Category Archives: Finance

Complaints, Crime in T&T, Finance, General T&T, PNM

Philbert: We will investigate Bakr affidavit

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By Andre Bagoo
September 13, 2009 – newsday.co.tt
Trinidad and Tobago News Blog
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog

1990 Coup: Yasin Abu Bakr is arrestedACTING Commissioner of Police James Philbert yesterday assured that a controversial affidavit containing allegations made by the Jamaat al Muslimeen leader Abu Bakr involving Prime Minister Patrick Manning “will receive full attention” and be investigated by the police.

“If a judge sends something to be investigated it will be investigated,” Philbert said. “Whatever they send, it will be investigated and given full attention.”
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Complaints, Finance, General T&T, Letters, PNM, Politics

Transforming a Property Owning Nation into Renters

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Trinidad and Tobago News Blog
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog

HouseTHE EDITOR: The onerous, burdensome, sting-in-the-tail and exploitative property tax imposed by the Minister of Finance in her barrel-scraping Budget Statement will have the effect of transforming the mentality of a proud and confident, property- owning, diverse population into a nation of transient renters. From childhood I was socialized culturally into not being a renter. Now I am being forced as a fixed income pensioner, after building and living in my own home, to regard and treat myself pschologically as a renter in my own home. A long term renter has no commitment to his community or country. He is always on the move in search of greener pastures. I do not want to be treated as that.
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Finance, General T&T, Media, PNM, Politics

T&T’s 2009 – 2010 Budget Statement

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Trinidad and Tobago News Blog
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog

Calder HartThe text of the 2009-2010 Budget Statement as was presented in the House of Representatives on Monday, September 08, 2009, by the Minister of Finance the Honourable Karen Nunez-Tesheira.

Mr. Speaker, it is a distinct privilege to present to this Honourable House and to the people of Trinidad and Tobago the 2009/2010 Budget. This is the second budget of this Administration in which we continue to implement a progressive programme of development intended to improve the quality of life of our nation’s citizens.
Continue reading T&T’s 2009 – 2010 Budget Statement →

Finance, PNM, Politics, UDeCOTT

Uff inquiry postponed until further notice

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newsday.co.tt
Sunday, September 6 2009
Trinidad and Tobago News Blog
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog

Calder HartTHE HEARINGS of the fourth and final phase of the Uff Commission of Inquiry into Udecott, which was expected to start tomorrow, was yesterday adjourned “until further notice” by its chairman Professor John Uff.

In an email sent by the inquiry’s secretariat to all the parties to the proceedings yesterday, it was announced that the hearing would not take place, but instead a press conference would be scheduled for 11am on Monday.
Continue reading Uff inquiry postponed until further notice →

Finance, General T&T, Politics, Security

Answers needed on helicopters

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Newsday Editorial
August 13, 2009 – newsday.co.tt
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com

HelicopterThe first deal under consideration began back in November 2005. Prime Minister Patrick Manning, on a visit to Israel, announced that he had met with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and had discussed the issue of crime with his host. Then, in a television interview, Mr Manning stated that the talks with the Israelis might include the acquisition of four armed helicopters as well as patrol boats. He said that the Israeli Air Force used armed helicopters and he had initiated discussion to “effect a transfer”.
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Finance, Politics

Recession

Harsh reality
FinanceCentral Bank Governor Ewart Williams has officially confirmed what everyone, except the Cabinet, had long known: the economy is in decline.
The starkest figure cited by Mr Williams when he released the Bank’s Monetary Policy Report last Thursday was related to unemployment. The unemployment rate has already moved from just over four percent last year to between six and seven percent in the first quarter of 2009. This means that the Government can no longer boast about having achieved zero unemployment in Trinidad and Tobago. But, as long as two years ago, economists such as Jawala Rambarran and Ronald Ramkissoon were warning that the unemployment figures were essentially illusory.

Central Bank gives banks a lending hand
Faced with stagnation and an inflation shadow, the Central Bank yesterday sliced off fifty basis points of its repo rate to eight percent, a move designed to get banks to reduce their interest rates and spur borrowing.
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5th Summit, CARICOM, Finance, USA

Lack of a CARICOM Strategy at the Fifth Summit

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By Stephen Kangal
April 24, 2009

Fifth Summit of the AmericasThe hosting of the recently concluded Fifth Summit of the Americas was portrayed as a CARICOM initiative and, as usual, T&T bore the full costs involved.

I am very disturbed that T&T/CARICOM did not act collectively in an effective manner to maximize returns on T&T’s huge and staggering investment. The CARICOM meeting that was scheduled for Thursday 16 April was not held. No effort was made to concretize a CARICOM strategy at the Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Heads of Government held in Belize prior to the Summit.
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5th Summit, Finance, International, Politics, USA

The Secret Summit

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Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega arrives for the opening ceremony of the Fifth Summit of the Americas - April 17, 2009
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega arrives for the opening
ceremony of the Fifth Summit of the Americas – April 17, 2009

By Fidel Castro Ruz
April 19, 2009
cuba.cu

Neither represented nor excommunicated, only today could I learn what was discussed at the Summit of Port of Spain. They led us all to entertain hopes that the meeting would not be secret, but those running the show deprived us of such an interesting intellectual exercise. We shall get to know the substance but not the tone of voice, the look in the eyes or the facial look that can be a reflection of a person’s ideas, ethic and character.
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5th Summit, Culture, Finance, International, Politics, USA

5th Summit of the Americas News: April 20, 2009

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Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Patrick Manning and the President of the United States Barack Obama

PM signs alone, no unanimity on declaration

Heads divided on Declaration of PoS

Summit plagued by disorganisation
US PRESIDENT Barack Obama opted out of posing for an official photograph for the Fifth Summit of the Americas when it was taken yesterday as several heads of State skipped the symbolic act amidst chaos at the Prime Minister’s Diplomatic Centre in La Fantasie, St Ann’s.
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5th Summit, Culture, Finance, International, PNM, Politics, Tourism, USA

5th Summit of the Americas News: April 18, 2009

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The Fifth Summit of the Americas in pictures

The Fifth Summit of the Americas in pictures

Chavez flies in over the Gulf
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez thought he had escaped the glare of the media when he quietly flew in on his military jet over the Gulf of Paria from Sucre, Cumana, to Trinidad and landed at the helipad in Chaguaramas shortly after 4 pm yesterday.

Smiling Obama lands on T&T soil

The Fifth Summit of the Americas in pictures

Media mob Chavez

Chavez steals the spotlight
“Hail, Presidente!” The cry emitted from the lips of the Venezuelan contingent of media personnel who had gathered at the entrance to the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain, yesterday.

LET’S BE FRIENDS
Chavez tells Obama during historic handshake:
Continue reading 5th Summit of the Americas News: April 18, 2009 →