Reduce food prices

In its 2006-2007 Budget recommendations document to the Government, the SJBA said Government could drastically reduce food prices by removing the 40 percent duty on all imported fruits and vegetables that “are not grown locally on a commercial basis.” These commodities include apples, pears, grapes, green peas, broccoli, carrots, beets, celery and sno peas.

The SJBA also proposed a reduction in duty from 40 to 20 percent on imported vegetables that are grown locally during the period July to December.

The SJBA said this was necessary because of flooding problems which arise locally during this period and shipping delays out of the United States due to hurricane season.

On national security; the SJBA opines it must be kept on the front burner in the upcoming Budget given the “spiralling crime rate” in Trinidad and Tobago over the last few years. The association said a revision of the existing Witness Protection Programme would play a major role in helping the authorities to win the war against crime and had failed to date because of “a number of factors” related to policy decisions. The SJBA proposed that Government and the insurance industry form a joint venture to assist the families of police officers who are killed in the line of duty, random drug testing take place throughout the protective services, enhance the resources of the North Eastern Division to deal with challenges in the region and introduce legislation to allow evidence from closed circuit television systems to be admissible in courts with respect to criminal activity.

The SJBA also called for a comprehensive feasibility study to assess the needs of the Fire Service throughout TT.

In terms of infrastructure and transportation, the SJBA advised Government to give renewed consideration for the establishment of a fast ferry service from Port-of-Spain to San Fernando and Point Fortin to supplement other forms of domestic transportation.

The SJBA also called for a new traffic plan to ease congestion along the Eastern Main Road especially within the San Juan area.

On health, the SJBA called for an aggressive programme to deal with alcholism in the workplace, establish a national health insurance scheme, upgrade health facilities in the San Juan area and increase funding for treatment of children afflicted with cerebral palsy.

The SJBA also recommended that Government develop a code of fiscal responsibility to guide the management of the national economy on the principles of transparency, stability, responsibility, fairness and efficiency.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning is expected to present the Budget in Parliament sometime within the next two months.