Budget Day set for January 26

…to unlock new opportunities for all Guyanese – Finance Minister

The Government will present Budget 2026 on Monday, January 26, with Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, set to deliver the presentation. The budget will be the first to be presented in Parliament following the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)’s re-election under President Dr Irfaan Ali. Dr Singh has already confirmed that the budget will reflect measures outlined in the PPP/C’s 2025 manifesto, which was developed through consultations with the private sector, civil society, youth and women groups, religious organisations and citizens across the country.
Speaking on the upcoming presentation, the Finance Minister on Monday emphasised that Budget 2026, the first national budget since the PPP/C’s re-election to office, will serve as the operational blueprint for the PPP/C’s manifesto and is set to translate the comprehensive promises made during the 2025 election campaign into tangible benefits. Minister Singh affirmed that the budget is “firmly grounded in the comprehensive and inspiring manifesto that we would have taken to the people of Guyana in the run-up to the 2025 elections.” “As many would recall, the manifesto outlined a comprehensive agenda for advancing the transformation of our country and very importantly, for creating a Guyana that is full of opportunities for all Guyanese people,” Singh stated.
President Ali, during his recent address to the nation in December 2025, explicitly identified measures to be implemented during the current term of office, including but not limited to: economic diversification and job creation by offering tax-free incentives for high-quality jobs in special development zones; housing and home ownership support to provide direct assistance to households to help them build or upgrade their homes; direct financial support for citizens through the universal $100,000 cash grant, increases in pensions and public assistance; support for childcare and elderly care through tax relief measures for companies engaged in childcare and elderly care; financial support to institutions involved in animal care and welfare…and many more.

Opportunities
The Finance Minister further assured that at the core of Budget 2026 is a commitment to human development and noted that the fiscal plan will focus heavily on creating opportunities for citizens to improve their lives and livelihoods.
“The Guyana that we are building is a Guyana that is full of opportunities for every single Guyanese citizen to uplift themselves,” Dr Singh stated. Budget 2026 promises to be a vital moment for Guyana and will ensure that the economic growth of the nation translates directly into individual growth and prosperity for every single Guyanese family. Among the major commitments expected in Budget 2026 is the construction of 40,000 new homes over the next five years, alongside direct financial support for home building and upgrades. The Government also plans to focus on safer, more comfortable communities through projects such as the installation of streetlights and security cameras, construction of concrete drains and the upgrading of recreational spaces.

Infrastructure
Infrastructure development remains a key priority, with major projects including a new four-lane Berbice River Bridge, a Corentyne River Bridge, expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) terminal and municipal airports in Lethem and Rose Hall, as well as improvements to hinterland airstrips. To ease the cost-of-living pressures, the Government has pledged to maintain its policy of no new taxes over the next five years, while also introducing tax reductions for individuals and businesses. Special incentives are expected for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in agriculture, animal welfare organisations and veterinary clinics, with some businesses eligible for little to no corporate tax.

Cash grant, social welfare
In December 2025 President Dr Irfaan Ali during an address to the nation from the lawns of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) had indicated that parents of children with special needs and families led by single mothers may benefit from tax relief or direct financial support. A $100,000 cash grant for every adult citizen is also expected to be included in Budget 2026, alongside increases in social welfare payments, including the “Because We Care” cash grant; Old-age pension; Public assistance. The Government has also proposed wage increases for Community Service Officers (CSOs), workers under the Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP) and the National Pathway Worker Programme.

Special investment, tax exemptions
Other anticipated measures include abolishment of net property tax on individuals; flat tax rates on double-cab pickups; creation of special investment zones with tax exemptions; home improvement assistance for households. Ali had also said that with the aim of providing opportunities to small businesses, the Government plans to remove corporate taxes on income earned by companies engaged in childcare provision services and elderly care facilities. In fact, funds will be allocated in 2026 budget for co-investment in child and elderly care facilities, on the condition that the facilities benefiting from tax and concessions agree to a suitable cap rate for their services. Meanwhile, as part of a push for a more humane society and the safeguard of animal welfare, Budget 2026 will include financial support to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) involved in animal care and welfare and institutions providing such care.

Agriculture sector
In relation to the agricultural sector, Ali pointed to his Government’s strong emphasis on food security and revealed plans to engage farmers on examining ways to encourage and incentivise diversification across the sector and diversification within crops. Also important, he added, is the mega-scale opportunity available in livestock, dairy, mega farms, sugar, etc. To this end, the Government will be incentivising the private sector to form partnerships and consortiums to invest in these opportunities, making them sustainable, profitable and resilient. The President assured that the 2026 budget “…will allocate resources to advance diversification in agriculture and agro-processing, including through co-investment opportunities.” Budget 2026 is expected to balance economic growth, infrastructure development and social welfare, with a focus on creating opportunities across Guyana while building individual and national wealth.
President Ali emphasised that the budget will provide a framework to translate the party’s manifesto promises into tangible benefits for citizens, from improved incomes to safer communities and expanded housing opportunities.