Senior Reporter
sascha.wilson@guardian.co.tt
Rural Development and Local Government Minister Faris Al-Rawi says commercial property tax is not yet on the table.
Speaking with reporters at the opening of the Southex International Expo at Gulf City Mall, La Romain, on Wednesday, Al-Rawi said while the Minister of Finance will reveal the specific date of the commencement of the property tax, it will definitely be before the end of September 2024.
He said, “Commercial property tax is not on the table, residential property tax is. It’s all local government. The Municipal Corporation’s Reform Act was included in a bill which we passed last year. Section 10 of the Property Act was amended so that property tax is assessed by the BIR but collected by and received by the Local Government authorities.
“That is on track for this year so that each corporation receives 10s, 20s, 30s, of millions of dollars extra which goes directly into their pockets, and then they spend directly into the communities under the Public Procurement Law.”
Following Finance Minister Colm Imbert’s announcement in Monday’s Budget that the Police Service recruit intake will increase to 1,000, Al-Rawi was asked whether he had also advocated for an increase in municipal police recruits.
He said the municipal police recruits have already been increased, with the manpower at 831.
“That statement (Imbert ‘s statement) was in relation to the TTPS, the Municipal Police already catered for in our financial preparations to accelerate the input to 1,500,” Al-Rawi said.
Southex CEO George Singh said Southex is celebrating 33 years of existence, and is the largest running trade show in the country.
Hitting back at naysayers who complain that the Government is wasting money on projects in San Fernando, he said those projects are benefiting Southex, the people of San Fernando, and, by extension, the country.
“Southex International Expo has benefited in a very positive way from the growth and development of San Fernando. We have always been there for the business community, as we continue to provide this platform for new business to grow and for old businesses to market their new products.”
Singh, who hosts major Carnival events, said he also expects a bumper entertainment season for 2024.
In commending Singh for his contribution to business and entertainment in south Trinidad, Greater San Fernando Area Chamber president Kiran Singh said economic activity in San Fernando has improved since the pandemic.
“Some buzz has been re-created, especially since we approach the Christmas season and the fact that the Government has spoken to backpay to public servants. Those of us in business will be excited, will be looking forward to that flow of money in that economic system that will drive retail forward, it will encourage manufacture, encourage distribution,” he said.
The event will run until Sunday.