BUDGET 2021: $360M to be made available in ‘Universality fund’

A Universality fund, a new feature of the telecommunications regulatory regime, will allow poor and vulnerable communities to access greater Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) as the government intends to make $360 million available to this fund this year.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh made this announcement during his presentation on the 2021 National Budget on Friday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).

He explained that following the government’s swift liberalisation of the telecommunications sector, efforts are being made to ensure that Guyanese benefit from cheaper and faster internet and the creation of digital jobs.

And, hinterland and rural communities, where there are ICT disparities, will not be forgotten. Keen attention is being directed towards ensuring the private sector to help boost ICT in these communities, as part of their responsibility in a liberalised environment.