President takes Budget 2013 news to Berbicians
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.
President Donald Ramotar greets a centenarian from Rosehall , Berbice at the 100th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Rosehall workers
The announcement was met with applause from the gathering of individuals who were assured by President Ramotar of the Government’s continued commitment to invest in the 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 being one of the best countries in the world, and we need the quality of people to do that,” President Ramotar said.
President Donald Ramotar presents a plaque to a Rosehall centenarian
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.
Another centenarian from Rosehall gets a plaque from President Donald Ramotar
Chief among those changes are mechanisation, value added 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 climate change phenomenon becoming more perverse.
President Donald Ramotar lays a wreath at the Rosehall Martyrs’ Monument site
Additionally, the Government made the largest investment ever in the industry with the Sleldon Sugar Factory which is undergoing remedial works on the conveyor system, the cogeneration plant and bagasse conveyors.
It shows that our women are respected, honored and awarded; quite unlike the country from where they originated. They were forcibly taken across continents, but made a difference in their new homeland. They worked hard and sacrificed their lives for a better future for their children.