Gov’t agrees to consult with opposition on National Budget preparation

The Guyana government on Thursday agreed to consult with the opposition coalition parties to prepare the National Budget, against the background of a minority government.

“The Minister of Finance will meet with the two identified finance persons of the APNU and AFC in the near future to consult on the preparation of the Budget 2012,” according to a  joint statement by the Guyana Government, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC). The Budget must be approved by the end of March each year.

The joint government-opposition agreement came two days after APNU and AFC agreed to set up two committees- one on the economy and the other on governance. The opposition intends to push for lower taxes, higher wages and pensions and more prudent and transparent spending.

If government does not get the support of the one-seat majority opposition in the National Assembly, the appropriations bill and other legislation cannot be passed before receiving presidential assent.     Read more