HGP Nightly News – The Government of Guyana is set to present Budget 2026 in the National Assembly today, Monday, January 26, marking the first national budget since the administration’s re-election at the General and Regional Elections held on September 1, 2025.
The budget presentation will be delivered by Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Ashni Singh, and will take place at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).
According to government officials, Budget 2026 is intended to outline the administration’s fiscal priorities for the year ahead and to operationalise key commitments made in the governing party’s 2025 election manifesto. President Irfaan Ali has previously stated that his government’s development agenda focuses on economic expansion, infrastructure development, and social support programmes.
Minister Singh has said the fiscal plan is aligned with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) manifesto and will reflect policies and investments aimed at expanding opportunities across multiple sectors. He has indicated that these opportunities include education and skills training, employment creation, and support for entrepreneurship, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses.
Among the initiatives expected to be addressed in Budget 2026 is the establishment of a US$200 million Guyana Development Bank, which the government has said is intended to improve access to financing for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Officials have previously indicated that the institution is expected to become operational by the end of the first quarter of 2026.
Housing is also expected to feature prominently in the budget. The government has stated that funding will be allocated to commence the construction of the first set of 40,000 new homes, building on the distribution of more than 50,000 house lots during the 2020–2025 term.
Increased public spending in areas such as health, education, infrastructure, potable water, digitalisation, Amerindian development, and targeted assistance for vulnerable groups is also anticipated. Social support programmes, including the Because We Care cash grant, old-age pensions, and public assistance, are expected to be addressed during the presentation.
Additionally, fiscal measures aimed at supporting sectors such as agro-processing, tourism, and industrial development are expected to be outlined, with the government indicating that these measures are designed to encourage both local and foreign investment.
Following the presentation, Members of Parliament are expected to begin budget debates approximately one week later. The National Assembly will then proceed into the Committee of Supply stage, during which estimates for individual ministries and agencies will be examined in detail.
