Work moving apace on Budget 2026 – Finance Minister

– says will include policies, programmes to reflect manifesto promises

Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance Dr Ashni Singh has revealed that work is moving apace to complete Budget 2026 in order to present it to the National Assembly in the coming weeks.
During a recent interview with the National Communications Network (NCN), Dr Singh explained that “…we have certainly started work [on Budget 2026] within the context of a very clear policy framework, and work is moving apace, and we look forward to concluding Budget 2026 and taking it to Parliament so that we can start its implementation and get on with the business of delivery to the people.”
The Finance Minister pointed out that the Budget will be presented, on behalf of President Dr Irfaan Ali and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, from the standpoint of a framework that has already been laid out in the party’s 2025 manifesto. He noted that this framework already defines what the priorities are, following the method the Government used prior to crafting the manifesto through listening to the people of Guyana and consultations held.
Alluding to President Ali’s recent address to the nation on December 17, 2025, in which he outlined his vision for the country, Dr Singh described those plans as exciting and inspiring, noting that the new budget will reflect this vision in more detail.
“The President’s vision was for economic transformation, modernisation of social services, the empowerment of the Guyanese people, the deployment of technology and the digital agenda, and the creation and building of a Guyana that is a truly modern country and one in which we can live comfortably, in which we can live and work and earn and save and invest and retire comfortably, and in which services are accessed in an efficient manner, and that was done in a very comprehensive manner,” he stated.
Dr Singh added that “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.”
The Finance Minister further reminded that the 2025 Manifesto, through which the Budget is being crafted, included a number of initiatives suggested by citizens, many of whom called in or messaged. He added that that feedback will be considered as the Government continues to examine the country’s macroeconomic position.
“Our policy priorities as a Government are reflective of the priorities and preferences of the people whom we serve. Now, in some sense, the heavy lifting in relation to the budget has already been done even before we started the term of office,” the Senior Minister stated, adding that the Government spent much time crafting a manifesto and listening to the people of the country as he reminded that on successive occasions, the Government engaged with the public and with stakeholders.
“You would recall that in preparing our manifesto, we threw it open to the nation. We said, Send us your suggestions. We published WhatsApp numbers and email addresses so that suggestions could be made, and many such suggestions were made, and many of those suggestions found themselves in the final manifesto,” he reminded.
President Irfaan Ali, in his most recent address to the nation, posited that citizens will continue to witness rapid, large-scale transformation, driven by an ambitious five-year manifesto plan which will include continued diversification of the economy and the upgrading and build-out of infrastructure. He also outlined many other plans that will allow for a high-quality life for all citizens in the country.
Meanwhile, back in August, the governing PPP/C launched its 2025-2030 Manifesto, outlining an ambitious five-year development agenda aimed at transforming Guyana into a modern and international model of growth. Themed “One Country, One People, One Future Forward Together for a Better Guyana”, the manifesto outlined plans for the next five years ranging from building 12 hospitals and deploying a fully integrated Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system across the country; the construction of 40,000 new homes; major roadworks and an aviation school; and the construction of a deep-water port, 100 new schools, a Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) Development Bank, an anti-corruption unit, and initiatives for Indigenous development, among others.