2024 National Budget being finalized with measures to expand economy

Two days after the Government got its third supplementary budget for the year approved, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has stated that next year’s National Budget will include a menu of measures, programmes and projects aimed at driving economic growth in the country and increasing the disposal income of Guyanese.

At a Freedom House press conference today, the Vice President said Guyanese can expect a budget that focuses not only on the expansion of the economy, but also advancements in social sector, and even more infrastructural projects.

“One, the continuation of the build out of the economic and social infrastructure of the country to enhance future growth and to bring greater comfort to our people, that is on health and education, and all those other sectors, as well as the economic structure of the country that will trigger future growth,” Mr Jagdeo told reporters.

He said in keeping with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Manifesto, the Government will take necessary steps to enhance the disposable income of Guyana.

“Now disposable income can come from several ways, it could be through increased salaries, reduction of taxes, more people being employed and all of these measures would be catered for in the 2024 budget. So, you can expand employment and get more disposal income at the gross level, that is at the national level because more people are working,” he explained.

The budget is currently being drafted, and according to the Vice President, it will be presented by the Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh early next year.

The 2023 National Budget was presented to the National Assembly mid-January.

It totaled $781.9B, but with the supplementary provisions later sought, the total amount ballooned to $897.9 Billion.