00:00As the nation looks forward to budget 2027, economist Dr. Raja Hossein is reminding the population that the economy is
00:09in a state of recovery.
00:10The Chilean and Tobago economy is in a recovery mode. After having declined about 18% between 2020 and 2025,
00:21the economy is slowly recovering. The emphasis is on the word slow because natural gas production and oil production is
00:30very subdued today as compared to 2010 when it was much higher.
00:35Hossein says the government has been managing well given the realities and he believes this administration's trade policies hold the
00:44key to turning the economy around.
00:46Where the government is doing well is in its foresight. The government has set well-defined targets for non-energy
00:56exports, for foreign direct investment and is going after these targets.
01:02Kammer Maradz is making a tremendous effort. He has set targets and if he is to meet those targets, if
01:08he is to even meet half of his targets, he would have done his country a great service.
01:14So, in the end, the most important ministry really boils down to the Ministry of Trade and the focus on
01:21non-energy export revenues.
01:23However, Dr. Hossein notes with concern or declining labour market.
01:28The labour market is where a significant amount of work has to go in by this new government.
01:34The labour force participation rate is down. It is about 55% and we need it up to about 68%.
01:41So, a lot of effort has to go in there.
01:44Renessa Cutting, TV6 News.
