Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh says preparations for the 2009 budget are ongoing and will focus on maintain-ing macroeconomic stabili-ty.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release Singh said the budget process is usually long but his ministry has received submissions from the various ministries and departments and reviews and discussions are ongoing.

In the wake of the global economic downturn, Singh said, “we are going to certainly see a continued emphasis on macroeconomic stability and on sustained growth.”

Singh said too this year creating an enabling environment conducive to growth including the physical infrastructure, sea defences, drainage and irrigation and other critical infrastructure is also a priority.

The minister said too that in recent years government has focused on promoting social development and that will continue.

More than $1.1B was budgeted in 2008 to provide and boost social services targeting the most vulnerable groups. GINA said too in 2008 about $13.7B was allocated to improving the security and justice sector. However, “There will also be emphasis in new sectors that have emerged over the years noting that in recent years the security sector has been featured very prominently,” Singh said.