分类： business

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.

The 2025/2026 national budget of Trinidad and Tobago has been hailed as ‘for the people’ by Visham Babwah, president of the TT Automotive Dealers Association (TTADA). The budget introduces significant policy shifts aimed at making vehicle ownership more affordable while addressing loopholes that have allegedly drained foreign exchange reserves. Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo announced a series of tax reforms in the automotive sector, balancing environmental responsibility, economic prudence, and public accessibility. One of the most notable changes is the introduction of new taxes on luxury electric vehicles (EVs), effective January 1, 2026. Tancoo emphasized the government’s support for EV adoption to reduce carbon emissions but highlighted the misuse of tax exemptions for high-end models. Under the new regime, EVs with a cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) value exceeding $400,000 will attract a ten per cent customs duty, a 12.5 per cent VAT, and a tiered motor vehicle tax, expected to raise $40 million annually. Mid- and lower-priced EVs will continue to benefit from tax relief, promoting clean energy alternatives for the average citizen. Additionally, tax concessions for returning nationals, including exemptions from motor vehicle tax, VAT, and customs duty, will be removed, aligning them with other vehicle importers. The government also revised the age limit on used car imports, increasing the permissible age for private vehicles from three to six years and for light commercial vehicles from seven to ten years. Babwah welcomed these changes, noting they followed detailed consultations with TTADA. The budget also introduced increased fines for road safety and environmental protection, including higher penalties for careless driving and driving under the influence. While no new investments were made in compressed natural gas (CNG), Babwah cautioned against revisiting past initiatives that failed to yield long-term benefits. He also welcomed the government’s $1 reduction in the price of super gasoline, highlighting past unfulfilled promises to reverse fuel price hikes. Babwah described TTADA’s engagement with the government as collaborative, emphasizing their commitment to policies supporting the automotive industry, consumer protection, and environmental sustainability.

In the wake of the 2025/2026 budget presentation, Dianne Joseph, President of the TT Coalition of Services Industries (TTCSI), emphasized the need for the government to prioritize implementation over mere promises. While applauding initiatives such as the removal of VAT on basic food items and the establishment of a $1 billion National Investment Fund Holding Company Ltd, Joseph cautioned that past governments have struggled with execution. She stressed that without the right teams and strategies in place, the budget’s ambitious goals may remain unfulfilled. Joseph highlighted ongoing issues with online business registration, noting that despite promises, many members still face bureaucratic hurdles. She called for accountability and strategic planning to ensure the budget’s success. The American Chamber of Commerce of TT (Amcham TT) and other business associations welcomed aspects of the budget, particularly enhancements to the Customs and Excise Division and potential reforms to the VAT system. However, they emphasized the importance of inter-agency coordination and the establishment of oversight mechanisms to ensure lasting impact. Kiran Singh, President of the San Fernando Chamber of Commerce, praised the reduction in super gas prices, which he said would benefit the MSME sector by reducing transportation costs. However, concerns were raised about proposed rental taxes and electrical surcharges, which could increase costs for landlords and tenants. The TT Chamber of Industry and Commerce also highlighted measures to boost non-energy exports, including investment in agriculture and the establishment of an Export Academy. Overall, while the budget has been well-received, business leaders are calling for effective implementation to translate promises into tangible benefits.

In a significant move to address long-standing financial mismanagement, Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has appointed a new board of directors tasked with rectifying what Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo described as ‘criminal negligence’ under the previous administration. During the 2025/2026 budget presentation in Parliament on October 13, Tancoo revealed that CAL had spent over $60 million on audits conducted by Ernst & Young and PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) but failed to submit audited financial statements for nearly a decade. Despite this lack of transparency, the former finance minister repeatedly approved funding for CAL between 2017 and 2025 to cover operational pressures. Tancoo condemned this as a failure of governance, stating that the airline had descended into inefficiency and fiscal indiscipline. The new board, appointed by the Ministry of Finance, is expected to implement stringent measures to restore accountability and modernize governance standards. This includes updating the outdated State Enterprise Performance Monitoring Manual to align with international best practices in corporate governance, transparency, and fiscal responsibility. The leadership transition also saw the immediate resignation of CEO Garvin Medera, who was replaced by Chief Operating Officer Nirmala Ramai. Medera expressed gratitude to employees, partners, and customers for their support during his tenure. Under Ramai’s leadership, CAL will focus on five key initiatives: enhancing employee and stakeholder communication, improving operational efficiency, elevating customer experience, developing a sustainable growth plan, and conducting comprehensive audits to strengthen governance and accountability. The airline remains committed to its full schedule and aims to prioritize internal talent development for career advancement opportunities.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Finance, Davendranath Tancoo, has justified the government’s decision to base its fiscal 2026 budget on an oil price of US$73.25 per barrel and natural gas at $4.25 per million British thermal units (MMBtu). The announcement was made during a post-budget forum organized by the TT Chamber of Industry and Commerce on October 14 in San Fernando. The event saw Tancoo addressing concerns raised by Nalini Ramkissoon, the business development manager at Heritage Petroleum Ltd, regarding the rationale behind the selected prices. Tancoo explained that the figures were derived from projections by the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries, which utilized a ‘basket of prices’ methodology developed under the previous administration. The projections included optimistic, pessimistic, and moderate estimates, with the government opting for the middle figure to ensure realism. Tancoo acknowledged that this approach might differ from other metrics, such as the Brent crude oil price. He also emphasized that the budget incorporates various contingencies to account for potential fluctuations in oil and gas prices. The US Energy Information Administration (US EIA) has forecasted a decline in oil prices, with Brent crude expected to drop to US$52 per barrel by early 2026. Similarly, natural gas prices are projected to average US$3.90/MMBtu in 2026. Tancoo’s maiden budget, presented on October 13, outlined expenditures of $59.2 billion and revenues of $55.4 billion, resulting in a $3.9 billion deficit. Oil revenue is anticipated to contribute $11.254 billion, while non-oil revenue is forecasted at $43.402 billion, with capital revenue expected to reach $0.711 billion.

In a landmark announcement during the 2026 national budget presentation on October 13, Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo unveiled sweeping reforms for the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). Without immediate action, Tancoo warned, the fund could face collapse within the next decade, leaving hundreds of thousands of retirees without income protection. The proposed measures include a phased increase in contribution rates and a gradual rise in the retirement age from 60 to 65 over the next ten years. Effective January 5, 2026, contribution rates will rise by three per cent, with another three per cent increase scheduled for January 4, 2027. Starting in January 2028, the retirement age for full NIS pensions will incrementally increase by one year every two years, reaching 65 by 2036. Tancoo assured that those retiring before January 1, 2028, and all existing pensioners will remain unaffected. Early retirees will still qualify for reduced pensions, with a minimum of $3,000. The Finance Minister emphasized the urgency of these reforms, citing years of inaction under the previous administration that allowed the NIS’s financial challenges to deepen. Annual benefit payments now exceed $6 billion, a 65 per cent increase over two decades, while payouts have consistently outpaced contributions since 2020, forcing the National Insurance Board (NIB) to liquidate assets. The 11th Actuarial Review projected fund depletion by 2033 or 2034 without intervention. Tancoo criticized the former PNM government for ignoring repeated warnings and delaying necessary reforms. He pledged that under his administration, the NIS would not be allowed to fail, ensuring protection for over 200,000 vulnerable citizens. Additionally, private pensions will be exempt from income tax starting January 1, as previously promised.

The Trinidad and Tobago agriculture sector is cautiously optimistic about the promises outlined in the 2025/2026 national budget, presented by Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo on October 13. With a total expenditure of $59.232 billion, the agriculture sector is set to receive $1.13 billion, a slight decrease from the previous year’s allocation of $1.184 billion. However, stakeholders are urging the government to move beyond rhetoric and deliver tangible results. Darryl Rampersad, president of the Agriculture Society, expressed skepticism, noting that past government pledges often failed to materialize. He emphasized the need for agriculture to be prioritized and for existing incentive programs to be expanded, including the removal of VAT on essential agricultural items. Minister Tancoo announced several measures aimed at revitalizing the sector, including VAT exemptions on machinery and equipment for agricultural use, hydroponic and greenhouse farming components, and locally grown produce. Additionally, Customs Duty on feed for poultry, cattle, and pigs will be removed starting January 1, 2026. The government is also aligning with Caricom’s ’25 by 2025′ initiative, aiming to reduce food imports by 25% by 2030. Key strategies include a three-year priority commodities program, climate-resilient farming, crop insurance, and investments in agri-tech and smart agriculture. With $793.7 million allocated for infrastructure, irrigation, and fisheries, the government is targeting $1 billion in agricultural exports in the next fiscal year.