BUDGET 2021: Gov’t slashes cost for hinterland travels; removes VAT on internet 

The government has taken steps to reduce the cost of transportation to Guyana’s hinterland regions and removed Value Added Tax (VAT) from residential and mobile internet services.

Presenting the 2021 National Budget in the National Assembly on Friday, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh reminded that the government had removed VAT from ATVs for mining, forestry, agriculture and manufacturing in its 2020 budget.

He said to further reduce the cost of transportation for hinterland communities and operators, the government has gone further in its 2021 budget to remove the duty on ATVs for use in the hinterland.

Additionally, the government has proposed in its 2021 fiscal plan to remove the VAT on data for residential and individual use. Dr Singh underscored the government’s ‘pro-activeness’ in working with stakeholders in the diffusion of Information and Communication (ICT) across all sectors and regions of Guyana.

“This is as a means of economic and social empowerment for our citizens. The swift liberalisation of our telecommunications sector and the ensuing benefits that competition has brought through lower prices and a push to improve services have delivered on the initial step of the PPP/C’s promise and vision for enhanced ICT services,” Dr Singh said.

The latest measures announced in the 2021 budget is to ensure continuity along this path and forms part of the government’s five-year plan for the country.