BUDGET 2013, according to PPP/C MP Komal Chand, must be seen against the background of the prevailing global financial situation, as well as what has been happening in the region and even locally.

He noted that continued large investments in the social sector, which have become a distinguishing feature in successive PPP/C budgets, is indeed heartening, and he lauded Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh’s innovative efforts as it relates to this year’s budget measures.
He noted that these interventions will go a far way in alleviating the pockets of poverty that still exist in parts of the country.
“Although there is much more to be done, it is rather remarkable that in the past two decades, the PPP/C administration has removed a significant proportion of the Guyanese population out of poverty. The programme of action outlined in this year’s budget is a further step in that direction,” Chand said.
He remarked that in a country like Guyana, with an abundance of natural resources, it must be ensured that these resources are used in such a way so as to guarantee that the benefits redound to the common man with the aim of reducing poverty.
Turning his attention to the sugar industry, Chand, who is also the President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU), called on the House not to dismiss its importance to the country’s overall development.
Sugar has made and continues to make a significant contribution to Guyana’s economy and is linked to almost every citizen.
“Our sugar industry is our patrimony; it is linked to several of our national milestones which we celebrate…the sugar industry keeps serving our country in a multi-faceted way,” he said.
The industry, at peak periods, employs about 18,000 people and many of the seven factories facilitate cane grown by about 1500 farmers.
He said that despite the challenges that the industry is currently faced with, a bright future awaits it, since the targeted production is not unrealisable. At present, the price for Guyana’s exported sugar is encouraging, at about US 18 cents per pound on the world market. The prognosis is that this price will increase significantly in the period ahead.
During the period 1988 to 1992 the industry saw a production of 173,294 tonnes, 1993-1997- 264,549 tonnes, 1998-2002- 292,804 tonnes, 2003-2007- 279,963 tonnes, and during 2008- 2012 the average yearly production was 227,077 tonnes of sugar.
“In view of such performances, one can justifiably conclude the industry has the potential to recover its high production performance as it did from 1991. Its challenges today are not as daunting as they were during 1988 to 1992, Chand said.
Meanwhile, PPP/C’s Region 6 MP, Faizal Jaffarally, in his presentation, strongly condemned the disparaging remarks uttered by APNU member, Carl Greenidge, with regard to the sugar industry. Greenidge had said that the sugar workers were the PPPC’s problem.
He reminded that sugar workers are hardworking people who are making significant contributions to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
He also spoke of improvements in Region 6, particularly in the areas of education, sport and youth development, agriculture, Information Communication Technology, water supply and housing, infrastructure and healthcare.
“Budget 2013 is about all of the people of Guyana; it will give us an opportunity to further improve the quality of life of Guyanese,” he said. (GINA)