MINISTER of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh has indicated that the government will be convening very soon follow-up meetings with the Opposition on the submissions made by the latter in relation to Budget 2013. The minister stated that while submissions were received from the parliamentary opposition parties, the recommendations varied in relation to their respective degrees of specificity. In some cases, specific recommendations were made, while in other cases relatively vague objectives were outlined, and which now require more detailed clarification.

That notwithstanding, the Opposition submissions have been receiving careful attention from government, the Finance Minister emphasised.
President Donald Ramotar recently told the media that government remains committed to engaging all stakeholders, including the Opposition, in extensive budgetary consultations. He expressed the hope that in the end, the budget will be accepted by all parties in Parliament so that the country can continue to move forward.
In November last year, Tourism Industry and Commerce Minister (ag) Irfaan Ali had met with the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI);the Private Sector Commission (PSC);the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GM&SA); the Aircraft Owners Association and the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) and other bodies to get their inputs in the process of drafting the budget.
Last year, even though government had held consultations with the Opposition during the preparation of the budget, and even after it was presented, they still used their one-seat majority to cut about $21B from the $192.8 billion budget that was presented under the theme, ‘Remaining on course, united in purpose, prosperity for all’ .

Excerpt from the Guyana chronicle