THIS year’s budget will be the fourth to be presented by Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan and the APNU+AFC government since assuming office.

Billboard signage has been erected around the capital city depicting the Minister and government’s readiness to present the 2018 budget.
Earlier this month, Minister Jordan noted that there will be no new taxes in Budget 2018. Instead, he said the new budget seeks to provide an incentive to some sectors and promote small-business growth.
“Anything in this budget is about cleaning up or providing an incentive or two as promised. We promised some sectors we will see how we can support them in this renewal,” Minister Jordan added.

The 2018 budget will also cater to the long overdue construction of the East Bank Berbice (EBB) road, which is expected to cost approximately $1.5B.
“We said those people were promised that road endlessly; we have to build the road. The road is going to cost between $1.3B and $1.5B,” Minister Jordan told reporters earlier this month.

The 2017 national budget of $250B was presented under the theme, “Building a diversified, green economy: delivering the good life to all Guyanese.”
The budget, which was the largest presented to the National Assembly by the APNU+AFC Government, saw a number of measures announced to stimulate the country’s economy and to create employment opportunities.

In keeping with an election promise, the government reduced the Value Added Tax (VAT) to 14 per cent from 16 per cent; however, there were several new features including VAT on electricity and water as well as on education. Government later pledged to review the latter, a process which is still under review.