Category: Top Stories

By Reuben Stoby Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, wrapping up the budget debate for 2011 in the National Assembly on Wednesday, said that the members of the opposition missed a perfect opportunity to contribute in a more meaningful way to the budget debate, as they chose to divert from serious issues that would have made for a better debate. According to Singh, the opposition members were also “inconsistent and incoherent” in their presentations, which showed that there was disunity among them. “The budget debate provides…

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Foreigners visiting Guyana will now benefit from the issuances of drivers’ permits which will allow them to operate vehicles in the country for specified periods. The Tourism Ministry, in collaboration with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), launched the service at Guyana’s main airport – the Cheddi Jagan International — on Thursday. Issuance of the driver’s permit is free of charge; and will be valid for one month, but can be renewed if necessary. The foreigners will, however, only be allowed to drive a vehicle which was specified on their valid…

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Guyana’s tourism sector received accolades from Chairman of the Board of Directors of Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL), George Nicholas, who underscored the potential of Guyana’s tourism products. He noted that CAL has agreed to ‘sell’ the country with more consistency as one of its main regional destinations. Speaking with Guyana Times International following a news conference last Friday, January 28th, Nicholas said this is his first visit to Guyana and he is already impressed with the hospitality and ‘energy and commitment’ demonstrated by President Bharrat Jagdeo. He is convinced that…

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Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee maintains that there is no breakdown of law and order in Guyana. He pointed to a growing economy and the proper function of essential services as indicators of this conclusion. Addressing the National Assembly on the final day of the budget debate on Monday, January 31st, Rohee flayed the opposition for suggesting that there was a breakdown in law and order locally. He challenged the parliamentarians to provide the facts when making such claims. According to him, the economic activities in Guyana show no signs…

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By Lisa Lowe The One Laptop Per Family Programme was officially launched last Friday, January 21st, at the Guyana International Conference Centre, and is expected to provide opportunities for 90,000 families. The programme was launche+d by President Bharrat Jagdeo, who said the project could enhance and create opportunities for the beneficiaries of the laptops. However, he said: “The people that are collecting these laptops are not getting them free… you don’t have to pay for them, but it requires commitment in terms of time and effort and community work and…

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Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, speaking on the second day of this year’s budget debate in the National Assembly, has said that the Gy$161.4B budget caters for the diversifying and building of a new agriculture sector. “Agriculture continues to be an important player in our economic drive, and this year’s budget provides for an increased amount of resources for diversifying and building a new sector to accommodate the transformation taking place,” the minister said. Minister Persaud noted that emphasis would be placed in all areas, including in the rice and sugar…

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Presidential Advisor on Governance, Gail Teixeira, has been nominated to contest the People’s Progressive Party’s presidential candidacy, the party said in a statement last Friday. Teixeira, who previously held ministerial portfolios for health; home affairs; and culture, youth, and sport, is the newest candidate for the party. The others are Donald Ramotar, Clement Rohee, Moses Nagamootoo and Ralph Ramkarran. In its statement, the PPP said that it has been advancing its discussion on the issue of choosing a presidential candidate for the 2011 general and regional elections. According to the…

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By Natasha Waldron Anthony  Guyanese-born Dr Taj Rajkumar, the New York State Assembly District 31 District Leader, enjoys assisting Guyanese who have challenges accessing and benefiting from government services here in the United States, including with immigration matters. He recently spoke with Guyana Times International, when he highlighted his commitment to and passion for political work. “I like politics because it gives me an opportunity to help people deal with their problems, with their issues. Our people don’t understand the American political system — how to access government services. That’s…

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