Prime Minister Gaston Browne will lay out his government’s priorities for the new year to the nation today, during a joint sitting of the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament.
It is anticipated that the delivery of the 2025 Budget Speech will focus on the blue economy, digitization, and adaptation to climate change.
The Prime Minister, who will deliver his tenth Budget address as Minister of Finance, is expected to outline his plans to build upon the country’s post-pandemic recovery, which saw GDP growth consistently outperforming regional averages outside of Guyana.
With the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasting GDP growth to slow to 3.5 percent in 2025, down from 5.8 percent projected for 2024, inflation projected to decrease from 5.4 percent in 2024 to 2 percent in 2025, and debt expected to fall to 67.3 percent of GDP by 2025, the government has announced that there will be no new taxes, but “exciting things” in this year’s budget.
A close examination of the 2024 budget statement reveals several key initiatives that were announced, including the $100 million airport rehabilitation project, the expansion of the Dialysis and Renal Centre, and significant investments in the nation’s telecommunications infrastructure through APUA.
However, major challenges remain across several government departments and key initiatives, according to an Observer media review of last year’s Departmental and Ministry Business Plans.
Parliament itself faces operational hurdles, including staff shortages, the need for a modernised library system, and crucial maintenance requirements for its audio equipment and building infrastructure.
Critical projects like the Cabinet Dashboard, aimed at modernising government’s operations, have faced delays due to funding constraints and technical challenges.
Infrastructure challenges extend into essential public services, with many government offices reporting disruptions to daily operations due to water supply issues.
The closure of the Ministry of Agriculture headquarters and the General Post Office highlighted how basic utility problems have impacted staff productivity and morale, with some offices forced to close by midday.
The Development Control Authority (DCA) faces its own set of challenges in monitoring and enforcing development regulations, particularly due to insufficient training for building inspectors and inadequate project monitoring capabilities.
In the trade sector, while the government has announced plans for initiatives like the National Garment Manufacturing Initiative and the Science and Innovation Park, these projects still require coordination and resources.
The Ministry of Trade’s plans to continue expanding local manufacturing and small business development which face implementation challenges, may be addressed in the upcoming budget.
Another matter that the government will likely address would be the issue of road works and maintenance.
The Prime Minister, in his last Budget Speech, announced an allocation of over $80 million to fund road works across Antigua and Barbuda.
Thoroughfares such as Sir Sydney Walling Highway, Anchorage Road, and Old Parham Road were highlighted as priorities; however, little to no progress has been made even though the Minister of Works last year stated that much focus would be placed on community roads during its 2024 agenda.
Minister Browne further emphasised that the use of a roller-compacted concrete pavement method will begin in the second quarter of 2024.
With the Prime Minister just last month publicly criticising the Director of Public Works for the lack of action, how progress on this front will be addressed by the PM remains to be seen.
Overall, the Prime Minister will be expected to use this budget to highlight his government’s work over the past decade, how it has managed the economy in the years since the end of the pandemic and frame the government’s priorities towards further digitization and economic diversification of the society. Several issues remain outstanding, so how the Opposition will frame their arguments and responses, given an increased timeline to review the Budget, will be of further interest.
The Budget Debate is scheduled to begin on December 10.
