TTMA IN THE NEWS
Business groups welcome mid-year review, push for faster reforms
Business groups broadly welcomed the Government’s mid-year review, praising efforts to modernise the public service, strengthen fiscal stability and support economic activity, while urging faster action on foreign exchange shortages, VAT refunds and measures to improve competitiveness. The American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T), the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) all pointed to positive developments in the review but said sustained economic growth would depend on effective implementation and a stronger operating environment for businesses. Read more here
NEWS
Teachers reject backpay relief delay; nurses welcome timeline clarity
Teachers and nurses had mixed reactions after Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo indicated that financial relief for public sector workers, who are still awaiting the conclusion of salary negotiations and backpay, will be provided through allocations in the 2026/2027 budget. However, Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA) president Crystal Bevin Ashe immediately rejected the proposed timeline. “Unacceptable. I can give it in one word. Unacceptable. They (members) will not accept that, that is ridiculous because we had an agreement. We had multiple dates. Now they’re moving the goalposts every time,” he said. Read more here
Missing plane heading for Tobago has been located
The Dominican Republic-registered aircraft that disappeared while flying from St Vincent to Tobago has been located and there have been no fatalities, according to St Vincent and the Grenadines Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Major St Clair Leacock. Speaking during a radio programme on Monday, Leacock confirmed that international, regional and national security agencies had found the aircraft, but declined to disclose its location or the circumstances surrounding its disappearance. Read more here
POLITICS
PM calls for criminal probe into Scotland over T&TEC legal matter
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday announced that she intends to file a report to the police for a criminal probe to be launched into Opposition MP Keith Scotland for allegedly conspiring to defraud a State entity. Speaking during the Mid-Year Budget Review, Persad-Bissessar claimed that Scotland, while an attorney for the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC), allegedly deliberately misled the State company into believing he filed a case against Flavorite Foods Ltd, when records reveal he did not. Read more here
Padarath denies staff intimidation
Leader of Government Business Barry Padarath has rejected claims that he sought to intimidate a member of the parliamentary staff after photographing a technician during a heated Standing Finance Committee meeting on Friday. Speaking with reporters outside Parliament on Abercromby Street, Port of Spain yesterday, Padarath insisted the photograph was taken solely to identify the staff member involved in an ongoing dispute over microphones being muted during parliamentary proceedings. Read more here
BUSINESS
Moonilal denies Paria for sale to Trafigura
Former energy minister Stuart Young has questioned whether the Government is pursuing a deal involving state-owned Paria Fuel Trading Company and global commodities company Trafigura, warning that any loss of State control over the company’s assets could threaten Trinidad and Tobago’s fuel security. Speaking during debate on the Mid-Year Budget Review in the Lower House yesterday, Young said information received over the weekend raised concerns about the future of Paria, the state-owned petroleum logistics and trading company established in 2018. He noted that Paria is the sole supplier of refined petroleum products to the local market and a major distributor throughout the Caribbean. Read more here
REGIONAL
Gov’t engages Carter Center on 2025 elections recommendations
President Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday received a courtesy visit from representatives of the The Carter Center following the completion of the organisation’s 2025 elections report. During the meeting, the Carter Center delegation provided an overview of the report’s recommendations related to Guyana’s electoral processes. President Ali was joined by Vice-President and General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, as well as several Cabinet ministers. The Carter Center delegation was led by Jason Calder, Country Director for Guyana, and included Brett Lacy. In its final report published last month, the Carter Center had said that Guyana’s September 2025 election-day procedures were found to be ‘calm, orderly, and well administered.’ Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Iran deal presents political nightmare for Netanyahu
The US ceasefire agreement with Iran has presented Israel's prime minister with a political nightmare, smashing the three cornerstones of Benjamin Netanyahu's political career, and leaving him trapped in a new security dilemma. How can the man who styled himself as the political whisperer of Washington, with real influence over American politicians, be sidelined quite so comprehensively and insulted so publicly by his key US ally? How can the man who made taking on Iran the centre-piece of Israel's security policy end the war with Iran's regime arguably in a stronger position? Read more here
16th June 2026