‘Our Vision-Guyana Version 2.0’ … PPP/C zooms in on Economic Growth: jobs, income & wealth creation

Written by Gina Webmasters, Published in News, Georgetown, GINA, April 25, 2015, Source

The manifesto makes mention of the fact that although “Guyana’s economy registered sustained and impressive growth rates since 1992, particularly over the last 10 years,” the PPP/C will not let up; instead it will press even harder “to grow and compete in regional and global markets in order to assure higher living standards for all.”

The result of this kind of attitude means that Guyana will maintain “a strong, resilient and stable economy that will provide greater opportunities, jobs, security and increased prosperity.”

The document points out that the PPP/C intends to make long-term strategic choices, to ensure that the economy be able to generate more businesses and jobs, as it is the aim of the ruling party to work within all the sectors, particularly in less populated areas, to provide opportunities for job creation, and the establishment of small and medium business for people in all the regions, by creating the right incentives for investment and business- promotion.

The manifesto explains that Guyana has experienced the maturity of the traditional sectors (rice, sugar, gold, bauxite, forestry), and the PPP/C will remain committed to ensuring their long-term viability, modernization and profitability. The party, contingent upon retaining governance of the country, plans to improve productivity and competitiveness by a number of ways, namely via reducing bureaucracy, simplifying the tax system, improving access to financing, promoting the use of technology, promoting a highly skilled workforce, providing energy security, marketing the ‘Brand Guyana’ and expanding infrastructure and polices conducive to business development.

In terms of the nation’s finance, the party’s economic plan revolves around a number of critical outcomes. The focus is set on “Strong Economic Growth” that must result in increased Gross Domestic Product (GDP), so as to “stimulate national and individual wealth creation and poverty reduction, and bringing the benefits of growth to all Guyanese.”

This means that the PPP/C will place “continued emphasis on careful “Fiscal and Monetary Management,” of public finances, so that the country’s income will work within a balanced budget, for long-term debt sustainability, adequate external balances,  exchange rate stability, low domestic price inflation, and  expansion of credit to the private sector.

Our Vision- Guyana Version 2.0 also points out that this means “Economic Diversification” in a very rapid manner will take place, so as to facilitate expansion of the productive base, reduction of vulnerability to external market volatility, and increasing resilience, built on both a strengthening of the traditional sectors and accelerated facilitation of the new frontiers of growth.

The PPP/C’s manifesto further focuses on employment, via job intensive growth with special emphasis on sectors that create meaningful employment, and ensuring that the education system equip young people for the requirements of the new economy. This entails the strengthening of the infrastructural and institutional prerequisites for improved competitiveness and higher productivity. Adding to this facet, there is the facilitating of the further growth of the private sector, so that the country benefits from a mixed economy, where investment will be attracted from local and foreign capital, and public-private partnerships will be pursued for specific areas such as infrastructural development.

A recurrent and foundational theme of Our Vision-Guyana Version 2.0 is that the PPP/C is about Peace, Progress and Prosperity.

The resolve of the party is that “We (as Guyanese) aim to live in a united, vibrant, prosperous country, (and therefore) we will be better educated, healthier, live longer, live in our own homes, make optimal use of information technology, and work in better paying jobs.”

2015 Manifesto a pact with the people - President Ramotar

Written by Gina Webmasters, Published in News, Georgetown, GINA, April 25, 2014, Source

“This launch is not a public relations gimmick. We are not here to buy votes with grand promises or by conjuring illusions of unrealistic futures. We leave those gimmickries to those whose historical record have been one of promising the Guyanese people the ‘moon and stars’ while their failed policies drove our economy into the ground… the PPP is a historic Party. We have never promised what is beyond our capacity. We have never cultivated false expectations. We have never deceived the Guyanese people. We deliver on our promises. We will deliver what we have promised in this manifesto,” the incumbent President and Presidential Candidate said.

The ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is the first of the six political parties contesting the May 11 elections to launch its Manifesto today at a grand ceremony at the Marriott Guyana hotel. In attendance were the architects of the 64-page document entitled “Our Vision, Guyana Version 2.0”, dignitaries and supporters from near and far.

The gathering at the Marriott Guyana for the launch of the PPPC/s 2015 Manifesto

“This manifesto is our pact with the Guyanese people. It represents what we stand for and what we commit to doing and achieving for you the Guyanese people. It details our policies, goals and objectives for the next five years, and more importantly, the means through which we are going to achieve these policies, goals and objectives,” the President said.

The manifesto proposes to propel Guyana’s development through “world class infrastructure that support our industries and businesses and from which revenues are derived to guarantee our people world class education, superior health care, reliable and affordable electricity, water, housing and other social services. It is a Guyana in which our people are united; in which there is greater social and religious tolerance. It is a Guyana governed by the rule of law, and in which every citizen can live secure and safely, free from both internal and external threats; a Guyana where everyone can aspire to be the best that they can be.”

President Donald Ramotar addressing the gathering at the launch of the PPP/C’s 2015 Manifesto

The policies and plans contained therein, according to the President, build on Government’s accomplishments, which include “almost a decade of sustained and impressive economic growth rates” which is a remarkable feat given the  often hostile and disadvantageous international economic environment to which Guyana has been subjected, he added. “...because of the PPP/C, Guyanese can boast about living in a democratic country in which free and fair elections are held on a periodic basis…we have restored this country to financial viability…we have rebuilt the infrastructure. We have vastly improved its social services. Over the past 23 years, we have given Guyana a new lease on life. We have restored hope and dignity and particularly for the young people of Guyana, we have rekindled in them the belief that great things are possible for them in this country.”

Speaking to the strategies of the manifesto, Ramotar noted that they are aimed at job creation, economic growth, income and wealth generation, modernisation, boosting manufacturing and services, creating economic free zones, ensuring food and energy security and breaking new ground in the provision of environmental services and green growth.

These will be supported through several transformative projects, the Head of State explained, including the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project; the extension of the Cheddi Jagan  International Airport, construction of an all-weather road to Brazil, the building of a bridge across the Corentyne River linking Guyana and Suriname, the construction of a deep water harbour in Berbice and a new bridge across the Demerara River.

A young lady gives President Donald Ramotar a copy of the PPPC’s Manifesto

Simultaneously, there will be an enormous investment in the human capital of the country, as “we will pursue policies and plans aimed at making life materially better for all; paying special attention to children; single parents; our indigenous peoples and the elderly.”

These plans include the completion of specialty hospital within the next five years, a 100-bed ward at the East Bank Regional Hospital, a new hospital at Port Kaituma, completion of the new maternity wing at the Georgetown Public Hospital, a new house visit system with doctors, ensuring every child completes secondary school and transforming the University of Guyana into a world class institution. Also included is a new housing scheme for 10,000 people along the Soesdyke-Linden highway, an additional 5000 turn-key homes, and greater crime fighting measures. “This will entail providing greater resources, providing emoluments to our lawmen, strengthening our laws to allow for better enforcement and prosecution, employing technology in intelligence gathering and crime investigation, and reducing the response time by the Police.”

The President indicated that the manifesto also echoes his party’s commitment to maintaining internationally acceptable standards of governance, as “we are committed to governing justly and fairly, respecting human rights, deepening local democracy, improving transparency and accountability and rooting out corruption.”

Describing the document as comprehensive, President Ramotar noted that it touches on every sector of the country and clearly outlines the rationale behind the plans and polices, “as well as specifics as to how we will achieve our goals and objectives.”

The President observed that the political opposition is now promising people to establish computer laboratories in every secondary and primary school but, “they are living in the past. We have already established computer labs in every secondary school, and we are well advanced towards doing the same in the primary schools,” as Government takes development seriously.

In summary, the PPP's manifesto is:

"Thief, thief, and more thief."

That's a lot of pages to say this.

You need to be more objective, then you will gain credibility.  You come across like a sour-puss.

What is the single thing the PPP Jagdeoites would be most remembered for?

Corruption!

They jump on projects that enrich themselves, not on projects that benefit the people and their real needs - no 2 hour term and electricity.

They fight for hotels and airport expansion when you can hardly get a decent airline to come to Guyana, and we are at the mercy of Caribbean Airlines.

Ask yourself a question, which is the chicken, which is the egg.

Corrected post:

What is the single thing the PPP Jagdeoites would be most remembered for?

Corruption!

They jump on projects that enrich themselves, not on projects that benefit the people and their real needs - no 24 hour water and electricity.

They fight for hotels and airport expansion when you can hardly get a decent airline to come to Guyana, and we are at the mercy of Caribbean Airlines.

As I said, which is the chicken, which is the egg.

This is neither chicken or egg!  These are scams, pure and simple.

Do we have to go over all their scams again?  Just last week we heard of the new scam where the fibre optic project which is not completed yet, is being repaired through some barter agreement giving away nation's resources.

What's wrong with these people?

Simply, you have no idea of the steps needed to move the needle.

No needle moving.  Every Race Punishing. The only thing moving is the bank book numbers of the PPP's Friends and Family.

After 23 years under the PPP/C we have increased racial divisiveness  - state sponsored. The manifesto lacks vision.

That's your opinion.  Come May 12, the people will decide.

The only divisiveness is being manifested by those wanting power and cannot get it by any fair means.  All 23 years, the PPP was fairly elected, this time no difference.

After 23 years under the PPP/C, Guyana has become the poorest country in the hemisphere.

The PPP supporters don't need a manifesto. Why stop progress? PPP all the way.

His is an objective conclusion. No industry is functional. After 23 years, Sugar is still in need of a 20 billion dollar bailout. They have leased out most of our forests to the Chinese for pittance and now they are doing the same with mining leases. The fishing grounds will be gone in a few months if they get in office to the Chinese factory ships depressing that area as well. Rice is being pimped for oil and the rice farmers are shouldering two leech industries, shipping to Venezuela and Guyoil. They are last to be paid so despite being hardworking and productive, they lose. Nothing is there that is productive. We remit a quarter of GDP and borrow most of the rest. And all you hear is sucking sounds as those crooks vacuum up all loose cash and assets and the can free them up to be vacuumed up at will.

The manifesto of PPP looks pretty rudimentary to me. Any government which does not put a premium on tertiary education and improving governance is up to no good. This manifesto signals PPP intends to proceed with same style of governance. Having said that, I support the idea of new hospitals if they can get well-trained humans to staff them. 

The antimanifesto talks about jobs. Let's don't forget, the PPP/C, is the government that signed a contract to build a hotel with all foreign labour; Jobs for foreigners.

This antimanifesto is made up of stuff that comes from the bovine rear end.

Agree! Also add to that they don't have any statistics to gauge whether more jobs are created than destroyed. They can't tell people what the unemployment rate is. No one knows whether their is upward wage pressure, signalling job creation and tight labor market. They don't have anything to tell labor force participation. I tell you Luncheon and the rest think we are all like uncle Snake Eye and aunty Loley. I am fed up with these people insulting my intelligence.

After 23 years under the PPP we have:

•   Failed education system with illiteracy on the rise;
•   Broken health care system;
•   Highest infant/mother mortality rate in the region......

Alyuh kech lil sense coming to the US where stats are captured and tracked and think that applies to Guyana.  Guyana is an agrarian economy and lots of employment/unemployment goes unreported.  Whatever could be tracked in Guyana is only a partial picture, a large part remains out of scope.  The Govt has to take more macro view and look at investment activity and tracked industrial activity and make some broad assumption on the spin-off economic activities outside of what can be tracked. This is the case in many 3rd world economies.

Three lies.

LOL! Bottom house level of reasoning. Jamaica, Barbados, TT and numerous other THIRD WORLD countries (including agrarian India) have these statistical capabilities. As a matter of fact, Jamaica has one of the best data collection agencies. I know you fall hook, sink and all for PPP propaganda...but many Indos know better. This is pretty easy stuff to track. As a matter of fact...in 12 months these capacities can develop.

Yes, it could be, but a large part still goes untracked.  The tracked part becomes a surrogate for the "untracked" part.  In most of these countries, 30% - 40% of the economy goes un-tracked.  Guyana is about the same. 

Uncle Harry is dumber than his looks.

PPP Manifesto is the same old new from 2006 being re-packaged.

Come May 12th, alyuh "smart-asses" gon be licking alyuh wounds.

Three Card Monte.

I can't believe they repeated the same things .

That's a possibility...I don't have any wounds to lick. I think the blind should lead the blind.

The manifesto remains, just an update.  Why would they change what they have strategically planned?

Well you guys have to make sure you strategically optimize the kick-back tax. Strategic projects means strategically optimizing the kick-back tax.

So, if the results does not come as you desire, they people are blind/dumb.  Only "Dr" TK and his cohorts have any intelligence and know what's "best" for the people of Guyana while you and others remains well fortified in the USA.

Tell us what is in the manifesto to bring crime under control? Repetition of a lie does not make a truth.

That's your thwarted view of things "PPP".  No manifesto could help you.

The PPP can only win thru an election fraud.

Kick-back taxes are not hard to see. You look at the assets/houses and the public servant salaries - cost of living. The two must add up over time. Quite simple. Got it? Is that easy foh yuh?

What type of crime?