Budget 2026 to build on PPP/C manifesto and Pres. Ali’s vision for a modern, prosperous Guyana – Dr. Singh

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, says Budget 2026 will be presented within a clear policy framework already laid out in the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) 2025 manifesto, reflecting extensive public consultation and President Irfaan Ali’s vision for national transformation.

During a recent interview with the National Communications Network (NCN), Dr. Singh explained that the approach to Budget 2026 is rooted in priorities identified long before the formal budget process began. Those priorities, he said, emerged from wide-ranging consultations with citizens across Guyana during the preparation of the party’s manifesto.

He pointed to President Ali’s recent national address, describing it as both exciting and inspiring, and noted that the upcoming budget will translate that vision into concrete programmes and projects.

According to Dr. Singh, the President’s vision centres on economic transformation, the modernisation of social services, empowerment of citizens, the expansion of technology and the digital agenda, and the creation of a truly modern Guyana where people can live, work, earn, save, invest and retire comfortably.

“That vision was articulated in a very comprehensive manner,” the Senior Minister said, adding that Budget 2026 will provide the operational detail needed to turn those goals into reality.

He explained that while the manifesto sets out the broad policy direction, the budget is the mechanism through which plans are converted into actionable initiatives.

“The budget goes into more detail, because it is the basis on which those plans are translated into actual projects and programmes that will be implemented,” Dr. Singh noted. He said work on Budget 2026 is already well advanced and the government is looking forward to taking it to the National Assembly to begin implementation.

Dr. Singh also reminded that the manifesto, which will guide the budget, was shaped directly by public input. Citizens were invited to submit suggestions through calls, messages, WhatsApp and email, and many of those proposals were incorporated into the final document.

“Our policy priorities as a government are reflective of the priorities and preferences of the people whom we serve,” he said, adding that much of the “heavy lifting” for the budget was done even before the new term of office began through sustained public engagement.

He recalled that the manifesto process was deliberately opened to the nation, allowing stakeholders and ordinary citizens alike to influence the direction of government policy.

President Ali, in his most recent address to the nation, said Guyanese can expect continued rapid and large-scale transformation driven by the government’s ambitious five-year manifesto. That plan includes further diversification of the economy, major infrastructure expansion and upgrades, and a range of initiatives aimed at ensuring a high quality of life for all citizens.