Budget 2025: Focus on infrastructure to prevent economic stagnation in Guyana – PSC Chairman

With a substantial $209.3 billion earmarked for roads and bridges development in the 2025 Budget, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Komal Singh emphasised that the Government’s targeted infrastructure focus is crucial in safeguarding Guyana’s economy from stagnation.
Singh in his initial reaction of the record-breaking $1.382 trillion fiscal package highlighted that the provision will enable the private sector to invest heavily in the nation’s economic development.
Riding on the coattail of these remarks, the chairman emphasised that the strategic focus on infrastructure is aimed at sustaining economic growth and ensuring that Guyana’s rapid expansion continues to benefit all sectors.
On this point, he stressed that the private sector, along with the public sector, will greatly benefit from this strategic investment, especially in areas that promise long-term returns.
“Inside of the infrastructure, there’s lots of talk around why we are putting so much money into infrastructure development. But let me say it from a private sector position and from an investor standpoint. If a country is to grow, then we must make sure that the infrastructure is in place. If those infrastructures are not in place, then we’ll have stagnation in the manufacturing sector, in the mining sector, in transportation, moving our people around the country. So, while we’re growing, it is very heartening to see that while the economy is growing and the country is growing, Governments have continued over the last couple of years, and we see it in 2025 budget again, continue to pay keen attention on strategic infrastructure developments,” the PSC Chairman said.
Specifically, attention has been given to key infrastructure projects that will help enhance the country’s connectivity, including $20.2 billion to complete works on the new Demerara River Bridge and $5 billion each to commence works on the new Corentyne River Bridge, Palmyra to Moleson Creek Highway and building a new four lane fixed bridge across the new Berbice River Bridge.
Another critical project mentioned is the construction of the Lethem Highway, a key transportation corridor that will link Guyana to Northern Brazil.
The chairman stressed that for the highway to be truly effective, the Government must ensure the development of a deep-water port to handle the increased traffic and cargo from the Brazilian market.
“If we build a road and we don’t have a deep-water port, we’re back to square one. We’re going to be having still shallow drivers to come in here, collecting small amounts of cargo. So, we will definitely need to make sure that the deep-water port is developed as quickly as possible. So, by the time the road is completed, we have a deep-water port to support the traffic that will be coming from Brazil to meet the North American market,” Singh went on to state.
The Government under the leadership of President Dr Irfaan Ali has made it clear that the construction of the Deep-Water Port is among its priorities while in the next term in office.
With private sector investments in Guyana exceeding US$2.5 billion in the last four years, the economy is seeing unprecedented growth, much of it driven by the oil and gas sector. However, the Chairman emphasised that the private sector is equally committed to contributing to the development of other industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, and logistics.
Looking ahead, Singh explained that the PSC remains optimistic about the future, confident that the 2025 budget’s focus on infrastructure will provide the foundation needed to sustain Guyana’s rapid development.
“Private sector has been very committed to the growth and development, and private sector is very happy to see that the Government also is creating an enabling environment for the private sector to grow, to create sustainable employment, to create sustainable growth in the various sector also, not just for ourselves, but for the region. Most of our investment that we’re looking at right now, targeting not just Guyana, but the region,” he added. (G1)