The Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government has announced plans to make direct, well-targeted policy interventions to meet the needs of rural residents.This is part of a three-pronged rural development policy focused on rural banking, transportation and housing.
Cabinet has already approved a framework for rural development. A multi-sectorial committee comprising 11 ministries and other stakeholders has been mandated to develop a rural development policy, agenda and defined programmes. An immediate priority is to put in place a network of automatic banking facilities in rural areas. The ministry will work in close collaboration with the Bankers Association of T&T (BATT) to determine the needs of communities and how they can be met by using modern technology.
"While the rate of internet penetration is roughly 68 per cent across the country, there is still a severe imbalance between the use of available technologies to access banking in rural as opposed to urban areas and this needs to be addressed urgently," explained Rural Development Minister Franklin Khan. BATT president Darryl White said: "The issue of banking services to rural communities and generally to citizens who face geographic or mobility issues is not just a business one, there are social, infrastructural and distribution perspectives as well, causing many pensioners and persons receiving social assistance, to endure long days of travel to meet busy banking halls as they seek to cash their monthly cheques. We welcome the opportunity to work with the Government to find practical and wholesome solutions to serve and develop our rural communities."
White gave his assurance of BATT's support to Khan during a meeting at the offices of the Ministry of Rural Development in Maraval.