NB The link below to the web site of the government of Guyana leads to a very large .pdf file (19MB), which may be difficult to download and display on some systems. We have therefore provided an extract derived from an extract of the text contained in that file.
Please go to that web site for the definitive version of the Budget 2025.
A SECURE, PROSPEROUS, AND SUSTAINABLE GUYANA
JANUARY 17, 2025
As we step into 2025, we enter what is undoubtedly one of the most
exhilarating and transformative periods in our nation’s history. The
promise of a better life for every Guyanese is no longer a distant
dream; it is becoming an irreversible reality. By the end of this decade,
we should be able to enjoy one of the highest standards of living in
the hemisphere, banish poverty, and reduce inequality.
The Minister with responsibility for Finance will lay before our nation a
bold and comprehensive agenda packed with measures to fuel
economic growth, strengthen social development, uplift our
communities and improve personal well-being. These initiatives will
reflect our commitment to creating opportunities and enhancing the
quality of life for everyone.
But before I mention what is ahead, let us take a moment to celebrate
the incredible progress we made together since 2020. From then, we
have been singularly focused on the rapid transformation to a modern
prosperous Guyana for all – one where national prosperity translates
into community, household and individual well-being. We have been
pursuing this objective by creating opportunities for economic and
personal upliftment, including education and training, employment
and opportunities for excellence in sporting and cultural endeavours.
This is the future, THIS IS THE FUTURE we’re working toward — a
Guyana where every citizen has a fair shot at success, and every
family has the chance to live their best life. I am proud to say that we
are delivering on that promise.
H.E. DR. MOHAMED IRFAAN ALI
President, Co-operative Republic of Guyana
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
New Year Address to the Nation on January 01, 2025
Budget 2025 serves two important and related purposes. The first is
to complete and, in many cases, exceed delivery of the undertakings we gave
the People of Guyana in our 2020 Manifesto. The second is
to lay the foundation for the PPP/C’s next term of office from 2025 to
2030, and beyond. Since August 2020, successive budgets have
outlined the main pillars of the modern and prosperous Guyana that
we are building for the long term. I wish to repeat and elaborate a few of
these for emphasis.
When we started this term of office, our first priority was to keep
Guyana and the Guyanese People safe. This PPP/C Government will remain
vigilant in identifying potential vulnerabilities and will remain
proactive in crafting a policy framework that mitigates any threat to
the wellbeing of Guyana and the Guyanese People, whose safety and
security are our paramount considerations.
Second, as we harness our vast endowment of natural resources,
our duty and our commitment to the Guyanese People is that the
country’s resources will be managed and mobilised in such a way
so as to ensure that national prosperity results in community,
household, and individual prosperity.
Third, it is incumbent on us to navigate this period of rapid
transformation in such a manner to as to ensure that an appropriate
balance is struck between short term imperatives and long term
considerations. It is precisely for this reason that we
have crafted the vision and built the framework needed to ensure
a diversified and resilient economy and to ensure steady and meaningful
improvement in the wellbeing of all Guyanese people. With this in mind,
Budget 2025 is presented under the theme A Secure,Prosperous, and
Sustainable Guyana.
HON. DR. ASHNI K. SINGH, M.P.
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for
Finance and the Public Service
Budget Presentation to the National Assembly on January 17, 2025
BUDGET 2025
$1.382 TRILLION AMOUNTS TO
20.6 PERCENT LARGER THAN BUDGET 2024
THE LARGEST BUDGET EVER
FULLY FINANCED WITH NO NEW TAXES
2025 KEY MEASURES
a. EASING THE COST OF LIVING
i. Reduction in Electricity Costs
Government is committed to reducing the cost of electricity for every consumer in Guyana by 50 percent, once the GtE project is completed.
ii. Abolition of Bridge Tolls
Bridge tolls will be abolished for all types of vehicles upon completion of the new Demerara Harbour Bridge. This policy also applies to commuters utilising the Berbice River Bridge and the Wismar Bridge. The removal of these tolls will result in substantial savings to the benefit of over 50,000 daily commuters.
iii. Containing the Cost of Fuel
Government has maintained a zero percent excise tax on petroleum products at an estimated annual cost of $90 billion.
iv. Reduction in Freight Charges
Government will extend once again the application of freight cost adjustment for a further 12-month period from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025, at an estimated annual cost of over $6 billion.
v. Continuation of Part-Time Job Programme
Government will continue into 2025 the parttime job programme with a further allocation of $11 billion.
vi. Other Cost of Living Measures
Government is committing a further $9 billion for targeted interventions in 2025, based on stakeholder consultations, to further ease cost of living pressures.
2025 KEY MEASURES
b. SUPPORTING THE VULNERABLE
c. NATIONAL INSURANCE SCHEME
i. Increase in Old Age Pension (OAP)
Increase in OAP from $36,000 to $41,000 per month, in line with this Government’s manifesto commitment. This represents a doubling of OAP since PPP/C resumed office in 2020, and will place an additional $4.5 billion of disposable income in the hands of over 76,000 pensioners.
ii. Increase in Public Assistance
Increase in public assistance payments, effective January 1, 2025, from $19,000 to $22,000. This will place an additional $1.4 billion in the hands of 40,000 persons.
iii. Universal Health Voucher
A $10,000 universal healthcare voucher will be available to each person to help finance a basic menu of health tests. This intervention is likely to cost the government an estimated $5 billion dollars and potentially reach 500,000 persons.
iv. Support for Newborn Babies
Government will provide a one-off grant of $100,000 for every newborn baby born in
Guyana to a Guyanese mother, estimated at an annual cost of $1.3 billion.
i. One-Off Injection
Government will be injecting $10 billion into the cheme, which will offer eligible persons with contributions ranging from 500 to 749 contributions, a full and final grant depending on the year the last contribution was made.
2025 KEY MEASURES
d. IMPROVING BUSINESS COMPETITIVENESS
e. INCREASING DISPOSABLE INCOME
i. Depreciation of Capital for Poultry Farmers
Poultry farmers will now be able to depreciate capital assets, such as machinery and equipment used in the production process, over a shorter period with an increase in the writing down allowance applicable to these machinery and equipment.
ii. Removal of VAT on Agricultural Machinery
Government is proposing to remove import VAT on machinery used in the agriculture sector, where VAT has not already been removed. This is expected to cost the Government in excess of $1 billion annually.
iii. Removal of VAT on Back-Up Generators
Government will remove VAT on electricity generators, which will cost the Government over $200 million annually.
i. Because We Care Student Grant
Increase the BWC Student Grant to $50,000, benefiting over 205,000 children across public and private schools, placing an additional $2 billion into the hands of parents.
ii. Free University and Technical and Vocational Education
Beginning January 2025, no current or future student enrolled at UG will be required to pay tuition fees. Approximately 11,000 current students and all future students will benefit, at an estimated annual cost of $13.4 billion.
In addition to the removal of tuition fees at UG, this Government is similarly abolishing
tuition fees across every government technical and vocational training institution.
iii. National Cash Grant
An additional $30 billion budgeted to further roll out the $100,000 cash grant for every citizen in Guyana aged 18 and older. The programme, when completed, will place a total of $60 billion directly into the pockets of all adult citizens.
iv. Adjustment to Taxes for Children
For each child, one parent would be allowed to claim $10,000 monthly of their income as nontaxable. The estimated annual cost is over $1 billion.
v. Adjustment to Taxes paid on Overtime
Persons who earn overtime for work beyond their normal working hours will have the first
$50,000 monthly of their overtime as nontaxable.
vi. Adjustment to Taxes paid on Second Job
Persons who have a second job in addition to their full-time primary job, the first $50,000 of income earned monthly from their second job would be non-taxable.
vii. Adjustment to Income Tax Threshold
Increase in the threshold from $100,000 to $130,000 monthly, with effect from year of income 2025. This represents a doubling of the threshold from the time Government entered office. This will result in an additional $8.5 billion in disposable income for workers and the removal of 22,000 persons from the tax net.
viii. Adjustment to Taxes on Personal Income
A reduction in the Personal Income Tax rate of 28 percent to 25 percent for employed and selfemployed persons, with effect from year of income 2025. This measure will increase the disposable income of more than 100,000 taxpayers and is estimated to put $3.6 billion
back into the hands of these taxpayers.
It is estimated that these measures will aggregate to over $90 billion, not including the impact of the electricity tariff adjustment and the removal of the excise tax on fuel, being
placed in the hands of individuals and businesses to promote the growth and expansion of
economic activity and job creation.
MACROECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS
Overall real GDP growth is projected at 10.6 percent for 2025.
Growth in the non-oil economy is projected at 13.8 percent for 2025.
The sugar growing subsector is projected to record growth of 115.4 percent.
The rice growing subsector is expected to continue its momentum and grow by a further 12.4 percent.
The other crops subsector is projected to expand by a further 11.7 percent.
The livestock subsector is expected to grow by 7.5 percent.
The fishing subsector is expected to strengthen to 5.8 percent.
Growth in the forestry subsector is expected to moderate to 1.3 percent.
The agriculture, fishing, and forestry sector is projected to grow by 11.4 percent in 2025, with increased production targeted for all subsectors.
2025 REAL GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT
AGRICULTURE, FISHING, AND FORESTRY
MACROECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS
The oil and gas sector is projected to expand by 9.5 percent.
The other mining and quarrying subsector is projected to grow by 29.8 percent.
The gold and bauxite mining subsectors are expected to grow this year by 17.2 percent and 70.1 percent, respectively.
The mining and quarrying sector is projected to expand by 10 percent in 2025.
The manufacturing sector is anticipated to grow by a further 13 percent in 2025.
This reflects an expansion across all subsectors, with expected growth of 115.4 percent, 9.5 percent, and 9.8 percent in sugar manufacturing, rice manufacturing, and other manufacturing, respectively.
The construction sector is expected to continue its growth trajectory in 2025 to expand by a projected 24.8 percent.
The services sector is projected to expand by 8 percent in 2025.
Notable expansions are projected for wholesale and retail trade and repairs, administrative and support services, information and communication, and transport and storage.
These are expected to increase by 8.7 percent, 9.8 percent, 5.8 percent and 9.3 percent, respectively.
v CONSTRUCTION
vi SERVICES
$143.2 billion is budgeted for the health sector in 2025 to bring about a dramatic expansion and improvement in the coverage of the public health care system and place Guyana well on its way to realising the modern world class system being built.
$28.1 billion budgeted to complete and commission the Paediatric and Maternity Hospital at Ogle and the six regional hospitals at Lima, De Kinderen, Diamond, Enmore, Bath and No. 75 Village, advance works on the construction of four regional hospitals at Moruca, West Demerara, New Amsterdam and Kato, and upgrade the Lethem Regional Hospital.
$852 million budgeted to complete training complexes in Suddie and New Amsterdam, and commence the construction of two dormitories for the health sciences training complexes.
$2.9 billion budgeted to design and construct a Medicines Regulatory Laboratory and Office Complex, a national neurological rehabilitation centre and a centre of excellence for cancer treatment.
$6.5 billion budgeted to upgrade and retrofit of health facilities and living quarters.
HEALTH
$4.3 billion allocated to continue to expand the equipment inventory.
$28 billion provided for drugs and medical supplies to ensure that basic necessities are readily available.
Expand the nursing, clinical and technical training programmes for an additional 3,290 projected persons in 2025.
Screen an additional 100,000 persons for chronic diseases and further roll out the HEARTS protocol at an additional 163 sites.
Continue to roll out the school health programme with basic medical screening done on an additional 109,328 students, including 30,000 secondary school students who will for the first time be tested to detect early health-related issues.
EDUCATION
The sum of $175 billion is allocated to the education sector as a whole to advance Government’s vision of free world class education for all Guyanese.
$36.2 billion allocated to advance works on schools including Baitoon, Kako, La Bagatelle, Mibicuri and Rockstone nursery, Augsbury, Charity, Redcreek and 58 Miles primary, Jawalla, Kopinang, Monkey Mountain, Nismes, Phillipai, Prospect, Tabatinga and Waramuri secondary schools and dormitories in areas including Aurora, Kwakwani, Matthew’s Ridge, Monkey Mountain, St. Ignatius, and Waramadong, most of which are slated for completion by the end of 2025.
$5.5 billion allocated to further finance the National School Feeding Programme.
$2 billion allocated for reading and workbooks at the nursery level and to replenish textbooks at the primary and secondary levels.
$3 billion allocated to continue the distribution of school grants.
$13.4 billion allocated to finance UG’s operations as a result of the abolition of tuition fees. This will benefit in excess of 11,000 current students and all new students.
$4.4 billion allocated to offer 9,000 more scholarships through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning.
$363 million budgeted for the Guyana Coursera National Training Partnership to benefit over 27,000 additional persons in 2025.
$1.8 billion allocated to support an additional 1,500 students under the One Guyana Digital programme.
$677.5 million allocated to benefit 2,397 more persons under the Board of Industrial Training.
$2.6 billion allocated to expand access to Technical Vocational Education Training.
Since the Government’s return to office, the housing sector has seen an exciting rebirth with astute planning and renewed vigour.
A total of $23.1 billion is budgeted for further water sector development in 2025.
Complete ongoing works on wells at Sophia and Timehri and commence works on new wells at No. 47 and 58 Villages.
In 2025, the sum of $112.6 billion is budgeted to further realise the Government’s vision of providing every Guyanese family with the opportunity of home ownership.
HOUSING
Over 40,000 house lots across all income categories have been allocated since Government resumed office, and they are in pursuit of allocating an additional 25,000 house lots which will result in surpassing the 50,000 Manifesto commitment.
Distributed over 10,000 land titles and transports, and will distribute another 10,000 more in 2025.
Continue works for the construction of 1,000 more homes.
WATER
Access to Potable Water
$2.2 billion allocated for new water supply systems for Arsawa, Barabina, Kangaruma, Karrau, Pennak, Phillipai, Thomas Hill and Tobago Hill.
Commence works on wells in several areas including Baramita, Eyelash, Issano, Itabali, Kabakaburi and Red Hill, and complete works on water distribution systems at Caria Caria, Hobodiah, Monkey Mountain, St. Anselm and Tassawini.
Water Quality and Service
$10 billion budgeted to increase treated water coverage to benefit over 498,000 residents.
Reducing Non-Revenue Water
Install an additional 30,000 meters across the country to support the reduction of non-revenue water.
Upgrade 12 existing water treatment plants along the coastland, eight of which are practically completed and the remaining four will be completed by the first quarter of 2025.
Advance construction of 13 new water treatment plants, with seven on track to be operational in the first quarter of 2025 while construction of a new treatment plant will begin at Hope.
Install 16 small water treatment plants at well stations across Regions 2, 4, 5 and 6.
SANITATION AND SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
$13.2 billion budgeted with the aim of seeing a visible leap in the coverage and quality of solid waste management services available to our citizens.
Key initiatives planned for 2025 include:
Further upgrade the Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill Site, which includes the completion of Cell No. 3 and a hazardous waste cell and recycling centre.
Develop new sanitary landfill facilities in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10, as well as continue upgrades to regional landfill sites in Enterprise, Mabaruma, Mahaicony, Port Kaituma, Santa Rosa, St.Ignatius, and Timehri, and the completion of leachate treatment facilities in Bartica and Zorg-en-Vlygt.
Procurement and distribution of waste management equipment including compactors, compactor trucks, and bins to be strategically positioned to aid in a national solid waste
management initiative.
Launch an aggressive waste recycling programme and public awareness and community engagement.
To this end, $3.6 billion is budgeted in 2025 to support the ongoing development of culture and the arts.
Government has been making a concerted effort to encourage Guyanese to embrace their national identity, take pride in their heritage, and work cohesively to build a thriving society.
CULTURE AND ARTS
$97.3 million budgeted for music and the performing arts to operationalise the recording studio in Port Mourant and commence work on three additional studios in Regions 2, 3 and to support artistes and subsidise the cost of recording music.
$1 billion to begin preparation of the design of a new state-ofthe-art museum and art gallery.
$800 million allocated for a cultural market in Palmyra, which will be a rich educational and cultural hub to showcase the diversity and unity of our people for families to enjoy and celebrate.
In this regard, $8 billion is allocated in 2025 to continue Government’s commitment to ensuring a brighter future for athletes and communities countrywide.
Like so many other sectors, the sports sector is also undergoing a complete revolution in this period of Guyana’s history.
SPORTS
$2 billion allocated to complete ancillary works at the international stadium at Palmyra and related activities.
$1.3 billion budgeted to construct multi-purpose sports facilities at Anna Regina, Bayroc, Mackenzie, New Amsterdam and multipurpose sports halls in Leonora, Lethem, Mabaruma, Mahdia and Mongrippa Hill, all of which are slated for completion in 2025.
$100 million budgeted to continue work on the Cricket Academy in Good Hope.
$2 billion to continue upgrading of community grounds countrywide in a phased manner, including $1 billion for the procurement and installation of lights in grounds across the country.
Government to work with the specialized coaches in Phase 2 to develop an elite training programme for the country’s athletes and coaches to improve the prospects for Guyanese athletes and create an Olympic team for 2028.
$1.2 billion budgeted in 2025 to ensure that all young Guyanese are provided with opportunities to participate in training and entrepreneurship activities and programmes, in addition to all of the other sectoral initiatives that benefit young people in health, education, among others.
Government has always been aware of the importance of harnessing the creative energies and talents of young men and women, to ensure a vibrant nation.
YOUTH AND CHILDREN
CHILDREN
YOUTH
$75 million to support the Youth Advisory Council.
Government reaffirms its commitments to the principles of the Convention on Rights of the Child and continues to create an enabling environment for the holistic development of the country’s children.
As such, a further$1.3 billion is budgeted in 2025 to continue initiatives to support the care and protection Guyana’s children, in addition to all of the other sectoral initiatives that benefit young people in health, education, among others.
In 2025, the sum of $58.5 billion is budgeted to pursue initiatives in
the social services.
HUMAN SERVICES
SENIOR CITIZENS
Living to one’s golden years is a privilege, and this Government wants to ensure every senior citizen in Guyana enjoys those years in dignity and comfort.
The sum of $42.8 billion is budgeted in 2025 towards continuous support to senior citizens.
$298.1 million budgeted to subsidise water charges for over 35,000 pensioners.
Over $37 billion budgeted to pay old age pensions to our senior citizens.
$882 million budgeted to provide electricity subsidies of $30,000 per annum to 29,000 pensioners.
$800 million budgeted to begin on the construction of a new elderly care facility in Enmore.
WOMEN AND GENDER
Government continues to demonstrate its commitment to the empowerment of women through focused interventions to improve their social and economic welfare. In this regard, Government will:
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Since returning to office in August 2020, Government has made significant strides to improve the welfare of persons with disabilities (PWDs).
VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Government remains resolute in its efforts to curtail domestic violence and harassment in society.
Importantly, 2024 marked the eighth consecutive year Guyana has maintained its Tier 1 status in the US Department of State Trafficking in Persons ranking.
Cater for another 11,200 women to be provided entrepreneurial and skills training 2020 through the Women Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) and Board of Industrial
Training (BIT).
Award a further 6,750 Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarships to women in 2025.
In 2025, PWDs will continue to receive monthly public assistance to support their sustenance.
Train another 900 PWDs in areas like garment construction, computer skills, and social media marketing.
Construct the country’s first dedicated school for the deaf at Cummings Lodge.
A total of $7.2 billion is allocated in 2025 to further enhance the wellbeing of Guyana’s indigenous people.
Since assuming office in 2020, Government has made it a priority to resume the developmental initiatives that were underway prior to 2015, and significantly ramp up efforts to promote development in the Amerindian and hinterland communities.
AMERINDIAN AND HINTERLAND DEVELOPMENT
$650 million budgeted to continue the land titling programme.
This has benefitted more than 16,000 of Guyana’s indigenous people, ensuring legal rights to their land.
$1.5 billion budgeted to continue the Community Support Officers (CSOs) Programme. To date, this has benefitted over 2,700 persons across more than 220 Amerindian villages.
$150 million budgeted as continuous support the National Toshaos Council (NTC) conference.
$127 million budgeted to allow more than 800 students to pursue higher education at coastal institutions in the Hinterland Scholarship Programme.
$5 billion allocated for the Amerindian Development Fund and Presidential Grants, all aimed at fostering economic, ecotourism, agricultural and infrastructural initiatives towards the continued support and development of Amerindian communities.
AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY
Government recognises how critical food security is for the country and for the CARICOM region more broadly.
This year, a total of $104.6 billion is budgeted to continue aggressive investment and support for the agricultural sector.
SUGAR
$13.3 billion is budgeted to continue to support and rehabilitate the sugar industry.
RICE
$430.9 million to improve efficiency and productivity in the rice industry.
OTHER CROPS
$2.9 billion budgeted to support the development and expansion of other crops.
CORN AND SOYA BEAN
Complete construction works on a wharf at Tacama, additional storage silos, and a conveyor system.
These works, when completed, together with the private sector’s investment in extruder equipment, will support the cultivation target of 25,000 acres via two crops annually and the achievement of self-sufficiency in soya bean production by the second crop of 2025.
Beyond 2025, Guyana will be closer to becoming a net exporter of soya bean to the CARICOM region.
COCONUTS
$116 million budgeted to support the expansion of production, introduce improved varieties, promote value-added production, and train farmers.
In 2025, three turmeric processing facilities will be operationalized at Hosororo, Parika and Port Kaituma.
CITRUS AND SPICES
Government will continue to support the expansion of cultivation of citrus and spices across the country through increased training and distribution of planting materials.
HIGH-VALUE CROPS
An additional 200 shade houses are expected to be constructed to support expanded broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers and roses cultivation.
AGRO-PROCESSING
$800 million budgeted to support investments in value-chain development, from farming to market expansion for agricultural produce and products, including:
Construction of an additional processing facility, bringing the total processing facilities operationalised by Government to 16 across the country.
Establishment of an agri-business hub at Bartica.
Training of an additional 1,242 farmers and agro-processors.
LIVESTOCK
$1.7 billion budgeted to expand the production and productivity of the livestock sector.
Complete a modular pig slaughtering and processing facility at Garden of Eden, and modular duck processing facilities in Regions 2 and 6, acquisition of incubators of hatching eggs, and establishment of poultry zones for improved biosecurity and economies of scale.
Construct a feed pelletiser storage building.
FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE
$1.3 billion budgeted to support fisheries and aquaculture development
Over $15 billion budgeted to complete works on Hope-like canal structures in Region 6, advance works in Region 5, and commence works in Region 3.
Complete pump stations and advance other critical D&I canals and structures including areas such as Adams Creek, Canefield, Good Hope and Mabaruma.
DRAINAGE AND IRRIGATION
$73.2 billion is allocated to upgrade and expand the national D&I network in 2025.
Construct 80 additional brackish water shrimp ponds in Region 6.
Acquire 100 vessel monitoring devices to complement the surveillance of fishing activities.
Upgrade additional landing sites in Regions 1 to 6.
In 2025, Government aims to build on the initiative that demonstrates its ongoing commitment to fostering transparency, accountability, and good governance for the benefit of all Guyanese.
$18.9 billion budgeted for the Constitutional bodies to discharge their mandate as well as to further enhance their capacity for greater accountability.
$112.5 million allocated for the Integrity Commission.
$218.9 million budgeted to the 21-member Constitutional Reform Commission established in 2022 continues its work to review and propose amendments to the Constitution.
Continue to provide training and raise awareness in the areas of human rights and anti-corruption for members of the public and private sectors.
GOVERNANCE
JUSTICE SECTOR STRENGTHENING
$1.9 billion budgeted to expand and upgrade the physical infrastructure of the court system.
Continue to ensure courtrooms countrywide are equipped with video conferencing and digital recording systems to facilitate remote participation.
In 2025, Restorative Justice Offices will become operational across all ten administrative regions.
$395 million provided for the printing pf revised laws and law reports.
IMPROVED GOVERNANCE AND
INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS
Government is acutely cognisant of the critical value of upholding and strengthening the institutional capacity of its Local Democratic Organs (LDOs), and is committed to enhancing transparency practices and the execution of financial responsibilities effectively
among LDOs.
$2.7 billion budgeted to advance the construction of markets at Kumaka, Suddie and Phase 3 of the Mon Repos Market, among other locations.
$2.8 billion budgeted to providing financial support through subventions to the 70 NDCs and 10 Municipalities.
$12.7 billion budgeted to ramp up the Community Enhancement Workers Programme and the introduction of the National Pathway Workers Project, employing nearly 18,000
persons, of which over 12,000 are women.
STRENGTHENING LOCAL GOVERNMENT
In 2025, Government will amend the Financial Institutions Act to allow foreign financial
institutions to establish representative offices in Guyana, which should see a number of international banks establishing a presence here.
These efforts, alongside other ongoing reforms, will modernise the financial sector, ensuring its stability and supporting Guyana’s vision of inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
FINANCIAL SECTOR REFORM
$108.7 billion is earmarked in 2025 to further advance Government’s efforts
toward upgrading the security sector.
$34.4 billion budgeted for the Guyana Police Force to further execute its mandate.
$4.7 billion allocated to bridge the gap of the Force’s infrastructural
needs.This includes:
$1.7 billion budgeted towards the construction of the Brickdam Police Station.
$1 billion budgeted towards the construction and completion of police stations and outposts in Imbotero, Bonasika, Leguan, San Souci, Albertown, Beterverwagting, East La
Penitence, Kitty, Mahaica, Mahaicony, Weldaad, Orealla, Ekereku, Paramakatoi, Annai, Lethem, Ituni and Kwakwani.
GUYANA POLICE FORCE
$597 million to advance works on a modern police training academy campus at Dora as well as the completion of the headquarters for Regional Division Six, Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Special Constabulary and the Tactical Services Unit.
$314 million for the rehabilitation of police stations at Mabura, Timehri, Turkeyen and Mora Point, and the upgrading of North Ruimveldt Outpost and the Highway Patrol Base.
$2 billion budgeted to further expand the Force’s transport fleet.
$156.6 million budgeted for the formation of an additional 45
community policing groups.
PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY
$250 million budgeted for an excess of 1,700 ranks to undergo training in specialised areas which include crime scene management, cybersecurity, forensic video analysis, among others.
$6.2 billion budgeted in 2025 to further enhance key and critical programmes and infrastructural upgrades to the prison system.
GUYANA PRISON SERVICE
$30 million budgeted for the training of 400 ranks in basic recruitment and emergency technician courses in order to prepare ranks with the requisite skills to respond to fire
threats.
Construct seven fire stations at Charity, Onderneeming, Parika, West Ruimveldt, Mahaicony, Soesdyke and Wisroc.
Construct a fire station at Tarlogie and a satellite station at the Timehri Aerodrome.
GUYANA FIRE SERVICE
$6.2 billion allocated for the continuation of the Safe Country Initiative.
In 2025, a further surge is anticipated in the diverse range of high-quality accommodation with the addition of over 1,500 rooms from hotels that are at an advanced stage of construction.
Expansion of airlift to continue with the introduction of service by KLM, new routes by Inter-Caribbean Airways, and new longhaul charter operators, all contributing to improving Guyana’s connectivity.
$1.5 billion budgeted for the ongoing construction of the Hospitality Institute.
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
On assuming office, Government set about immediately revitalising the tourism sector. Notably, visitor arrivals reached a record high of 371,272 visitors in 2024, the highest number of arrivals ever recorded in our history.
National eID system – distribution of cards is scheduled to begin this year, and a budget of $1 billion is allocated to the project.
Government is also advancing several initiatives aimed at modernising identification systems and services, with a new Electronic Passport Control System at the Cheddi Jagan
International Airport.
Over 50 telemedicine sites have been operationalised, with plans to establish more in 2025 to support healthcare access in remote areas.
The One Guyana Digital School initiative will provide a digital platform for Grades 10 and 11 students, offering self-paced courses aligned with the CSEC curriculum, with live teacher support available.
The Education Management Information System is being implemented in over 1,000 schools to enhance data collection, with full deployment expected by the end of 2025.
DIGITAL SOLUTIONS IN GOVERNMENT
Digital solutions to enhance the delivery of public services is the direction of the PPP/C Administration.
$3 billion is allocated in 2025 to continue works on facilities in Regions 2, 3, 4 and 10 for small businesses operating in light, medium and processing industries, among others.
Train an additional 3,000 entrepreneurs in key sectors. To date, over 10,000 small business owners have been trained, of which over 2,400 received training in areas like financial management, business plan writing, and marketing fundamentals.
Continue to improve access to credit and grants. Since August 2020, Government has provided a total of 132 loans, including 21 disability loans, and over 4,000 grants of which 43 were green tech grants. In 2024, 46 loans were disbursed.
SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT
Small businesses have a vital role in enhancing the livelihoods of the Guyanese citizens.
TRANSFORMATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE
$88 billion is budgeted towards advancing objectives for the energy sector as Government continues to substantially improve reliability and reduce the cost of electricity to Guyanese.
Bring to completion, Phase 1 of the transformational flagship 300 MW GtE project.
Expand the renewable energy initiatives:
Construct 155 km of double-circuit transmission lines, 214 km of 69 kilovolt (kV) transmission lines, and 343 km of distribution lines in Regions 3, 4, 5, and 6, as well as construct and upgrade several 69 kV substations.
This upgrade will ensure that GPL’s transmission and distribution network has the capacity to evacuate the power of the GtE and deliver it to consumers throughout the grid.
Operationalise the Kato and Kumu hydropower plants and complete the solar farms in Berbice, Essequibo and Leguan, as well as distribution networks at Ituni, Kumaka and Kwakwani.
Commence construction of a 15 MW solar farm at Linden.
Upgrade distribution networks at Mabaruma, Matthew’s Ridge and Port Kaituma.
Develop a 450-kilowatt peak wind farm at Leguan, which is expected to generate approximately 620 MWh annually.
Distribute an additional 7,230 solar panels to hinterland communities.
ENERGY EXPANSION AND DIVERSIFICATION
$209.3 billion allocated in 2025 to further develop the roads and bridges infrastructure.
$5 billion to commence works on the new Corentyne River Bridge.
$15.5 billion to commence works on a Palmyra to Moleson Creek Highway.
$5 billion to start building a new four lane fixed bridge across the new Berbice River Bridge.
$17.5 billion to complete works on the Railway Embankment Road project from Sherriff Street to Orange Nassau and continuing to the Mahaica River Bridge.
$20.2 billion to complete works on the new Demerara River Bridge. Works will also advance to construct the bridge approach.
$3 billion to progress works on the Parika to Goshen route, the Sand Hills to Makouria Link, and the Moleson Creek to Eldorado roads.
$3.9 billion to advance the upgrade of the Good Success to Timehri Road on the East Bank Highway.
$7.7 billion to complete works on the Ogle to Eccles highway.
$4.3 billion to complete construction of the Diamond to Busby Dam highway.
$9 billion to advance rehabilitation works of the Linden-Soesdyke Highway.
$2.1 billion to advance works on the Wismar Bridge.
$12.9 billion to progress works on the Linden to Mabura Hill Road and 45 concrete bridges along the route from Mabura to Lethem.
TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
$7 billion budgeted to commence construction of a new world class 150,000 square foot terminal building at CJIA.
$2.5 billion budgeted to complete and rehabilitate hinterland airstrips, including Apoteri, Aishalton, Chenapou, Jawalla and Sand Creek.
Construction of a new Parika Ferry Stelling and Waterfront Development Project.
Support dredging of the Demerara River channels to ensure safe passage of larger ships.
Removal of wrecks and obstructions from the Essequibo and Demerara rivers.
Operationalisation of three new wooden cargo boats to service the Pomeroon, Berbice and Northwest channels.
Completion of works on the MV Makouria, MV Malali, MV
Kanawan and MV Sabanto and the Bartica, Kumaka, and Port Kaituma stellings.
AIR TRANSPORT
A sum of $9.9 billion is budgeted to improve our river transportation service. Some major initiatives are as follows:
RIVER TRANSPORT
$53.2 billion budgeted to continue construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of community roads.
$9 billion budgeted to continue to enhance hinterland access in areas such as Central Rupununi, Hosororo, Issano, Karisparu and Monkey Mountain.
$8.2 billion is budgeted towards further developing the endurance of our sea defence structures. To this end, works will commence in areas such as Belladrum, Bengal, Den Amstel, Onderneeming and Zeelandia.
SEA AND RIVER DEFENCE
NOTES
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