NEWS
Promoters working to assure patron safety at events
The TT Promoters Association (TTPA) said it assures people that it will continue to invest in ensuring they are safe when they attend events in Trinidad, in spite of the ongoing state of emergency (SoE). It said the event industry is not a proxy for criminality in TT. The statements were made by TTPA advocate Paige De Leon at a media conference on January 15 at Queen’s Hall to discuss the upcoming TT Carnival and the association’s global stakeholder plan. Read more here
Carnival 2025 to cost taxpayers over $140M
Carnival 2025 is expected to cost taxpayers more than $140 million, National Carnival Commission (NCC) chairman Winston Peters has confirmed. However, in an interview with Guardian Media yesterday, Peters said despite the substantial budget, the NCC will not be increasing prize amounts for Carnival competitions. “It’s never sufficient, but at the end of the day, you have to work with what you have. We can’t live in the past. Things are not what they used to be. Our country is under stress, like most of the world, and we have to work with what we have,” Peters stated. Acknowledging concerns over reduced funding, he noted, “People would say they used to get $2 million, but that’s ‘used to’ because we don’t have it now. If our fortunes change, we might very well get it again. But for now, we have to continue to work with what we have.” Read more here
POLITICS
Imbert: VAT refunds will be paid by month-end
Finance Minister Colm Imbert says the payment of Value Added Tax (VAT) refunds has been delayed by cash constraints and not bureaucracy. He made the comment in a statement issued by his ministry on January 16 in response to a daily newspaper editorial. "Cash-flow constraints have resulted in a one-month delay in completing this exercise, not bureaucracy. Accordingly," Imbert said, "There is now sufficient cash flow to fulfil the commitment made with respect to VAT refunds to SMEs (small and medium enterprises) by the end of January." Read more here
BUSINESS
Trade Ministry, TTCSI join to strengthen services sector
In an introductory meeting with the new TT Coalition of Services Industries (TTCSI) CEO Daren Lee Sing and board members, Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon encouraged the coalition to work closely with the TT Trade and Investment Promotion Agency in achieving objectives and exploring unique ways of engaging its membership. In a release on January 15, the ministry said it remains committed to facilitating growth within the services sector with the establishment of the agency and will continue efforts to enhance the promotion of this country’s offerings as it works with stakeholders to increase exports and investments. Read more here
Trini appointed COO of Republic Bank Ghana
Trinidad and Tobago national Venus Francis Frith has been appointed the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Republic Bank (Ghana) PLC. Frith assumed the role on December 20, 2024 following approval from the Bank of Ghana, according to a post from Republic Bank Ghana today. “As Chief Operating Officer, Mr Frith will directly supervise Republic Trust, Corporate Banking, Custody and International Trade Services whilst providing key support to the Managing Director and oversight responsibilities in various segments of the Bank in his absence,” it stated. Read more here
REGIONAL
‘Budget 2025 sticks with PPP’s promises to the people’
Today’s budget will focus on addressing the needs of the people, while continuing to forge a prosperous path for all, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo has said. During a news conference at Freedom House on Thursday, the General Secretary addressed the criticisms by the opposition and government critics on Budget 2025, which has not even been presented as yet. The General Secretary, who also serves as Guyana’s Vice-President, first rejected the claim made in a Stabroek News editorial that today’s budget will possess ‘vote sweeteners’. In response, the Vice-President said: “The budget will be read, and you will see that the budget sticks with what we promised the people of this country.” The continued works by the government to improve the lives of all are not “vote sweeteners”, he firmly stated. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
On board aid convoy on its way to offer hope for Gaza
Ahead through his windscreen, and behind in his rear view mirror, Mustafa al Qadri can see the rest of the long convoy heading towards the Jordan Valley. We pass through the sand-coloured, rocky land that descends in the direction of the Dead Sea, towards Israel and ultimately Gaza. First the convoy must go through Israeli customs at the King Hussein/Allenby Bridge border crossing. Then it is on to the Erez crossing into Gaza where the aid will be transferred to local drivers from the World Food Programme. Mustafa is heading towards a place where Israeli settlers have blocked roads and where, inside the war zone itself, criminal gangs hijack aid trucks. But on this sunny winter morning, the driver is happy. Read more here
17th January 2025