Imbert announces October 4 as Budget Day

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Budget 2022 will be presented on Monday October 4.

This was confirmed at the launch of the Second Session of the 12th Parliament yesterday.

In the House of Representatives, Finance Minister Colm Imbert announced the Budget date saying briefly, “I have the honour to advise that Budget 2022 will be read in this House on Monday October 4 at 1.30 pm.”

The upcoming Budget will be Imbert’s second for this term.

It’s expected to be sharply focused on recovery and expansion measures to assist T&T out of the economic slump caused by the COVID-19 pandemic’s restrictions since March 2020.

Yesterday T&T Chamber CEO Gabriel Faria told Guardian Media the Chamber hoped Government took cognizance of its recommendations. “And that they think beyond the Budget recognising we have to support an economy that’s been ravaged by COVID, especially entrepreneurs and the vulnerable.”

The Chamber hopes efforts will be made to pay overdue VAT refunds and Government gives the official figure beyond the recently estimated $4 billion.

Incentives are needed to mobilise capital held by businesses and people in banks to invest in small/medium businesses who require capital now.

Faria also hoped for the proclamation of the Procurement Act and recognition that COVID-19 will be endemic and said T&T must learn to live with it.

President of Greater San Fernando Chamber Kiran Singh also told Guardian Media.

“Diversification has to be addressed in a more comprehensive manner. More resources must be allocated to the agricultural sector to improve food security and agro-processing as this is a foreign exchange earner, thereby reducing the demand on forex.”

“Alternative energy applications must be incentivised, especially those relating to solar power. The duties associated with this sub-sector should be removed to enable greater participation in this industry, thereby reducing the demands on the electrical grid.”

“The balance of the $300 million tranche given to commercial banks should be reassigned for servicing VAT refunds.”

Also yesterday, Prime Minister Keith Rowley laid the Election and Boundaries Commission’s (EBC) draft order on Local Government and the Tobago House of Assembly (2021).

The EBC’s order prescribes the creation of 15 seats in Tobago. That order is the first part of the process to move towards the THA polls. Once debated and passed by Parliament, a date can be set for THA elections.

A motion for the House to approve the order will be piloted by Rowley in the House next Wednesday.

Yesterday THA Chief secretary Ancil Dennis confirmed the election can be called within a minimum of two months and a maximum of three months after EBC’s order is passed.

The EBC prescribes 15 seats for Tobago with three new seats in addition to the 12 seats Tobago already had.

The new seats are Darrel Spring/Whim, Lambeau /Lowlands, Mt St George/Goodwood.

Lambeau/Lowlands is on the southwest coast.

Darrel Spring/Whim which is the smallest seat is in the west also and on the south coast.

The largest of the three is Mt St George/Goodwood further east—midway of Tobago —on the south coast.

The EBC stated the three additional seats were created by the distribution of electors among existing districts.

Yesterday, Tobago politicians welcomed next week’s debate of the EBC’s order.

Also in Parliament, National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds presented the Firearms (Amendment) Use of Pepper Spray Order.

This facilitates the type and strength of pepper spray to be used by applicants after the law was passed during Parliament’s First Session. It specifies the volumetric content permitted in a cannister of pepper spray.

House leader, Camille Robinson-Regis also indicated the Representation of the People’s Act Amendment (proposed in 2020) will be referred to a Joint Select Committee (JSC) including the work done during the First Session on that issue by another JSC.

That amendment deals with campaign financing. The new JSC will report by December 31.

House Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George, among her opening address, served notice Parliament will start returning to normalcy and special measures would apply to unvaccinated MPs but none would be barred from Parliament.

The session was launched when the proclamation by acting President Christine Kangaloo was read out, the national anthem sung and prayers offered.

As per COVID-19 protocols, a limited number of MPs were present in the Chamber for the launch, including Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

The Opposition went into caucus immediately after the brief sitting where the various announcements were made.