The Minister explained that the budget is a process and it has been planned on the basis of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) manifesto and the National Development Strategy (NDS). There is a medium to long-term plan.

"I would want to say to Guyanese at this time that we have to work within this budget framework. All of us should put our shoulders to the wheel and put aside our differences and come out as a united force working together so that we can bring prosperity to our people. We should redirect our energies to the more positive things and try to remove crime in our societies and all these negative things so that Guyana becomes a proud nation once again," said Minister Kowlessar.

The Minister also called on the main opposition People's National Congress Reform (PNCR), to attend Parliament for the debate of the National Budget 2003, which will begin on April 7. The National Budget was presented on Friday last by Minister Kowlessar in Parliament, which was held at the Ocean View Convention Centre, East Coast Demerara. The budget for $72.9 billion is the largest to be presented in Guyana, exceeding last years budget by $4 billion.

Minister Kowlessar said, "Parliament is the place for debate including the budget so if they want a debate they should come into Parliament."

The budget presentation was interrupted for about 20 minutes after a group of PNCR protestors chanting loudly, banging on the door and beating sticks, invaded the Chambers. The protestors included Members of the PNC/R and their supporters who gathered in front of the main door shouting loudly.

The Finance Minister said the noise that was made by protestors, which included the PNCR's Members of Parliament, did not affect his presentation. "It did not affect me, although you could have heard the chanting and noise outside, but I kept focus on what I had to do until I was interrupted by the Speaker, Mr. Ralph Ramkarran," said Minister Kowlessar.

He explained that he did not expect the protestors to go so closely to the Chambers although he saw them outside the compound when he arrived.

Speaker, Mr. Ramkarran condemned the behaviour of the protestors. He said, "The conduct of those gathered outside the door of the Parliament Chamber was extremely disgraceful and disrespectful and an attack of a most extra-ordinary nature on Parliament, a visible symbol of our democracy. Those persons outside are seeking to close down this symbol by desecrating it with their intolerance.”

On the Government Information Agency (GINA) programme 'Centre Page' Minister Kowlessar highlighted several aspects of the budget including, crime, education, housing, water, job creation and transport and communication.

He pointed out that Government is doing its best to manage the economy prudently. "We have a plan and we try as far as possible to stick to that plan. We try to ensure that the macroeconomic fundamentals are in place," said Minister Kowlessar.

He added that despite the challenges of 2002, it was a positive year in a lot of other areas. Kowlessar noted that Guyana's real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 1.1 per cent. It was noted that Guyana was one of the three CARICOM countries that recorded positive growth in 2002.

"We raised salaries by 5 per cent, inflation was kept within reasonable targets, the exchange rate remained fairly stable, interest rates have been reducing and the Gross International Reserve was within target. So, all of these things are a plus for Guyana but some people do not want to recognise that because the crime situation seems to mask the positive things that have happened," said Minister Kowlessar.

He added that 2002 was a very successful year in terms of the challenges that faced Guyana.

The Minister said it is unfair to say that Government is not attracting investments. One of the reasons for this is that people do not have the data to show the investments. He pointed out that there are many small investments but it seems as though people do not recognize them unless they are large investments.