The Greater Tunapuna Chamber of Industry and Commerce (GTCIC) has expressed its support for the government’s emphasis on ‘economic fairness’ and fiscal accountability in the 2026 national budget. However, the business lobby group has raised concerns about the persistent liquidity and competitiveness challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), calling for immediate and practical solutions. In a statement following Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo’s budget presentation, GTCIC President Ramon Gregorio acknowledged the budget’s focus on tax modernization, institutional renewal, and digital transformation as steps toward reform. Yet, he emphasized the need for ‘concrete, time-bound measures’ to address foreign exchange shortages, improve SME financing, and bolster business confidence. Gregorio stated, ‘The business community seeks accountability matched by delivery – a Trinidad and Tobago where entrepreneurship thrives, forex flows freely, and SMEs drive inclusive growth.’ The chamber welcomed the reduction in super gasoline prices as a relief measure for transport and manufacturing sectors, potentially lowering logistics costs and inflation. It also praised initiatives in the energy sector, such as the Dragon Gas project and expanded exploration, as crucial for stabilizing foreign exchange inflows. Additionally, the GTCIC commended the creation of an employment fund and the replacement of CEPEP and URP with formal, productivity-driven jobs, viewing these as steps toward long-term economic restructuring. Gregorio highlighted the government’s digitization efforts, including the National Payment and Innovation Company of TT’s online payment system and the ‘Anansi’ virtual assistant, as tools to reduce bureaucracy and corruption. However, the chamber urged the government to ensure transparent and equitable forex distribution, especially for manufacturers reliant on imported raw materials. It also called for direct SME funding and credit guarantees, beyond recent reforms to the Export Academy and Eximbank. On tax reform, the GTCIC stressed the need for detailed consultation with small businesses to avoid disruptions in pricing and compliance systems. It also emphasized the importance of sustained crime reduction for investor and business confidence. The GTCIC expressed its willingness to collaborate with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and the newly established Private Sector Organisation of TT (PSOTT) to translate policy intentions into measurable outcomes. ‘We stand ready to collaborate to ensure that policies translate into tangible results for business owners, workers, and consumers alike,’ the statement concluded.