2019 Budget consultations begin with THAG
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DPI, Guyana, Thursday, September 6, 2018
Preparations for the 2019 National Budget got underway today with consultations between the Ministry of Finance and the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG).
Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma led the talks, where the positive economic impact of tourism on Guyana was brought under discussion by the THAG team led by its President Mitra Ramkumar.
The meeting between the two agencies was the first in a series in the leadup to the presentation of Budget 2019 later this year.
Ramkumar suggested that tourism be seen as a pillar of development as it is one of the solutions to the diversification of the economy.
“Tourism is the answer to diversifying this economy because it is sustainable, it will go on. We want to build a sustainable industry, and if we are looking at a strategy that will take us into 2040, I’m saying that tourism has to be at the forefront,” he said.
Minister Sharma noted that the Tourism and Hospitality Sector is one of the areas that the government has been placing emphasis on.
“If you look at our budget presentation from 2015 to present, you will see that we are focusing on those sectors that will boost tourism,” the minister said.
He added that much of the proposals put forward by the tourism authority are potentially helpful to the economy. He said while he supports them, the fiscal constraints of the economy will be used to match the proposals.
Officials of the Guyana Trade Union Congress and the Federation Independent Trade Unions of Guyana also met with ministry officials today. Similar consultations are planned with other organisations and political parties over the coming days.
Budget 2019 will be presented by Finance Minister Winston Jordan in November of this year.
Alexis Rodney
Images: Department of Public Information