Even as the American Chamber of T&T (AmCham) found that Government's estimates of oil and gas prices for the budget were "reasonably conservative," its members will today have the opportunity to pose questions regarding the economy to Finance Minister Larry Howai at its post-budget panel debate. The debate will be held at the Trinidad Hilton, St Ann's.
In a statement AmCham said it found in its review of Monday's budget the T&T macro-economic indicators to be positive and commended the Government in that regard. It added: "AmCham T&T further commends the stimulus that the Government seeks to create in the economy by improving and creating necessary physical infrastructure.
"AmCham T&T notes the focus on the public private partnerships (PPP) as a means to execute these projects as a positive first step. We believe that this creates an enabling environment consistent with the growth ambitions articulated in the national budget 2012/2013.
"AmCham T&T is, however, concerned with the budget 2012/2013 stated operational and fiscal targets versus realised results to date of past budgets," read the statement. Other panelists at the debate will be Indera Sagewan-Ali of the Centre for Competitiveness; Allyson West, PricewaterhouseCoopers; Gerry Brooks, chief operations officer ANSA McAL Ltd and Ozzi Warwick, of the Oilfields Workers' Trade Union.