Fellow Guyanese,
Happy New Year! I extend greetings of peace, prosperity, and happiness to all. May 2008 bring personal rewards to you and social progress to our country!

I also wish at this time to acknowledge those who because of the call of duty or work are away from their families. Whether you are a member of the Disciplined Services standing guard at our borders, or patrolling our communities; whether you are a nurse working tirelessly in our hospitals ; a fisherman at sea, or a security guard on watch, I thank you for your contribution to our nation and I extend to you warmest greetings for a blissful New Year.

At this time, most people resolve to improve their personal and professional lives. Let us however in so doing be mindful of our wider duty as citizens of this great country. And let us dedicate ourselves to ensuring that however personally successful we may be in the New Year that the common good is served.

2007 was a memorable year for our country. We can all be proud of the seamless manner in which Guyana moved from hosting one international event to another. The highlight of the past year was of course Guyana’s hosting of World Cup Cricket, a mega- sporting event whose success truly involved a national effort. This was followed by the hosting of important international conferences- the Rio Summit, the Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting and later a special conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community. The success of these events attest to our emerging capacity to host international events, as well as to our country’s growing stature in the global community of nations.

2007 was also a watershed year in our country’s diplomatic history. Guyana’s case for the demarcation of our maritime boundaries with Suriname was successfully argued before the Arbitral Tribunal of the Law of the Sea Convention. The ruling in favour of Guyana was a victory for good neighbourliness, settling an age-old dispute, and paving the way for improved relations with Suriname. Of equal importance, the award now allows Guyana to explore, unimpeded, its vast and diverse maritime resources in the formerly disputed area, resources which can make a great difference in the quality of life for all Guyanese.

The advances on the diplomatic front were matched by successes internally. The past year witnessed continuing strides in improving the delivery of social services in all ten administrative regions of the country. Much attention was also paid to improving the physical infrastructure including our productive infrastructure. These initiatives are all part of my government’s commitment to support our productive industries, improve the delivery of services and better the living standards of all Guyanese.

The many improvements of 2007 were bolstered by the performance of our economy. Preliminary indications are that Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product grew by some 5% during 2007, a fact that speaks to a resurgent economy.

The growth in the economy last year was not confined to the traditional sectors. True, rice and sugar remained the significant pillars of our national output. However, growth in the transport, tourism and telecommunications sector was significant and a vindication of my government’s emphasis on boosting the non-traditional sectors of the economy. The growth of these sectors augurs well for the future as Guyana aims for a more balanced economy, one in which the new and emerging sectors grow in tandem with the traditional sectors of the economy presently undergoing restructuring.

I was particularly pleased by the large investments secured in the telecommunication sector which as any Guyanese can testify, translated to considerable benefits for consumers as the two main telephone companies demonstrate the benefits of competition.

Buoyed by the hosting of World Cup Cricket and other events that expanded facilities and showcased our tourism product, the hospitality sector made considerable strides during the past year. It is expected that by the time the present holiday season is over, in excess of thirty thousand persons would have passed through our national airport. While our tourist industry is still in an embryonic stage, the tremendous gains made this past year are heartening and a sign that tourism will in the near future make an invaluable contribution to national income.

We can all help to make Guyana welcoming and attractive to tourists by keeping our surroundings clean and by demonstrating that unique hospitality for which Guyanese are famous.

The progress that was achieved in 2007 has laid the foundation for continuing growth and development in 2008. However, we must continue to be vigilant and disciplined in our efforts since the global environment presents many challenges to our continued efforts at improving the lives of all Guyanese.

Unfortunately, the external environment was very unfavorable to Guyana in 2007. Guyana has had over the past few years to contend with skyrocketing increases in fuel and food prices, adverse changes in the trading regime in Europe, the depreciation of the US dollar and global warming. Steep rises in fuel, and imported food and other prices have dramatically increased our import bill and placed considerable strains on some macro economic variables, and have fueled increases in the cost of living.

We have however waged an unremitting effort to mitigate the effects of imported inflation. We have consistently adjusted import taxes to help reduce the price of fuel at the pumps and have removed VAT from a wide range of food items so to keep imported inflation in check. Guyana has little control over the higher acquisition costs that are now being demanded for fuel, and imported food and other items, but we will continue to do all that is within our power to contain price increases.

So far, because of sound macroeconomic policies and selective interventions, we have been able to avoid some of the devastating effects on the economy that were experienced when Guyana lived through the energy crisis of the 70’s . We have been able to maintain a sound balance of payments situation with attendant benefits on exchange and interest rates.

Apart from confronting higher import costs, Guyana had also to contend with changes to our traditional trading regime with Europe. These changes were carried out in a manner that were less than favourable and have resulted in a reduction in our present and future export earnings to the European Union. Guyana is far from satisfied by these changes some of which were arbitrarily imposed..

However, we do not intend to succumb to despair. We are confident that with the restructuring of our traditional sectors Guyana can cushion the adverse effects and maintain economic stability. We are confident that the measures that we are taking will ensure that our economy remains resilient and capable of delivering improved incomes for all sectors and strata of the society. We shall also work with our Caricom partners to fashion a strategy that would reduce the cost of food.

Global warming is a phenomenon which cannot be ignored. It has spawned rising sea levels and uncharacteristic weather patterns resulting in greater and more intense levels of precipitation. Over the past year we have dedicated billions of dollars to shoring up our sea-defences and maintaining our drainage and irrigation systems. More will be spent on adaptation and mitigation to protect the productive sectors and our citizens from flooding, even as we seek a fair and equitable global framework to address climate change.

Fellow Guyanese,

It is important that as we celebrate the impressive performance of the Guyanese economy in 2007 that we ensure the sustainability of this growth. An expanded economy will create more jobs and provide improved incomes and services for our people. Apart from the maintenance and improvement of the investment climate in Guyana, we hope to advance work on major projects essential to transform Guyana. The Berbice River Bridge is scheduled for completion this year. In addition, we are formalizing major investments in hydro electricity, and exploration for off shore oil is expected to recommence this year.

Fellow Guyanese,
No longer should our people have to put up with poor and unfriendly services. A great deal of resources has been injected into the social services and Guyanese are entitled to better qualitative outputs. Your government intends in 2008 to place greater emphasis in ensuring that improved quality of services are delivered. This will demand greater accountability from public officials. No longer should we content with sub-standard services. Whatever changes are necessary to ensure improvements in the delivery of services must be effected. While I cannot promise miracles overnight, my government will demand greater accountability for performance and where that performance is lacking then the appropriate action will be forthcoming. Those who cannot perform or are underperforming must give way to those willing to make a difference.

Fellow Guyanese,
Over the years, my government has consistently intervened to bring assistance to vulnerable groups within our society. This year, a special fund will be created to help single –parent households. We also propose to adjust pensions and public assistance to assist the elderly and vulnerable to cope with the cost of living. In addition, my government will raise the income tax threshold and expand selective intervention programs aimed at the poor.

I am deeply concerned about the violations committed against our children and women. This year, we will enact comprehensive child protection and welfare legislation aimed at ending the exploitation and abuse of children. Country-wide consultations are presently ongoing to change our outdated laws governing sexual abuse. When completed we will table a Sexual Offences Bill aimed at addressing the troubling high incidence of sexual abuse.

.Fellow Guyanese,

As we work towards the welfare of all Guyanese, there is an important role for responsible opposition parties and other groups. Where the interests of Guyana are concerned, partisan differences should not impede political cooperation and goodwill. Internationally, the past year has presented vivid examples of the dangers of political engagements outside the democratic process. Since the elections of August 2006, Guyana has enjoyed political stability and this has enabled the creation of an environment amenable for growth and development, one in which all Guyanese benefit. My government continues to recognize the obligation of opposition parties to, in a constructive manner and within a democratic framework, offer alternative policies. In this way the people are given choices and options to consider. My government will continue to ensure the flourishing of an open and democratic society, one that values the role of responsible opposition parties and civil society groupings.

Fellow Guyanese,

A New Year is upon us. At this time of entrenched goodwill and optimism, let us commit to overcome the challenges that will confront us as we move forward united as one people. We are a people born out of the crucible of struggle and sacrifice. We are a strong and resilient nation, and collectively we can make this land that we call home a living and earthly paradise.

Let us therefore herald in the New Year with renewed vigour. Let us all work to realize not only our dreams and aspirations for this year but also to ensure that we do so as a united, free and democratic nation where fair play, justice, peace, security, prosperity, and compassion to each other are our defining ideals.
Happy New Year!