Introduction
Last week’s column introduced four attributes of the Buxton Proposal, which I am certain, if kept constantly to the fore-front of its consideration would allow a deeper understanding of it as a potentially transformational poverty policy intervention, reaching beyond a cash transfers to all households’ scheme (and thus race/ethnic neutral). As a scheme the Proposal offers real opportunities to transform the coverage and operations of Guyana’s tax system; its financial system (payments, credits and savings); its data management and organizing system; as well as, the integration and management of all public anti-poverty policy schemes (such as, NIS, pensions, and welfare services, in health, education and other social benefits).
My singular premise is that, with income poverty at 35 percent; inequality (Gini Coefficient) at 44.6 and with significant infrastructural deficits (physical, social, institutional, and information) these factors combine to constitute the chief obstacles to Guyana’s economic growth and sustainable development. The four attributes highlighted last week, therefore seek to make the developmental thrust of the Buxton Proposal pellucidly clear upfront.
