Senior Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh announced in the 2024 budget presentation on Monday that the government is making significant strides in engaging the Guyanese Diaspora on national development. In 2023, Minister Singh said the remigrant scheme saw a substantial increase in applications, with over 400 being successfully processed. This marks a 9.8 percent increase compared to 2022 and a 68 percent rise from 2019 figures.
Moreover, Minister Singh said the government renewed over 15,000 passports for Diaspora members last year, alongside more than 2,000 second-generation Guyanese applying for their Guyanese passports for the first time. The economist said this surge in passport applications reflects a growing connection and commitment to Guyana among its global community.
Looking ahead, the 2024 budget outlines plans to integrate diaspora skills to address labour shortages in Guyana. Minister Singh also noted that the government aims to guide Diaspora members on emerging opportunities across various sectors, reinforcing their role in the nation’s advancement.
