20 September

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Tobagonians: Alleged TRHA wastage part of squandermania culture

Several prominent Tobagonians- two politicians and two business owners, have strongly condemned the Tobago Regional Health Authority’s (TRHA) alleged wastage of over $100 million taxpayers funds. A Guardian Media article on September 9, showed the purchase of a $34 million MRI bore too small to fit the average-sized Tobagonian and the supply and installation of a $70 million Catheterisation Laboratory for heart patients, which was never used. Its lack of operation forced the island’s heart patients to travel to the Eric Williams Medical Science Complex in Trinidad for treatment. The spend occurred during the People’s National Movement’s Orville London-led era. Under the Tobago...

20 September

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Tobago Chamber: Make Tobago VAT-free zone

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in Tobago Business Chamber

With Budget Day set for October 5, the Tobago Business Chamber is proposing several ways in which the Government can stimulate Tobago’s economy. One such proposal is to make Tobago a VAT-free zone. In a WhatsApp voice note on the Chamber’s budget proposal, chairman Martin George said changing the island’s VAT-status is not a new proposal as the Chamber “floated” the idea before. “We are requesting that Tobago be made a totally VAT-free zone. It is not impossible. You have places like Panama, where they have within the country a declared duty-free zone. We think that will also help to stimulate greater investment...

18 September

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Tobago Chamber head: ‘We want more flights’

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in Media, Tobago Business Chamber

The Tobago Business Chamber is urging the Government to increase the number of flights between the two islands. At a news conference at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s, on September 12, the Prime Minister announced the covid19 restrictions that were in place from August 17-September 13 will continue for another month, as there had been no significant let-up in new infections. He said restrictions on beaches, churches, gyms and in-house dining at restaurants will remain until October 11. Airline travel between the two islands has also been restricted, with CAL operating one flight per day. But in a WhatsApp voice note, the Tobago Chamber’s...

18 September

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Health Secretary: Scarborough cath lab ‘not in operation’

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in Media, Tobago Business Chamber

“It’s not an easy task but we’re very committed to treating with operationalising the cath lab.” THA Health Secretary Tracy Davidson-Celestine made this admission in answer to a question about the status of the catheterisation laboratory at the Scarborough General Hospital. She spoke during Tuesday’s virtual Division of Health media briefing. The question was asked in the wake of a recent newspaper report that the $70 million cardiac lab for heart patients in Tobago has not been in use for five years. Davidson-Celestine said: “The cath lab is not in operation currently and we’re working very hard to ensure that we can utilise that...

16 September

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George: TRHA ‘a renegade totally out of control’

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in Tobago Business Chamber

Tobago Business Chamber chairman Martin George is calling for all the Regional Health Authorities to be under one umbrella managed by the Ministry of Health. George was responding to a recent Guardian report about a $70 million Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory for heart patients in Tobago, which has not been utilised for five years. Patients who have to undergo heart procedures are sent to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Trinidad for treatment. Minority Councillor Dr Faith BYisrael weighed in as well, condemning the "continued mismanagement" of the island's health care system. Describing it as a "culture of squandermania" in the Tobago Regional Health...

13 September

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New Government, Litigation in T&T, New Parliament

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in Television Interviews, Tobago Business Chamber

[embed]https://youtu.be/Ijb4rcxZydM[/embed]...

09 September

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Chamber: Expedite grants while tourism stagnant

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in Tobago Business Chamber

The Tobago Business Chamber is calling on the central government to speed up the promised covid19 grant payments. After Newsday sent a question on Monday, the chamber’s chairman Martin George, in a Whatsapp voice note, expressed its solidarity and support for the members of the business community in Tobago, who he said were “hardest hit” by the effects of covid19 and subsequent measures. He said while the chamber understands and empathises with its members, who are experiencing grave financial difficulties, it still expresses unreserved support for the science and health professionals who have been giving guidance and advice. Tourism has been hit hard...

22 August

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Tobago Chamber: ‘Give us a Minister of Tobago Enterprise Development’

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in Tobago Business Chamber

The Tobago Business Chamber is urging the Prime Minister to appoint a Minister of Tobago Enterprise Development to address matters relating to the island.In a WhatsApp voice note on Thursday after Dr Rowley and members of the new PNM Government were sworn in at President's House, St Ann's, the chamber's president Martin George said while the association welcomes the new ministers and senators, Tobago needs special attention."We had hoped that the prime minister would have used this occasion to make a bold initiative by appointing someone such as possibly a Minister of Tobago Enterprise Development because we have lamented for...

06 July

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Tobago Chamber reveals wishlist for next government

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in Tobago Business Chamber

The Tobago Business Chamber is calling for the repeal of the foreign investment act as a means of boosting economic activity on the island, post covid19. The chamber’s chairman, Martin George, made the call in a Whatsapp voicenote on Friday as the organisation welcomed the government’s decision to hold the general election on August 10. The Prime Minister announced the date on Friday in the Parliament “The Tobago Business Chamber supports a shorter and less hectic election season because we think that the longer it drags on, the more disruptive it is for business and we definitely are happy that the time frame...

03 July

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THA looks to cut foreign investment red tape

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in Tobago Business Chamber

THERE is a need for Tobago to attract foreign direct investment, according to Finance Secretary Joel Jack. The secretary said the Division of Finance and the Economy is developing a medium-term strategy that will attract investment to the island. Jack was speaking at Wednesday’s post Executive Council media briefing at Victor E Bruce Financial Complex in Scarborough. Jack said: “I have been working with the Minister of Finance to see how best we can treat with all the administrative bottlenecks, the bottlenecks in the processing of the land licence regime. A number of the investors, they don’t have a challenge with the land...