed out that Guyana’s growth must be considered in relation to the region and the rest of the world.
APNU believes that putting things into a wider perspective allows for the development of appropriate policies.
Protection of culture
Meanwhile, the coalition says its economic policy will ensure the protection of the Amerindian people and their culture. “We shall therefore examine, and where appropriate, institute more effective means of rendering protection to those hinterland communities that find themselves in close proximity to mining and other economic activities,” Greenidge said.
Comments are closed.