Chamber wants focus on tourism, agriculture
A reduction in crime, economic growth, access to financing and better inter-island transport are some of the areas the Tobago arm of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Tobago Business Chamber want addressed in today’s Tobago House of Assembly (THA) budget presentation which will be presented by Chief Secretary and Finance Secretary Farley Augustine.
“We want to put our eyes on tourism and agriculture, the chamber emphasises the need to invest in tourism, agriculture as these sectors are critical for Tobago’s economic diversification. We advocate for policies that enhance tourism infrastructure and promote sustainable agriculture practices ensuring these sectors can strive and contribute significantly to the economy,” said chairman of the Tobago arm of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber Curtis Williams as he spoke with the Express on Tobago’s budget wishes.
Williams is also calling for an ease in financing for local businesses. “So under small business we’re looking for support for SMEs. The chamber suggests that the budget should include initiatives to provide easier financing, access to financing, reducing operational costs and offer training programmes and help local business expand and innovate, governance and fiscal management,” he said. “We want an efficient use of resources ensuring that the budget allocations are used effectively and transparently is a priority. The chamber advocates for stronger governance framework and accountability measures to prevent wastage and corruption, ensuring that funds are directed towards meaningful projects for the benefit of the community.”
He said: “In summary the Tobago division is actually looking for a budget that supports economic growth through (divested) investment, improved infrastructure and uphold good governance practices. These measures are critical for the island’s long-term prosperity and resilience.”
Crime fighting measures
Meanwhile, chairman of the Tobago Business Chamber Martin George has called for a focus on reduction in crime, vehicle scanners, enhanced security, better inter-island transport and the immediate and unconditional repeal of the Foreign Investment Act.
George said while the scourge of crime has still not yet tarnished and sullied the image of Tobago as it has in Trinidad, there are still concerns.
“As to the increases in crime which we have witnessed in the proliferation of illegal drugs and guns in Tobago and we have repeatedly asked for there to be vehicle scanners implemented at both ports in Port of Spain and Tobago along with sniffer dogs and undercover police officers on the ferry with these police officers having a list of names and photographs of wanted criminals who may come to try to hide out in Tobago or seek to try to ply their evil trade there from,” he said in a statement.
“In this regard, we propose that the Minister and the Government introduce legislation to be able to create a Tobago Regional Police Service (TRPS) in much the same way as there are the Municipal Police outfits in the various borough corporations in Trinidad. This TRPS can then work in collaboration with and alongside the TTPS to ensure that we stamp out the scourge of crime and criminality in Tobago so that Tobago can once again become a safe place and a safe space,” George said.
He said the Chamber has repeatedly indicated that the airbridge by Caribbean Airlines Ltd is an essential service and ought to be given the necessary funding and resources to make it more efficient and effective in serving the needs of the travelling public.
“CAL needs to understand that it has to prioritise the Trinidad-Tobago run before it goes off servicing all other newly created routes…Reliable, efficient and effective air transport between Trinidad and Tobago is a right, not a privilege…” George said.
“As regards the seabridge, we are still awaiting the promises made by the Minister of Transport that another cargo vessel is to be commissioned to be constructed in order to service the Tobago route as it is essential that there be a second cargo vessel to assist on the Tobago run,” George said.
George said the chamber was also calling We are calling for immediate repeal of the Foreign Investment Act.
“We of the Tobago Business Chamber and myself in my personal capacity, have been championing the cause of this repeal for years. This repressive and obstructive legislation represents a palpable absurdity, especially in the face of the severe scarcity of foreign exchange in Trinidad and Tobago. Instead of facilitating direct foreign investment… this archaic and anachronistic Foreign Investment Act has us placing and maintaining hurdles and obstacles in the way of investors,” he said. “The simple fact of the matter is that the Act needs to go. It needs to be repealed and expunged from our laws immediately and entirely. This will allow the inflow of so much badly-needed foreign exchange into Tobago with the obvious spill-over benefits for the entire country because when a foreign investor decides to build a hotel or other large development, much of the hardware materials and other resources will have to be sourced from suppliers in Trinidad, which can go a long way towards alleviating the country’s severe foreign exchange crisis.”
BY: ELIZABETH WILLIAMS
Chamber wants focus on tourism, agriculture
