Dookeran: Budget must create jobs

MEMBERS of the local business community appear to be concerned about the generation of sustainable employment in Trinidad and Tobago and the feasibility of Government’s social sector programmes — including CEPEP. This was the word yesterday from St Augustine MP Winston Dookeran following a meeting between the UNC’s Budget team and members of the TT Manufacturers Association at Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday’s Port-of-Spain office.
 
Dookeran said the TTMA representatives were concerned about the creation of long-term sustainable employment and labour shortages which were allegedly being created by social sector programmes such as CEPEP. The former Central Bank Governor also said the businessmen believed that the current economic situation in TT was not favourable to manufacturers and many had uncertainties about procedures to fund new projects and the implications of the Free Trade Area of the Americas to local business.

Dookeran said this was the first in a series of meetings which the UNC will hold this week in order to prepare itself for the 2004/2005 Budget debate. Prime Minister Patrick Manning is expected to announce Monday October 4 as Budget Day, when the House of Representatives meets at 1.30 pm on Friday. The UNC will meet today with members of the Bankers Association and the TT Chamber of Commerce. Meetings are scheduled with the labour movement and non-governmental organisations tomorrow and Thursday.