BUDGET 2024, the government’s fiscal plan for the year, will be presented to the National Assembly this month, according to Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, during a press conference at the Office of the President, on Thursday.

Dr. Jagdeo told reporters that this year’s budget will focus on several major projects.
In 2023, the government passed a $781.9 billion budget, and owing to the rate of development, requested additional supplementary funding to carry out projects.

Dr. Jagdeo had previously said the budget will also focus on two key elements: providing more disposable income to citizens and advancing the economy through a slew of policies and programmes.

“Disposable income can come from several ways; it can be increased salaries, reduced taxes, more people being employed, and all of these measures would be catered for in the 2024 budget; so you can expand employment and get more disposal income at the gross level, that is the national level, because more people are working,” the Vice President had said.

NEW HEIGHTS

During a recent event, President, Dr Irfaan Ali had announced that 2024 will be a significant year for all, as more initiatives will be rolled out to better everyone’s lives.

The Wales Development Authority (WDA), he said, will be among the projects Guyanese can see moving to implementation.

“Guyana will be aggressively positioning itself globally in the energy, food, climate and environmental services, ecological and biodiversity services. We’ll be unloaded on global focus areas as pillars of the economy moving forward,” Dr Ali said.

With the nation aiming to continue making a name for itself, the President emphasised that developmental works will be pursued and all citizens can expect a more enhanced Guyana.

On the subject of infrastructure, come 2024, the President said that Guyanese will see the Diamond to Buzz Bee Dam Highway completed and works commencing on the Buzz Bee Dam to Soesdyke Highway.

“This is bonus… the programme that we were elected on did not have this,” he said, while underscoring the massive road works that his administration has pursued.

In addition to this, the Schoonord to Crane four-lane by-pass will be completed. Moreover, the signing and commencement of the Corentyne River Bridge that will connect Guyana to Suriname will occur.

“We’ll see substantive completion or completion of the New Demerara Bridge…continuation of Ogle-Eccles bypass to Providence…,” the President said while expounding on the plans in progress for easing traffic woes.
Guyana, this year, will also be the host of several high-level meetings.