TTMA IN THE NEWS
T&T must take risks with forex reserves to spur growth
Financial economist Dr Dave Seerattan has urged Trinidad and Tobago to take calculated risks with its foreign exchange reserves to stimulate economic growth, warning that an increasingly constrained economy cannot afford to focus solely on protecting its resources. “If you only play defence, you’re going to eventually lose,” Seerattan said at the T&T Manufacturers’ Association post-budget discussion at the Hyatt Regency (Trinidad), Wrightson Road, Port of Spain on October 13. He argued that the Government appeared increasingly willing to deploy foreign exchange in support of the productive sector, pointing to rising disbursements from the Exim Bank as evidence of a less cautious approach. Read more here
EY warns proposed tax changes could squeeze business profits
Businesses could face higher tax costs and reduced profitability under proposed changes to tax-loss relief and the taxation of payments to overseas service providers in the 2026/2027 national budget, EY tax partner Colin Ramsey has warned. The measures could have significant implications for companies, particularly those in manufacturing, retail and distribution, as they adjust to changes in how taxable profits and certain expenses are calculated. Ramsey made the statement while speaking at the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association’s (TTMA) post-budget discussion at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain last week. Read more here
NEWS
Woman beaten, robbed in car park
Police are investigating a robbery in Maraval in which a woman was assaulted and robbed of her bag by three men yesterday, an incident captured in a video circulating on social media. Police sources confirmed the incident to the Express yesterday, but details of the report were unavailable up to press time. The video showed the woman approaching a Kia Sportage in the car park of Adam’s Bagels along the Saddle Road, Maraval. At the time there was a silver Nissan sedan parked beside it. Read more here
POLITICS
Ameen defends allocations to corporations
Rural Development and Local Government Minister Khadijah Ameen is defending the Government’s proposed 2027 allocations to municipal corporations, arguing that funding decisions are guided by their ability to utilise the money provided, with additional resources available where justified. Ameen faced sustained questioning from Opposition MPs during Tuesday’s Standing Finance Committee examination of her ministry, particularly over reductions in allocations for road repairs, drainage, disaster preparedness and recreational facilities in several corporations, including Port-of-Spain. Ameen pushed back against suggestions that the reduced allocations would necessarily undermine the delivery of essential services, pointing to instances where corporations received additional funding during the previous fiscal year, despite initially receiving smaller sums. Read more here
Mohit vows to tackle millions in welfare wastage
Minister of the People and Social Development Vandana Mohit says she is trying to clean up the “wastage of millions” of dollars within the social welfare grants programme. She emphasised this as Opposition MPs pressed her yesterday to explain how reduced budgetary allocations would accommodate the Government’s promised $250 increase for all recipients. Mohit faced questions during the Standing Finance Committee’s (SFC) examination of her ministry’s $5.1 billion budgetary allocation, with Opposition members expressing concern that reductions in funding for senior citizens’ and disability grants could affect existing beneficiaries and those awaiting approval. Read more here
BUSINESS
Arajet Airlines eyes 2028/29 for flights to T&T
Three years ago, the Junta de Aviación Civil (JAC), the Dominican Republic’s civil aviation board, granted ultra-low cost carrier (ULCC) Arajet Airlines permission to operate flights between the Dominican Republic and Trinidad & Tobago. Earlier this year, T&T signed an Air Services Agreement with the Dominican Republic clearing the way for scheduled flights. However, despite having permission to fly, Arajet says the earliest potential start date for scheduled flights is 2028. Responding to a question from Guardian Media at the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) AGM and Airline Leaders Forum currently taking place in Mexico City, Arajet’s chief communications officer, Manuel Luna, said the company will not launch a route to POS anytime soon because it is awaiting delivery of aircraft from manufacturer Boeing. Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyana Development Bank records up to 20,000 applications as interest surges
President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali said, on Tuesday, that the newly launched Guyana Development Bank is attracting significant interest from Guyanese, with an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 persons already applying for support to pursue business ventures and entrepreneurial opportunities. The Head of State made the disclosure during an interview, noting that the strong response, coupled with the convenience of the application process, signals an encouraging start for the national initiative, launched on October 5. “Imagine launching such a huge national programme. You have maybe 15,000, 20,000 persons who have applied already, without a line, without a single line, without any long line anywhere, just from their bedroom, from their desk, on a cricket field,” President Ali said. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Trump and Zelensky appear at loggerheads despite new optimism
The hug that Trump envoy Steve Witkoff offered Volodymyr Zelensky before talks in Oslo is unlikely to have dispelled the Ukrainian leader's misgivings about the current direction of US policy towards his war-ravaged country. Zelensky posted a video of the moment on social media, with the message "Ukraine is working for peace. I thank our partners for their support!" But given everything that's happened this month, does the Ukrainian leader still regard Donald Trump as a partner? The two men have never been close – that much is obvious – but have they now fallen out once and for all? Read more here
21st October 2026