Business silent on Budget

THE LOCAL business community yesterday declined comment on reports that Budget Day in Trinidad and Tobago is September 6, and Government was likely to present a $22 billion Budget in Parliament on that date. Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA) president, Anthony Aboud, told Newsday his organisation “needed to look at it a little more” and has not held discussions with the Finance Ministry about the 2004/2005 Budget. He said budgetary consultations between the Ministry, private sector and other organisations are traditionally held this month.

However, Aboud said he was heartened to learn that Government was looking to boost expenditure in areas which the TTMA had identified as areas of national concern. Government sources said the Ministries of National Security, Health, Education and Science, Technology and Tertiary Education would receive significant monetary allocations in the upcoming Budget. Downtown Owners and Merchants Association (DOMA) president, Gregory Aboud, said he had seen the reports, but had no comment to make at this time. Efforts to contact TT Chamber of Commerce president, Christian Mouttet, for comment were unsuccessful.