U.S. Millennium Challenge Account

Oct 29, 2008 News

Guyana to launch threshold programme today
The official launch of Guyana’s Threshold Programme under the U.S. Government’s Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) will take place this morning at the National Convention Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.
The keynote address will be delivered by President Bharrat Jagdeo. Other presenters will include U.S. Ambassador to Guyana John M. Jones; Mr. Geoff Anderson, General Counsel for the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in Washington; Dr. Ashni Singh, Minister of Finance; and Dr. Coby Frimpong, Chief of Party of the Threshold Country Plan (TCP) implementation team. Closing remarks will be delivered by Mr. Peter Hubbard, Mission Director of USAID/Guyana.
Implementation of Guyana’s two-year Threshold Programme commenced on January 14, 2008, and is designed to improve the country’s fiscal performance, enhance Parliament’s fiduciary oversight, and reduce the number of days to start a business.
The Threshold Programme is funded by the MCC but implemented locally by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Guyana Government agencies directly involved in its implementation include the Guyana Revenue Authority, Ministry of Finance, Deeds Registry, National Insurance Scheme, and the Guyana Office for Investment, as well as Parliament.
The MCA rewards developing countries that have been undertaking reforms to improve economic growth and alleviate poverty. To do this, it analyzes their performance against other countries in the same income bracket by reviewing 17 indicators in three broad categories—ruling justly, investing in people and promoting economic freedom.
Threshold Program assistance helps countries address specific areas of policy weakness identified in the selection indicators.