GEISHA KOWLESSAR-ALONZO
Senior Reporter
geisha.kowlessar@guardian.co.tt
Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development, Kennedy Swaratsingh, said the declaration of a State of Emergency (SoE) yesterday will not disrupt business activity or impact investor confidence whether on the domestic, regional or international level.
“This SoE is for a specific purpose so it would not impact on anything we have here. There is no limited movement of persons at this stage...and internationally people have confidence in what this Government is trying to do and we are very focussed and very confident in everything we do.
“The Prime Minister under her wisdom and the Attorney General’s leadership they are making sure as well that the country continues unabated and people are able to go about their daily activities,” the minister said.
He made the comments while touring the Trade Investment Convention (TIC) which took place at Macoya yesterday.
Pressed further that foreign investors may be concerned that yet again T&T is under another SoE which could hamper business development, Swaratsingh was adamant this was not the case.
“No on the contrary, with this Government and this Prime Minister, there is a specific approach in making sure we address the issues that we face both domestically and internationally. So I think no. There is a lot of confidence in what we are doing and a lot of thought went into what is happening today...it should give the confidence that we are able to go about our activities in ways that will address any issues we are confronted with,” Swaratsingh said.
President of the T&T Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA), Dale Parson, who spoke to Guardian Media, also expressed confidence that the SoE would not have any negative implications for the business environment in T&T.
In fact, Parson said he sees the SoE as a move to tackle criminal elements.
“I think this SoE is targeted specifically at the perpetrators. It is actually a positive thing that the Government is taking proactive action to minimise any kind of disruption. I think it is a good thing and it is targetted,” he said.
On whether there was any concern from businesses over the SoE, Parson said there were “different reactions” with some viewing it as a deterrent to business.
“But I don’t think so. This Government is very pro business, so I do not think they going to do anything to interrupt any kind of business activities in Trinidad,” he added.
Meanwhile, Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism Satyakama Maharaj, who also toured the TIC said he could not comment yet on the SoE as he had not “formulated any ideas” about it.