Gov’t sees private sector as a partner in development -Dr. Singh

The PPP/C Government sees the private sector as a partner in development, unlike the approach adopted by the APNU+AFC administration.

Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance within the Office of the President, Hon. Dr. Ashni Singh made the assertion Friday during an interview with US-based radio announcer Mr. Farook Juman.

Dr. Singh said the Administration has worked on rebuilding private sector confidence in Government since taking office.

“This is best manifested by President Ali’s invitation not on his second day or his third day in office but in his first day he assumed the presidency, his first working day as president, he invited the leaders of the private sector to a meeting immediately and I highlight to convey the level of importance we attach to ensuring that we a close working engagement with the private sector,” the Minister said.

The Private Sector, the Minister noted, is not in competition with the Government but rather they have common goals and that is facilitating the growth of the country’s economy.

“We have sent a very clear signal that we are a business-friendly government. Secondly you will see in our policies, our policies are designed to facilitate and promote job creation and generation of incomes for people,” Dr. Singh stated.

The Minister said the approach by the coalition indicated they were only focused on filling their pockets rather than taking care of the needs of the people.

Dr. Singh said he believed a large part of the philosophy to tax businesses heavily was a result of the APNU/AFC antagonistic approach towards the private sector.

“They do not understand the role that the private sector plays in investment and in creating jobs and in generating incomes for people and so they do not see the adverse effects that taxing the private sector out of business will have on people’s lives,” the Minister added.

Dr. Singh said this was one of the reasons the coalition had no difficulty in imposing burdensome taxes on its citizens, including value-added tax on water, electricity, healthcare and education.