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President Donald Ramotar says he is disappointed that there have not been more consultations and discussions with the opposition parties on the National Budget, which will be presented by Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh on Monday, March 25. However, he acknowledged that there will be areas where they might now have total agreement, while he also highlighted his hopes that the opposition will see that this budget is a very good one that can only benefit the people of Guyana.
President Ramotar was speaking during a media briefing at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown, yesterday.
“I think it’s a very good budget and I had hoped that there would have been much more consultations and discussions on the matter,” he said.
Nevertheless, the president emphasised that he expects the support of the opposition for the budget, noting that they would support it if they have the interest of the Guyanese people fully at heart.
“I am convinced that this is a very good budget that will lay a good foundation for the further advancement of our country, and lifting the quality of life for our people. So I will expect the support of the opposition in a general way,” he related.
Ramotar further stressed that the government has always been ready to talk with the opposition parties, but he reiterated that he regrets that more consultations did not occur before.
Asked whether any changes in the taxation system can be expected, he noted that the work of the Tax Review Committee, which he had commissioned in 2011, is still not completed.
“I must say that the study I had commissioned on this is not yet completed for several reasons…but work is in full stream and I’m hoping it will be done as fast as possible, so that we can look at the taxing in its totality; but there will be some tax measures in the budget,” he said.
Meanwhile, the president stressed that a sober atmosphere must be maintained in the National Assembly as the budget is being dealt with.
President Ramotar was speaking during a media briefing at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown, yesterday.
“I think it’s a very good budget and I had hoped that there would have been much more consultations and discussions on the matter,” he said.
Nevertheless, the president emphasised that he expects the support of the opposition for the budget, noting that they would support it if they have the interest of the Guyanese people fully at heart.
“I am convinced that this is a very good budget that will lay a good foundation for the further advancement of our country, and lifting the quality of life for our people. So I will expect the support of the opposition in a general way,” he related.
Ramotar further stressed that the government has always been ready to talk with the opposition parties, but he reiterated that he regrets that more consultations did not occur before.
Asked whether any changes in the taxation system can be expected, he noted that the work of the Tax Review Committee, which he had commissioned in 2011, is still not completed.
“I must say that the study I had commissioned on this is not yet completed for several reasons…but work is in full stream and I’m hoping it will be done as fast as possible, so that we can look at the taxing in its totality; but there will be some tax measures in the budget,” he said.
Meanwhile, the president stressed that a sober atmosphere must be maintained in the National Assembly as the budget is being dealt with.
