00:00During the Amcham TNT Economic Outlook Forum for 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port of Spain,
00:07economist Dr. Roger Hossein had some advice for the government.
00:12Tourism is a low-hanging fruit. We are at much lower arrival levels than most of our Caribbean peers,
00:19so that's a definite low-hanging fruit.
00:22We continue to strengthen and build our relationship with CARICOM
00:26because there are opportunities there for us, given the size of our manufacturing sector
00:32in relation to the manufacturing sector within the region, and we continue to build.
00:38But all of these things would be difficult if we don't lower the crime level in Trinidad and Tobago,
00:45and perhaps to me, more important than all, if we don't improve the labor force participation rate from 54% to about 75%.
00:55However, Dr. Hossein took note of recent gains in the state's war on violent crime
00:59as the state of emergency, which began in July of last year,
01:03without a curfew or limitations on public gatherings, is due to end on January 31st.
01:09The medium-term outlook is one that is very challenging,
01:13but we have seen some positive steps in the last few months.
01:19Certainly we saw the murder level and the homicide level come down,
01:23and that's a great start.
01:25What we need to see is more runs being made through that same midfield area.
01:30Also speaking in the AmCham TNT event was Works and Infrastructure Minister Jolene John.
01:36Diversification is not words and foolishness sitting down in this room.
01:40Diversification is action.
01:42You come here and you feel good, and then you eat some food and you're gone,
01:45and then what happens next?
01:46Your country's still running, and you have to go to Miami to sit down after nine outside.
01:50And that is why I'm very happy to hear the professor recognizes what we are doing with respect to order,
01:58because there must be order.
01:59Minister John then referred to one of the projects that comprise the government's revitalization program
02:05for Trinidad and Tobago.
02:06And just as Professor Hossein has been saying, he's been stressing on the need for the security,
02:15for people to feel safe, because even if you are willing to say, well, okay, it's not my problem,
02:21our visitors are not going to tolerate that, or potential, they are not going to come.
02:25So to us, this was a no-brainer.
02:27The minister said the deadline for the request for expressions of interest was supposed to be January 22nd.
02:33If we close this tomorrow, this will be oversubscribed.
02:38So what we have done, it was agreed yesterday that that's another scoop.
02:43We are going to extend it until the 5th of February.
02:46Minister John said that is an extension up to weeks.
02:50Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
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