As the government prepares to distribute a $100,000 cash grant to every adult citizen, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat is urging recipients to remain productive and continue their work following the grant’s receipt. Speaking to miners at Puruni Landing in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) last Friday, Bharrat emphasized the importance of not becoming complacent after receiving the funds.
“Some of our workers, after collecting the cash grant, do not return to work immediately. We want to encourage you to collect your cash grant and keep working. The grant is meant to supplement your regular earnings, not replace them,” he stated.
During his address, Minister Bharrat highlighted benefits contained within the Budget 2026 that are expected to aid stakeholders in the mining sector. He confirmed that the cash grants would be distributed once the budget is passed, reiterating their purpose as additional support for existing incomes.
In addition to the cash grant, Bharrat outlined significant tax relief measures for the mining community. The removal of taxes on various categories of vehicles will provide considerable savings for stakeholders. For instance, he noted that the duty on a 2,000 cc four-door pickup will now be set at $2 million, regardless of the vehicle’s model year—amounting to potential savings of nearly $7 million.
“Most new vehicles today are being manufactured with smaller, turbocharged engines designed to reduce emissions and fuel consumption. If you opt for a four-door pickup with a larger engine, Budget 2026 reduces the duty to $3 million for models 2,500 cc and below, resulting in savings of around $10 million,” he explained.
Bharrat also addressed the purchasing of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), stating that the duty on items such as a Honda ATV, currently priced at approximately $3.5 million, will drop to below $2 million once the budget is approved, as there will be no duty imposed on ATVs moving forward.
Highlighting additional advantages for the mining sector, Minister Bharrat noted that Guyana stands out as one of the few countries globally without taxes on fuel, greatly benefiting operations. He also encouraged small miners to seek capital support through the Guyana Development Bank to help bolster their operations.
The minister’s remarks aim to ensure that recipients of the cash grant continue their economic activities, taking advantage of the combined benefits of the budget to support sustainable development in the mining sector.
