NEWS
Fines, forests and food: Tougher penalties could reshape rural livelihoods in T&T
Over the past decade, Trinidad and Tobago’s natural resource and rural-based industries—copra, timber, sawmilling, and hunting—have operated in a space where legal requirements existed on paper but were unevenly enforced in practice. Long-standing legislation such as the Copra Products Control Act and forestry and wildlife regulations set out licensing, permitting, and hunting rules, yet many small operators and community-level producers remained informal, often without facing meaningful sanctions. The Finance Bill 2026 seeks to change this equilibrium by sharply increasing fines and signalling a more assertive enforcement posture. In doing so, it places traditional livelihoods, environmental stewardship and public health concerns in the same policy frame and asks operators to either step fully into the formal economy or face significantly higher penalties. Read more here
‘We need to protect our children’
Carrying candles and whispering prayers for the family of murdered schoolgirl Mercedez Layne, hundreds walked through the streets of Los Iros during a vigil on Saturday evening, united in grief and asking for more protection of children. The streets of the community were filled with relatives, friends, residents, concerned citizens and some politicians who paid tribute to a child whose tragic death has left the nation mourning. Many were dressed in white as they walked together in remembrance of the young life lost too soon. Read more here
POLITICS
Tobago airport terminal fully certified, ready for opening
The ANR Robinson International Airport’s new terminal building has been fully certified for operations, with officials yesterday receiving the documents required to formally commission the facility. The Ministry of Works and Infrastructure handed over the certificates to Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Eli Zakour, Chief Secretary Farley Augustine and representatives of Airports Authority during a ceremony at the airport in Crown Point. In a media release, the ministry said the terminal holds international aviation, safety and environmental certifications, including two Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certifications from the US Green Building Council. It added that it has also acquired compliance certifications under International Air Transport Association, International Civil Aviation Organisation and Federal Aviation Administration frameworks, giving the legal green light to operate. Read more here
Stakeholders eye Tancoo as he delivers Mid-year Budget Review
Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo enters today’s Mid-Year Budget Review facing demands from unions, business groups, police officers and the Opposition, all seeking answers on jobs, wages, economic growth and Government spending as Parliament prepares to absorb an additional $2.93 billion in expenditure. The supplemental allocation approved last week will increase the 2026 Budget from $59.232 billion to approximately $62.162 billion. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Tancoo told Parliament the additional funding is largely intended to facilitate salary increases and settlements involving 62,050 unionised workers. Ahead of the review, stakeholders outlined a growing list of expectations for the Finance Minister. Read more here
BUSINESS
Venezuela eyes stronger T&T ties
Venezuela is positioning itself as one of the region’s most significant investment opportunities, with sweeping reforms in its energy sector, expanding oil production and growing prospects for cross-border collaboration with Trinidad and Tobago. Speaking at the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM T&T) Trinidad and Tobago’s 33rd annual general meeting and business forum at the Hilton Trinidad on Friday, president of the Venezuelan-American Chamber of Commerce (VenAmCham) Amaru Liendo said the South American nation is undergoing a major economic transformation that is creating opportunities across energy, infrastructure, logistics, healthcare and other sectors. Read more here
REGIONAL
‘This is not a quick turnover’
The government’s proposed Guyana Development Bank is being pitched not merely as a source of finance but as a programme to transform how Guyanese think about business. “The Guyana Development Bank is about creating strategies at the individual and small business level that allows Guyanese to win, prosper, and succeed,” President Dr. Irfaan Ali said during a recent broadcast outlining the bank’s structure. The bank will provide small and medium-sized businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs with access to micro-credit loans of up to $3 million at a zero per cent interest rate. The model aims to help entrepreneurs from application through growth, eventually transitioning to commercial finance. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
The US and Iran have agreed a deal. How soon could the economy go back to normal?
More than three months after the US and Israel first began their war with Iran, the White House and the Iranian regime have agreed a framework deal to bring about a more long-term end to hostilities. The Middle East crisis sent global oil prices soaring as the conflict effectively closed one of the world's key water transport routes for oil, liquid natural gas and other essential commodities, limiting global supplies. But experts warn a return to normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will take time, and the impact of the war will continue to affect the global economy for potentially months to come. Read more here
15th June 2026