MINISTER in the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill has shed more light on some of the areas the government will be focusing on for the 2013 national budget. Annually, government is required to present to the National Assembly a budget based on projects related to national development.

Minister in the Ministry of Finance Juan Edghill

Budget 2013
Special emphasis will be placed on youth development; this will see the revamping of the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency with a mandate to actively reach out to job seekers and employers providing matching placement services.
Minister Edghill said that plans are also in place to strengthen the Board of Industrial Training (BIT). Programmes will also be strengthened to ensure youths are trained in entrepreneurial skills.
“We don’t just want students studying sociology; they need to have the necessary skills to work in the oil and gas industry,” he said and explained that infrastructure development on the coastland is being affected. This has been attributed to a lack of necessary skills due to many of the skilled operators moving on to work in the interior.
There will also be a programme to develop young professionals, and the University of Guyana (UG) which will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year, will be boosted with online programmes so that persons can obtain their degrees at their leisure.
There will also be a special programme focused primarily on hinterland communities, especially youths, and sports facilities will continue to be upgraded and established.
The National Insurance Scheme (NIS) will see special attention this year, in the provision of training to advance administrative efficiency while a programme to improve public servants’ efficiency will also be introduced.
There will be the launch of a farmers’ fertilizer and planting materials facility to assist in food production and strengthening of food security.
Minister Edghill said that the sugar industry will see developments including mechanisation and other measures will be introduced to reduce the cost of production so that Guyana can become more competitive on the world market.
Over the last six years, Guyana has recorded positive economic growth at an average of five percent, while many countries are facing hardships.
Programmes will also be designed to ensure the use of renewable energy in industry, business and households. Tax reform is also another priority of government to improve economic growth and broaden the tax base.