– as CDB starts ninth phase of BNTF

ERADICATING poverty has been a crucial part of the Government’s agenda and as the country moves closer to achieving that goal, the Ministry of Finance will be placing more emphasis on livelihood projects.

As part of those projects, the ministry will be targeting areas of agriculture and local manufacturing, said Finance Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Hector Butts during his remarks at the opening ceremony of a Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and Social Development Commission (SDC) of Jamaica workshop at the Marriott Hotel on Monday.
The programme, which is part of the Basic Need Trust Fund (BNTF)’s ninth project, was geared at training local stakeholders about effective community engagement and sustainable development throughout the project’s life cycle.

Like the purpose of the programme, Butts said by bolstering local farmers, agro-processors, and entrepreneurs, Guyana could expect a positive shift in the local economy.
“There is much potential for sustained economic growth and prosperity, given Guyana’s resources; Government is committed to the robust and transformative development of the nation and looks forward to continued engagement and synergy with the CDB to achieve this vision,” he said.

BNTF, since its establishment in 1993, has been a pillar in Guyana, working through community-based projects to reduce poverty and support the resilience of citizens.
During the eighth phase of the BNFT project, Guyana was able to complete almost 600 projects in areas such as health, water and sanitation, commerce, human resource development, among others.

BNTF’s acting portfolio manager, George Yearwood said the fund from its inception has been shaping its resources to address the needs of poor communities.
“The goal of the ninth phase of the BNTF programme is to reduce the incidence of poverty in low-income, vulnerable communities, by improving access to quality education and training, water and sanitation, basic community access in drainage and human resources development services,” he said.