Budget 2000 not `elections budget' - analyst
THE `Ram and Mc Rae' Chartered Accountants firm feels the government cannot be accused of making Budget 2000 "an elections budget". The budget was presented in the National Assembly Monday by Minister in the Office of the President responsible for Finance, Mr Saisnarine Kowlessar. The firm, in an analysis, said the inclusion of no new or radical measures is an indication that either the current polices are effective, or that the government felt constrained about its capacity and freedom to act outside of the tried path. It noted too, that the budget this year has the fewest number of budget measures since the introduction of the Economic Recovery Programme (ERP) when the main opposition People's National Congress was in government. But the firm said if individuals, groups and organisations that participated in "the dialogue, discussions, suggestions and recommendations" were flattered at having "enriched the budget process," they must have been extremely disappointed that their recommendations were not included in the announced measures. Claiming that "there seems a marked reluctance to respond to the pleas of the private sector", the firm chided the private sector for "hardly distinguishing itself by courage, innovation or commitment to the general good of the country." The firm said the budget made no acknowledgment of the work being done on the National Development Strategy (NDS), or its readiness and its expected role in the future direction of the economy. Also missing were reassurances on the exchange rate, a vision for the country and investments badly needed to provide jobs, the report argued. On the issue of labour participation and unemployment, the report said it appears to be taboo in the budget, claiming too that women must have been particularly disappointed that no mention of them was made in the entire speech. Guyana had observed International Women's Week just two weeks ago. The report said the year will be challenging for both the economy and the government. The firm said Kowlessar is the first minister in post-independent Guyana and the post self-government era to have presented a budget without the full authority of a Finance Minister. Nevertheless, he deserves the understanding of his fellow Guyanese for attempting to prepare his budget in the most difficult administrative arrangements possible, it added. The firm feels too that Minister Kowlessar needs to be given "far more authority and more technical resources to manage the Ministry of Finance and Budget 2000, effectively." "Unless this is done the economy will continue to move at a pedestrian pace when what is needed is rapid acceleration, " it contended.
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