The New Year always brings hope that the coming twelve months would be better than the last. Given the events of last year, there is no doubt that the nation must hope that things get better and that at last the nation can settle down to developing the country and transforming its potential into reality.

To gauge the prospect of things getting better Current Affairs sought the views of some politicians, including Donald Ramotar, general secretary of the PPP who did not respond even though he had promised to do so, and the Private Sector Commission. Their views are given below.

The Private Sector Commission (PSC)

We anticipate continued improvement in the area of political stability and hope that the present "Phantom Squad" episode does not affect this. The PSC sees improved political stability as the single most important criterion, if we are to witness an enhancement in the business climate.

We need to see acceleration in the preparation for our next General Elections in 2006. The question of the voters' list and the system under which our next elections will be conducted are issues that need to be decided ASAP (as soon as possible). If we cannot carry out our next General Elections in an atmosphere of cooperation and transparency this will again have a significant negative effect on the enabling environment for business.

We hope to develop a better working relationship between the PSC and Government.

We hope to begin regular (every three months) structured engagements between the PSC and the President to discuss issues of concern to the business community. This was started in 2003 with consultations on the new Investment Act. The PSC and the Government worked closely and produced a mutually agreed document which was laid in the National Assembly. It was referred to a Select Committee and we are unaware of what is holding up the passing of this bill.

The other areas for improved cooperation are:

1. Tax Reform - in the past the PSC has not been consulted by Government but only informed through the media of the reforms. No attempt was made to educate the private sector about the benefits of the reforms and this has led to a lack of support from the business community

2. Anti-smuggling effort - Smuggling affects a large number of PSC members and as such we plan to assist the Government in this regard starting with an in-depth study by a qualified consultant in this area.

The shipping industry is faced with the daunting challenge of implementing the new anti-terrorist measures mandated by the International Maritime Organisation, before the 1st July 2004 deadline. This heightened security regime is compulsory for all ships and ports that wish to trade with the US. Non-compliance would bring Guyana's already fragile economy to a virtual standstill.

Deryck Bernard - PNCR parliamentarian and central executive member of the PNCR

I am very optimistic about the West Indies cricket team. I expect them to beat England in the home series and to really shine on the return series in England. I even expect them to do well at the start of the tour of Australia. I am very optimistic about art and writing in Guyana. I believe that our young writers and painters will continue to gain confidence in their art and in the importance of their voices.

However, I am not optimistic about much else in Guyana. I do not expect the PPP/C government to have any clear and coherent policies on anything. Their development policy will remain tied to the receipt of international alms and donor driven. I do not expect any moves which will re-energise the business climate and give hope to our private sector. I do not expect the government to be decisive in clearing the air on the security mess it has created around itself nor do I expect the Georgetown Hospital, the Environmental Protection Agency or the Ministry of Trade to be any better managed than they were in 2003. I expect even more nurses and teachers than ever to leave for better pay and professional recognition.

I would like to hope that Civil Society will regain the courage of its convictions and assert its voice as an arbiter in national issues and the agent of goodwill and reconciliation. I hope that I am not disappointed. I am very sure, however, that many more Guyanese will come to recognise which political party in Guyana has the skill, the will and the commitment to solve our social and economic problems in a decisive manner.

Sheila Holder, GAP/WPA parliamentarian and consumer activist

Forecasting isn't much of a mystery in Guyana since it is an accepted reality that the political environment has an overarching and suffocating influence on the lives of Guyanese. So we could expect the debilitating political influence to inevitably continue to dominate crucial aspects of our lives impacting adversely on the investment climate and curtailing job creation, development and economic growth.

The security situation will continue to preoccupy a large cross section of the society especially the inability of the current leadership of the Guyana Police Force to rebuild the society's confidence in its policing skills. The interim report of the Disciplined Forces Commission will get lost in the revelations about 'phantom forces and killing squads'. In this scenario talk about threats to the viability of the state would take on new proportions energising discussions around the thesis that the country was close to being a failed state.

In spite of efforts by the governing political party to rehash painful memories of injustices experienced by their supporters and others during the notorious '28' year period, many Guyanese of East Indian ancestry will see through this ruse for what it is worth - a reprehensible intent to maintain ethnic divisions, keep alive their supporters' fear of legitimate protests turning ugly and violent while distracting attention from the present day atrocities being committed under their watch. In response the major opposition party will go all out to prevent ethnic violence and maintain order in their sustained efforts to remove the Minister of Home Affairs from office.

The pall of ineffectiveness, which has been hanging over this country's body politic for decades, has led large numbers of Guyanese to turn to God for hope for the future. False prophets in the religious community who seek to exploit the people will be surprised by the fate that awaits them.

Ravi Dev - Leader of ROAR and Member of Parliament

Politics will continue to dominate the national agenda, as it has done for the past half century. The PPP will stifle all challenges from within. Even though there will be the introduction of yet another (and maybe more than one!) "third force", the PPP and PNC will continue their war of attrition, while Guyana's collapse intensifies. The "Gajraj Case" will not bring down the Government but will once again expose its weakness. The unions in the Public Sector will make a last ditch effort to stave off their decimation and eventual destruction as occurred in Chile, as part of the IMF/World bank reform and liberalisation programme. Do not expect Local Government elections.

The Government will continue to boast about macroeconomic stability, even as growth stagnates and wipes out any chance of lifting us out of poverty. It will finally be generally accepted that the Demerara sugar plantations will eventually be closed.

May 5th will be declared a National Holiday. The PPP will intensify their efforts to solidify their Indian credentials, as with the opening of a High Commission in New Delhi and attendances at Indian functions. The big ones will even take to wearing Kurtas! All for the vote.