Senior Reporter
shane.superville@guardian.co.tt
Small business owners operating in communities along the East-West Corridor say they are hopeful that features of this year’s budget will focus on stimulating growth while addressing the needs of the general public.
On Monday, the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), responding to the Minister of Finance’s 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review, urged the Government to prioritise private-sector liquidity by implementing a structured programme to eliminate the VAT refund backlog, which it said represents vital working capital for small and micro enterprises (SMEs).
The chamber also highlighted several key points from the review, including the reduction of the primary deficit from $2.93 billion to $101 million at mid-year, a “stable” outlook from Moody’s, and Trinidad and Tobago’s removal from the European Union’s blacklist.
However, several small business owners say they hope these developments translate into more affordable operating costs, as they continue to grapple with high prices for goods, utilities and rent, coupled with sluggish sales.
Speaking with Guardian Media at his St James business, D Ultimate Meat Mart, owner Mark said the shop had reopened a month ago after being closed for a period following this year’s Carnival. However, he said recent sales have been disappointing.
He said while any measures aimed at assisting small businesses would be appreciated, day-to-day expenses remain difficult to manage with limited returns.
“We just came out of a meeting where we’re weighing or measuring whether it makes sense or if it’s feasible to stay open because of the overhead expenses, the rent and so on, because we’re not turning over enough to handle those things.
“It costs about $500 a day to keep the place open. Of course, we’re going to have depreciation of the equipment and so on, but we’re barely covering $200 per day in sales, so it’s extremely slow and we may have to close down if things don’t improve.”
Mark noted that even before the business’s temporary closure earlier this year, sales had been slow. He said many other businesses in the wider St James community appeared to be experiencing similar challenges.
One roadside fruit vendor, who asked to be identified only as Manoo, said he has been operating his stall for the past 11 years and admitted that sales have not improved since Christmas 2025.
“It’s a difficult trade because if people don’t buy the produce within a certain period of time, it’s going to spoil and I have to throw it out, which is a waste of money all around. All I’ve been doing for the past couple of months is buying and throwing away.”
Asked what he believed was causing the slowdown in sales, Manoo said many people simply could not afford to buy fresh produce as often as they once did. He also pointed to increased competition among fruit vendors along the Western Main Road.
“There are vendors who undercut by a few dollars and, to be honest, that makes a big difference in where you want to buy your thing. So I can’t knock anybody’s hustle, but I can’t afford to cut my prices because I have to live too.”
When asked about his expectations for the budget, Manoo said he was not particularly interested, as he would have to support himself regardless of whatever measures were introduced in the new fiscal year.
Guardian Media also visited Aranguez, where Kenesha Vargas, owner and proprietor of Vargas Roti Shop, said she was hopeful that some relief could be provided to small businesses.
Vargas said meat was an important commodity for her business, noting that red meat, particularly goat and beef, had become increasingly expensive. She said she hoped there would be no significant price increases in the new fiscal year.
“They keep going up and up, and they don’t rise by $2. More or less, they go up by $8, $10 or $15, so it makes a difference when you add it up.
“So I’m hoping that something can be done with that.”
Vargas said she opened the business in 2021 and joked that even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when economic activity was limited, she was still earning more money than she is now.
She said the slowdown in sales reflected similar pressures being experienced throughout the wider Aranguez community.
“People are unemployed. They don’t have jobs or money to buy food. That’s the main issue.
“They don’t have the money to feed their families. This year has been the hardest we’ve seen it, and these last few months have been among the most difficult. At least during COVID, you could have paid some bills easily.”
Vargas estimated that it costs about $2,500 a day to open the business and daily sales were never guaranteed.
