APNU unveils “winning” manifesto

Aug 16, 2025 News

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…promises to open foreign markets for non-oil exports
…build coast-to-hinterland highways
…overhaul police force

 

By Shania Williams

Kaieteur News – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) officially launched its manifesto ‘Compact with Guyana’ on Friday during a signing ceremony held at the Pegasus Corporate Business Center, Kingston, Georgetown.

Speaking at the event, APNU’s Presidential Candidate, Aubrey Norton, described the manifesto as a “winning manifesto” that directly confronts Guyana’s most pressing issue—poverty.

In his address, Norton said the manifesto was built on consultations across the country, reflecting challenges Guyanese face in their communities. “We have taken the time to visit you. The information that you shared with us about the conditions of life is what we used to create our PCDS (People-Centered Development Strategy),” Norton stated.

The manifesto outlines a wide range of initiatives aimed at addressing poverty, income inequality, and the high cost of living, while encouraging the growth of the non-oil economy. It includes plans to improve education, boost local industries, strengthen public services, and overhaul national security.

Norton emphasized the importance of education as a means of breaking the cycle of poverty and an initiative that the APNU will be solely focusing on. He pledged widespread investment in teaching and learning, including reducing class sizes, increasing the number of trained teachers, expanding adult education, and providing access to skilling, reskilling, and upskilling programmes. Students, especially in hinterland communities, will benefit from free or affordable transportation and two daily meals to improve attendance and reduce dropout rates. “These communities (hinterland) continue to lag behind the national achievements in many areas. We will be adopting a holistic and multifaceted approach to poverty that will not only include monetary payouts but will also contain access to food, land, medicine, safety and social services,” Norton said.

To ease the cost of living, APNU’s proposals include increasing the Old-Age Pension to $100,000 per month and providing a $120,000 monthly childcare allowance for both pre-school and school-age children. The public sector minimum wage would be raised to $200,000 per month, while the income tax threshold would increase from $130,000 to $400,000. Post-secondary students and participants in the special part-time programme would each receive $50,000 per month. Household relief measures would include an electricity subsidy of up to $10,000 and a water subsidy of up to $5,000 per month. Additional programmes would support single parents, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.

APNU’s manifesto also focuses on opening foreign markets for non-oil exports like rice, sugar, and timber. Norton stressed that to encourage large-scale production, manufacturers must have access to export markets beyond the small domestic demand. He added that government spending must be adjusted to avoid crowding out the private sector from foreign currency access.

“In our view, if the non-oil economy is to grow, it would be necessary for the government to adjust its spending to prevent the continued crowding out of the private sector from access to adequate amounts of foreign currency. At this time, no manufacturer would be persuaded to engage in large-scale production, without access to export markets, because of the small size of our domestic market,” Norton explained.

To boost local production, APNU plans to promote industries such as glass manufacturing, leather, paper, industrial chemicals, and bauxite by-products. Norton argued that while comparative advantage is important, it should not be the sole determinant of economic development.

“Some people will make the case that production of such items should depend on comparative advantage. Indeed, comparative advantage is a necessary condition, but it is not always a sufficient condition for the economic future of a people,” Norton said.”

Similarly, we must not be discouraged from increasing our domestic supply of goods and services if we are to lower the cost of living of Guyanese. The APNU coalition has an unswerving commitment to that goal. It is for this reason that we will implement our programme to have all regions involved in sustainable agriculture production,” he added.

The manifesto also commits to the development of hinterland areas. APNU plans to build coast-to-hinterland highways, upgrade and extend hinterland airstrips, and provide fast, free, and reliable internet access to every hinterland community. Investment opportunities will be expanded to retain local talent, and 50% of carbon credit funds will be directed to indigenous communities. Furthermore, all major mining and forestry companies operating in these areas will be required to undertake community development projects and comply with local content laws. The party also promises to enhance indigenous participation in decision-making processes.

To create a more enabling business environment, APNU will reduce corporate tax rates to international norms (20–30%) and modify regulations to give predictability to tax benefits. The APNU intends to introduce special economic zones for both domestic and foreign investors to pursue production of various items, and promote crop diversification, agro-processing, and technology in agriculture. They also intend to reduce the tax on four-door 4WD pickups to 15%, recognizing their importance across multiple industries.

In the financial sector, APNU aims to bridge the financing gap between large and small producers by establishing a new development bank. The party also plans to unlock the potential of the local stock market through a proposed junior stock exchange, giving youth and small businesses access to equity financing. To support this, legislation governing the securities industry will be amended. APNU also expressed openness to expanding fintech solutions, including lending platforms and even cryptocurrencies. “There is room to add other services such as lending platforms and investment platforms. Given the way the world is moving, we should not shy away from considering cryptocurrencies,” Norton stated.

On security, Norton said the police force must be overhauled to become more effective and responsive. The focus will be on preventive policing to reduce crime and improve public safety.

Regarding governance, Norton emphasized that in order for the manifesto to be implemented, there must be a functioning public service. As such, APNU pledges to modernize government operations and improve public servant welfare, including a 35% salary increase, access to long-term financing for housing or vehicles, and eligibility for duty-free vehicle purchases after three years of service. Public servants would also benefit from periodic VAT-free purchases under specific conditions.

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• APNU, Compact with Guyana, Guyana Elections, Manifesto, winning

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