TT seen as most attractive country

This country remains the most attractive for investment but crime is eating away at that, according to an Ernst and Young Caribbean Business Outlook released yesterday.

Crime was the top concern in Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, the three countries in which Ernst and Young carried out the survey in January. American Chamber of Commerce president Catherine Kumar said foreign investors could be turned off by the high level of crime. She added that crime includes not only theft but also corruption, fraud and money laundering. She said, though, while there is a high incidence of crime, Trinidad and Tobago is still able to attract visitors.

At the same time, she said, crime is leading people to spend their disposable income on security devices instead of more creative areas. Kumar called on the business community to play a bigger role in solving unemployment and poverty which contribute to crime. She also called on the Opposition United National Congress to work with Government to enact crime fighting legislation. She said the opposition must “put its country first before its own political agenda.” Kumar also reporting on crime must be objective.