Indera Sagewan discusses budget

Despite allocating 14% of the national budget to the Ministry of National Security, crime poses significant challenges, affecting sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and small businesses. In this Power Conversation on August 30, 2024, Indera Sagewan discusses the complex issues facing Trinidad and Tobago, with a focus on crime and the economy. She suggests exploring international support to complement ongoing local efforts, recognizing the strain that crime places on business costs, operating hours, and industries like entertainment. Indera also highlights the importance of enhancing accountability and developing key performance indicators within the police force to improve resource management. On a regional scale, Indera suggests the potential for greater efficiency within CARICOM and advocates for thoughtful reforms. Shifting to the economy, she emphasizes the need for more job creation to open up opportunities for the younger generation. She also acknowledges the burden of inflation and rising living costs. While some leaders propose planting kitchen gardens to address food prices, Indera points out the associated challenges and costs and proposes that increasing support for farmers could be a more effective strategy. Her overall message emphasizes the importance of structural changes, both locally and regionally, to address these evolving challenges.