AFC NEWSWIRE – 8 Feb 10 – For Immediate Release to All Media Houses
A new Optimism for 2010 and Beyond for our Nation – AFC proposes budget debates on the Long Term Plan for Guyana – Gives excerpts from its Economic Blueprint for Guyana
“Budgets must have a vision that is long-term and transformative. It must not be a mere outline of taxation and spending by the PPP Government”
The PPP/C is presenting its 17th National Budget and once again we are certain that it will not present the much needed political and developmental agenda and pathway for 2010 and beyond. Any budget for Guyana must portray the belief that we really can make this country successful. There must be a radical change in the way the rule of law is administered, decisions must be made in a timely and efficient manner, and how the resources of the state are exploited, managed and ultimately, shared amongst all the people. Additionally, there needs to be resolutions in all spheres of human activity that meet the needs and expectations of the public. Only then will we start to see optimism and hope spring forth for the future of Guyana.
We must realize there is a lot more to be done to improve our economy and create jobs, which will then provide hope and opportunities for our people. Our vision for Guyana clearly focuses on the long-term. We must jettison the aid and grant-driven cash flow muddling, and “beg my neighbor” policies which the PPP/C continues to confuses for development. We must realign foreign policy with our economic agenda.
The AFC is of the view that the National Development Strategy (NDS) has a core and broad set of policy proposals that were prepared by distinguished Guyanese. We agree that the economic policy proposals embodied in the NDS are worthy of implementation. However, we recognize that the NDS would need some updating. As the NDS is also quite wide in its scope, we intend to prioritize our policy proposals to achieve quick and maximum economic progress in a relatively short period of time. We would like to develop Guyana within one generation as was done in South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. This is a highly realistic objective; thus we are confident our policy proposals can achieve this fundamental objective of economic transformation. An average of 7% per capita economic growth per year for twenty years would ensure Guyana moves to a middle income country by the end of 20 years after 2011 – that is we can achieve a per capita GDP of at least US$8000 by 2030.
Underlying Principles of AFC’s Economic Policies
(i) The AFC’s vision is to see Guyana produce goods and services that are valuable at home and global markets. In other words, our goods and services must be at the high end of the global hierarchy of products.
(ii) The demand for Guyana’s goods and services must increase, at least proportionately, when Guyanese income, CARICOM income and world income increase.
(iii) The percentage of these high productivity industries in total GDP must increase. In other words, the AFC’s policy framework aims at structural production transformation.
(iv) The economic policy framework and new industries must never be to the detriment of any specific ethnic group. All ethnic groups must benefit.
(v) Our economic policies are to be implemented in such a manner so as to promote sustainable development and environmentally friendly production activities.
(vi) Public-private partnerships would be utilized where appropriate.
(vii) Policies and proposals must be realistic and financeable to achieve quick success in one generation.
(viii) Our policies are aimed at moving the economy from being dependent on aid and consumption oriented remittances to the generation of internal economic growth and wealth and encouragement of investment oriented remittances and foreign direct investment.
(ix) The AFC envisions a broad interpretation of macroeconomic fundamentals. AFC does not see sound macroeconomic fundamentals as only encompassing price stability as is the vision of the IMF and PPP.
(x) The AFC’s economic policies are aimed at enhancing the productivity of our people, firms and industries. We realize that the only way to increase the incomes – and hence welfare – of Guyanese in the long-term is through the enhanced productivity of labour and capital.
(xi) We seek to promote a caring relationship, shared responsibility, and joint social purpose between labour (and their unions) and investors.
(xii) We support the entry of foreign firms (and FDI) which would form linkages with domestic small and medium sized businesses, transfer technology and information, and utilize domestic components.
(xiii) We believe small businesses must be complemented by a core set of industrial clusters. Without such core industrial clusters small businesses may never grow up and compete in global markets. Large industries are likely to lift small mom and pop businesses, but the opposite may never materialize in the presence of current significant binding constraints to small business development.
(xiv) Infrastructure developments must be linked to our development vision.
The AFC proposes that renewable energy, mining, eco-tourism, agro-industrial processing and information and communications technologies (ICT) must be the main thrust of production activities.
Immediate Infrastructure Needs
(i) A totally new and proper four-lane highway from Georgetown to the existing Soesdyke/Linden Highway. This must be a first-rate road with extra turning-off lanes. The recent East Bank four-lane highway is really not four lanes as the left lane is used by vehicles to exit and make stops. The rationale for this new highway to the capital city is to engender a sense of success and pride for tourists, returning Guyanese, and business executives who travel to the city to make deals.
(ii) A paved two-lane road from Parika to Makouria and Anarika; and a paved two-lane road from Patentia to Kamuni. Completing these roads will open up large area for agriculture and also make it easier for existing farmers to transport their goods.
(iii) Feasibility study for an international airport for Lethem.
(iv) Upgraded airport for Skeldon that could easily become an international airport.
(v) Realistic hydroelectric plants that reflect Guyana’s current need and the need to develop an aluminum smelter for Region 10. The PPP is currently misleading the Guyanese public into believing that Guyana can build an 800MW hydro plant when Guyana’s current demand is just over 100MW.
(vi) A deep water harbour at the mouth of the Essequibo River
(vii) The paving of the Road to Brazil is a must this year with towns such as Lethem and Linden to be upgraded into major commercial zones. Linden must be made into a manufacturing hub. We see manufacturing of furniture, refrigerators, glass, bricks, etc. An appropriately sized hydroelectric plant at Tiger Hill would feed an aluminum smelter and the manufacturing industries.
We also propose a comprehensive review of the tax system with the goal of reducing VAT, income taxes, and increasing the Tax Threshold while giving provisions for deductions for persons with dependants.
Solidarity breeds patriotism and patriotism breeds optimism and hope. When we as a people, in cooperation with a competent government, can put aside our petty differences and focus on the future of this country we will actualize the Guyana we have desired for so long. Our own Guyanese Dream. It is also then that we will have a Guyana our children will want to proudly live in for the rest of their lives. A unified and optimistic nation is a successful nation. It’s time for Guyana to be unified, optimistic and successful. “ Together we will make it happen”
End.
For More Information contact:
The Alliance For Change – 226-0181
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