In an interview with Newsroom, the Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh shared some highlights of the upcoming 2024 National Budget.
He pledged the Government’s goal to “lay a foundation for broad-based, resilient, diversified economic growth”.
“Which means creating an environment that is attractive to do business, that is conducive to inward investments, both by international investors and of course local investors as well”.
Minister Singh noted that in preparing the 2020 People’s Progressive Party manifesto, they consulted with a wide range of stakeholders to engage them on what was deemed to be priority projects.
Regarding their manifesto as a “social contract with the people of the country”, the Minister stated that the Government continuously meets with local communities on a weekly basis to hear from the residents on what they wish to see implemented, in an ongoing process of engagement.
“In identifying those priorities, we go through an ongoing process of engagement with people”
General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, in his weekly press conference, stated that the 2024 National Budget will not impose any new taxes.
Last year’s budget, which stood at $781.9 billion, was the country’s largest with no new taxes imposed.
“It has been a trend of the PPP governments. This is something we promised in our Local Government campaign- no new taxes. But I can say even at the national level that there will be no new taxes”.
Vice President Jagdeo shared that the new budget will focus on economic and social investments, allowing for more disposable income for households.
Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh will be presenting Budget 2024 to the National Assembly at 14:00 hrs today.