THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has launched its Elections Manifesto in its traditional timely manner and it would be interesting to see what are the similarities and differences of the manifestos of the other contesting parties to that of the ruling party.
Based on what is contained in the document, it seems that the PPP/C has its fingers on the right buttons in all the key sectors of national development.
Of course, one of the issues which has attracted great attention from all sections of society is the rate of VAT. Some have argued with some justification that the current 16% rate is too high. On the other hand,the administration has insisted that the rate is in accordance with what obtains regionally and at the same time reducing it could mean less funds being available for the social sector which in turn would affect the entire nation.
However the party’s manifesto quite rightly promises a review of VAT. Presenting the document last Saturday at the Princess Hotel, PPP/C Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar disclosed: “There will be continuous review of our taxation system including the VAT to ensure it remains competitive and is effective in promoting growth, initiative, and welfare, by identifying and implementing further reforms to broaden the taxpayer base, reduce effective rates especially to the most vulnerable and raise administrative efficiency of the Revenue Authority,” the document said.
This most likely would be welcome by all Guyanese as taxation policy and measures are vital to accelerating socio-economic well-being and raising living standards of the more vulnerable sections of society.
Another crucial area, as outlined in the Manifesto, is the transformation of the productive sectors to generate jobs and wealth.
In this regard, the party, through its Manifesto, further promises to improve the environment for doing business, through the use of information technology, reducing costs and improving the ease with which the business community can execute transactions with Government agencies.

It also plans seeking to secure the long-term strength and stability of the financial system, “by consolidating financial sector supervision and extending the regulatory perimeter of the Bank of Guyana to include all entities providing financial services, reviewing all financial sector supervision and regulation legislation, and strengthening supervisory capabilities.”

The new government, under Ramotar, will also seek to improve the ease with which credit can be accessed by the private sector, including by facilitating the establishment of a credit bureau. It will also continue to work with financial institutions on making credit affordable to small and medium-sized businesses and improve the ease with which financing can be raised on the capital market by the business community, including by incentivising more companies to go public. The Government will also ensure the existence of an exchange that promotes good corporate governance and provides effective investment intermediation, as well as seek to reduce the costs and improve the efficiency and timeliness with which commercial disputes are resolved by strengthening the commercial court.
This is a perfect encapsulation of what is needed for the unleashing of our tremendous private sector potential which is regarded as the “engine of growth.” Therefore, the measures enunciated should give the private sector the assurance that a Ramotar-led government will be pursuing business-friendly policies.
The Manifesto also deals comprehensively with the issue of energy, which is fundamental to the transformation of any national economy and the living standards of people.
According to the document, over the next five years, the government will bring electricity to every single Guyanese household, by extending the national grid to include all new housing developments, unserved and hinterland areas.

It promises to transform Guyana into a country that meets almost its entire national demand for electric energy from renewable sources, by completing the Amaila Falls hydropower project. It will also seek to improve efficiency in the national grid by completing the upgrade of the transmission network.
The Manifesto said that the new government under Donald Ramotar will develop Guyana’s capacity to supply nearby export markets, by facilitating a second large-scale, privately-financed hydropower project. In addition, other renewable sources of energy will be vigorously pursued.
On this note, the late President and Founder-Leader of the PPP, Dr Cheddi Jagan must be smiling in the world beyond, as this was his vision and intention, since he entered the political arena, to bring cheap and reliable electricity to every household in this country.
Unlike many political parties, the PPP and PPP/C have historically stood steadfastly by manifesto policies and promises and therefore there should be no skepticism that it would not so on this occasion under a Ramotar led government.