Minister for Finance Dr. Rt. Hon. Keithย Mitchell has assured the young people of this nation that their recommendations will be given priority as the government prepares for budget 2021, in these very unique and challenging times.
Dr. Mitchell, who was at the time addressing more than 200 young people at the 2021 Youthย Budget Consultation, said the input from youth will play both a direct and indirect role in theย formulation of the budget, as any decision made in this period will have an enormous impact onย their lives.
Reiterating that planning for the budget will be critical, Dr. Mitchell said, โWe have to look at waysย of raising revenue differently, we have to look at the opportunities to transform the localย economy.โ
Government has established a Task Force that will examine areas of transformational activities,ย the recommendations of which will be included in the budget. In addition, members of theย Economic Advisory Committee will advise the Finance Minister and Cabinet on, โmoreย revolutionary ways to transform the economy of the country to prepare for the upcoming period.โ
Minister for Youth, Hon. Kate Lewis says government is committed to achieving a robustย economy with young people at the centre of development. However, she says they must beย ready to play their part. โIt will take innovation and commitment from young people to move theย country forward with the current challenges that confronts us.โ
The government was also commended by the youth representatives at the meeting for itsย leadership role during this period and its desire to include them in the decision making process.
The 2021 budget will be guided by the theme: โTowards Vision 2035, Recovery, Transformationย and Resilience.โ
