“Building a Diversified, Green Economy”

Dec 04, 2016 AFC Column, Features / Columnists

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(Excerpt: Budget 2017)

Our Independence celebrations this year represented one of the few bright spots in our economy in 2016.  The other that is worthy of note is the outstanding achievement of the mining sector, especially the record-breaking performance of gold production.  These aside, the economy felt the drag of dismal output in sugar, rice, forestry and construction, including housing.

Suffice it to say at this stage that, as explained by His Excellency President Granger, the current development model can no longer be pursued. Although he was speaking with specific reference to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), his incisive insight holds true for the entire economy. This dated model cannot deliver on our aspirations.

We were reminded again by H.E. during his address to the opening of the 11th Parliament that this Government started its mandate with troubling economic and social indicators. We inherited an economy that was built on the proverbial sand, running on proverbial fumes. It is an economy which, in spite of positive growth performances averaging 4.5 percent in the period 2010-2014, remains undiversified and incapable of withstanding even small shocks. It is hardly surprising, therefore, that we are reaping the whirlwind of downturns in these sectors.  It will take more than just traditional policies and approaches to turn them around. What we need is a growth strategy that is broader in scope and more diversified in outlook.

We have analysed the current domestic and global context in which we had to prepare this budget. There remains great uncertainty and adversity at the global level. The challenges are many. Indeed, the impact of external pressures cannot be underestimated. But we have resolved to pursue a growth strategy that breaks with the monotonous cycle of a few highs and perennial lows in prices of primary stage commodity production.

We have to match the expectations of our people for a better life, but we would not be able to deliver if we stay the current course. To do so would allow adversity and challenges to continue to constrain us from charting a new direction.

This is why we have chosen the theme, “Building a Diversified, Green Economy: Delivering the Good Life to All Guyanese” for Budget 2017.  In doing so, we will be employing a number of strategic approaches to achieve our objectives. These include:

• Stabilising the macroeconomic and public finances
• Preparing for oil and gas production
• Encouraging and supporting entrepreneurship especially those that involve new, green technologies and processes
• Increasing the focus on innovation so as to increase domestic production and boost exports
• Moving towards a Smart Guyana that bridges the digital divide
• Reforming business facilitation and expanding economic horizons
• Building climate-resilient infrastructure for economic expansion and linking the coastland and hinterland;
• Lifting the quality of life, (effectively) addressing poverty
• Reforming the public and financial sectors.

In short, Budget 2017 is designed to consolidate the gains we have made since our accession to office, improve economic performance, and define a sustainable pathway to the happiness and prosperity of Guyana.

 

BETTER GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

 This administration inherited a national crisis of institutional lethargy and ineptitude. All across the public sector we are faced with sluggishness in implementation, poor inter-agency coordination and cooperation, and a deficit of strategic planning and management. We, as a coalition, are perturbed by this situation.  It is a daunting indication that much greater effort needs to be invested by people to ensure that public services of the highest quality are delivered to Guyanese people.

We intend to tackle this malaise frontally. Through the comprehensive institutionalisation of results-based management (RBM), we will have each and every sector design, adopt, implement, and continuously monitor and evaluate a comprehensive, inclusive, transformative, and evidenced-based Strategic Plan.

To ensure that our public servants at all levels of government are better equipped to develop and execute our vision and plans, the recently opened Bertram Collins College of the Public Service is equipped to provide a wide range of training programmes in public administration and related fields.  Our Government will also further the agenda of Public Sector Reform by utilising the findings of the Commission of Inquiry into the Public Service to arrest the attrition of qualified public servants.

This Administration is serious about reforming our public systems to ensure that they deliver the services that the people of Guyana deserve.  We are committed to employing the tenets of results-based management and providing the necessary resources to ensure that the use of the appropriate tools and systems throughout the public sector become institutionalised.

Strategic planning for this nation is a key priority of the Government. In this regard, we have engaged the Caribbean Development Bank to re-build our capacity to plan at the national level. The consultants will work with the Chief Planning Officer, an incumbent who is expected to be in place early in 2017.  We will also develop a multitude of sector-specific strategic plans for various sectors including social protection, information communication technology (ICT), and housing. Emphasis will be placed on strengthening the capacity of select ministries in public policy analysis and management, and project cycle management, to ensure more effective, results-oriented governance, planning, and budget implementation.

The 2016 Budget had stressed the urgent need for public procurement reform.  Having identified a myriad of deficiencies, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) has begun the process of preparing standard operating procedures which will outline turnaround times for each stage of the procurement process.  It will facilitate more effective planning on the part of the Ministries, Departments and Regions.  All agencies have been tasked with establishing Procurement and Planning units during 2017.

(To be continued)

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