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  • 17 hours ago
The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce says that the Government's mid Review of the 2025/2026 Budget presents one of the strongest fiscal signals in recent years."

However, the TT CHamber said the "next phase must be translating that fiscal progress into measurable gains."

Juhel Browne reports.
Transcript
00:00The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce says that it welcomes what it calls the positive fiscal and
00:06institutional progress outlined in the Minister of Finance's 2026 media review.
00:12The government is seeking a supplementation to its 2025-2026 budget of $2.9 billion.
00:18Following Finance Minister Divinjanath Tanku's presentation in the House of Representatives, the Chamber said the media review presents one of
00:27the strongest fiscal signals in recent years.
00:30The Chamber said that together with the upward revision in energy price assumptions, these developments demonstrate a more stable fiscal
00:37outlook and provide the government with greater capacity to advance its economic agenda.
00:42However, the Chamber noted that macroeconomic stability is not an end in itself and that its value lies in creating
00:49the conditions for businesses to invest, expand, employ more people and compete successfully at home and abroad.
00:57The Chamber said that today many businesses continue to face significant operational constraints.
01:03The Finance Minister said confidence in Trinidad and Tobago is being rebuilt both at home and abroad.
01:09The Chamber noted that, quote, the Minister correctly observed that confidence is one of the most important drivers of economic
01:16activity.
01:16The Chamber agrees.
01:18Confidence, however, is sustained not only by sound fiscal indicators but by visible improvements in the business environment, end quote.
01:27The Chamber said businesses gain confidence when foreign exchange becomes more accessible, approvals become faster, VAT refunds are paid on
01:35time,
01:36government services become more efficient, infrastructure improves, crime declines and investment decisions become easier to make.
01:43The Chamber said that while the Mid-Year Review demonstrates that Trinidad and Tobago is moving onto stronger fiscal footing,
01:51the next phase must be translating that fiscal progress into measurable gains in productivity, competitiveness and private sector growth.
02:00Jewel Brown, TV6 News.