Skip to main content

FM
Former Member

Foreign Minister… No evidence to support notion of economic slowdown – growth rate primarily affected by elections uncertainty

 

THE rate of economic growth has not been the same since the passage of the 2014 Budget, while this year’s budget was delayed due to the Prorogation of Parliament and the subsequent holding of general elections.Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Carl Greenidge yesterday shared his views on the reported economic slowdown during an interview with Chris Chapwanya on the ‘Hard Talk’ radio programme broadcast on 90.1 Love FM.


With reference to complaints by business people that there is an economic slowdown here, he noted that there is no evidence to support such a notion but acknowledged that business persons would say that after the May 11, 2015 elections things have slowed down.

 

“After the budget of 2014, I don’t think the rate of growth has been the same because of the uncertainty over the date of elections, along with other issues at the time,” said Minister Greenidge.


Apart from that, prior to a budget businessmen will ‘hold their hands’ until they hear what the annual budget has to offer, he said.


The former minister of finance alluded to the fact that a lot of businessmen also held a fear over the passage of the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) bill, which is why some persons may not have invested in their businesses as they would have liked to.


FOREIGN INVESTMENT POLICY
Meanwhile, asked to speak about the foreign investment policy, Minister Greenidge highlighted that in the investment strategy there are sectoral priorities and while they might seek to gain more investments, they must find investors who would bring sufficient capital and use their expertise to act as a magnet for Guyanese investors abroad.


Additionally, “while not only looking for new investors we must also find persons who would invest in new areas which haven’t been explored as yet… as these companies would be more than welcomed to invest here in Guyana,” he said.


CONCESSIONS
While investors might be important, there must also be some sort of transparency in the investment regime, as a major contributor to the alleged slowdown in the economy, unfair allocation of concessions is another factor which would stop investors from investing in a country.


Speaking about this, Minister Greenidge noted that there were a lot of complaints which reached the Government about unfair allocation of concessions which was practised by the previous Administration.


“So far we have attempted to engage these companies as a primary step before publicly condemning them… all investors must be treated fairly when it comes to the allocation of concessions,” said Mr. Greenidge.


In addition, Go-Invest must be questioned because they gave a lot of confusing answers in the past, but yet the concessions had been granted. Therefore, they must find out why and by what process this has happened, the Foreign Minister added.

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Speaking about this, Minister Greenidge noted that there were a lot of complaints which reached the Government about unfair allocation of concessions which was practised by the previous Administration.


“So far we have attempted to engage these companies as a primary step before publicly condemning them… all investors must be treated fairly when it comes to the allocation of concessions,” said Mr. Greenidge.

 

Foreign Minister… No evidence to support notion of economic slowdown – growth rate primarily affected by elections uncertainty, July 26, 2015, Source

Complaints and verified information are indeed distinct matter.

FM

Slowdown in economy started under PPP in 2014 – Finance Minister, Jordan

July 27, 2015 | By | Filed Under News 

After facing accusations by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) that the actions of the Granger administration were slowing down business and basically destroying a “good economy” they inherited, Finance Minister, Winston Jordan revealed that the slothfulness in commercial turnovers actually started in 2014.

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan

Jordan said that with supporting evidence, this can be traced back to the time when former President Donald Ramotar prorogued the Parliament on November 10 and later dissolved it to pave the way for the 2015 General and Regional Elections. He said that he had cause to tell the PPP’s General Secretary, Clement Rohee that he can show him that business continued to slowdown even after the elections, “given the antics of the PPP when they lost.” The Finance Minister said, “During our exchange on the budget on Friday last, they asked me about the slowdown in the economy and Rohee said that it is because of the rash behaviour of our Government in witch-hunting and what’s not. I had to let him know that the slowdown of the economy actually started in 2014 and not two months into the new government. And this will be reflected in the budget.” He continued, “I explained to him that the reasons businesses experienced the slow turnover is because of three reasons, the first being the uncertainty created by the prorogation of the Parliament. Secondly, this continued to be fuelled by the dissolution and the long time taken to call a date for the elections. Lastly, the period which was supposed to see the nation moving forward, after the announcement of the results, saw instead the antics of the PPP when they lost elections.” The combination of these events only served to heighten the fears of the local and foreign investors. And besides, an election is something which usually affects businesses across the board. But as I said, this can be traced back to 2014.” Given the complaints of there being a lag in the commercial turnover for businesses, the Granger Administration has a number of plans under review to boost the economy. They will however be incorporated in the 2015 budget, a draft of which has already been presented to Cabinet. Jordan has already met with the Private Sector Commission (PSC) to note its concerns as well as its proposals for the upcoming budget. Through a missive, the Commission had said that it urged Jordan to consider a stimulus to boost the economy since there has been a slowdown in business. The Minister gave his commitment to consider this proposal.  He also committed to ensuring stability of the currency through appropriate monetary policies. The discussions between the two focused on a number of areas, such as the urgent need for liberalization of the Telecommunications Sector. The PSC had also expressed its views on the need for renewable energy, especially hydro-electric and solar power projects, but Jordan had made it clear that Government does not intend to proceed with the Amaila Falls project in its current form. The PSC nevertheless urged for the consideration of other renewable energy sources. With regard to the solid waste dilemma, including problems with the Haags Bosch landfill project, the Commission had recommended the consideration of waste to energy systems since Guyana now generates enough solid waste to make these feasible. It had also recommended the establishment of a solid waste management authority.  The Finance Minister then suggested that private capital be mobilized for recycling facilities. Also coming into focus was reform of the taxation system. The Minister had informed the PSC that the Government is about to commission a tax study which would be utilized, along with a study conducted by Duke University, to develop a comprehensive taxation system for the country. The Commission then urged the Minister to consider a reduction in the rate of corporate taxation since this could increase government revenues. As for preparations on the 2015 budget, the Finance Minister had revealed that inflation “remains in check.” The 2014 Mid-Year report produced by the Ministry of Finance indicated that over the first six months of 2014, growth continued to be positive and inflation remained low. The same was reflected in the 2013 mid-year report which said that inflation was contained by the end of June and the index had moved by only 0.2 percent relative to December, 2012. Jordan had said that internal revenue collections are on target but preferred not to divulge too many details in this regard. Given the worrying performance of the country’s traditional revenue earners, such as sugar and gold, the Finance Minister said that the budget cannot be expected to be anything close to the $220B one which was presented to the House in 2014 by Former Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh. Jordan had said that such an extravagant budget is also not possible given that the nation is already in the seventh month of the fiscal year. He had emphasized that a “modest” budget is in the making. (Kiana Wilburg)

Mitwah

If there is no economic slowdown, then the PPP did a good job and the Alliance shouldn't take credit for the state of the economy.   The 5000 projects that the jagdeo administration completed should be commended.  This is the main reason why Guyana was the fastest growing economy in the Caribbean, despite what caribj would like people to think. The new Government did absolute nothing to foster economic growth, you the economy was able to sustain itself.

 

I don't give a rat's ass how much bribes and kickbacks they took, they didn't steal any money from the public treasury.

R
Last edited by Ramakant-P
As for preparations on the 2015 budget, the Finance Minister had revealed that inflation “remains in check.” The 2014 Mid-Year report produced by the Ministry of Finance indicated that over the first six months of 2014, growth continued to be positive and inflation remained low. The same was reflected in the 2013 mid-year report which said that inflation was contained by the end of June and the index had moved by only 0.2 percent relative to December, 2012.

 

 

Slowdown in economy started under PPP in 2014 – Finance Minister, Jordan, July 27, 2015 | By | Filed Under News

PPP/C were in government during the 2014 and 2013 periods.

 

Interesting to note what the the increase/decrease will be for the effective period(s) for the PNC cum AFC.

FM
Originally Posted by Mitwah:

Slowdown in economy started under PPP in 2014 – Finance Minister, Jordan

July 27, 2015 | By | Filed Under News 

After facing accusations by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) that the actions of the Granger administration were slowing down business and basically destroying a “good economy” they inherited, Finance Minister, Winston Jordan revealed that the slothfulness in commercial turnovers actually started in 2014.

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan

Jordan said that with supporting evidence, this can be traced back to the time when former President Donald Ramotar prorogued the Parliament on November 10 and later dissolved it to pave the way for the 2015 General and Regional Elections. He said that he had cause to tell the PPP’s General Secretary, Clement Rohee that he can show him that business continued to slowdown even after the elections, “given the antics of the PPP when they lost.” The Finance Minister said, “During our exchange on the budget on Friday last, they asked me about the slowdown in the economy and Rohee said that it is because of the rash behaviour of our Government in witch-hunting and what’s not. I had to let him know that the slowdown of the economy actually started in 2014 and not two months into the new government. And this will be reflected in the budget.” He continued, “I explained to him that the reasons businesses experienced the slow turnover is because of three reasons, the first being the uncertainty created by the prorogation of the Parliament. Secondly, this continued to be fuelled by the dissolution and the long time taken to call a date for the elections. Lastly, the period which was supposed to see the nation moving forward, after the announcement of the results, saw instead the antics of the PPP when they lost elections.” The combination of these events only served to heighten the fears of the local and foreign investors. And besides, an election is something which usually affects businesses across the board. But as I said, this can be traced back to 2014.” Given the complaints of there being a lag in the commercial turnover for businesses, the Granger Administration has a number of plans under review to boost the economy. They will however be incorporated in the 2015 budget, a draft of which has already been presented to Cabinet. Jordan has already met with the Private Sector Commission (PSC) to note its concerns as well as its proposals for the upcoming budget. Through a missive, the Commission had said that it urged Jordan to consider a stimulus to boost the economy since there has been a slowdown in business. The Minister gave his commitment to consider this proposal.  He also committed to ensuring stability of the currency through appropriate monetary policies. The discussions between the two focused on a number of areas, such as the urgent need for liberalization of the Telecommunications Sector. The PSC had also expressed its views on the need for renewable energy, especially hydro-electric and solar power projects, but Jordan had made it clear that Government does not intend to proceed with the Amaila Falls project in its current form. The PSC nevertheless urged for the consideration of other renewable energy sources. With regard to the solid waste dilemma, including problems with the Haags Bosch landfill project, the Commission had recommended the consideration of waste to energy systems since Guyana now generates enough solid waste to make these feasible. It had also recommended the establishment of a solid waste management authority.  The Finance Minister then suggested that private capital be mobilized for recycling facilities. Also coming into focus was reform of the taxation system. The Minister had informed the PSC that the Government is about to commission a tax study which would be utilized, along with a study conducted by Duke University, to develop a comprehensive taxation system for the country. The Commission then urged the Minister to consider a reduction in the rate of corporate taxation since this could increase government revenues. As for preparations on the 2015 budget, the Finance Minister had revealed that inflation “remains in check.” The 2014 Mid-Year report produced by the Ministry of Finance indicated that over the first six months of 2014, growth continued to be positive and inflation remained low. The same was reflected in the 2013 mid-year report which said that inflation was contained by the end of June and the index had moved by only 0.2 percent relative to December, 2012. Jordan had said that internal revenue collections are on target but preferred not to divulge too many details in this regard. Given the worrying performance of the country’s traditional revenue earners, such as sugar and gold, the Finance Minister said that the budget cannot be expected to be anything close to the $220B one which was presented to the House in 2014 by Former Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh. Jordan had said that such an extravagant budget is also not possible given that the nation is already in the seventh month of the fiscal year. He had emphasized that a “modest” budget is in the making. (Kiana Wilburg)

Mits, you are foolish if you believe this

V
Originally Posted by VishMahabir:
Originally Posted by Mitwah:

Slowdown in economy started under PPP in 2014 – Finance Minister, Jordan

(Kiana Wilburg)

Mits, you are foolish if you believe this

The average man/woman in the street noticed a discernible down-turn after the PNC took office.  The layoffs started then.

FM

Add Reply

×
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×