Opposition absent from 2017 pre-budget consultations

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan and his budget team were yesterday left waiting in their boardroom for the parliamentary opposition, GINA said.

The budget team had scheduled 14:00 – 16:00 hours to meet with the team from the People’s Progressive Party to discuss the 2017 budget as part of a series of pre-budget consultations. The PPP team never showed up, GINA said.

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

Minister of Finance Winston Jordan (left) meeting with representatives of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry as part of 2017 Pre-Budget consultations (GINA photo)
Minister of Finance Winston Jordan (left) meeting with representatives of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry as part of 2017 Pre-Budget consultations (GINA photo)

the meeting given the importance of the matter.

As part of preparations for Budget 2017, consultations are being held with various stakeholders, across Guyana.

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, GINA said.