BERBICIANS heard of a few highlights in this year’s national budget from President Donald Ramotar minutes after it was presented in the National Assembly by Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh today.While in the county to attend the centenary anniversary of the Rose Hall Martyrs, he took the opportunity to highlight the increase in old age pension to $12,500 per month, and the slashing of the income tax rate to 30 percent.

The announcement was met with applause from the gathering of individuals who were assured by President Ramotar of the government’s continued commitment to investing in areas that matter the most.
“We believe that the most important factor for development is the quality of people that we have, and therefore we are investing in our people because we believe we have the possibility of being one of the best countries in the world, and we need the quality of people to do that,” President Ramotar said.
He spent some time talking about the sugar industry that last year received $4B and will this year benefit from $1B, as efforts continue to make it more viable and fortified in the face of several challenges.
He also told Berbicians about the necessary changes needed in the industry if it is to remain competitive and a pillar of the economy, especially in an era when other sectors are showing greater potential.
Chief among those changes are mechanisation, and value added initiatives such as packaging and co-generation for renewable energy.
The Head of State said predictions are that the industry’s labour is likely to lessen as the knowledge based economy develops, and that its production is likely to be affected with the climate change phenomenon becoming more perverse.
Additionally, the government made the largest investment ever in the industry with the Skeldon Sugar Factory which is undergoing remedial works on the conveyor system, the cogeneration plant and bagasse conveyors. (GINA)