Economy

With global energy prices recovering and a new natural gas project now on-line, some predict an end to T&T’s recession in 2018. In May 2018 the Ministry of Finance reported that as energy activity recovers and other sectors begin to grow, tax revenues will likely exceed expectations, and the fiscal deficit was revised down from 3.1% of GDP in 2018 to 2.5%, compared to 8% in 2017. However, while a rebound in the energy sector is welcome, it is other industries that require the majority of government focus if the country is to become sustainably diversified and financially secure for the long haul. This chapter contains interviews with Allyson West, Minister of Finance; Patricia Ghany, President, American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago; and Derek Chin, Chairperson, Movie Towne.