Trinidad & Tobago
Imbert: Commercial banks thriving
Port-of-Spain – Commercial banks are making “super profits” in a recession while people are suffering, Finance Minister Colm Imbert said last week. It is for this reason why the banks have to share in the burden of adjustment, he declared.
Imbert was speaking at a PNM post-budget public meeting outside Port-of-Spain.
He said: “Everybody must share in the burden of adjustment. Everyone. We are not in the pockets of any group. We have taken a hard look at this economy. And that is why we look at the commercial banks and we see that they are making super profits. You have a recession going on, people ‘scrunting’ and one of the banks making a billion dollars in profits? They have to share in the adjustment.”
PNM PRO and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young said this year’s budget balances and spreads the way the government deals with the deficit.
“I want you, the population, to look on and listen very carefully to the noise that would come from the quarters who have a lot.”
He said the government added a five percent tax on the profit of banks (in the 2017-2018 national budget) and the vast majority did not complain because they understand their responsibility. He said banks were making $1 billion in after tax profits and it was okay for them to share in some of the burden.
“So let us get on with it and let us not have the complaints,” he said.
Last week the Bankers Association of Trinidad and Tobago in a statement described the decision to raise banks’ corporate tax rate from 30 to 35 percent as “contradictory and short-sighted”. BATT said it strongly opposed the decision and announced the intention to discuss the matter further with the Finance Minister.
Young also spoke about the 12.5 percent royalty tax on the value of natural gas after the government discovered no money was being paid to the Treasury for the gas. He said unlike the past, the government did not seek to tax the “small man” and the middle class which are already carrying their part of the burden. He said the majority of oil and gas companies were not complaining and there are some who are saying they will be exempt.
“Simply not true. Because this PNM government is adamant that the patronage of Trinidad and Tobago and every citizen must be protected,” he declared.
Port-of-Spain – The call was made last week for Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to apologise for a comment made in Parliament when he compared a woman to a golf course. The call came from Gillian Wall, co-founder of the NGO Powerful Ladies of Trinidad and Tobago, and others.
At the Parliament sitting last Thursday during his contribution to the budget debate, in defending the (TT) $3 million allocation for the upgrade of the Chaguaramas golf course, Rowley said: "A golf course is like a woman, so you have to groom her every day otherwise it turns into a pasture."
Rowley later responded to questioning from the media saying, "You all never miss the opportunity to make something of nothing – comparing women to golf course. See how far you all could take that in unnecessary confusion."
Said Wall: "It is unacceptable. It is too much a part of our culture and very often it is said without thought, and I think that a lot of the men in our society continue to speak without thought and the prime minister continues to be no exception to that rule. It is unacceptable, it is distasteful, and I think we need to go beyond commenting on every single comment and begin to do something fundamental to shift the way we see women and respond to women," she said.
The Prime Minister should apologise, and lead by example, she said.
"One of the things our leaders need to begin to learn is that an apology doesn't mean that you are a lesser being. It actually means a lot more. When a society expresses outrage about something, I think our leaders should first apologise for getting it wrong and apologise for hurting or upsetting or angering people like that, people they serve. I will be happy to see him apologise, but I won't hold my breath," she said.
She said as a society we continue to normalise violence and violence against women, discrimination against women, ill-speak against women: "It's very much a part of our culture and it's perpetuated from the top down," she added.
She said until we all become mindful of our everyday language, we would continue to accept our leaders speaking like that.
The UNC Women's Arm also criticised the comment while calling for an apology.
"The UNC National Women's Arm continues to express its distaste towards the continued disrespectful and downright demeaning remarks towards women by the prime minister of this country. Following his improper description of the Opposition Leader Mrs Kamla Persad-Bissessar as ‘jamettry’, he has now continued on to liken a woman's person to that of ‘pastures which need regular grooming’ and similar to that of a ‘golf course’, the innuendoes once more continue to degrade women and the sexist undertones are undeniable," a release stated.
Instead of addressing the many issues facing the country, including the "thousands" of people who have been protesting and demonstrating against the budget, the Prime Minister saw it fit to use his time to make distasteful comments, it stated.
"Once more the UNC National Women's Arm calls for an apology from the prime minister to all the women of Trinidad and Tobago. It will no longer be tolerated and it is very unacceptable to degrade women who are a significant section of our society. The women of today are strong and courageous, and we will stand up against sexism and the apparent misogynistic tendencies of this present prime minister," the release noted.
It added the UNC continues to work toward the empowerment of women and continues to fight against atrocities meted out to them.
UNC public relations officer and Senator Anita Hayes also issued a statement, saying, "Instead of addressing any of the many issues currently plaguing the country, including rampant crime, the failing economy or persistent job losses, Dr Rowley chose to use his budget presentation to degrade the women of this country. The prime minister has once again shown why he is not fit to lead.”
She added: "This is the latest in a series of sordid comments which have been made by Keith Rowley during his tenure. In response to rising food prices under his government his solution was that women should learn how to 'peel cassava'; he referred to our children as hyenas and monsters; in response to high crime he told women he is not in our bedrooms and we should choose our men wisely; he showed us his listening skills when he said, 'She could bark at meh dog, because I go ignore she ‘kyat’.' He continued to sink to new lows with his 'jamettry' comments, and now this latest comparison of women to golf courses and references to grooming. Rowley's comments once again show that he has no respect for women, and certainly no respect for the office that he holds, and Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago.”
Hayes declared: "It is clear this is not the first time, and there is no indication that it would be the last; Rowley in the past has remained unapologetic and firm in his misogyny."
At the Parliament sitting last Thursday during his contribution to the budget debate, in defending the (TT) $3 million allocation for the upgrade of the Chaguaramas golf course, Rowley said: "A golf course is like a woman, so you have to groom her every day otherwise it turns into a pasture."
Rowley later responded to questioning from the media saying, "You all never miss the opportunity to make something of nothing – comparing women to golf course. See how far you all could take that in unnecessary confusion."
Said Wall: "It is unacceptable. It is too much a part of our culture and very often it is said without thought, and I think that a lot of the men in our society continue to speak without thought and the prime minister continues to be no exception to that rule. It is unacceptable, it is distasteful, and I think we need to go beyond commenting on every single comment and begin to do something fundamental to shift the way we see women and respond to women," she said.
The Prime Minister should apologise, and lead by example, she said.
"One of the things our leaders need to begin to learn is that an apology doesn't mean that you are a lesser being. It actually means a lot more. When a society expresses outrage about something, I think our leaders should first apologise for getting it wrong and apologise for hurting or upsetting or angering people like that, people they serve. I will be happy to see him apologise, but I won't hold my breath," she said.
She said as a society we continue to normalise violence and violence against women, discrimination against women, ill-speak against women: "It's very much a part of our culture and it's perpetuated from the top down," she added.
She said until we all become mindful of our everyday language, we would continue to accept our leaders speaking like that.
The UNC Women's Arm also criticised the comment while calling for an apology.
"The UNC National Women's Arm continues to express its distaste towards the continued disrespectful and downright demeaning remarks towards women by the prime minister of this country. Following his improper description of the Opposition Leader Mrs Kamla Persad-Bissessar as ‘jamettry’, he has now continued on to liken a woman's person to that of ‘pastures which need regular grooming’ and similar to that of a ‘golf course’, the innuendoes once more continue to degrade women and the sexist undertones are undeniable," a release stated.
Instead of addressing the many issues facing the country, including the "thousands" of people who have been protesting and demonstrating against the budget, the Prime Minister saw it fit to use his time to make distasteful comments, it stated.
"Once more the UNC National Women's Arm calls for an apology from the prime minister to all the women of Trinidad and Tobago. It will no longer be tolerated and it is very unacceptable to degrade women who are a significant section of our society. The women of today are strong and courageous, and we will stand up against sexism and the apparent misogynistic tendencies of this present prime minister," the release noted.
It added the UNC continues to work toward the empowerment of women and continues to fight against atrocities meted out to them.
UNC public relations officer and Senator Anita Hayes also issued a statement, saying, "Instead of addressing any of the many issues currently plaguing the country, including rampant crime, the failing economy or persistent job losses, Dr Rowley chose to use his budget presentation to degrade the women of this country. The prime minister has once again shown why he is not fit to lead.”
She added: "This is the latest in a series of sordid comments which have been made by Keith Rowley during his tenure. In response to rising food prices under his government his solution was that women should learn how to 'peel cassava'; he referred to our children as hyenas and monsters; in response to high crime he told women he is not in our bedrooms and we should choose our men wisely; he showed us his listening skills when he said, 'She could bark at meh dog, because I go ignore she ‘kyat’.' He continued to sink to new lows with his 'jamettry' comments, and now this latest comparison of women to golf courses and references to grooming. Rowley's comments once again show that he has no respect for women, and certainly no respect for the office that he holds, and Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago.”
Hayes declared: "It is clear this is not the first time, and there is no indication that it would be the last; Rowley in the past has remained unapologetic and firm in his misogyny."
Sandals deal
Port-of-Spain – The Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association last week welcomed the news a memorandum of understanding had been signed to build an 800-room Sandals resort in Tobago.
“The majority of our members welcomes Sandals coming to Tobago because of the additional flights and increased destination marketing which it would provide,” THTA president Christopher James said.
Planning and Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis said the MoU means the government and Sandals could now “work together on bringing the brand to Tobago”.
While “the details are to be worked out”, Robinson-Regis added, “The important thing is that Sandals is committed to bringing their brand to Tobago. They already have seven hotels in St Lucia, two hotels in Turks and Caicos, and they’re on their second or third hotel in Barbados.”
Noting Sandals is “an indigenous brand to the region”, having been started in Jamaica by businessman Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, Robinson-Regis said the government was “very pleased to have the opportunity to work with Sandals in the same way that we worked with the Hyatt and the Hilton”.
The MoU signing was announced in Parliament last Thursday by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley during his contribution to the 2018 budget debate. Rowley did not give specifics of when it was signed, or how much the government intended to spend on construction of the resort, referred to as Sandals Golden Grove Tobago, on the Buccoo Estate in Buccoo.
“The majority of our members welcomes Sandals coming to Tobago because of the additional flights and increased destination marketing which it would provide,” THTA president Christopher James said.
Planning and Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis said the MoU means the government and Sandals could now “work together on bringing the brand to Tobago”.
While “the details are to be worked out”, Robinson-Regis added, “The important thing is that Sandals is committed to bringing their brand to Tobago. They already have seven hotels in St Lucia, two hotels in Turks and Caicos, and they’re on their second or third hotel in Barbados.”
Noting Sandals is “an indigenous brand to the region”, having been started in Jamaica by businessman Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, Robinson-Regis said the government was “very pleased to have the opportunity to work with Sandals in the same way that we worked with the Hyatt and the Hilton”.
The MoU signing was announced in Parliament last Thursday by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley during his contribution to the 2018 budget debate. Rowley did not give specifics of when it was signed, or how much the government intended to spend on construction of the resort, referred to as Sandals Golden Grove Tobago, on the Buccoo Estate in Buccoo.
Port-of-Spain – Prominent south businessman Harry Ragoonanan, a longstanding People’s National Movement member and financier, was last week suspended from the party with immediate effect pending the outcome of a police investigation into possible criminal conduct in relation to alleged bid-rigging.
The announcement was made by PNM chairman Franklin Khan.
“The general council dealt with a disciplinary matter involving a general council member, a constituency chairman and longstanding member of the People’s National Movement – Mr Harry Ragoonanan. The matter involves possible criminal conduct, and it is the party’s information that there is a police investigation of this matter,” Khan said.
The investigation relates to allegations that Ragoonanan attempted to manipulate certain tendering processes at State-owned Public Transport Service Corporation last year. Ragoonanan is the husband of Senior Magistrate Lucina Cardenas-Ragoonanan.
Even as he took a hard line on the allegations involving Ragoonanan, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, and PNM public relations officer, Stuart Young, made it clear the party was not “passing any finality on this”.
“We have not made a decision… It has been sent to our investigations committee for disciplinary matters which is in accordance with our party’s constitution and we will await the outcome,” he said.
Additionally, “But from what we were told, these allegations are very, very serious, and anyone who is attempting to use any position or their membership in the PNM government, that will not be tolerated for the purpose of corruption.”
Young said the party learnt Ragoonanan had allegedly attempted to manipulate the process in a series of conversations with a Chinese businessman, whom he did not name. The alleged conversations occurred on three separate occasions in June, July, and September 2016, in relation to the tendering of buses for the period.
Ragoonanan later described the investigations into his conduct as “a witch hunt”, adding he suspected he would be suspended from the party since it was “hinted to me by persons”.
He has since spoken with his attorneys, and will be questioning the legality of the PNM’s decision to suspend him. He has been a member of the PNM for the past 60 years, and has indicated was a close friend of former Prime Minister, Patrick Manning.
The announcement was made by PNM chairman Franklin Khan.
“The general council dealt with a disciplinary matter involving a general council member, a constituency chairman and longstanding member of the People’s National Movement – Mr Harry Ragoonanan. The matter involves possible criminal conduct, and it is the party’s information that there is a police investigation of this matter,” Khan said.
The investigation relates to allegations that Ragoonanan attempted to manipulate certain tendering processes at State-owned Public Transport Service Corporation last year. Ragoonanan is the husband of Senior Magistrate Lucina Cardenas-Ragoonanan.
Even as he took a hard line on the allegations involving Ragoonanan, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, and PNM public relations officer, Stuart Young, made it clear the party was not “passing any finality on this”.
“We have not made a decision… It has been sent to our investigations committee for disciplinary matters which is in accordance with our party’s constitution and we will await the outcome,” he said.
Additionally, “But from what we were told, these allegations are very, very serious, and anyone who is attempting to use any position or their membership in the PNM government, that will not be tolerated for the purpose of corruption.”
Young said the party learnt Ragoonanan had allegedly attempted to manipulate the process in a series of conversations with a Chinese businessman, whom he did not name. The alleged conversations occurred on three separate occasions in June, July, and September 2016, in relation to the tendering of buses for the period.
Ragoonanan later described the investigations into his conduct as “a witch hunt”, adding he suspected he would be suspended from the party since it was “hinted to me by persons”.
He has since spoken with his attorneys, and will be questioning the legality of the PNM’s decision to suspend him. He has been a member of the PNM for the past 60 years, and has indicated was a close friend of former Prime Minister, Patrick Manning.
Port-of-Spain – The government of Trinidad and Tobago faced a moment in September when it had enough money in the current account to run the country for five minutes, Finance Minister Colm Imbert said last week.
Imbert said he saw a letter from Central Bank Governor Dr Alvin Hilaire in mid-September about the overdraft on the government’s current account at the Central Bank. The previous administration took the country from (TT) $6 billion in credit at the Central Bank to $9 billion in the negative, burning up $15 billion in cash, he said.
He added: “So we been running this country for the last 24 months with the overdraft up to the limit.”
Imbert said the government was often told they had to stop writing cheques and issuing releases. He said in the letter from the Central Bank Governor, he was informed the overdraft was at 99.7 percent of the limit which meant there was a couple million left in the current account.
Imbert said it costs $4 billion to run the country for a month and about $30 million a day. So when the Governor wrote him in mid-September, he had enough money in the current account to run the country for about five minutes. With a good team and cash from commercial banks, the government were able to run the country, he said.
“So we had a very difficult thing. But we made it through. And we are going to make it through 2018 and 2019 and 2020. We going to make it,” Imbert told a PNM audience gathered during a post-Budget meeting outside Port-of-Spain.
He said after the previous administration “buss” the overdraft they then took out $16 billion from National Gas Company dividends and changed the rules from the 50 percent limit in any one year to 100 percent in 2015.
“The Leader of the Opposition was in Parliament to try and deal with that. She said that’s not true. They didn’t take out 16 they only took out 11. Well even if it was 11, you know that is a lie – that is still plenty,” he said.
Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar in her presentation in Parliament said her government took $12.7 billion in dividends.
Imbert said the Opposition Leader did not know they had information from a Joint Select Committee chaired by Opposition Senator Wade Mark proving that $16 billion had been withdrawn, and this was presented in the Lower House by PNM MP Stuart Young.
“They couldn’t say a word because is Wade Mark say so,” he said.
Imbert said the government brought the budget from $63 billion (2015-2016) to $50 billion, and described the $13 billion as representing the waste, mismanagement, and corruption from the previous administration. However, he said even with the new taxes and “an army” to go after everyone who is evading payments, the best the government can raise is $40 billion, a shortfall of $10 billion.
Imbert said he saw a letter from Central Bank Governor Dr Alvin Hilaire in mid-September about the overdraft on the government’s current account at the Central Bank. The previous administration took the country from (TT) $6 billion in credit at the Central Bank to $9 billion in the negative, burning up $15 billion in cash, he said.
He added: “So we been running this country for the last 24 months with the overdraft up to the limit.”
Imbert said the government was often told they had to stop writing cheques and issuing releases. He said in the letter from the Central Bank Governor, he was informed the overdraft was at 99.7 percent of the limit which meant there was a couple million left in the current account.
Imbert said it costs $4 billion to run the country for a month and about $30 million a day. So when the Governor wrote him in mid-September, he had enough money in the current account to run the country for about five minutes. With a good team and cash from commercial banks, the government were able to run the country, he said.
“So we had a very difficult thing. But we made it through. And we are going to make it through 2018 and 2019 and 2020. We going to make it,” Imbert told a PNM audience gathered during a post-Budget meeting outside Port-of-Spain.
He said after the previous administration “buss” the overdraft they then took out $16 billion from National Gas Company dividends and changed the rules from the 50 percent limit in any one year to 100 percent in 2015.
“The Leader of the Opposition was in Parliament to try and deal with that. She said that’s not true. They didn’t take out 16 they only took out 11. Well even if it was 11, you know that is a lie – that is still plenty,” he said.
Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar in her presentation in Parliament said her government took $12.7 billion in dividends.
Imbert said the Opposition Leader did not know they had information from a Joint Select Committee chaired by Opposition Senator Wade Mark proving that $16 billion had been withdrawn, and this was presented in the Lower House by PNM MP Stuart Young.
“They couldn’t say a word because is Wade Mark say so,” he said.
Imbert said the government brought the budget from $63 billion (2015-2016) to $50 billion, and described the $13 billion as representing the waste, mismanagement, and corruption from the previous administration. However, he said even with the new taxes and “an army” to go after everyone who is evading payments, the best the government can raise is $40 billion, a shortfall of $10 billion.
Port-of-Spain – President of the Amusement Gaming Association Russel Bahadoorsingh has warned increased taxes will destroy the gaming industry, saying enforcement is needed instead.
The AGA was responding to statements made by Finance Minister Colm Imbert in his budget wind-up last Thursday, which the group described as “simply wrong and incorrect”.
Bahadoorsingh said he was the one referred to as a representative at the Joint Select Committee on Gambling Control Bill (2016) on September 5.
“I gave testimony evidence about amusement games in Trinidad and Tobago and was available to share my experience and expertise to the JSC. It was pellucidly clear that Minister Imbert was not prepared to listen to our position but instead was stubbornly handcuffed to his preconceived incorrect ideas,” he said.
Bahadoorsingh said this “rigid position” of Imbert’s last week was reflected in the government’s position.
He challenged the minister to provide facts and data to support his claim there are 5,000 bars in the country. Bahadoorsingh also commented on Imbert’s statement that the Finance Ministry should be collecting (TT) $60 million in takes but the actual figures is around $8 million.
Said Bahadoorsingh: “Therefore the problem is collection and enforcement of existing taxes not a 100 percent increase on the industry. Will those persons who are not presently paying the low tax rate now pay a higher tax? The incompetence of the collection and enforcement will not be solved with an increase in taxes.”
He said the minister also stated that casinos are owned by foreigners, but bars are owned by the “local small man”.
“What’s going to happen when all these local small businesses cannot afford to continue to function as a result of the increase in taxation? The increase in taxation will result in employee layoffs,” he said.
Bahadoorsingh said the way that bars are regulated under liquor licence laws they have to pay the gaming machine taxes before they get a licence.
“The minister said that collection for this year was $8 million which means that by increasing the taxes at 100 percent he is essentially taxing the ones that are already compliant out of business,” he noted.
Bahadoorsingh said if the minister had meaningful discussions with the AGA they would have been able to enlighten him on the proper way to enforce the existing tax process instead of increasing taxes “which we believe will only destroy the industry and lead to lower tax collection and force people to illegally operate their machines”.
He said the AGA remains open to dialogue on the matter with the minister to clarify many of the misconceptions he has about this industry.
In his budget representation on October 2, Imbert announced a number of new tax measures for the gaming industry effective January 1, 2018.
The AGA was responding to statements made by Finance Minister Colm Imbert in his budget wind-up last Thursday, which the group described as “simply wrong and incorrect”.
Bahadoorsingh said he was the one referred to as a representative at the Joint Select Committee on Gambling Control Bill (2016) on September 5.
“I gave testimony evidence about amusement games in Trinidad and Tobago and was available to share my experience and expertise to the JSC. It was pellucidly clear that Minister Imbert was not prepared to listen to our position but instead was stubbornly handcuffed to his preconceived incorrect ideas,” he said.
Bahadoorsingh said this “rigid position” of Imbert’s last week was reflected in the government’s position.
He challenged the minister to provide facts and data to support his claim there are 5,000 bars in the country. Bahadoorsingh also commented on Imbert’s statement that the Finance Ministry should be collecting (TT) $60 million in takes but the actual figures is around $8 million.
Said Bahadoorsingh: “Therefore the problem is collection and enforcement of existing taxes not a 100 percent increase on the industry. Will those persons who are not presently paying the low tax rate now pay a higher tax? The incompetence of the collection and enforcement will not be solved with an increase in taxes.”
He said the minister also stated that casinos are owned by foreigners, but bars are owned by the “local small man”.
“What’s going to happen when all these local small businesses cannot afford to continue to function as a result of the increase in taxation? The increase in taxation will result in employee layoffs,” he said.
Bahadoorsingh said the way that bars are regulated under liquor licence laws they have to pay the gaming machine taxes before they get a licence.
“The minister said that collection for this year was $8 million which means that by increasing the taxes at 100 percent he is essentially taxing the ones that are already compliant out of business,” he noted.
Bahadoorsingh said if the minister had meaningful discussions with the AGA they would have been able to enlighten him on the proper way to enforce the existing tax process instead of increasing taxes “which we believe will only destroy the industry and lead to lower tax collection and force people to illegally operate their machines”.
He said the AGA remains open to dialogue on the matter with the minister to clarify many of the misconceptions he has about this industry.
In his budget representation on October 2, Imbert announced a number of new tax measures for the gaming industry effective January 1, 2018.
Port-of-Spain – Following the defacing of the statue of Christopher Columbus in East Port-of-Spain last week, the director and coordinator of the Cross Rhodes Freedom Project Shabaka Kambon distanced the organisation and himself by denouncing the act and criticising the perpetrators.
Kambon later delivered a letter requesting the removal of Columbus’ statue in Port-of-Spain to Deputy Mayor Hillan Morean at City Hall. He said that while the statue continues to serve as a reminder of the colonial past he was not pleased with its desecration.
Kambon has long advocated a revisionist approach to Trinidad and Tobago’s culture and history. He said removal of the statue would mark a step forward for Port-of-Spain as it remains a monument to the genocide of the First Peoples, and an insult to their ancestors. He asked leaders and academics to rally behind the call for revisionism and end the whitewashing of history.
“We are pushing for a complete overthrow of the conventional imperial narrative that is being taught to our children all across the Caribbean. Every single indigenous leader we interviewed during a recent meeting at Santa Rosa agreed that Columbus had to go. Over the past few years statues have been removed so this is a part of a larger global movement,” he said.
Kambon added greater introspection was needed to restore Trinidad and Tobago’s pre-colonial history.
Kambon later delivered a letter requesting the removal of Columbus’ statue in Port-of-Spain to Deputy Mayor Hillan Morean at City Hall. He said that while the statue continues to serve as a reminder of the colonial past he was not pleased with its desecration.
Kambon has long advocated a revisionist approach to Trinidad and Tobago’s culture and history. He said removal of the statue would mark a step forward for Port-of-Spain as it remains a monument to the genocide of the First Peoples, and an insult to their ancestors. He asked leaders and academics to rally behind the call for revisionism and end the whitewashing of history.
“We are pushing for a complete overthrow of the conventional imperial narrative that is being taught to our children all across the Caribbean. Every single indigenous leader we interviewed during a recent meeting at Santa Rosa agreed that Columbus had to go. Over the past few years statues have been removed so this is a part of a larger global movement,” he said.
Kambon added greater introspection was needed to restore Trinidad and Tobago’s pre-colonial history.
Port-of-Spain – The government should collect (TT) $500 million a year in taxes from the gaming industry, but only received around $56 million last fiscal year, Finance Minister Colm Imbert said last week.
“This is going to come to an end,” Imbert said as he wound up the Budget debate in the House of Representatives.
Imbert said according to “conservative” estimates the government should collect $100 million annually from the “proliferation” of amusement games scattered around the country. However, only $8 million were collected last year.
“And yet I would hear people go out and say, ‘This is all a set of old talk, everybody is paying their taxes, none of us are doing anything underhand, everything we do is above board, we are all legal’,” Imbert said.
Labelling those who avoided payment as tax cheaters, Imbert said casinos should be paying close to $400 million in taxes, but only paid $48 million last year.
“All of these large enterprises are owned by foreigners,” he said.
He said the casino owners never protest, but instead “threaten the poor little workers” to protest or they will be dismissed.
“This is going to come to an end,” Imbert said as he wound up the Budget debate in the House of Representatives.
Imbert said according to “conservative” estimates the government should collect $100 million annually from the “proliferation” of amusement games scattered around the country. However, only $8 million were collected last year.
“And yet I would hear people go out and say, ‘This is all a set of old talk, everybody is paying their taxes, none of us are doing anything underhand, everything we do is above board, we are all legal’,” Imbert said.
Labelling those who avoided payment as tax cheaters, Imbert said casinos should be paying close to $400 million in taxes, but only paid $48 million last year.
“All of these large enterprises are owned by foreigners,” he said.
He said the casino owners never protest, but instead “threaten the poor little workers” to protest or they will be dismissed.
