Basic Needs Trust Fund targets manufacturing, agriculture as workshop commences

Jul 17, 2018 News

BNTF Regional staff members at Marriott Hotel yesterday

Entering its ninth phase of operation, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)’s Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) continues towards improving the quality of life for the most vulnerable in society.
The entity yesterday commenced a four-day workshop at the Marriott Hotel to push this objective.
At the opening ceremony, BNTF’s acting portfolio manager, George Yearwood said since its inception, the entity has been shaping its resources to the needs of the poor communities.
“The goal of the ninth phase of the BNTF programme is to reduce the incidence of poverty in low-income vulnerable communities, by improving access to quality education and training, water and sanitation, basic community access in drainage and human resources development services.”
The event is being attended by BNTF staff from countries across the Caribbean. Yearwood said the objective is to forge useful partnerships across agencies as they work collaboratively at the community level.
Guyana’s Finance Secretary, Dr. Hector Butts said since its establishment in 1993, BNTF has been a pillar in Guyana, working through community-based projects to reduce poverty and support the resilience of citizens.
At the end of the eighth cycle, BNTF Guyana completed nearly 600 projects in the areas of Education, Health, Basic Community Access and Drainage, Water and Sanitation, Vulnerable Groups, Commerce, Maintenance and Human Resource Development, the Finance Secretary said.
“In this ninth project cycle, BNTF Guyana will be placing more emphasis on livelihoods projects, particularly in the areas of agriculture and local manufacturing,” he told the gathering at the Marriott.
By bolstering local farmers, agro-processors, and entrepreneurs, Dr. Butts said, Guyana expects a positive shift in the local economy.
Given Guyana’s resources, the Finance Secretary said there is much potential for sustained economic growth and prosperity.
He said the government is committed to the robust and transformative development of the nation and looks forward to continued engagement and synergy with the CDB to achieve this vision.

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