Budget 2025 tailored to empower Amerindian youth, provide economic support – Min Sukhai

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, has commended the $1.382 billion fiscal framework for 2025 and said it will continue the development of Amerindian communities.
Speaking during Tuesday’s episode of the ‘Budget in Focus’ aired on the National Communications Network (NCN), she noted that the money will fund many transformative initiatives, including economic ventures, youth and women empowerment, as well as improvements to the welfare and education needs of these villages.
The budget also contains $7.2 billion earmarked for Amerindian development, excluding revenues from the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 Carbon Credit programme.
The minister noted that youth development is a cornerstone of the PPP/C government and this is reflected by the move to reinstate the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP).
Skill and capacity building are key to this programme, with over 1,000 CSOs trained in fields like tourism, hospitality, small engine repair and ICT, among others.
In a Department of Public Information (DPI) release, the minister explained that the programme itself doesn’t only cater for the training, but also prepares young people to take up leadership.
“Because young people are recognised as those who will be taking the lead today, tomorrow, and into the future,” she explained.
Communities will also benefit from major infrastructural projects, including roads, bridges, solar farms, hydropower projects, schools, health centres and hospitals.
Minister Sukhai highlighted also that the ministry will support small-scale infrastructure projects, such as guest houses, multi-purpose buildings and other works.
Additionally, the Amerindian Affairs Ministry will work to ensure more lands are protected through the Amerindian Land Titling (ALT) project, the release noted.