Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC is rejecting claims that Trinidad and Tobago is in recession, insisting the country is on a path of economic progression.
Speaking during the budget debate on Monday afternoon, the Prime Minister said the budget is focused on improving the lives of ordinary citizens and accused Opposition MPs of abandoning their constituents by walking out of Parliament.
“In the IMF’s May 2026 Article 4 report, the IMF projected growth of 0.8% in 2026, that’s this year or the last fiscal gone by, accelerating to a 3% in 2027 and averaging approximately 3.5% in 2028 and 2029. Where’s the recession in that? That is progression.”
She said the budget measures are intended to support working and middle-income families who often struggle, despite not qualifying for social assistance.
“Do you think they’re thinking about the national fiscal deficit? Do you think they’re thinking about how much overtime that Minister Alexander talked to? Do you think they think about that? What they’re thinking about are the prices at the supermarket. What they’re thinking about is the healthcare at the hospitals. They’re thinking about repairs to their homes. They’re think about safety in their communities. They’re thinking about the opportunities available to their children. And that is the standard by which I want my Government, this Government, to be judged.”
She also criticised Opposition MPs for leaving the parliamentary chamber during the debate.
“We talk about the trust our constituents placed in us. They have abandoned their constituents. They have abandoned them.”
The Prime Minister also dismissed Opposition suggestions that she was taking credit for the recently opened East Terminal of the ANR Robinson International Airport.
“That airport was built out of taxpayers’ dollars, Mr Speaker. The working people of this country. So don”t come and try and say. You put you put a dollar inside there? You spend one dollar? Every dollar you spent was taxpayers’ dollars.”