Opposition a no show at 2017 pre-budget consultations
GINA, GUYANA, Thursday, October 12, 2016
Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan and his budget team were today left waiting in their boardroom for the parliamentary opposition.
Minister of Finance Winston Jordan meeting with representatives of the Georgetown Chambers of Industry and Commerce as part of 2017 Pre-Budget consultations
The budget team had scheduled 14:00 – 16:00 hours to meet with the team from the Peoples’ Progressive Party to discuss the 2017 budget as part of a series of pre-budget consultations. The PPP team never showed up.
Minister Jordan said that an invitational letter was sent to the PPP in September but there was no response, “I haven’t heard from them.” Jordan said. It was hoped that the opposition would have attended the meeting given the importance of the matter.
As part of preparations for Budget 2017, consultations are being held with various stakeholders, across Guyana. This helps all parties to understand the constraints and needs that guide allocations in the budget.
The budget team has already met with several trade union bodies, the private sector and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Budget 2017 is expected to be presented on December 5, in the National Assembly.
By: Paul McAdam