00:00The agreement, signed in April 2025 after seven years of negotiations, provides for preferential trade in goods between Trinidad and
00:08Tobago and Chile.
00:10It also improves market access, trade facilitation and regulatory transparency.
00:15It is the first trade deal agreement between Chile and a CARICOM country.
00:20This week, CAF, the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, convened stakeholders from both nations during its International
00:28Economic Forum in Panama to focus on implementation.
00:33Discussions centered on clarifying the agreement's provisions, identifying export opportunities and fostering direct business partnerships.
00:42CAF's director representative in TNT said the agreement positions this country as a gateway to CARICOM,
00:48while Chile offers access to wider global markets.
00:52Chile's Undersecretariat of International Economic Relations said the agreement strengthens trade in goods and regulatory cooperation.
01:01The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce said the agreement's impact will depend on business uptake,
01:08with potential opportunities in sectors including agri-tech, logistics, fintech and the creative industries.
01:15Both CAF and the Chamber say engagement will continue to ensure the agreement delivers measurable commercial results.
01:23Aksha Galston, TV6 News.
01:27Chairman of the Tunapunapiyako Regional Corporation, Josiah Austin, says late salary payments have become a recurring issue for daily rated
01:36workers.
01:36He adds, delays began on April 28th and have continued monthly, with some corporations struggling to meet payroll obligations.
01:46Austin describes the situation as very ticklish, with several arms of local government under strain.
01:53He says development projects are also being affected.
01:56According to the chairman, the corporation has received reduced allocations and is now required to route certain projects through the
02:08Rural Development Company,
02:09which carries a 7.5% management fee.
02:13He argues that the added cost places further pressure on already limited funds.
02:27Austin adds that while multiple corporations are impacted, he believes workers in PNM-led corporations have been disproportionately affected by
02:37the delays.
02:39He is also raising concerns about the possible adjustments of the electoral boundaries, which he says could be...
02:47He is also raising concerns about the possible adjustment of electoral boundaries, which he says could weaken the Tunapunapiyako Regional
02:55Corporation.
03:04Austin says urgent action is needed to ensure workers are paid on time and regional corporations are properly funded.
03:11With the mid-year budget review approaching, he is hopeful that additional allocations will be directed to regional corporations to
03:19address salary delays and ongoing project shortfalls.
03:23Haksha Galston, TV6 News.
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