Finance Minister engages private sector as Govt intensifies preparations for Budget 2026

Ahead of the presentation of Budget 2026 in the coming weeks, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government is intensifying preparations to finalise its fiscal plan for this year. Consequently, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, on Saturday met with leading representatives of the local private sector. Held at the Ministry of Finance’s boardroom, the engagement allowed representatives of the business community to raise and discuss issues of interest. Attending the engagement were senior representatives of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Women Chambers of Commerce and Industry Guyana, Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Ltd., Guyana Association of Bankers (GAB), and Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA).

Also joining the engagement was the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia, and a team of senior officials from the Finance Ministry. During his remarks, Minister Singh used the opportunity to reiterate the Government’s appreciation of the strong collaboration and the ongoing engagement with the private sector throughout the years. He also reassured the representatives of the sector that the PPP/C Government is committed to maintaining an environment that is conducive to increased private investment, job creation and income generation. Minister Singh further elaborated: “…we want more people working, earning, accumulating savings and wealth, investing and prospering.” In fact, he expressed that the Government, under the leadership of President Dr Irfaan Ali, remains committed to doing all that is necessary to ensure that Guyana remains an attractive destination for diversified private investment.
Only recently, during an Address to the Nation on December 17, 2025, President Ali highlighted that “over the next five years, we’ll witness Guyana’s environment for doing business becoming one of the most attractive to the private sector, both domestic and foreign.” The President had also reiterated the Government’s commitment to continue to diversify the economy, modernise the infrastructure, expand business opportunities, create jobs, educate and train people, raise income and cut the cost of living. The Head of State, at the time, had outlined a five-year blueprint aimed at fast-tracking Guyana’s transformation, promising people-centred development through cash grants, tax relief, salary increases and welfare support. The Guyanese leader explained that the aim is to build an even more resilient economy through further diversification of non-oil economic activities while ensuring that citizens’ interests and well-being are protected. Just last week, the President, while speaking at the commissioning of the Banks DIH Limited $13.7 billion Malts Bottling Plant, revealed, “In the forthcoming budget, measures will be announced to support businesses so they are better positioned for this new era of industrial and business development. The manufacturing and industrial sectors will receive targeted support. But I will not steal the Minister of Finance’s thunder by making specific announcements. What I will say is this: the direction is clear. The opportunity is real. The time is now!”
During Saturday’s meeting, representatives from the private sector expressed appreciation for the Government’s continued engagement with the local business community and recognised the Government’s efforts to drive economic transformation and foster a more competitive business environment. The private sector representatives also reiterated their commitment to working with the Government to continue developing the country’s economic potential.
This year’s budget will be the first budget presented to the Parliament following the PPP/C’s successful re-election to office led by President Ali and the launch of its 2025 manifesto. The party’s 2025 manifesto was crafted after extensive and inclusive consultation with the private sector, religious organisations, youth and women’s groups, and every Guyanese citizen at large. “Budget 2026 will be presented within a clear policy framework already laid out in the People’s Progressive Party/Civic 2025 manifesto, reflecting extensive public consultation and President Irfaan Ali’s vision for national transformation,” a statement from the Finance Ministry detailed.