…moves in 2011 to build ‘Guyana of Tomorrow’
FINANCE Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, in his presentation of the 2011 budget, Monday in the National Assembly, stressed that the presentation was based on a clear purpose, defined in the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)Manifesto – a promise to deliver a Brighter Future for All Guyanese.
This year’s $161.4B budget was presented under the theme: Together – Building Tomorrow’s Guyana – Today.
“This commitment formed the basis of our contract with the people of Guyana… we have since been guided by the vision outlined therein, fortified with the steadfastness of commitment that distinguished our preceding terms of office, with our focus sharply aimed at implementing the policies, programmes and projects required to realize a modern and prosperous Guyana,” he said.
Singh stated emphatically that much has been achieved, promises have been delivered, and “the future is brighter for our country” than ever before.
“In absolutely every facet of the national development and transformation agenda, the progress and the prospects are there for all to see,” he said.
The Finance Minster pointed out that:
* The economy is larger than ever before, with gross domestic product(GDP) now measured at $453B;
* The economy is more resilient than ever before, having recorded annual real growth of four percent on average over the past four years;
* External reserves now stand at US$780M compared with US$277M at the end of 2006; external debt has been reduced from 72 percent to 47 percent, and the fiscal deficit from 7.2 percent to 4 percent of GDP, and
* The percentage of central government expenditure financed with our own domestic revenues has been increased from 60 percent to 81 percent – all over the past four years.
He described Guyana’s performance as reflective of a strong and sustained macro-economic position.
“The impressive macroeconomic achievements of the current term of office build on the already outstanding track record of our previous terms, and are replicated in a plethora of other examples of promises delivered,” Singh asserted.
According to him, the physical infrastructure, the social sector, sports and culture, the justice sector, the environment, international affairs and diplomacy represent some of the “innumerable” examples of the progress and accomplishments in Guyana.

Room for More

Singh acknowledged that progress was not an easy realization for Guyana over the past year, rather the result of much work,and he maintained that the administration work is not complete, since more remains to be done.
“In achieving the results reported, we have travailed the most perilous global and regional economic crises… there are some unmistakable lessons to be learnt. Foremost amongst these is that we must be unrelenting in our quest to build an economy that is un-shaking and lastingly equipped to withstand the realities of global interconnectedness,” he said.
The minister added that there is also need for mechanisms to confront the vagaries of a trade and international financial system, as well as the need to overcome the inherent structural vulnerabilities of smallness.
“With this aim in mind, we are resolute about ensuring that the transformation already underway proceeds forthwith and uninterruptedly to materialize in its fullness,” he said.
Singh highlighted that nothing less is required, if Guyana is to reduce its susceptibility to external shocks, reduce poverty to a minimum, and unleash the creative energies and productive efforts of all Guyanese to their maximum potential.
He pointed out that the 2011 budget speaks to a Guyana of tomorrow, which envisions an improved society where all Guyanese are given the opportunity to fulfil their potential, expressly where there is no limits to what youths can achieve.
“Guyana of tomorrow must no longer be a distant dream. Its achievement depends on the actions we take today. It is for that reason that we have defined a vision, and built a strong degree of consensus around that vision,” Singh said.
To this end, he contends that the 2011 budget speaks to:
* Sustainable use of our land and our natural resources;
* Closer partnerships and infrastructural links with our neighbours and within our own country;
* Affordable and clean energy;
* A well-educated work force equipped with the most current of skills, and
* Availability and productive use of cutting-edge technology.
He maintained that every Guyanese has a contribution to make in realizing this vision, and if tomorrow’s Guyana is to be on its way to being built today.
In this context, Singh referred to the progress Guyana has made to date and stressed that each Guyanese feels and lives this progress.
According to him, the progress embraces the 15,148 persons who were allocated house lots who did not previously own their own home; the 20,629 persons who got connected to the national electricity grid for the first time during the past four years; the 27,344 persons who saw an ophthalmologist and the 542 who had cataract surgeries in Port Mourant since the National Ophthalmological Hospital opened its doors; the 4,000 passengers in the 900 vehicles that cross the Berbice River Bridge every day; the 2,500 young men and women who go to work in a call centre and who provide services in a high technology environment to customers at the other side of the world; and the 90,000 families that will start receiving their laptops later this month.
“The progress has been real, and it has been rapid. Equally, never before in our country’s history has the prospect of achieving national prosperity been more evidently attainable. The opportunities are many, and they are within our collective national reach,” Singh said.