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Trinidad PM presents national budget for 2007
Thursday, October 5, 2006
by Stephen Cummings
Caribbean Net News Trinidad Correspondent
Email: stephen@caribbeannetnews.com
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: A reduction in inflation, greater social sector support, more emphasis on fighting crime and drug trafficking, increased focus on the energy sector and an expanded role for the non-oil energy sector, were some of the main highlights in the 2007 budget delivered on Wednesday by Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Patrick Manning.
Government is also moving to eliminate gambling in the country and has placed heavy taxation on the importation of tobacco related products and the export/import of alcohol.
It was an fiscal package in the vicinity of over TT$30 billion dollars. Persons were expecting what is normally considered to be "an election budget" seeing that a general election is soon to be called – constitutionally due by 2007.
There were not many surprises though. Health and education were also given attention. Old-age Pensioners got a small increase of about TT$150.
The Prime Minister during his budget presentation also defended government's plans for the establishment of smelter plants in the country.
This follows continued protests by residents of south and east Trinidad against what they say are dangers associated the plant.
Response to the Trinidad and Tobago national budget will now be given by the opposition leader along with others.
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