Budget 2004 At A Glance
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Budget 2004 At A Glance Infrastructure | Sea Defence | Education | Health | Housing & Water | Investment | Job Creation | Agriculture | Bauxite | Tourism | Crime Fighting & Security | Amerindian Development | Public Sector Management | Local Government | Poverty Reduction | Targets for 2004 | 2003 Indicators The National Budget 2004, presented under the
theme, “Investing for Sustained Growth and Enhanced Social
Development,” amounts to $75.6 billion, an increase of 5.3
percent from last year’s Budget. Minister of Finance, Saisnarine
Kowlessar presented the Budget to the National Assembly on March
29, 2004. This year, work will be completed on the rehabilitation
of the Mahaica/Rosignol road; the construction of the four-lane
highway; rehabilitation and expansion of the West Demerara main
road and the designs for the rehabilitation of the New Amsterdam/Molson
Creek Highway and the southern entrance to Georgetown. Almost
$700 million has been allocated to refurbish community roads countrywide.
$955 million will be spent to improve sea and river defense , including rehabilitation of structures at Johanna Cecelia, Lower Pomeroon, Maria’s Pleasure, Blenheim, La Grange, Hyde Park, Grove, Turkeyen, Buxton/vigilance, Belladrum and Cornelia Ida. Government has increased spending in this sector from 8.4 percent of GDP or 12.1 billion in 2003 to 9.4 percent of GDP or 14.5 billion in 2004. Priority spending will be in the areas of curricular and pedagogical reforms, teacher’s training, recruitment, reducing overcrowding, improving facilities and their management, functional illiteracy among out of school youths and institutional strengthening. Spending in the health budget has been increased to $6.7 billion. Additionally, the Basic Nutrition Programme, intended to reduce malnutrition among women and young children in poor communities, will commence this year. HIV/STDs prevention and control programmes will continue this year. Government is currently negotiating to finance a new five-year, US$15.6 million Health Sector Programme. Construction works will continue at the New Amsterdam Hospital. Almost $1.4 billion has been budgeted to accelerate
the housing programme, and $1.5 billion has been budgeted to improve
and upgrade the water systems. TOP
TOP In the wood sector, over $300 million will be
invested in two projects for sale to the Caribbean. It is anticipated
that new jobs will be created with a cocopeat project coming on
stream this year on the Essequibo Coast. Two other projects in
the Intermediate Savannahs are expected to create more jobs, while
new jobs will be created in the Linden area through the Linden
Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP). Other private investment
projects, which will produce hundreds of jobs, are slated for
this year. The Guyana Sugar Corporation’s strategic
plan will continue to be implemented in 2004. This plan envisages
increasing production to about 450,000 tones of sugar and lowering
costs. Additionally, Government secured a soft loan of US$25.2
million to restructure three estates in Berbice. TOP As part of measures to reduce cost, Government will relieve Aroaima Bauxite Company (ABC) of all historical, social and community responsibility. Privatization of Limmine, which will pave the way for increased investment and production, is slated for the first half of 2004. In addition, Government will pursue other initiatives to revitalize the bauxite sector. Tourism is emerging as one of the new areas with the biggest potential to contribute to foreign exchange earnings, employment and growth. Government/Private sector collaboration will be enhanced and training, to equip tourism-based workers, will be increased. Government will undertake further measures to promote tourism. Government will continue to provide the necessary legislative, financial and technical support to the Guyana Police Force and other law enforcement bodies in the fight against crime. Funds have been budgeted to rehabilitate buildings; purchase equipment and vehicles; and recruit additional police officers, among other things. In addition to a $30 million Amerindian Development Fund, Amerindian Communities will benefit from an exercise and text book programme, and school feeding programme for nursery and primary students. A subsidy programme, among other programs. The expanded infrastructural development and rehabilitation measures will benefit Amerindian communities.
An additional $519 million has been budgeted under the Urban Development Programme to execute works on and around the six municipalities of Guyana. NDCs will continue to receive subvention of $3 million. Consistent with the poverty reduction strategy,
increased funding has been allocated to target key poverty alleviation
programmes. The continued emphasis on the social sectors and job
creation activities are expected to have a positive impact on
the ongoing fight against poverty.
- The Exchange rate is expected to remain stable.
- Merchandise exports are expected to increase by 6.9 percent. - Overall Balance of Payments is expected to improve. - Investment in infrastructure is expected to increase. - Spending in the social sector is also expected to improve.
- Despite unfavourable economic conditions, locally and internationally, the economy contracted by only 0.6 percent. - Inflation rate was only 4.9 percent, below
the projected figure. - Merchandise exports recorded a 4.3 percent increase from the previous year.
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