Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago

2.1 PRIOR TO COVID-19: AN ECONOMY ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY 10

2.2 GLOBAL AND REGIONAL CONTEXT 11

2.2.1 GLOBAL GROWTH FORECASTS 11

2.2.2 EMPLOYMENT 12

2.2.3 ENERGY COMMODITY PRICES 12

2.3 IMPACT OF COVID-19 IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO 13

2.3.1 COVID-19 PUBLIC EXPENDITURE 14 SHORT TERM ENVIRONMENT 17

3.1 THE SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACT 17

3.2 THE NEW OPERATING ENVIRONMENT 17 ROADMAP OBJECTIVES 22

4.1 OBJECTIVE 1 – SOCIAL PROTECTION: LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND 23

4.2 OBJECTIVE 2 – RETAIN AND CREATE JOBS 24

4.3 OBJECTIVE 3 – BOOST AGGREGATE DEMAND 24

4.4 OBJECTIVE 4 – MINIMIZE AND REMEDIATE SUPPLY DISRUPTIONS 25 Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago iii ROADMAP OBJECTIVE 1 – SOCIAL PROTECTION: LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND 27

5.1 PROTECTING THE VULNERABLE AND THE DISPLACED AND USING THE SOCIAL SAFETY NET TO BUILD A STRONGER T&T 30 5.1.1 EXPANDING THE SCOPE AND FOCUS OF SOCIAL PROTECTION PROGRAMMES 30 5.1.2 DEEPENING THE INVOLVEMENT OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS IN THE DELIVERY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION PROGRAMMES 32

5.2 PROTECTING THE FOOD SUPPLY 34

5.2.1 ADOPTING POLICY POSITIONS TO IMMEDIATELY AND AGGRESSIVELY BOOST THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR AND LAUNCH $500 MILLION STIMULUS PROGRAMME FOR THE SECTOR. 36 ROADMAP OBJECTIVES 2 TO 4 – RETAIN AND CREATE JOBS; BOOST AGGREGATE DEMAND; MINIMISE AND REMEDIATE SUPPLY DISRUPTIONS 44

6.1 SAFELY RESTARTING THE ECONOMY: REIGNITING AGGREGATE DEMAND, EMPLOYMENT AND AGGREGATE SUPPLY 53 6.1.1 HEALTH FIRST: ADOPTING WORKPLACE PROTOCOLS FOR THE SAFE RETURN TO WORK 53

6.1.2 INCREASING SPENDING IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR 53 6.1.3 PROVIDING APPROPRIATE RELIEF TO BUSINESS ENTERPRISES PARTICULARLY MSMES 55 6.1.4 SUSTAINING ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN ENERGY AND ENERGY RELATED INDUSTRIES 57 6.1.5 PROVIDING APPROPRIATE FINANCIAL RELIEF THROUGH BANKING AND INSURANCE INSTITUTIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS 59

6.1.6 STIMULATING ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN TOBAGO 61

6.2 ENABLING ENVIRONMENT 63 6.2.1 BUILDING A DIGITAL NATION: MAKING IT EASY TO DO BUSINESS 63

6.2.2 BUILDING INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY 66

6.2.3 CRITICAL SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE 67

6.2.4 REIGNITING OUR NATIONAL VALUE SYSTEM: CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT OF HARMONY AND INCLUSIVENESS 68 MANAGING THE FISCAL CRISIS 82 EXECUTING THE ROADMAP 84 APPENDIX 1: GOVERNMENT’S STIMULUS PACKAGE APPENDIX 2: IMPLEMENTATION MATRICES Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago iv FIGURES Figure 1: Overarching Strategy for Economic Recovery ................................................................. 6 Figure 2: Growth Projections in COVID-19 (IMF, April 2020) ....................................................... 11 Figure 3: COVID-19 Statistics on Trinidad and Tobago (June 02, 2020) ....................................... 14 Figure 4: WHO’s Guidelines for Adjusting Public Health and Social Measures ............................ 18 Figure 5: Roadmap Objectives ...................................................................................................... 23 Figure 6: T&T Rankings on World Bank’s Doing Business Topics ................................................. 64 LIST OF ACRONYMS B2G Business to Government BHP BHP Billiton Trinidad and Tobago bpTT British Petroleum Trinidad and Tobago C2G Citizen to Government CAF Development Bank of Latin America CARICOM Caribbean Community CARIRI Caribbean Industrial Research Institute CCD Commissioner for Cooperative Development CDB Caribbean Development Bank CSOs Civil Society Organisations DFID Department for International Development EMBD Estate Management and Business Development Company EU European Union FY Fiscal Year GDP Gross Domestic Product GEF Global Environment Facility GORTT Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago HEU HEU, Centre for Health Economics IDB Inter-American Development Bank IBIS National Integrated Business Incubation System ICT Information, and Communication Technology ILO International Labour Organisation Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago v IMF International Monetary Fund JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency LNG Liquefied Natural Gas MHTL Methanol Holdings Trinidad Limited MSMEs Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises NAMDEVCO National Agricultural Marketing and Development Company NEDCO National Entrepreneurship Development Company NGO Non-Governmental Organisation NTAC National Tripartite Advisory Council PPE Personal Protective Equipment PPP Public Private Partnership RHAs Regional Health Authorities SMEs Small and Medium Enterprises SPT Supplemental Petroleum Tax T&T Trinidad and Tobago TCL Trinidad Cement Limited THA Tobago House of Assembly TTMA Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association TTCSI Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Service Industries US United States of America USAID United States Agency for International Development UWI The University of the West Indies VAT Value Added Tax WHO World Health Organisation WTI West Texas Intermediate YBTT Youth Business Trinidad and Tobago Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago vi EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Like all global economies, Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) has been compelled to grapple with the unprecedented and adverse health and economic crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Conservatively, the combination of the pandemic and the oil shocks has generated over $4 billion in losses to the local economy in the last quarter (January – March 2020). It has also transformed almost every aspect of our personal, community and national life. The reality is that the world to which have become accustomed and life as we know it have changed and will quite possibly never return. Using a science-based proactive approach, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT) has been successful thus far in navigating the country away from the rapid and uncontrolled spread of the virus. However, even with this level of current success there is still more that has to be done. The Roadmap to Recovery Committee has focused on three (3) immediate priorities: (i) address and mitigate the hardship inflicted by COVID-19; (ii) restart the economy; and (iii) lay the foundation for sustained economic recovery. Quick, immediate and deliberate action is required as it is projected that even with the resumption of work, the increased level of uncertainty coupled with COVID-19 related protocols may likely result in increased unemployment and under- employment, as companies adjust their work protocols in accordance with Ministry of Health guidelines, and their wage bills consistent with reduced demand. It will be important to respond to the fallout at the household level. Moreover, the macroeconomic environment required to support the priorities mentioned must be one that is geared towards increasing liquidity and disposable income in circulation in the economy within the shortest possible time. This will have a positive knock-on effect on aggregate demand with well-established additional multiplier benefits. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 1 The prevailing risks in the environment require increased focus by the Government during the next six (6) months, as the instigator, influencer and facilitator of aggregate demand and the protector of jobs and business activity. However, it is critical to acknowledge that both the private and public sectors will have to play significant roles in the short-term to jumpstart the economy. The Committee has identified the following as short-term objectives: Objective 1 Social Objective 2 Protection Leave No One Retain and Behind Create Jobs Objective 4 Objective 3 Minimise and Boost Remediate Aggregate Supply Demand Disruptions The achievement of these objectives can best be accomplished in the following ways:  Strengthening the Social Safety Net by improved technology and deepening the involvement of civil society organisations (CSOs) in the delivery of social support programmes, with a focus on women, children and the dispossessed;  Increasing the allocation for Social Safety Net programmes as appropriate and where necessary (from $9 billion) in 2020, given that the number of persons accessing the programmes is expected to increase;  Implementing Safe Back to Work Protocols in accordance with guidelines established by the Ministry of Health; Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 2  Adopting policy decisions to immediately boost and sustain the Agriculture Sector with emphasis on: - Increasing production to reduce dependence on imported food and inputs; - Building a more technologically advanced agriculture system to increase the availability of domestic food supply; - Reintroducing a guaranteed market, guaranteed minimum price facility through Namdevco to encourage increased production and provide protection against occasional gluts in production; - Expanding and developing agro-processing to create a ready market for our farm produce and a greater variety in locally produced fare; - Strengthening the linkages along the food value and distribution chains to make more locally produced food available within the country e.g. in school feeding programme, and as part of the social welfare programme;  Stimulating economic activity in Tobago through the following: - Executing key projects including the new Crown Point Terminal Complex; - Enhancing channels to supply aggregate and other materials from Hardrock Quarry to Trinidad and other Caribbean locations such as Guyana; - Providing direct support to Tobago Businesses and boosting local tourism; - Supporting the development of technology-driven agriculture;  Increasing spending in the Construction Sector by both the Government and the Private Sector;  Liquidating outstanding debts in the Construction Sector and accelerating strategic and priority ‘Shovel Ready Projects’ in the sector;  Enhancing economic activity in the Energy Sector by, inter-alia: o Enabling scheduled maintenance, construction, and drilling projects; and o Restructuring the Oil and Gas Industry to improve competitiveness and recalibrating ‘the gas value chain’;  Providing appropriate financial support in the Services, Retail, Distribution and Manufacturing and other Sectors to Micro businesses, SME’s, Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 3 Entrepreneurs and other institutions at all levels through accelerated payment of VAT Refunds, Liquidity Support, soft loans with extended moratoria through Banking and Insurance institutions, Credit Unions and other appropriate fora. Quite simply, the intent is to leave no one behind! COVID-19 has forced the Government, private sector and CSOs to rethink how technology can be leveraged to effectively navigate the crisis and accelerate the recovery process. A key imperative for execution of the Roadmap’s interventions is an “all hands on deck” approach to proactively transform the capability and capacity of the Government to the digital economy. This digital transformation will require an execution team working in partnership with the private sector and civil society in several key areas – restructured business processes, digital capabilities/training, technology, flexible IT architecture, and innovation/experimentation. The COVID-19 crisis must be employed as a critical impetus for T&T to begin unlocking the potential of digital technology to quickly change its way of doing business. This Digital Vision must be led by suitably trained sons and daughters of the soil and enabled by leaders with the commitment to transform the society, and with the credibility and capacity to mobilise change. As a result, work will now be accelerated towards creating a ‘Digital First Government’ with the first feature being the creation of an e-identity for each citizen and legal resident that: o will be mandatory to access Government services; o will be managed by Government in a state-run or approved private data centre; o will supersede all existing identifiers; o aligns with the electronic processing of all Government services and digital commerce activities. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 4 The Committee has also defined a series of cogent, practical and compelling actions in the areas of Ease of Doing Business, Building Institutional Capacity, Critical Supporting Infrastructure and National Value System. These enabling pillars will support and facilitate the success of this Roadmap as they cut across all sectors and will enhance the adaptability of the society to the dynamic forces of digitization and globalisation. These will become the critical enablers on which we must create a reimagined society and economy post COVID-19. In respect of financing, the fiscal deficit for FY 2020, which was originally estimated at $5.3 billion, is now expected to expand to $15.5 billion, $10.2 billion higher than was envisaged in the FY 2020 Budget. The Committee, working in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, has identified various innovative sources for mobilising additional financing for the next nine (9) months with the possibility of further funding over the next fiscal year, if needed. The strategies required for rebooting the economy and the wider society require partnership among the Government, private sector, labour and civil society, agility in the supporting institutions and a culture that fosters productivity, efficiency, performance and harmony. The recommendations proposed in this Roadmap highlight the significance of ensuring public health and take into account the sensitivity of the intangible and material changes arising from COVID-19. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 5 Introduction On April 16, 2020, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago the Honourable Dr. Keith Rowley appointed a High-Level Multi-Sectoral Committee with the mandate to draft a Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Roadmap is intended, in the first instance, to guide the Government’s actions in the immediate short-term as the country navigates a challenging period ahead, driven by changing global, regional and national circumstances and a new ‘normal’ characterised by uncertainty and volatility, and likely reduced economic activity. It is equally important for the Roadmap to establish a solid foundation for the transformation of the economy and the accelerated and sustained development of our society over the medium to long-term. This latter work will be the focus of the Final Report of the Committee. In the preparation of this First Report, the Committee has consulted extensively, engaging with stakeholders across the various sectors with the common purpose of ‘survival first’ while laying the foundation for the restart and recovery of the economy. The inclusive collaboration, thus far, has set a positive and constructive tone for the continuing work of the Committee and for building an environment of productive deliberations and unified purpose for our collective determination to make Trinidad and Tobago better than it was before the COVID-19 crisis. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 5 Surviving the Crisis • Measures that need to be implemented immediately. Reigniting • Measures to accelerate aggregate Economic Activity demand, employment and the supply & Ensuring Social chain, whilst minimising transmission Stability risk. • Restructuring and Transforming towards a stronger, more resilient, Transforming to a New Economy & a economy in which equity, New Society inclusiveness and self-sufficiency for all are the cornerstones of a new society. Figure 1: Overarching Strategy for Economic Recovery Perhaps the most outstanding feature of the COVID-19 experience is the way the pandemic has laid bare the vulnerabilities, and in some cases, the weaknesses of social and economic structures that have characterised our existence. Trinidad and Tobago is heavily dependent on imports for its food supply, and given our pre- COVID-19 situation, we projected that we would remain in a foreign exchange position to cope with increasing import demands. In terms of the social safety net, the view was that for as long as it was wide and deep enough, it would mitigate the fallouts of existing inequities in the society. Further, the country’s long-known extreme reliance on energy revenues is a very risky position to be in, but we anticipated that we would have the time to complete and implement the changes needed. COVID-19 has imposed a reality check on us; a check that requires face-on addressing of these vulnerabilities and weaknesses with which we have become accustomed living, and which have become priorities. It is well-known that COVID-19 has been having a serious impact on the socioeconomic condition of large sections of the population, even as the pandemic continues to pummel the economy. In the effort to make it easier for people to Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 6 cope with the impact of the pandemic, the Government will be seeking to strengthen the country’s safety net in two ways. First, since there will be many more people seeking assistance, the Government will be taking steps to provide more resources for the safety net. However, the Government will also be seeking to improve the way in which the safety net touches people’s lives, making the application process more convenient and processing requests for assistance in a timelier manner. Of course, with the safety net there is always a need to guard against attempted fraud, which can extend the time for processing. In a general sense the safety net can be seen as having three functions: • to mitigate the human suffering that will be expected in the wake of the pandemic and the collapse in oil prices; • to maintain the social cohesion and social stability that will be needed during the period of economic recovery and adjustment; and • to make a significant contribution to the aggregate demand needed to keep the economy growing. One area where support for individuals and families will be expanded is in respect of food support. COVID-19 has raised the spectre of hunger as never before, and one of the main emphases of the early response will be to ensure that no one in this country goes without food. Focus on the disabled and shut-ins will be a feature of the food protection drive. For this, the Government will be engaging the assistance of FBOs and NGOs to facilitate food distribution. On a more general level, the expanded food support programme will be buttressed by the measures that will be taken to increase the food security of the country. The intention will be to boost agricultural production to ensure that the availability of food will not be an issue for the country. Increased food production and strong supply chains will be seen as contributing to maintaining the health of the population. This is the context in which the present Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago is being crafted. There are two stages. The first is to assure the health and wellbeing of the population at the present time and in the near future, and to ensure a successful Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 7 restarting of economic activity in the country. The second is to put the economy on track to: • deal with the heavy burdens brought on by the pandemic; • regain ground lost during the period of the pandemic; and • establish a foundation of economic expansion characterised by equity and resilience. The present Report is, therefore, the first of two (2) Roadmap reports, and it addresses the first of the two (2) stages mentioned above. The Report presents the Roadmap in two (2) Parts. Part 1 will focus on the health and wellbeing of the population during the period of the pandemic and Part 2 will outline the steps that will be taken to get the economy up and running again, restoring levels of employment. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 8 2 CONTEXT Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 9 Context Prior to COVID-19: An Economy on the Road to Recovery Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the first quarter of 2020, Trinidad and Tobago had begun to emerge from a depressed economic environment triggered by the sudden collapse of global energy commodity prices in the period 2014-2015 and a concomitant drastic decline in Government’s Revenues. T&T’s resilience in the face of the At the time of the 2020 Budget presentation in COVID-19 pandemic has been October 2019, overall economic growth for the highlighted in the May 2, 2020 edition calendar year 2019 was projected at 0.9 % of The Economist where T&T was ranked 15 out of 66 emerging (World Bank estimate), which reflected an economies in terms of its financial improving domestic economy, steadily strength. recovering from negative growth rates of -6.3% The indicators examined were public in 2016, -2.3% in 2017 and flat growth in 2018. debt, foreign debt, cost of borrowing (particularly the likely payments for 2020) and reserve cover. Growth estimates, at that time, for the medium- term horizon were forecasted for 2020, 2021 T&T also ranked in the top 3 in terms of reserve cover despite challenges in and 2022 at 1.9%, 4.1%, and 3.6%, respectively. the international economy. The return to growth was hinged on an improving global economic environment and an expansion in the production of oil and gas. The forecasted growth was based on a judicious sequencing of internal adjustments in economic policy designed to create more efficient public expenditure and was buoyed by a long period of exchange rate stability, stabilisation of public sector debt levels within internationally accepted benchmarks, maintenance of significant financial buffers in the form of the Heritage and Stabilization Fund, a tight control of inflationary pressures and generally low levels of unemployment. The historical strength of these economic indicators has provided an important anchor for Trinidad and Tobago to respond in the crisis precipitated by the COVID- 19 pandemic. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 10 Global and Regional Context

2.2.1 Global Growth Forecasts The global response to COVID-19 has largely involved Stay-at-Home Orders and voluntary individual responsibility to contain the loss of life, with such measures triggering a severe depression in economic activity. As a result, the global economy, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its April 2020 World Economic Outlook (Figure 2), is projected to contract sharply by at least 3.0% in 2020, much worse than during the 2008–2009 financial crisis. Figure 2: Growth Projections in COVID-19 (IMF, April 2020) On the assumption that the pandemic subsides in the second half of 2020 and containment efforts can be gradually unwound, the IMF projects global growth of 5.8% in 2021 as economic activity normalises, aided by policy support. It must be emphasised that there is extreme uncertainty over the global growth forecast. The economic fallout is influenced by factors which interact in a myriad of ways that are hard to predict, such as:  the spread of the virus; Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 11  the intensity and efficacy of containment efforts;  the extent of supply disruptions;  the repercussions of the dramatic tightening in global financial market conditions;  shifts in spending patterns;  behavioural changes, such as people avoiding shopping malls; and  public transportation, physical distancing, and confidence effects. Countries around the world are currently confronting a multi-layered crisis comprising a health shock; domestic economic disruptions; plummeting external demand; capital flow reversals; and a collapse in commodity prices. Trinidad and Tobago is not immune from these exogenous forces, and is in the short and medium-term likely to also be additionally impacted by volatile, lowered commodity prices. Put simply, the country will be required to navigate and grow in a challenging regional and international environment. The predicament is that institutions being called upon to drive the response are the same institutions in crisis.

2.2.2 Employment Preliminary International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates point to a significant rise in global unemployment and underemployment in the wake of the virus. Based on different scenarios for the impact of COVID-19 on global gross domestic product (GDP) growth, preliminary ILO estimates indicate a rise in global unemployment of between 5.3 million and 24.7 million from a base level of 188 million in 2019. Though these estimates remain highly uncertain, all recent indications suggest a substantial rise in global unemployment. Comparatively, the global financial crisis of 2008-9 increased unemployment by 22 million.

2.2.3 Energy Commodity Prices Economically, in the first quarter of 2020, there has been an unprecedented collapse of oil prices as a result of a price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia. This triggered price reduction in oil from US$60 a barrel in January to US$30 a barrel Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 12 in March. Immediately thereafter, the global economic shutdown resulting from COVID-19, further depressed the demand for oil causing the May futures price for West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil to decline to 1 US cent per barrel. Oil prices turned negative for the first time in history on April 20, 2020. This country’s other major energy commodity, natural gas, has also experienced a sharp downward trend in prices since September 2019 as a result of weak demand, the restarting of nuclear power plants in Japan - as a direct substitute for energy - and a sharp increase in the availability of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from non- traditional exporters. These conditions have and will continue to adversely impact the real and fiscal sectors of the domestic economy as mainstream revenue earners. Impact of COVID-19 in Trinidad and Tobago The COVID-19 pandemic has created a deep public health and economic crisis. The negative impacts of the pandemic have been exacerbated by an attendant economic fallout in global energy commodity prices. Every sector of the economy is now facing exceptional difficulty. As of June 02, 2020, there were more than 6.3 million confirmed cases of COVID- 19 and more than 379,000 deaths worldwide. The crisis is global in scale and scope, and the outlook is highly uncertain in the context of the emerging issues and the global effects of the pandemic. Domestically, the transmission of COVID-19 has been sporadic with the number of confirmed cases as of June 02, 2020, at 117 persons (Figure 3) These cases have largely been imported whereby persons contracted the virus through international travel and from primary contacts. Additionally, 107 people have been discharged from health facilities. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 13 117 Sporadic Total 8 Transmission Confirmed Total Deaths Classification Cases Figure 3: COVID-19 Statistics on Trinidad and Tobago (June 02, 2020) Trinidad and Tobago will continue in the short and medium-term to be adversely impacted by volatile commodity prices and must navigate the complex range of problems confronting other countries globally. The HEU, Centre for Health Economics, The University of the West Indies (UWI) has forecasted further decline in the T&T economy in 2020 with losses conservatively estimated to amount to over $4 billion in the last quarter. The HEU has also projected a potential increase in unemployment in the current year, linked mainly to the compounding effect of weakened oil prices.

2.3.1 COVID-19 Public Expenditure Substantial budgetary resources have and are A University of Oxford Research Note being directed to the health sector as the first places T&T 1st in the world in its line of defence to protect the lives of our citizens readiness to exit lockdown in its publication “Lockdown rollback and residents. In a direct response to the checklist: Do countries meet WHO pandemic, additional medical personnel were recommendations for rolling back hired, medical equipment and personal lockdown?” dated May 1, 2020. protective equipment (PPE) secured, hospitals and medical facilities upgraded and commissioned, and specific sites were dedicated to treating infected persons. Step-down convalescing facilities have also been put in place. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 14 Government has also moved swiftly to mobilise international financial resources to address the critical demands created by COVID-19. Government has sourced US$300 million (TT$2 billion) from five (5) multilateral agencies – US$20 million from the World Bank, US$130 million from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and US$150 million from the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF). Government is also negotiating a further US$500 million (TT$3.4 billion) in budgetary support from other external sources. It has also raised TT$500 million on the domestic market to pay for the increased goods and services for the Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) and to settle aged trade payables in the Health Sector. Cumulatively, the increased Government expenditure to combat COVID-19 has been ring-fenced through a comprehensive social, financial and economic support package of measures. (APPENDIX 1). The fiscal deficit for FY 2020, which was originally estimated at $5.3 billion, is now projected to expand to $15.5 billion, $10.2 billion higher than was envisaged in the FY 2020 Budget to ensure the health and personal well-being of our population. The revised deficit is predicated on conservative prices of US$25 per barrel for oil for the rest of the year and US$1.80 per MMBTU for natural gas. This results in a projected loss of revenue in FY 2020 of $9.2 billion, to which must be added another net $1 billion in extraordinary expenditure. Government has also indicated that it will seek to utilise money from the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund, not exceeding US$1.5 billion (TT$10 billion) as budgetary support in these exceptional circumstances. Various innovative financing sources have been identified for mobilising additional resources for the next three (3) months with the possibility of further funding in six (6) months to one (1) year, if needed. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 15 3 SHORT-TERM ENVIRONMENT Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 16 Short Term Environment The Socioeconomic Impact The first concern of the Government is the human impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. People have been getting sick, with many others facing dire challenges to their lives and livelihoods because of the response to the crisis. These persons therefore must be the immediate to short-term focus for support by the Government. People have lost their jobs and many others are unable to earn an income because their places of work are simply not in operation. Schools have moved to online teaching and learning thus impacting children, and inherently their parents, who depend on the national school feeding programme for daily meals. It means that apart from the thousands of persons who are current beneficiaries of the social safety net, thousands more will need immediate support, whether it be for food, housing or special health support. Hence, the social services delivery system will not only be dealing with many more people, but it will be called upon to do many more things. In other words, there will be an immediate need for these services to be upgraded, both in terms of resources and in respect of the management of these services. The Roadmap will identify specific measures which will be taken in the very near future to ensure that the mantra of ‘no one left behind’ becomes a reality. The New Operating Environment This Roadmap is anchored in the reality that in the short to medium-term one cannot speak of a return to business as usual post-COVID-19 until a vaccination becomes globally available. The WHO has predicted, “based on existing evidence, the most plausible scenario may involve recurring epidemic waves interspersed with periods of low-level transmission.1” Consequently, while T&T has done well to control COVID-19 transmission, as a small, open economy, the country remains exposed to the significant potential of escalation of the pandemic when the 1 Considerations in adjusting public health and social measures in the context of COVID-19, WHO, 16 April 2020 Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 17 national borders are eventually reopened and in-country Stay-at-Home measures are relaxed. The Ministry of Health has developed a Public Health Framework which utilises an Evidence and Risk-Based approach to rolling back the existing public health regulations. These adjustments will be deliberately managed and phased to minimise the risk of a resurgence, and will judiciously follow the WHO’s criteria for adjusting public health and social measures (Figure 4). Minimise Control Sufficient health outbreak risks in transmission care capacity high-vulnerabity settings Manage export Preventative & import cases Fully engage measures in the from high- communities workplace transmission communities Figure 4: WHO’s Guidelines for Adjusting Public Health and Social Measures It is clear, businesses and people will not be in a position to return to their normal routine given the overarching measures to reduce the risk of contracting and spreading the virus. The broad characteristics of the immediate to short-term environment will involve: Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 18  Limitations on population density effected by the Ministry of Health’s ‘Safe Return to Work Protocols’. This will guide business and services on reopening of operations and can potentially create a sluggish restart for onsite work arrangements and commercial activities.  Fluctuations in the import-export environment will potentially disrupt the supply chains of local enterprises that rely on imports and can also reduce the demand for traditionally exported products. However, COVID-19 may also unlock new export opportunities, particularly in the Caribbean, for products that can be locally manufactured such as hand sanitisers and hygiene products. Manufacturers may, therefore, have to retool to monetise the export potential of these essential product markets.  Restrictions on non-essential travel as a mechanism to protect the population and reduce the import and export of cases and avoid acceleration from T&T’s transmission status from sporadic to community spread. In the current fluid environment of COVID-19, air and sea travel will continue to experience severe fall-outs. As a country located in a tourism-dependent region, the possibility of reigniting economic activity from regional or international tourism will therefore have to be a longer-term objective with the sector using this time to redesign its ecosystem for an evolved tourism product in the future. However, since Trinidad and Tobago is a twin-island state, there is optimism and opportunity for bolstering domestic tourism between Trinidad and Tobago. In other areas, public transportation services will be significantly impacted and measures will need to be introduced to manage transmission by limiting vehicular density and installing protective barriers, ensuring PPE use and taking other appropriate measures for transport personnel and the travelling public.  Changes in the delivery of education will also be significantly affected as physical learning environments remain high-risk areas for virus spread. Schools are not scheduled (and still tentatively) to reopen until September 2020. The knock-on socioeconomic effects of this, along with the impact on Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 19 the parental workforce will demand more flexible working arrangements and the need for more digitised, remote work environments. This will affect employers both in the public and private sectors as they introduce and operate in new work arrangements.  Reimagining a new way of life must be our immediate focus as the battle against the spread of COVID-19 relies heavily on individual human responsibility. The character of essential movement and essential consumption will change resulting in a drastic shift and potentially new way of doing business. The commercial, cultural and religious activities that depend on human congregation will be impacted and will require innovation of their operational models. Practicing safe physical distancing and hygiene/sanitisation protocols will also need to be indoctrinated into our psyche as key to our survival in reducing transmission risks. Building public trust in systems that are geared towards maintaining public health, reducing public sector bureaucracy, and rebuilding the economy will require strong accountability from the Government and advocacy by citizens and residents. On the other hand, there will also be calls for ‘unlocking’ the country on the premise that the economic fall-outs are just as dangerous to life and livelihoods. It therefore means that persistent reminders of the dangers of the current COVID-19 environment are needed and hence clear, consistent and effective communication, particularly at the Governmental level as well as private and civil society organisations, is an imperative. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 20  4 ROADMAP OBJECTIVES Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 21 Roadmap Objectives The social and economic turmoil triggered by “COVID-19 will require a response like the crisis of COVID-19 demands a none before — a “war-time” plan in transformation of T&T’s national value system times of human crisis” and thoughtful, proactive reengineering of the “We must minimize the social and economic impact of COVID-19 for country’s approach to doing business. The everyone and stimulate a faster immediate to short-term goal of this roadmap is recovery everywhere” survival by “arresting the fall of the economy Secretary General of the UN March and setting it on a trajectory for positive 2020 growth”. Survival demands that Government, in the first instance, provide direct support to those families, sectors and segments of the society that have been hardest hit by the disruption brought on by COVID-19. Lives and livelihoods are at risk and every effort must be made by the Government, working in collaboration with the private sector and CSOs to avert a human crisis. The Committee envisages that a national focus on the following four (4) strategic objectives will revitalise the economy and mitigate against the embedded risks posed by the pandemic and other exogenous influences (Figure 5). The Roadmap objectives are harmonised and integrated and can be considered converging parts of the machinery of the economy. Equal attention and intervention must be placed on each objective to ensure that the immediate goal of national survival is met. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 22 Objective 1 Social Objective 2 Protection Retain and Leave No One Create Jobs Behind Objective 4 Objective 3 Minimise and Boost Remediate Aggregate Supply Demand Disruptions Figure 5: Roadmap Objectives Objective 1 – Social Protection: Leave No One Behind The pandemic has already caused unprecedented human dislocation of daily lives and livelihoods. It has created significant human suffering that will require the continued implementation of a robust safety net to cushion the impact on people who lack the resources to survive. To ensure this objective has the desired effect of buffering extreme poverty, plans have been formulated to invert the historical trend of mass injections in social services, without the corresponding change in poverty levels, in favour of more targeted interventions. The intent is to be more focused, efficient and effective in supporting our vulnerable groups. The principal strategies of this objective are to: 1. Effectively reach out to vulnerable individuals (women, children and men) and communities and meet their basic needs in spite of the moral hazard created by an inefficient social services delivery system; 2. Boost the efficiency of social support services by correcting existing inefficiencies and harnessing technology to improve delivery and targeting of beneficiaries; Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 23 3. Set the stage to build sustainability in the social safety net system with an underlying thrust towards the graduation of beneficiaries to independent income earners and wealth accumulation; and 4. To boost the food security of the country by significant new investment in agriculture. Objective 2 – Retain and Create Jobs To generate the demand for products and services that would stabilise the economy necessitates deliberate attention to safeguarding employment and creating new opportunities for individual income earners. In the medium-term, this objective must extend beyond salaried opportunities and must be anchored in the nurturing of an integrated ecosystem with a strong affinity to innovation and entrepreneurship. The strategies are to: 1. Focus on settlement of outstanding liabilities to key sectors infusing working capital and liquidity support for further employment generation and economic activity; 2. Begin the dialogue of reengineering the workplace by integrating revised protocols for protecting public health and unlocking the lessons learnt from the current working arrangements and best practice; 3. Set the stage for the retooling of the national workforce through upskilling and building technological expertise that would allow for greater productivity, performance and first-class service; and 4. Revamp the Innovation and Entrepeneurship ecosystem unlocking youth and other entrepeneurship clusters aligned to accelerate our national recovery platform. Objective 3 – Boost Aggregate Demand Stimulating and maintaining aggregate demand are essential to reigniting the economy. Naturally, meeting this objective relies heavily on the country’s ability to supply demanded goods and services while protecting and reigniting the market Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 24 for these goods and services. The Committee’s strategies to sustain and propel aggregate demand are: 1. Boost levels of household spending by Increasing Government support, primarily to provide the social protection needed, but also to prevent the level of aggregate demand from falling below the level required to keep the economy up and running; and 2. Stimulate a market for locally manufactured goods and services, particularly those with export potential. Objective 4 – Minimize and Remediate Supply Disruptions The country’s ability to meet aggregate demand, in particular for essential goods and services depends heavily on ensuring that supply chains are restored. Consideration for reinstating operations in a COVID-19 world must also be factored in and take cognisance of the changes to demand, Ministry of Health’s Guidelines, workplace protocols and a new environment of distribution and retailing for meeting this demand. The strategies to meet this objective are: 1. Provide justifiable liquidity support to qualifying enterprises that would restore, sustain and grow operations; 2. Develop appropriate protocols with industry using international best practices to facilitate the safe and proper return to work; and 3. Improve the ease of doing business in T&T with an emphasis on digitisation, electronic services and process reengineering. The strategies proposed for rebooting the economy and the wider society require collaboration and partnership among the Government, private and civil society, agility in the supporting institutions and a culture that cultivates productivity, efficiency, performance and harmony. It also will require a philosophy of excellence in execution and a commitment to a new culture of being results oriented. Equally important, the recommendations detailed in this Roadmap take into account the significance of ensuring the important balance of public health and the sensitivity of the intangible and material changes arising from COVID-19. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 25 5 ROADMAP PART 1 SURVIVING THE CRISIS: SUSTAINING LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS: SOCIAL PROTECTION AND AGRICULTURE SECTOR EXPANSION Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 26 Roadmap Objective 1 – Social Protection: Leave No One Behind The vulnerable groups in our society have felt the brunt of the impact with the loss of employment and income threatening their livelihoods. Equally challenging, this crisis has further unmasked and deepened the inequities that exist in the economy and at the wider societal level. The Impact at a Glance on Vulnerable Groups is as follows. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 27 VULNERABLE GROUPS With the present loss of jobs arising from the emergence of COVID- 19, many families are facing desperate times because of a lack of resources to meet immediate needs such as food and shelter. The impact on children has been especially severe since the pandemic has already led to a prolonged absence from school, where school for some is not only a place for learning, but also a safe place where daily meals are provided. The Social Support System in Trinidad and Tobago is expansive and mainly Government-funded. Social programmes target the unemployed, physically or mentally disabled persons, women and children, the youth and the elderly and provide a range of offerings from food and income support initiatives to rental assistance and shelter support. Distribution and moral hazard issues curtail the timely and efficient flow of assistance to the neediest and most vulnerable. 230 Government Programmes SOCIAL SAFETY NET MAIN DELIVERY CHANNELS 329 Entry Points to Social Safety Net 99 NGOs Other access Govt Programmes Funding Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 28 VULNERABLE GROUPS At present, the safety net consumes 6% of the country’s income or TT$9 billion. With the unfolding impact of COVID-19, coverage is projected to be in the range of between 7% and 10% of GDP in the short-term before reducing to 7% in the coming year (2021). This means that funding for the Social Safety Net may need to reach up to TT$11 billion by the end of 2020. The number of persons accessing the programmes is forecasted to increase , given that the unemployment rate is expected to increase. The expectation is that with the gradual reopening of the economy, the increase in the number of persons needing support will decline. EXPENDITURE ADJUSTMENTS IN SOCIAL PROGRAMMES ARISING FROM COVID-19 WITH COVID-19 PRE-COVID-19 WITH COVID-19 TT$11 Billion TT$9 Billion spent on Estimated expenditure expendture expected social programmes closer to 7% of GDP in on social programmes annually (6% of GDP) 2021 Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 29 Protecting the Vulnerable and the Displaced and Using the Social Safety Net to build a stronger T&T

5.1.1 Expanding the Scope and Focus of Social Protection Programmes The financial outlay on the safety net in general and for women and children, in particular, must be seen as a social investment and not simply as transfers. This is an investment in:  Our vision of leaving no one behind;  The social stability that will be necessary during a very trying recovery period;  The human capital needed for building self-reliance among vulnerable persons;  Protecting the position of women and children in the society;  Creating gender equality and equity; and  Ensuring that aggregate demand does not fall below the level required for steady growth. The immediate focus will be on providing continued support to protect lives and livelihoods. As a consequence, the priority will be to:  Review the extensive food support programme to ensure, with the support of NGOs, that no one in the country is going without food  Provide funding to women and other vulnerable persons who have become unemployed or lost their livelihood as a result of COVID-19 mitigation measures.  Provide incentives to businesses to develop initiatives that create sustainable employment for vulnerable groups. To do this within an environment of COVID-19 will require new investment to get to some semblance of growth in the economy. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 30  Provide incentives to encourage individuals/businesses to support the establishment and maintenance of existing facilities and homes for at-risk children, youth and women.  Reengineer the delivery of Family Services through the introduction of a coordinated mechanism supported by a Data Management System and one- stop mechanism that can identify those households, women and children that may require support. This reengineered coordinated service delivery mechanism must include community level social support programmes offered by civil society and the private sector.  Review the Rental Support programme and develop a register of landlords willing to collaborate with the programme  Implement a suite of social care delivery measures targeting, inter alia, women and men affected by violence, elderly women living alone, female heads of households, women and men with disabilities and mental health challenges.  Fund Government initiatives and support civil society organizations (NGOs, CBOs, FBOs) that provide social support for women and children and where appropriate men, particularly those impacted by violence and those in need of day and night care child services because of extended hours of work and shift work.  Work with CSOs to foster enabling environments that build the ability and capacity of women to help themselves and their children/families and transition them to a point of self-sustainability.  Devise policies and measures to operate in the new environment by reorganising ways of doing business and doing work, taking cognizance of the need to create equity in the care and supervision of children and families. This will require retraining workers many of whom have been displaced and who are women and heads of households.  Pursue and fund the implementation of existing strategies aimed at reducing all forms of violence in families and communities, in particular gender-based and youth violence. These strategies include the National Strategy to End Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 31 Gender-based Violence, strategies to reduce violence in schools and communities and gang violence.

5.1.2 Deepening the involvement of Civil Society Organisations in the Delivery of Social Protection Programmes  Build the capacity of CSOs and promote multi-partner collaborations to execute social services on behalf of Government thereby increasing public confidence and accountability in the dissemination of these services.  Increase subventions to targeted charities, particularly those charities that are already providing services to some of the groups that are disproportionately impacted by the crisis i.e. women, children and unemployed youth.  Expand the support now being given to churches to include other CSOs such as United Way, the International Red Cross, FEEL and the Salvation Army to name a few.  Facilitate CSOs’ access to grant funding from multilateral developmental partners (including IDB, EU, UN – USAID and GEF, CDB, CIDA, DFID, and JICA). This will lessen the financial burden and dependency on the Government.  Provide incentives to the private sector to support CSOs involved in creating employment opportunities at the community level with the focus on women, children and unemployed youth.  Reduce the bureaucracy in the processing of CSO subvention applications and offer subventions for qualifying NGOs which should not be more than 30% of their annual budget. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 32 SOCIAL SECTOR PROGRAMME SUMMARY Specific Measures Target Groups Financial Requirements Status Private Sector Activities  Incentivize private sector  Private businesses  To be determined (mixture  To be strengthened but  Strategic partnerships businesses to support of financial and non-financial start with existing fiscal with CSOs focused on CSOs involved in creating incentives) measures. women, (unemployed) employment opportunities youth and children. at the community level for women, children and unemployed youth.  Devise policies and  Employed and  Assessment being  In progress at the  measures to operate in unemployed heads of undertaken. business and societal the new environment by households, particularly level. Customization reorganising ways of doing women with childcare required for household business and doing work, responsibilities and gender dynamics. mindful of the need to create equity in the care and supervision of children and families.  Appropriate training  Business associations  Assessment is being  Implemented at the  Proposals for integrating programmes to ensure determined societal level (general public health guidelines continuous adherence to public health into business practices. health guidelines for guidelines) businesses and implementation for individual, institution and community protection to avoid resurgence and community spread. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago Protecting the Food Supply Linked closely to providing protection to the vulnerable is the priority of ensuring that no one in Trinidad and Tobago goes hungry. Food security will be critical going forward. It is because of this that we have twinned the expansion of the agriculture sector and the expanded food support programme with the support for individuals and families. The following graphic provides the Impact at a Glance on the Agriculture Sector. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 34 AGRICULTURE SECTOR Food Import Bill $5.6 billion Employs Sector contributes of which $2 billion is on 23,000 + persons less than 1% of GDP agricultural products The Agriculture Sector continues to operate as an essential service, and consequently, has not suffered as great a negative impact as other sectors. Ensuring the continuity of the supply of agricultural produce guided the sector’s operations. However, the contraction in global and domestic economic activity has created severe challenges including disruptions in supply and distribution. The Government has taken immediate steps to mitigate challenges. Decreased demand due to closure of schools and non-essential businesses Mitigation efforts implemented: •Provided free cold storage facilities from NAMDEVCO •Changed to direct marketing methods through the use of social media •Increased farmers access to Farmers' markets Decreased PPP project implementation • Aripo Livestock Station on hold Increased threat of disruptions to household food security Mitigation efforts implemented: •Provided 50,000 seedlings to households •Continued public market operations according to public health protocols •Guided public consumption to more nutrient-dense local produce Increased threat of supply bottlenecks Mitigation efforts implemented: •Identified alternative suppliers and negotiated prices on imported inputs •Worked with local and global partners •Introduced waiver of some Port charges •Simplified import permit acquisitions Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 35

5.2.1 Adopting Policy Positions to Immediately and Aggressively Boost the Agriculture Sector and Launch $500 million Stimulus Programme for the Sector. At the present time Trinidad and Tobago imports close to $2 billion in agricultural products, almost one-third of the country’s entire import bill. Making Trinidad and Tobago a more food secure nation goes beyond the implementation of specific initiatives. What is required is nothing short of a new vision. This demands a shift in our perception of Agriculture from being a manually intensive, high risk-low reward activity to one that is essential to the well-being of the country. It is now important to shift the culture in Agriculture into one where locally grown food is on the preferred taste palate of every citizen, fast food outlet, hotel and restaurant. Equally important is a vision of agriculture as a profitable business activity, where crop farming becomes more than open-field farming. Modern technology allows us to make use of temperature and light controls, transforming containers into greenhouses, for example. We also now have the options of rainwater harvesting and modern irrigation techniques to increase the reliability of water supplies. In the short term, policy responses will be directed toward reducing the country’s dependence on specific imported foods, increasing productive capacity and accessibility to domestic produce.  Increasing production to reduce dependence on imported food and inputs The intention here will be to: o Launch an Agriculture Stimulus Package geared towards the rapid expansion in production and marketing of selected high-demand agricultural commodities with short production cycles (3–12 months) such as, vegetables, legumes (e.g. pigeon peas), roots and tubers, grains (rice and corn), fruits (papaya, pineapple, melons, etc.), fish, and small livestock apart from poultry (sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits, bees, etc.). Focus will be placed on commodities where production can (i) be Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 36 continuous (across seasons); (ii) create forward and backward linkages, including at the micro and small enterprise level; and (iii) increase the participation of groups such as the youth and women. Incentives will be targeted at strategic farm and food sector innovation and technology, increased private sector commitment to local agriculture development, and efficient food marketing and distribution. This is to be followed by a much larger Stimulus Package for a wider range of food items, including milk and meat. o Secure adequate quality seeds, planting and animal breeding material and farm inputs and invest in the development of local alternatives. o Incentivise oil companies with significant landholdings to invest in agriculture and share experiences from fertilizer companies. o Actively pursue the use of wells previously drilled and unsuccessful in terms of producing oil to instead produce water that can be brought into WASA’s water production system to augment agriculture and domestic supply. o Encourage the use of alternative feedstock using root crops and fish waste. o Review the current Agriculture Incentives Programme. o Address land issues to ensure availability for both open field and protected farming by continued acceleration of land tenure issues and access to EMBD estates.  Strengthening the linkages along the food value and distribution chains to make locally produced food more attractive within the country o By training and technical support, strengthen the drive by producers to maintain international quality standards. o Emphasize the link between local agricultural production and the health of the population. o Guarantee state agricultural purchasing and distribution to supplement state-funded initiatives such as the school feeding programme, public hospitals and the protective services with increased local content. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 37 o Increase the use of digital technology to augment the agriculture marketing and distribution chains between producers and consumers (social media, mobile applications, websites). o Increase public education campaigns (Buy Local and Eat Local Campaign) and food nutritional content information on local meals and produce to address the high incidence of non-communicable diseases. o Influence the food service industry to provide meals that cater to local tastes (sweet potato fries, cassava fries).  Building a more technologically advanced agriculture system to increase the availability of domestic food supply o Educate and implement zonal commodity programmes/planting schedules. o Commence the foundation work to create a centre of excellence in agriculture and biotechnology to build the capacity in the sector to accelerate research-backed new agricultural initiatives and the development of climate and disease resistant plant and livestock species. o Accelerate education and training on sustainable agricultural practices given the issues of climate change. o Provide incentives and encourage the implementation and use of water-saving devices. o Innovate domestic food production systems and invest in more technologically advanced and climate-resilient agriculture systems (vertical farming, aquaculture, organic farming). o Provide support in brokering stronger buyer-supplier relationships. o Accelerate work on revising the legislative framework to comply with international agreements (Plant Quarantine). o Assess the stockpiling needs of essential commodities to address situations such as the pandemic and other natural disasters (Committee to identify these commodities). Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 38 The aim is to set the country on track to significantly increasing our food production and significantly reducing our net food import bill within the next two (2) years. The target is at least $2 billion import Food Substitution. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 39 AGRICULTURE PROPOSALS Specific Measures Target Group Financial Requirements Status Private Sector Activities  Launch an Agriculture  Small  Agriculture  Resources  Strategic farm and Stimulus Package Enterprises Stimulus Package allocated food sector geared towards the  Youth of $500 million innovation and rapid expansion in  Women technology, production and increased private marketing of selected sector high-demand commitment to agricultural local agriculture commodities with development, and short production efficient food cycles (3–12 months). marketing and distribution.  Secure adequate  Farmers  Currently being  Being actioned  quality seeds, planting Assessed. and animal breeding material and farm inputs and invest in the development of local alternatives  Address land issues to  Farmers and  TBD  Ongoing  ensure availability for other both open field and Agencies protected farming by continued acceleration of land tenure issues and access to EMBD estates.  Guarantee state  Farmers  TBD  To be  Farmers to agricultural purchasing implemented provide produce and distribution to supplement state- funded initiatives such Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago AGRICULTURE PROPOSALS Specific Measures Target Group Financial Requirements Status Private Sector Activities as the school feeding programme, public hospitals and the protective services with increased local content  Increase public  Local farmers  TBD  Ongoing to be  education campaigns  Population intensified (Buy Local and Eat Local Campaign) and food nutritional content information on local meals and produce to address the high incidence of non-communicable diseases  Commence the  Agriculture  TBD  Ongoing  Private Sector foundation work to Faculties investment in create a centre of  Farmers Research. excellence in agriculture and biotechnology to build the capacity in the sector to accelerate research-backed by new agricultural initiatives and the development of climate and disease resistant plant and livestock species. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago AGRICULTURE PROPOSALS Specific Measures Target Group Financial Requirements Status Private Sector Activities  Innovate domestic     food production systems and invest in more technologically advanced and climate- resilient agriculture systems (vertical farming, aquaculture, organic farming).  Assess the stockpiling  Farmers  TBD  Ongoing but  Private sector needs of essential  Distributors needs to be producers commodities to  Manufacturers expanded required address situations such as the pandemic and other natural disasters (committee to identify these commodities). Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 6 ROADMAP PART 2 SURVIVING THE CRISIS: SUSTAINING LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS: REIGNITING THE ECONOMY Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 43 Roadmap Objectives 2 to 4 – Retain and Create Jobs; Boost Aggregate Demand; Minimise and Remediate Supply Disruptions The pandemic has triggered billion- dollar losses in our local economy and altered life dramatically as we know it in Trinidad and Tobago. No sector has been spared, but for some, the force of disruption has been more distressing and acute. The Impact at a Glance on Key Sectors follows. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 44 ENERGY SECTOR Sector contributes Accounts for more than 80% over 35% of GDP of merchandise exports The start of 2020 has been very challenging for the Energy sector of Trinidad and Tobago. Globally energy prices have plummeted to unprecedented lows, and measures taken by countries to contain the spread of COVID-19 have resulted in a precipitous fall in global energy demand, which reinforces a low energy price cycle for the foreseeable future. Activity declined by 56% during the first quarter of 2020. A RECENT SURVEY BY THE ENERGY CHAMBER Service companies in particular, are estimated to lose OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO on average, 57% of their revenues. Many of the upstream international majors continue to commit to exploration and capital investment projects locally, COVID-19 restrictions have led to some delays. In the downstream sector, low commodity prices have already resulted in the closure of four plants (Yara, Titan, Nutrien and the MHTL M3 plant), which has resulted in the loss of exports to the value of US$25 million per month. Four (4) major maintenance projects on downstream plants (turnarounds or TARs), have been postponed for later in the year. This has directly impacted the energy service and contracting companies. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 45 MANUFACTURING SECTOR MICRO: SMALL: MEDIUM: LARGE: Sector contributes 497 317 76 124 Employs 19.4% of GDP or TT$30 EMPLOYS: EMPLOYS: EMPLOYS: EMPLOYS: 52,300 persons billion 1,243 3,963 1,900 45,194 The crisis has created an economic, labour market and export earnings shock, impacting the production of goods, consumption and investment. All businesses, regardless of size, are facing challenges, with a real threat of significant declines in revenue, job losses and loss of regional markets. Based on a survey of 392 Manufacturers Reduction in Exports 66% Decline March to April 2018 $729,887,785 March to April 2019 $838,972,335 March to April 2020 $283,125,946 60% experienced 85% decline a 50% reduction in Sales in sales Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 46 SERVICES SECTOR Sector contributes 42% of GDP Accounts for 69% of employment (excludes construction & wholesale, retail & distribution services) The termination, reduction in working hours or furlough of employees will have negative consequences on the national economy, poverty, quality of life and standard of living of citizens in Trinidad and Tobago. Airline and Tourism Sectors have been severely impacted. Survey undertaken by TTCSI and TTMA 36% of businesses have terminated full-time employees 55% of businesses have terminated part-time or contractual employees For companies who did not terminate staff, over 58% were furloughed employees 50% of employers who did not terminate staff, resorted to a reduction in wages Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 47 CONSTRUCTION SECTOR Leader in Caribbean construction. Sector value - $9.4 Sector contributes PSIP in roads, infrastructure and costal development is billion 5.8% of GDP the backbone of national construction activity 88,700 workers Marginally profitable, and now operating Significant accounts at break-even levels plagued receivables Plagued with antiquated by lowered margins, weak and certificates of payments legislation and bureaucratic working capital, more outstanding from the procedures competitive bidding and Government. higher operating costs. Ease of T&T Efficiency ranked Doing T&T Overall in issuing ranked construction 126TH Business 105TH ranking permits (of 190 Countries) Permits require 16 Compared to regional average in Latin procedures America 15.5 procedures and 191 days and 254 days Delay in implementation of construction projects in public and private sectors Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 48 WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND DISTRIBUTION SECTOR MICRO: SMALL: MEDIUM: LARGE: Sector contributes 20% of GDP 6,005 1,294 211 171 Employs (approx. $29 billion per annum) EMPLOYS: EMPLOYS: EMPLOYS: EMPLOYS: 110,300 persons 15,013 16,175 5,275 73,837 Apart from supermarkets, pharmacies, hardware stores and agricultural shops, economic activity in the rest of the Sector has essentially halted, dislocating a significant proportion of the private sector in terms of sales, cash flow and employment. • With lower disposable incomes by a significant percentage of the population, consumption patterns SALES will change as consumers defer their discretionary spending • Many businesses are unable to honour existing CASH FLOW commitments into the foreseeable future UNEMPLOYMENT • Significant temporary unemployment in the Sector. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 49 BANKING AND INSURANCE SECTOR Sector contributes approximately 7% of GDP The world of banking and insurance has experienced a level of disruption that is unprecedented and will change everything that has been the norm in the delivery of financial services. There has not only been a major change in the way financial institutions conduct business, but in the way consumers manage their finances with a greater role for digital banking and insurance services. The pandemic can have a negative impact on the insurance sector given that they provide coverage for claims for death, health and other adverse contingencies. Falling equity markets, interest rates and increased probability of defaults have put pressure on banks and insurance balance sheets, banking and life insurance profitability, and investment management fees related to savings products. The challenges include (i) a lag for insurance claims to be notified to insurers, assessed, and paid; (ii) delays or losses in customers’ ability to pay for credit, particularly mortgages; (iii) approval of business loans (especially to small and medium enterprises), which are at risk due to the shutdown; and (iv) pressure on Solvency Ratios and Margins. Local banking and insurance institutions are facing periods of high liquidity and constricted business. The social sphere, which is inextricably linked to banking and insurance, will be heavily impacted and this will be reflected in the loss of income, employment, and rising poverty levels. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 50 SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISES, CREDIT UNIONS AND CIVIL SOCIETY SMEs are at the centre of the economic crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The current crisis has affected SMEs and their families disproportionately and has revealed their vulnerability to the supply and demand disruptions, with a serious risk that over 50% of the SME’s will not survive the next few months. The impact of COVID-19 on SME’s are loss of customers arising from “stay-at-home” closures, inability to meet rental obligations, inability to meet salaries and wage obligations, and the potential for permanent business closures. • 130 Credit Unions • Approx. 600,000 • Members ability to repay registered with the members (45% of the financial obligations CREDIT Commissioner for adult population) constrained Cooperative • Members increased demand UNIONS Development (CCD) for ongoing liquidity will be • Total assets of TT$16.8 met by accessing savings billion and/or new loans Civil Society Organisations Many • Increase in demand from marginalised and vulnerable CSOs are individuals/communities. at risk of • Decline in the availability of resources. • Decline in contributions from public and private sources closure has hampered their ability to administer the required support. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 51 TOBAGO The tourism sector has suffered a severe shock on account of the closure of the borders to visitors, closure of restaurants and bars and even a sharp decline in inter-island traffic. Cash inflows, including foreign exchange, have dried up and employees have been laid off. The agriculture sector has been adversely affected. Areas such as livestock production, farm fresh produce and seafood products have been subjected to reduced access to inputs, increased levels of food spoilage and limited markets. Declining revenues and increasing unemployment have resulted in loan defaults and reduced lending across credit unions and other banking institutions. Many businesses face a cash flow crisis which has effectively shut down the economy and forced a growing number of workers to turn to the Government for social welfare. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 52 Safely Restarting the Economy: Reigniting Aggregate Demand, Employment and Aggregate Supply

6.1.1 Health First: Adopting Workplace Protocols for the Safe Return to Work Sustaining lives requires the adoption of safe ‘Return to Work and Workplace Protocols’. This is critical to ensure the continued safety of the citizens and residents and the avoidance of a 2nd and 3rd wave of COVID-19. The Committee recognises that many sectors and state agencies have proactively developed protocols and have submitted these to the Ministry of Health and other relevant state agencies for their input and to ensure they are aligned to the Ministry of Health’s published Guidelines for the operation of businesses, institutions and Government Ministries/Agencies. The Committee encourages and recommends that this practice be universally adopted given the fact that the current COVID-19 environment will characterise the ‘New Operating Normal’. Thereafter, the Guidelines and relevant Protocols must be implemented through appropriate training programmes to ensure continuous adherence and implementation for individual, institution and community protection to avoid resurgence and community spread. Sustaining lives also require that the Social Safety Net efficiently reach out to all who have been significantly distressed by the pandemic. This will require an increased outlay on social services, but more important, it will require an immediate upgrading of the service delivery system. In particular, the technological improvements discussed for many years now have to be implemented with urgency. We have to reach people faster and we have to respond to people in a timely manner. In these matters, verification is always very important, but needs to be carried out in an efficient manner.

6.1.2 Increasing Spending in the Construction Sector The Construction Sector is critical to jumpstarting and catalysing the economy once the COVID-19 public health restrictions are lifted. The immediate focus will be on boosting activity through an accelerated work programme that is driven by Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 53 increased but strategic construction investment on the part of both the Government and the private sector. The priority will be to:  Urgently restart Government projects that have already commenced. A total of 527 projects injecting approximately $3.2 billion into the sector has been identified for immediate restart.  Restart all manufacturing facilities on a phased basis using the Ministry of Health’s guidelines and sector protocols and private sector projects to support the construction value chain and to facilitate retention of regional and hemispheric markets.  Immediately restart the full raw material supply chain and regularise the quarrying and supply side architecture to ensure efficient, timely and cost effective project execution, reduced fraud and corruption and enhanced local content.  Facilitate acceleration of new private sector ‘shovel-ready’ projects which conservatively exceed $600 million, by reducing the time frame for regulatory approvals and facilitating their early execution.  Advance other shovel-ready and near-term projects across the country, including the urban revitalisation of main city centres such as Port of Spain, San Fernando and Scarborough to reverse economic, physical and psychological degradation and reignite urban and economic life.  Identify near-term projects to be tendered in Fiscal 2021 and beyond and create a ‘One-year firm look ahead construction ahead pipeline’ to support planning and execution processes and ensure supply chain alignment. Potentially 72 State projects with an estimated total capital expenditure of $1.8 billion can commence in Fiscal 2021. These are being reviewed and reprioritised.  Immediately settle the significant tranche of debts owed to contractors and represented by outstanding certificates, using appropriate financing and funding mechanisms, to replenish liquidity and cash flow and improve confidence and private sector support. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 54 Importantly, the Committee recommends that a high-level team reporting to the Prime Minister be appointed to develop a detailed plan to (i) de-bottleneck and eliminate sector bureaucracy; (ii) create an enabling framework; (iii) enact enabling construction-related legislation and regulations to support a smart, energy efficient, green, progressive built environment; (iv) improve the ease of doing business; and (v) digitise procedures and capture data to create an e-Construction Sector to catalyse private and public capital.

6.1.3 Providing Appropriate Relief to Business Enterprises particularly MSMEs  Accelerate VAT payment refunds and other outstanding payments to the business community, in instances where VAT payments are long outstanding and allow for the netting off of VAT on equipment and raw material purchases with an appropriate sunset clause. This must allow a revisiting of potential tax liabilities for 2020 given the likelihood of potential losses in 2020.  Further reduce the Reserve Requirement and the Repo Rate in order to lower commercial lending rates, inclusive of the Merchant Bank licences. This measure must be monitored to ensure financial institutions pass on the reduced rates to businesses and do not take this opportunity to increase their interest rate spreads.  Urgently prioritize the additional availability of US dollars (Recommended minimum amount is US$75 million) for all local non- energy manufacturers, inclusive of the insurance sector as it pertains to their payments of reinsurance premiums.  Introduce a Liquidity Support Government Guarantee Programme of $350 million at preferential rates through Commercial Banks (primarily for wages, rent and working capital) to ensure business continuity and employment sustainability for: o Firms with an annual turnover of less than $30 million (to consider 75% Government guarantee). Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 55  Provide a moratorium on principal payments on liquidity support Government loans for at least twelve (12) months. This will provide further working capital support to SMEs without significantly incurring further debt commitments, allowing time for businesses to recover from lost revenues and customers.  Increase the facility for the Credit Union Sector through NEDCO and other approved non-governmental institutions to enhance execution capabilities in providing immediate financial assistance to under-banked stakeholders from $100 million to $200 million. (This sum can be reviewed in Fiscal 2020.)  Eliminate VAT on technology products until 31st December 2021 for the promotion of innovation and enhancement in business enterprises.  Extend the Construction Sector Fiscal incentives to the Tourism Sector for construction projects in the Sector commencing on or before 31st December 2020 to mitigate the uncertainty in the prevailing environment and start projects which might hitherto be postponed or delayed.  Facilitate tapping into cheaper alternative food supply chains within the region and stimulate intra-CARICOM trade, through collaborative arrangement with the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.  Provide $35 million in funding to NEDCO for the provision of grant support, not exceeding $20,000, to MSEs including the un-banked. (1,250 MSEs targeted)  Re-advertise Grant Fund Facility available for small manufacturers, agro- processors and steel pan manufacturers  Increase the availability of business incubator/accelerator hubs through NEDCO, CARIRI, YBTT and IBIS to assist in spawning new and viable SMEs. The focus should be on preferential loans, training and development, seed capital and investor network support, industry certification for better quality assurance, research and development support, innovation Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 56 support and mentorship for emerging and existing entrepreneurs, particularly targeting the recently unemployed.  Partner with the UWI Ventures Limited to accelerate Innovation and Entrepreneurship with seed funding of twenty million dollars.  Reenergise and refocus the Fair Share Programme to encourage entrepreneurship, promote training, development and certification, and provide opportunities for MSEs to grow into successful medium and large businesses. By redirecting procurement to MSEs, the Programme can stimulate demand and positively impact MSEs (registered with the procurement system) that are experiencing difficulties.  Complete and implement the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Regime.  Introduce utility payment plans for SMEs, where necessary.  Provide incentives for new business ideas and innovation targeting the non-energy sector but with priority given to technology, health, food security and education.

6.1.4 Sustaining Economic Activity in Energy and Energy Related Industries  Maintain schedule on upstream major projects and implement selected downstream maintenance activity. Some of the projects that will generate multibillion-dollar activity in the sector include: o Offshore  Compression (bpTT)  Matapal a (bpTT)  Colibri (Shell)  Barracuda (Shell)  Ruby (BHP) o Onshore  Chinook and two additional wells (Touchstone)  Innnis – Trinity CO2 EOR Project (Columbus Energy) Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 57  Accelerate the Gas Value Chain discussions among all parties, augmented with the necessary technical analyses and support with a view to providing clarity and certainty of the Value Chain Structure in a volatile and sensitive environment so that all companies are able to invest and remain in operation.  Provide liquidity support for the Energy Services Sector – Apart from support for the restructuring of debt among energy service companies, it is important to ensure payment of long outstanding Petrotrin debt to energy service providers which currently stands at $100 million.  Identify short-term business opportunities locally and regionally – Focus on facilitating business diversification among certified energy-based service providers by providing support for new opportunities in the local supply chain. Additionally, efforts should be made to explore the possibility of providing additional services directly to upstream operators in Suriname and Guyana, in light of the border restrictions in both countries.  Work with the preferred bidder to facilitate the opening of the Guaracara Refinery in the shortest possible time.  Create business opportunities and employment opportunities through well abandonment and environmental clean-up activities.  Stimulate activity in the area of Energy Efficiency by immediately certifying accredited Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) to start the work of energy audits in the industry.  Actively pursue the development of the hydrogen economy and green petrochemicals. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 58

6.1.5 Providing Appropriate Financial Relief through Banking and Insurance Institutions and Credit Unions Banking and Insurance Banking and insurance institutions have a major role to play during this period, acting as supporting institutions to many individuals and businesses in society. The banking industry, in particular, is uniquely placed at the centre of providing liquidity support to individuals and businesses, in the immediate environment, in a quick and efficient manner. Simultaneously, however, the industry is vulnerable to portfolio delinquency and other shocks and may be adversely affected by the fall- out in provisioning, profitability, institutional and sector ratings and sustainability in light of International Financial Reporting Standards including (IFRS 9). Care must and will be taken to avoid systemic risks. The recommended actions include:  Protect customers from loss of their homes through residential mortgage rate reduction and/or restructuring as required, working in collaboration with the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago.  Provide cash flow relief for businesses and households o Deferral on payment obligations on loans payments (retail, mortgages/car loans/credit cards, business loans), and insurance payments such as life/general/motor vehicle and health) and Waiver of Penalty Fees. o Interest Rate reductions for retail, commercial and credit cards. o Reduction of the Reserve Requirement for Merchant Banks to facilitate interest rate reductions for their customers. o Redesign of insurance products to give customers greater flexibility in payments and benefits, and increase grace period for lapse of insurance policies o Deferral and amortization of health premiums on occupational plans on a case by case basis to prevent loss of health cover for employees of companies heavily affected by the economic downturn. o For a limited period, allow motor and property insurers to offer structured payments on motor and property premiums of SMEs. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 59 o Provision of short/medium term loans by insurance companies to clients, subject to the value of their insurance coverage and temporarily allow clients to access amount accumulated in their personal registered deferred annuity contracts up to 25% of the Fund up to a maximum of $25,000, on a tax free basis.  Provide Government Guaranteed Loans at subsidized rate for MSMEs to restart business  Facilitate an environment of risk-taking through collaboration with the Central Bank on measures to provide confidence and stability to market participants. CBTT to provide liquidity support to commercial banks by providing quotes to purchase both short and long term Government paper on an ongoing basis. An appropriate market for this Paper could be created by the CBTT with the publication of buying and selling rates for long term and short terms bonds. This action will provide stability to the local financial market and: - maintain a stable low interest rate environment - provide banks and investor certainty on liquidity if required. - reduce volatility in the market  Restructure existing business and consumer loans by need.  Reduce interest rates for new non-government guaranteed loans for businesses by providing interest tax exemption.  Develop a junior commercial paper market (akin to Junior Stock Exchange) which will allow the business sector to access the capital market for short term funds.  Increase use of digital channels for Banking and Insurance via enabling legislation to widen access to existing products and expand availability of new products. Credit Unions  Maximise the breadth and reach of the Sector in dealing with small businesses and working-class individuals to reduce the impact on these groups as a result of COVID-19 related issues. This could be done by Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 60 expanding the size and scope of the $100 million to Credit Unions for the Liquidity Support Programme targeting displaced workers, small businesses and sole traders.  Initiate a working relationship between the Credit Union Sector and NEDCO via the Central Financing Facility to facilitate the development of the micro business sector by increasing the value chain activities, to enable growth- oriented enterprises to maximise their potential.  Use the Credit Union Movement to develop financially feasible co-operative enterprises.  Implement the Enterprises to Excellence (E2E) Programme to accelerate the establishment and growth of (a) cooperative enterprises and (b) innovative and growth-oriented entrepreneurs. The E2E Programme will target businesses that are: growth oriented with a goal of utilizing local inputs from the agricultural sector to achieve an upsurge in exports or import substitution; start-ups and/or upscaling cooperative enterprises that target agriculture and information technology; as well as other sectors.

6.1.6 Stimulating Economic Activity in Tobago  Boosting Construction and Infrastructural Development  Accelerate the implementation of key construction projects. The new Crown Point Terminal Complex will be a stimulus to the accommodation and vehicle rental operations on the island. The Marina Construction at Cove will accelerate tourist type activities similar to those found at other Caribbean destinations.  Provide funding support to Hoteliers to engage in construction projects to conduct repairs and upgrades including energy efficiency upgrade to properties during the period of low visits.  Explore channels to supply sand and aggregate from Hardrock and Studley Park quarries to Trinidad and other Caribbean locations such as Guyana. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 61  Supporting the Resurgence of Tobago Businesses - Extend an operating grant from the THA $50 million allocation to facilitate a skeleton staff to maintain and secure hotels and guest houses during the lockdown. Allocate post-lock down funding to support employee retention and training and to operationalize the businesses and prevent the collapse of the tourism industry. To be supported by government policy on employee retention, furlough, and retrenchment. - Facilitate Room Upgrade Plans through reducing bureaucratic restrictions to accessing government grants. - Reduce Stamp Duties to promote ownership of villas and condominiums and remove import duties on tourism-based products for two years. - Implement virtual training with the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association in compliance with the Green Key initiative and enhanced health and safety requirements such as Stay Safe certification. - Decentralize regulatory approval processes for administrative procedures that can be conducted in Tobago.  Expanding Agricultural Activity - Explore new and innovative farming techniques such as aquaculture, to achieve increased food production. - Increase and improve agro-processing facilities to add value to primary agricultural products. - Develop a labour swaps and skills alignment programme in the THA aimed directly at the CEPEP and graduates from the relative tertiary institutions to move to the agricultural and agro-processing sectors. - Encourage PPPs in the development of the agriculture sector utilising state assets such as Hope Farm. - Reduce the minimum acreage to qualify for the recent incentives by the Department of Food Production. - Allow farmers with land title issues to utilize affidavits and Certificates of Comfort to access services and support. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 62 - Intensify the “Eat Local Campaign” and review the Tobago’s School Feeding Programme towards incorporating more locally produced products in its meal plans.  Boosting Local Tourism - Promote a Local Tourism Campaign aimed at stimulating economic activity and promoting local expenditure through firstly a “Staycation Campaign” focused on package deals for Trinidad residents and secondly, a “Tobago Homecoming Campaign” focused on the T&T diaspora. - Provide free sea bridge transportation for three (3) months to persons travelling without vehicles. Enabling Environment COVID-19 has gifted T&T with an incredible window of opportunity to reinvent itself and trigger transformative change at a deep and broad societal level. The Committee is advocating for a series of cogent, practical and compelling actions in the areas of Ease of Doing Business, Building Institutional Capacity, Critical Supporting Infrastructure and National Value System. These actions will support and even guarantee the success of this Roadmap as they cut across all sectors and will enhance the adaptability of the society to the dynamic force of COVID-19 and globalisation.

6.2.1 Building a Digital Nation: Making it Easy to Do Business T&T ranks 105 out of 190 countries in the World Bank’s Doing Business 2020, the detailed ranking for each criteria is depicted in Figure 6. Compared to Jamaica (71) and St. Lucia (93), T&T has considerable improvements to make in business regulation to promote efficiency and ease of doing business nationally. Conversely, even with T&T’s bureaucratic process of obtaining regulatory approvals, the regulatory institutions continue to struggle with their responsibility to protect Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 63 natural resources and provide overall transparency. The environmental approval process is one such example where an Environmental Assessment Report in T&T requires 10 months to prepare and averages 1,000 pages while in the United Kingdom the report completion time averages 16 weeks and 300 pages. Figure 6: T&T Rankings on World Bank’s Doing Business Topics2 All the sub-committees, particularly the sectoral groups that drive the economy (construction, manufacturing, energy, etc.) have advocated for immediate reform in the ease of doing business in T&T. Based on the World Bank’s analysis (Figure 6), T&T’s worst performing categories were in: Dealing with Construction Permits, Registering Property, Paying Taxes, Trading Across Borders and Enforcing Contracts. Effectively, the concepts of digital transformation, launching of electronic services and processing, and financial technology are critical pillars to improve the ease of doing business. The Committee recommends the following measures:  Accelerate the process of building a Digital Government - Establish digitisation procedures and initiate the digitisation process that adopts a centrally-led and collaboratively-delivered model to enhance the delivery of 2 T&T Profile on Doing Business 2020. World Bank Group Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 64 e-services including social support and most importantly to develop a data- driven, decision-making environment.  Create an e-identity for each citizen and permanent resident that: o is mandatory to access Government services and is managed by the Government in a government-controlled private data centre. o Integrates all existing identifiers. This will require a robust-re- registration process and effective personal data protection. o supports the electronic processing of all Government services and digital commerce activities. o addresses the digital divide between old and young, urban and rural user, and the rich and poor.  Develop an open-source data platform to support economically stimulating activities and builds transparency in accounting for Government expenditure.  Implement e-payments for Government services.  Implement electronic systems for processing Customs declarations and orders.  Incentivise new business ideas and research and development that gives priority to innovation-oriented and entrepreneurial culture in technology.  Develop a successful FinTech ecosystem (cashless society) that encompasses: o Adoption of the eMoney policy and Regulatory Sandbox o Creation of a FinTech innovation hub o Execution of a strategic public education campaign.  Legislative reform and updates - including the Cyber Crime Bill, Data Protection and Electronic Transaction Acts - that will enable the digital Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 65 transformation and safeguard cybersecurity, particularly among financial institutions.

6.2.2 Building Institutional Capacity The deficiencies in the institutional capacity of the public sector impose a high transaction cost and great inefficiency for citizens and other users of Government services. The challenge lies both in the antiquated systems and workforce which require substantial reengineering. Targeted intervention in this area will create an enabling framework to improve the probability of success of the Roadmap and all future development initiatives. The Committee recommends the following:  Execute a Government-wide data analytics intervention to identify and prioritise high-value projects that will increase operational efficiency, revenues and maximise development impact.  Amend the legislation to allow for the roll-out of new fiscal measures that will complement the strategies proposed in the Roadmap.  Process reengineering of the approval and permitting processes for business activity.  Develop a 10-year Workforce Development Plan based on a needs analysis and the objectives of: o recruiting, training, compensating and retaining institutional knowledge; and o cultivating performance-driven governmental institutions.  Accelerate the build-out of a digital nation by securing the right talent with the core technical skills that support digital transformation and capabilities to manage disruptive technologies (robotics, AI and block chain).  Review and revise the labour environment to promote industrial relations peace. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 66  Institutionalise and legislate Accords/Concordats/Agreements between Government, Labour, Private Sector and Civil Society that will create a space for respectful dialogue in addressing the transformation guide and facilitate the environment of harmony needed over the next 12 months.

6.2.3 Critical Supporting Infrastructure The bedrock of socio-economic stabilisation and growth is the delivery of efficient and high-quality public utilities. Fundamentally, the execution of the Roadmap’s strategies relies heavily on the provision of a reliable telecommunication platform, consistent electricity supply, reliable waste management services and a dependable supply of water. The Committee recommends the following measures to advance the sectoral, social and enabling initiatives:  Engage and incentivise service providers to expand advanced telecommunication networks and ICT infrastructures including 5G networks, secure data centres and cloud-based platforms.  Release additional spectrum to service providers to expand the national broadband connectivity to 100% and improve access speeds within the next six (6) months using the resources of the Universal Service Fund.  Expand TT WIFI access in public spaces free of charge using the resources of the Universal Service Fund.  Set an ambitious target for increased electricity generation from renewable sources and in so doing maximise the monetary value of natural gas resources.  Immediately improve energy efficiency among the national population. In terms of the water supply, the pandemic has shown us quite clearly that we need to move quickly and holistically to fix the water system in the country and to get the appropriate funding to make that happen. We cannot continue with a water environment that is not optimal and poses health and safety risks. Therefore, Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 67 achieving and sustaining high-quality, continuous (24/7) potable water as well as meeting the expanding needs of the agriculture sector and industry are pressing national priorities requiring urgent solutions. The water sector goal is to achieve water security under any conditions, through the sustainable preservation and use of freshwater resources. The Committee recommends the following urgent plans to boost water supply needs of the country:  Secure appropriate long-term funding to facilitate a holistic approach to addressing the issues of the sector.  Install community rainwater harvesting systems to supply unserved and under-served communities and provide a standby supply of non-potable water with the added benefit of flood mitigation.  Execute a national groundwater development programme that includes rehabilitating existing groundwater assets that are un/under producing.  Utilise unused water assets handed over from Petrotrin/Heritage to supply water to nearby communities.  Launch a non-revenue water reduction programme to plug the financial and physical losses by full metering of industrial customers in the first instance, managing network pressures and replacing dilapidated assets.

6.2.4 Reigniting our National Value System: Creating an Environment of Harmony and Inclusiveness The shift away from the poor work ethic, apathy and inaction that have become characteristic of the T&T society requires the adoption by all citizens, championed and exampled by the leaders (including politicians) of the country, of a new way of thinking, creating and living. This starts with a vision that is relatable, relevant, and engaging in possibility and positivity. The framework for reigniting the national value system is encapsulated within the national watchwords - Discipline, Production and Tolerance and universally embraces the principles of Safety, Harmony, Inclusiveness and Productivity. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 68 The overarching strategy of the Committee is to create a platform for national dialogue to engender change in the national identity of the Trinbagonian toward one of i) physical, psychological and emotional safety, ii) collaboration in nation building, iii) delivery of fairness and equity, iv) generosity to be our sister’s/brother’s keeper, and v) productivity to achieve in all spheres of the society. In furtherance of this strategy, the Committee recommends: 1. Revival of key institutions to drive change in our national identity including the Productivity Council and NTAC; 2. Building an open and transparent Accord among the social partners - Government, the trade union movement and the private sector for productive engagement in an environment of peace and harmony. An environment of discord and acrimony will be unproductive and exact a heavy price on the development of our country; 3. Media messaging around the Roadmap and transformation initiatives; 4. Implementation of a two-way channel of C2G (Citizen to Government) and B2G (Business to Government) for dialogue and participation using eParticipant and eConsultation technology; 5. Implementation of a mechanism to solicit and incorporate the views of the public; 6. Mobilisation of civil society and alliance partners to listen from the ground and respond through partnerships; 7. Rebirth of T&T’s Art and Culture using online artistry and technology; and 8. Building of youth-SHIPS - mentorship, internship, leadership, and entrepreneurship. These actions will set the tone for the future and will ultimately be the bedrock on which the new society that we aspire to is built. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 69 CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME SUMMARY Specific Programmes Target Group Financial Requirements Status Private Sector Activities  Urgently restart  Private Sector  This will inject  Construction  527 Projects Government projects contractors approximately $3.2 sector Restarted identified that have already billion into the sector commenced. A total of 527 projects, has been identified for immediate restart.  Identify near-term  Private Sector  An estimated total  To be  72 State projects projects to be tendered contractors capital expenditure Implemented in identified in Fiscal 2021 and of $1.8 billion Fiscal 2021. beyond and create a These are being ‘One-year firm look reviewed and ahead construction reprioritised. ahead pipeline’ to support planning and execution processes and ensure supply chain alignment.  Immediately settle the  Private Sector  Being Quantified and  To be liquidated  significant tranche of Contractors Validated at earliest debts owed to juncture contractors and represented by outstanding certificates, using appropriate financing and funding mechanisms. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME SUMMARY Specific Programmes Target Group Financial Requirements Status Private Sector Activities  Facilitate acceleration of  Private sector  Plus TT$600 million  Being  Private sector new private sector contractors Implemented firms targeted ‘shovel-ready’ projects which conservatively exceed $600 million, by reducing the time frame for regulatory approvals and facilitating their early execution.  Advance other shovel-  Private sector  To be determined  Being reviewed  ready and near-term Contractors with appropriate in context of projects across the Funding/Financing COVID-19 and country, including the Support GORTT priorities urban revitalisation of main city centres.  Restart all  Private Sector  Can access Liquidity  Implemented  Private Sector to manufacturing facilities Contractors Support Programme comply on a phased basis using the Ministry of Health’s guidelines and sector protocols and private sector projects to support the construction value chain and to facilitate retention of regional and hemispheric markets. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME SUMMARY Specific Programmes Target Group Financial Requirements Status Private Sector Activities  Immediately restart the  Private Sector  Nil  Implemented  Private Sector to full raw material supply Contractors comply chain and regularise the quarrying and supply side architecture to ensure efficient, timely and cost effective project execution, reduced fraud and corruption and enhanced local content Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago ENERGY SECTOR PROGRAMME SUMMARY Specific Measures Target Group Financial Requirements Status Private Sector Activities  Provide liquidity  Energy  Debt currently  To be  support for the Energy Service stands at $100 Implemented Services Sector – Apart Providers million and from support for the Petrotrin restructuring of debt Service among energy service Providers companies it is important to ensure payment of long outstanding Petrotrin debt to energy service providers.  Maintain schedule on  Onshore  TBD  Ongoing  upstream major and projects and implement Offshore selected downstream energy maintenance activity. companies Some of the projects which will generate multibillion-dollar activity in the sector include: Five Offshore Projects and two Onshore projects  Accelerate the Gas  Energy  NA  Ongoing  Value Chain discussions Companies among all parties, Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago ENERGY SECTOR PROGRAMME SUMMARY Specific Measures Target Group Financial Requirements Status Private Sector Activities augmented with the necessary technical analyses and support with a view to providing clarity and certainty of the Value Chain Structure in a volatile and sensitive environment so that all companies are able to invest and remain in operation.  Work with the preferred  National  N/A  Ongoing  bidder to facilitate the Labour opening of the Force Guaracara Refinery in  Energy the shortest possible Sector time. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago BUSINESS SECTOR PROGRAMME SUMMARY Specific Programme Target Groups Financial Requirements Status Private Sector Activities  Accelerate VAT  Private Sector  3.46 Billion  Ongoing with  payment refunds and Companies a total of other outstanding $1.1B already payments to the settled in business community, cash in instances where ($400M) and VAT payments are bonds long outstanding and ($700M) allow for the netting- off of VAT on equipment and raw material purchases with an appropriate sunset clause.  Urgently prioritize the  Non-energy  Recommended  Ongoing  availability of manufacturers, minimum additional US dollars  Insurance sector amount is for all local non- 75Million USD energy manufacturers, inclusive of the insurance sector as it pertains to their payments of reinsurance premiums  Introduce a Liquidity  Private sector firms,  Liquidity support  Ongoing  Support Government  Employees of $350 million Guarantee Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago BUSINESS SECTOR PROGRAMME SUMMARY Specific Programme Target Groups Financial Requirements Status Private Sector Activities Programme at preferential rates through Commercial Banks (primarily for wages, rent and working capital) to ensure business continuity and employment sustainability for firms with an annual turnover of less than $30 million (to consider 75% Government guarantee).  Increase the facility  Small  Increase the  Ongoing  Credit Union for the Credit Union Business/Entrepreneurs facility from $100 involvement Sector through million to $200 NEDCO and other million. approved non- governmental institutions.  Provide funding to  MSEs  Funding of $35  To be  NEDCO for the million and 1250 Implemented provision of grant MSEs targeted support, not exceeding $20,000, to MSEs including the un-banked. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago BUSINESS SECTOR PROGRAMME SUMMARY Specific Programme Target Groups Financial Requirements Status Private Sector Activities  Partner with the UWI  Business Community  Seed funding of  Ongoing  Ventures Limited to  UWI $20 million accelerate Innovation dollars and Entrepreneurship. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago TOBAGO PROPOSALS Specific Measures Target Groups Financial Requirements Status Private Sector Activities  Extend an operating  Hotels and staff in  $50 million  To be implemented  grant to facilitate the hospitality skeleton staff to sector of Tobago maintain, repurpose and secure hotels and guest houses during the lockdown. Should be supported by government policy on employee retention, furlough, and retrenchment.  Implement virtual  Tobago Hotels  To be determined  To be determined  training with the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association in compliance with the Green Key initiative and enhanced health and safety requirements such as Stay Safe certification. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago BANKING AND INSURANCE PROGRAMME SUMMARY Specific Measures Target Group Financial Requirements Status Private Sector Activities  Provision of  SMEs in private  Temporarily allow  To be  short/medium term sector clients to access implemented loans by insurance amount accumulated companies to clients, in their personal subject to the value of registered deferred their insurance coverage. annuity contracts up to a 25% of the Fund up to a maximum of $25,000, on a tax-free basis.  Expand the size and  Displaced  Expand beyond $100  Smaller scale  Credit Unions to scope of the $100M to workers, small million. currently implement Liquidity Credit Unions for the businesses and implemented Support Programme Liquidity Support sole traders. Programme.  Initiate a working  Micro businesses  To be determined  To be  relationship between the in private sector. implemented Credit Union Sector and NEDCO via the Central Financing Facility to develop the micro business sector.  Implement the  Start-ups and/or  To be determined  To be determined  Enterprises to Excellence upscaling (E2E) Programme to cooperative accelerate the enterprises that establishment and target agriculture growth of (a) and information cooperative enterprises technology; as Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago BANKING AND INSURANCE PROGRAMME SUMMARY Specific Measures Target Group Financial Requirements Status Private Sector Activities and (b) innovative and well as other growth oriented. sectors. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 7 MANAGING THE FISCAL CRISIS Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 81 Managing the Fiscal Crisis The Minister of Finance has estimated that the impact of revenue and expenditure, due to the impending double storm i.e. COVID-19 and reduced energy prices, the country’s deficit for this financial year ending September 2020 will move from $5 billion to $15 billion. Furthermore, it is expected that expenditure levels at the end of the calendar year will continue to be high, on account of COVID-19 social services support, as we attempt to leave no one behind. The future environment for oil prices beyond US$25 per barrel will continue to challenge the country’s revenue. In addition, the expected sluggish recovery of our Caribbean neighbours’ tourism-related economies will have a major impact on our manufacturers’ export earnings and by, extension, their profitability. Finally, taxation from the financial services sector will also be under some pressure as these institutions grapple with increased levels of provisioning for losses. In anticipation of this environment, cash flow management by the Government will be critical in the wake of rising expenditure and reduced revenue. In times of crisis, the demand for funding, especially risk capital far exceeds the Government’s ability to supply. It is envisaged that based on the options available, new forms of financing will be needed to facilitate the execution of much needed capital projects. A detailed analysis of the funding requirements for the implementation of this Roadmap along with the recommended menu of financing and revenue raising measures will be provided as part of the Final Report of the Committee. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 82 8 EXECUTING THE ROADMAP Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 83 Executing the Roadmap Executing this Roadmap in these unprecedented times requires a more calculated and accelerated approach to generate the expected results. The drastic shift in our lifestyles and its associated consequences require a joint accord and call to action from all stakeholders to readjust to a new normal. The new normal demands that we reflect on and disruptively change the way we learn, work and develop our economy. In an environment in which fiscal resources must be judiciously managed, a joint commitment among the public and private sectors, academia, civil society, trade unions, the diaspora and multi-lateral development partners is a prerequisite for our survival. Central to this partnership is the understanding that each stakeholder plays a key role and we must leverage our comparative strengths at the table. Accountability and transparency must also be core in this process. Therefore, it is critical to create the right governance mechanism through the establishment of an Execution Task Force to ensure that this Roadmap to Recovery becomes a tangible reality to our citizens and residents. This mechanism must report at the highest level, matching objectives with key performance indicators to meet the desired outcomes. In operationalizing this Roadmap, a central role in creating the enabling environment that facilitates development lies with the public sector. Translating these recommendations into policies, programmes and projects will reignite economic activity, reshape our short-term, and serve as a platform for a new growth trajectory. The private sector, in continuous dialogue with the Government, is expected to drive economic growth in the medium to long-term. In this regard, the creation of this Execution Task Force will draw from these resources and will remain operational throughout the life of this Roadmap. This Task force will be responsible for the following: 1. Developing a detailed Implementation Plan with clearly defined targets, key activities and expected outputs. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 84 2. Implementing a robust Monitoring and Evaluation framework aimed at ensuring the key performance indicators (KPIs) are identified for monitoring and tracking the progress of deliverables. 3. Providing oversight and accounting for delivery of the various priority projects and initiatives. 4. Coordinating outputs from the Sectoral Delivery Teams and partner with representatives from public and private sectors and civil society on fast- tracking outcomes in key result areas. 5. Identifying implementation challenges including shifts in global trends and apply effective problem-solving measures. 6. Providing comprehensive reports to the Prime Minister which assess performance and progress against the agreed objectives. The analysis undertaken by Professor Theodore and the HEU demonstrated the potential impact on the economy with or without an appropriate stimulus package (Figure 7). Figure 7: Economic Impact of COVID-19 with and without Fiscal Stimulus Source: HEU, Centre for Health Economics, UWI Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 85 The series of initiatives advanced in this Report, especially those in the Construction, Energy and Manufacturing sectors are all geared towards reducing the steepness of the curve and its consequential impact. This would be achieved by stimulating the different sectors through facilitation of the private sector shovel- ready projects while allowing the Sectors to stay alive in anticipation of better times ahead. It is the Committee’s expectation that these initiatives, if adopted in a timely manner, would result in a further flattening of the downward decline curve and allow the country to emerge even faster to positive growth by the 2nd quarter of 2021. Execution will be key together with timely distribution of funds to ensure that confidence is restored within the shortest possible time. The goodwill created with the settlement of long outstanding government debt should be harnessed and not shuttered via a quick reversal to past activities. The experience of COVID-19 has clearly revealed many of the inefficiencies and poor execution capabilities of our social services and, by extension, the public service. It has also shown the high reliance on Government in keeping the economy afloat even with these inefficiencies. The modernisation of the public service around an architecture supported by digital technology and e-identity is inescapable and must be addressed. Appropriate financial resources and structures need to be put in place immediately to facilitate the timely execution of this objective. The implementation matrix for all the initiatives advanced in this Report for the various sectors/areas is provided in Appendix 2. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 86 APPENDICES Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 87

APPENDIX 1 Government’s Stimulus Package INITIATIVE APPLICANTS/RECIPIENTS & PROPOSED NUMBER PROJECTED COST LEVEL OF SUPPORT OF BENEFICIARIES Social Protection Programmes 1. Phase 1 SALARY RELIEF GRANT  Persons registered with NIBTT who were Up to 100,000. terminated, suspended without pay or had TT$400-Mn. their incomes reduced. Over 38,000  Applicants entitled to up to $1,500/month applicants to date. for 3 months.  Must have no other source of income. Phase 2  Persons outside the NIS and BIR systems e.g. Together costing self-employed persons. Up to $200-Mn.  Applicants entitled to up to $1,500/month TBD for 3 months. 2. RENT RELIEF  Persons who have lost their jobs or incomes GRANT as a result of COVID-19 measures  Entitled to $2,500/month for 3 months 3. FOOD SUPPORT  Current recipients of food cards. 25,101 Over TT$17-Mn. GRANT  Cards to be topped up over 3 months 4. TEMPORARY  Families with children registered under the FOOD SUPPORT School Feeding Programme. Estimated at 20,500 Over TT$25-Mn. CARDS  Not current recipients of food cards  Entitled to $510/month for 3 months. 5. PUBLIC  Current recipients to receive additional ASSISTANCE support over 3-month period. 17,824 GRANT  Increase of $150, $300, $450 or $500 depending on size of the family. Over 6. DISABILITY GRANT  Current recipients to receive additional TT$22-Mn. (Adults & support over 3-month period. 23,092 Children)  Increase of $150/month 7. INCOME TAX  Persons entitled to refunds not exceeding REFUNDS $20,000. 25,095 TT$240-Mn. 8. CHURCH GRANT  Food supplies to be distributed to persons in their community. TBD TT$30-Mn.  Churches will receive grants totalling $10- Mn. /month for 3 months.  Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 88 INITIATIVE APPLICANTS/RECIPIENTS & PROPOSED NUMBER PROJECTED COST LEVEL OF SUPPORT OF BENEFICIARIES Wholesale, Retail and Distribution; Manufacturing; Small Business Enterprises, Credit Unions and Civil Society 9. CREDIT UNION  Members provided with loans at interest Available to all SUPPORT GRANT rate of up to 50% of existing rate (e.g. members TT$100-Mn. decrease from 12% to 6%).  Entitled to $5,000/month for 3 months.  Businesses entitled to refunds not exceeding Over 3,800 10. VAT REFUNDS $250,000 recipients TT$260-Mn.  Businesses entitled to refunds greater than $250,000 but not exceeding $500,000. TBD TT$200-Mn.  Businesses entitled to refunds exceeding TT$3-Bn. in interest- $500,000 TBD bearing bonds 11. SPECIAL FOREX  Established importers of food, sanitary TBD WINDOW products, pharmaceuticals, PPE, etc. Qualification criteria THROUGH EXIM  Allocation of US$25Mn./month for 3 months to be revised to US$75-Mn. BANK facilitate medium- sized manufacturers Tobago 12. GRANTS TO  Tobago Regional Health Authority: to cater NA TOBAGO for COVID-19 related expenses. TT$50-Mn.  THA: to help small businesses registered under the Enterprise Development Available to all small TT$5-Mn. Programme businesses  Tobago hoteliers: to upgrade their premises in preparation for post-COVID-19 activities. Available to all TT$50-Mn. Hoteliers Banking and Insurance Sector 13. DEFERRALS ON  Tenants with the Home Mortgage Bank and MORTGAGES Trinidad and Tobago Mortgage Finance Available to all Company Limited tenants NA  Deferrals for a period of 3 months initially. Could extend up to 6 months 14. DEFERRALS ON  Tenants with the Housing Development MORTGAGES AND Corporation Available to all NA RENTALS  Deferrals for 2 months initially but with tenants possible extension 15. INITIATIVES OF  Customers of commercial banks entitled to: COMMERCIAL  Moratoria on loan and mortgage Available to all NA BANKS instalment for 3 months customers  Waiver of penalty interest on overdrafts  Reduced interest rates on credit cards. 16. INITIATIVES OF  Reduction of the reserve requirement for Customers to benefit Injection of over TT$2.6- CENTRAL BANK commercial banks from 17% to 14% from a 1.5% fall in Bn. of liquidity in the  Reduction of Repo Rate from 5.0% to 3.5% the prime interest banking system rate. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago 89

APPENDIX 2 Implementation Matrices Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX – SOCIAL SECTOR, WOMEN AND CHILDREN, CIVIL SOCIETY MEASURE TARGET GROUP AMOUNT $TT STATUS (Financial Requirement) Expanding the Scope and Focus of Social Protection Programmes  Provide temporary funding to women and other  Unemployed persons  Starting with 6%  In progress vulnerable persons who have become unemployed or lost unemployment their livelihood as a result of COVID-19 mitigation estimate, target 36,000 measures. persons or $54 million per month for 6  Together with the Ministry of Labour and Small months Enterprise Development, this will allow for the development of a register of unemployed women and other vulnerable persons.  Provide incentives to businesses to develop initiatives that  Target of 100 SMEs  At an average grant of  To be implemented create sustainable employment for vulnerable groups. To $100,000 per SME, the do this within an environment of COVID-19 will require sum required is $10 new investment to get to some semblance of growth in million the economy.  Provide incentives to encourage individuals/businesses to  At-risk children, youth  At half a million dollars  To be implemented support the establishment and maintenance of existing and women per NGO, the sum facilities and homes for at-risk children, youth and women. required is $2.5 million  Identify 5 NGOs and provide support for at-risk children, youth and women. Provide resources for upgrade and expansion.  Reengineer the delivery of Family Services through the  Government,  Hardware and software  To be implemented introduction of a coordinated mechanism supported by a communities and estimate of $15 million Data Management System and one-stop mechanism that individuals can identify those households, women and children that Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago MEASURE TARGET GROUP AMOUNT $TT STATUS (Financial Requirement) may require support. This reengineered coordinated service delivery mechanism must include community level social support programmes offered by civil society and the private sector.  Digitization of safety net.  Establish an Integrated Community First Responder  Communities and  TBD  To be implemented System to build resilient communities and sustainable families responses to common issues impacting families and communities.  Implement a suite of social care delivery measures  Women affected by  Assuming a target of  In progress targeting, inter alia, women affected by violence, elderly violence, elderly women 20,000 women women living alone, female heads of households, women living alone, female supported at $2,500 with disabilities and mental health challenges. heads of households, per month, the  Link with NGOs to deepen involvement. Focus on supply women with disabilities requirement is $50 of food items and accommodation. and mental health million per month challenges.  Devise policies and measures to operate in the new  Employees/staff  $5 million set aside for  To be implemented environment by reorganising ways of doing business and training doing work, taking cognizance of the need to create equity in the care and supervision of children and families. This will require retraining workers many of whom have been displaced and who are women and heads of households.  Staff training to begin for computerized environment. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago MEASURE TARGET GROUP AMOUNT $TT STATUS (Financial Requirement) Deepening the involvement of Civil Society Organisations in the Delivery of Social Protection Programmes • Increase subventions to targeted charities, particularly  Vulnerable persons  $3 million per month  In progress those charities that are already providing services to some of the groups that are disproportionately impacted by the crisis i.e. women, children and unemployed youth.  Expand the support now being given to churches to include other CSOs such as United Way, the International Red Cross, FEEL and the Salvation Army to name a few.  Specific support for vulnerable to be identified.  Landlords and tenants  Develop register of landlords to work with the Ministry of  Support 5,000 persons  To be implemented Social Development and Family Services at $2,500 per month. The requirement is $12.5 million per month • Facilitate CSOs access to grant funding from multilateral  CSOs  NA (since digitization of  To be implemented developmental partners (including IDB, EU, UN – USAID safety net system will and GEF, CDB, CIDA, DFID and JICA). This will lessen the address this.) financial burden and dependency on the Government.  CSOs  Reduce the bureaucracy in the processing of CSO  NA (since digitization of  To be implemented subvention applications and offer subventions for safety net system will qualifying NGOs which should not be more than 30% of address this.) their annual budget. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX – AGRICULTURE MEASURE TARGET GROUP AMOUNT $TT STATUS (Financial Requirement) Increasing production to reduce dependence on imported food and inputs  Launch an immediate Agricultural Stimulus package to  Farmers, Land  $500 million  To be implemented support rapid and targeted expansion in production, Owners, Farmers’ marketing and distribution of selected high demand Associations, agricultural commodities Manufacturers, Exporters  Secure adequate quality seeds, planting and animal  Farmers, Farmers’   In progress breeding material and farm inputs and invest in the Associations, development of local alternatives Researchers & Scientists, Seed suppliers, Pesticide Manufacturers, Fertilizer Manufacturers  Incentivise oil companies with significant landholdings to  Farmers, Pesticide  TBD  To be implemented invest in agriculture and share experiences from fertilizer Manufacturers, companies. Fertilizer Manufacturers  Actively pursue the use of wells previously drilled and  Heritage  TBD  To be implemented unsuccessful in terms of producing oil to instead produce Companies, water that can be brought into WASA’s water production Farmers, Farmers’ system to augment agriculture and domestic supply. Associations, WASA Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago MEASURE TARGET GROUP AMOUNT $TT STATUS (Financial Requirement)  Encourage the use of alternative feedstock using root  Farmers, Farmers’  NA  In progress crops and fish waste Associations  Review the current Agriculture Incentives Programme  Farmers, Farmers’  NA  In progress Associations  Address land issues to ensure availability for both open  Ministry of  NA  In progress field and protected farming by continued acceleration of Agriculture, Land land tenure issues and access to EMBD estates Owners, Farmers, Strengthening the linkages along the food value and distribution chains to make locally produced food more available within the country  Guarantee state agricultural purchasing and distribution  Farmers, Farmers’  TBD  To be implemented to supplement state-funded initiatives such as the school Associations, feeding programme, public hospitals and the protective Transport services with increased local content. Companies, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Public Health Institutions,  Increase the use of digital technology to augment the  Food Wholesalers  TBD  To be implemented agriculture marketing and distribution chains between and Retailers, producers and consumers (social media, mobile Transport applications, and websites). Companies, Farmers, Farmers Associations  Increase public education campaigns (Buy Local and Eat  Consumers,  TBD  To be implemented Local Campaign) and food nutritional content Farmers, Farmers information on local meals and produce to address the Associations, Food high incidence of non-communicable diseases. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago MEASURE TARGET GROUP AMOUNT $TT STATUS (Financial Requirement) Standards Agencies, Ministry of Health  Influence the food service industry to provide meals that  Food Wholesalers  NA  To be implemented cater to local tastes (sweet potato fries, cassava fries). and Retailers, Farmers, Farmers Associations, Food Standards Agencies, Occupational Health and Safety Agencies, Local/Regional Health Boards and Environmental Health Departments Building a more technologically advanced agriculture system to increase the availability of domestic food supply  Educate and implement zonal commodity  Farmers, Farmers’  TBD  To be implemented programmes/planting schedules Associations,  Accelerate education and training on sustainable  Farmers, Farmers’  TBD  To be implemented agricultural practices given the issues of climate change. Associations,  Provide incentives and encourage the implementation  Farmers, Farmers’  NA  To be implemented and use of water-saving devices Associations,  Innovate domestic food production systems and invest in  Farmers, Farmers’  TBD  To be implemented more technologically advanced and climate-resilient Associations, agriculture systems (vertical farming, aquaculture, organic farming). Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago MEASURE TARGET GROUP AMOUNT $TT STATUS (Financial Requirement)  Provide support in brokering stronger buyer-supplier  Farmers, Farmers’  TBD  To be implemented relationships. Associations,  Accelerate work on revising the legislative framework to  Food Wholesalers  NA  To be implemented comply with international agreements (Plant and Retailers, Quarantine). Transport Companies, Farmers, Farmers Associations,  Assess the stockpiling needs of essential commodities to  Farmers, Farmers’  NA  To be implemented address situations such as the pandemic and other Associations natural disasters (committee to identify these commodities). Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX – CONSTRUCTION MEASURE TARGET GROUP AMOUNT $TT STATUS (Financial Requirement) Increasing Spending in the Construction Sector  Urgently restart a total of 527 Government projects that  Construction  $3.2 billion  In progress have already commenced. Workers, Contractors  Restart all manufacturing facilities on a phased basis  Manufacturers  NA  In progress using the Ministry of Health’s guidelines and sector supporting the protocols and private sector projects to support the construction value chain construction value chain and to facilitate retention of regional and hemispheric markets.  Immediately restart the full raw material supply chain  Raw Material  NA  In progress and regularise the quarrying and supply side architecture suppliers to ensure efficient, timely and cost effective project execution, reduced fraud and corruption and enhanced local content.  Facilitate acceleration of new private sector ‘shovel-  Private investors,  >$600 million  To be implemented ready’ projects which conservatively exceed $600 million, Construction by reducing the time frame for regulatory approvals and Workers, facilitating their early execution. Contractors  Advance other shovel-ready and near-term projects  Construction   In progress across the country, including the urban revitalisation of Workers, main city centres such as Port of Spain, San Fernando Contractors and Scarborough to reverse economic, physical and Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago MEASURE TARGET GROUP AMOUNT $TT STATUS (Financial Requirement) psychological degradation and reignite urban and economic life.  Identify near-term projects to be tendered in Fiscal 2021  Construction  $1.8 billion  In progress and beyond and create a one- year firm look ahead Workers, construction pipeline to support planning and execution Contractors processes and ensure supply chain alignment. Potentially 72 State projects can commence in Fiscal 2021. These are being reviewed and reprioritised.  Immediately settle the significant tranche of debts owed  Construction  NA  In progress to contractors and represented by outstanding Workers, certificates, using appropriate financing and funding Contractors mechanisms, to replenish liquidity and cash flow and improve confidence and private sector support.  Appoint a high-level team reporting to the Prime  Private investors,  NA  To be implemented Minister to develop a detailed plan to (i) de-bottleneck Construction and eliminate sector bureaucracy; (ii) create an enabling Workers, framework; (iii) enact enabling construction-related Contractors legislation and regulations to support a smart, energy efficient, green, progressive built environment; (iv) improve the ease of doing business; and (v) digitise procedures and capture data to create an e-Construction Sector to catalyse private and public capital. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX – BUSINESS ENTERPRISES PARTICULARLY MSMEs MEASURE TARGET GROUP AMOUNT $TT STATUS (Financial Requirement) Providing Appropriate Relief to Business Enterprises particularly MSMEs  Accelerate VAT payment refunds and other outstanding  All Businesses  $1 Million  In progress payments to the business community, in instances where VAT payments are long outstanding.  Allow for the netting off of VAT on equipment and raw  All Businesses  NA  To be implemented material purchases with an appropriate sunset clause.  Further reduce the Reserve Requirement and the Repo  All Businesses  NA  To be implemented Rate in order to lower commercial lending rates, inclusive of the Merchant Bank licenses.  Urgently prioritize the additional availability of US dollars  Non-energy  Recommended  In progress for all local non-energy manufacturers, inclusive of the Manufactures minimum amount is insurance sector as it pertains to their payments of $75Million USD reinsurance premiums.  Introduce a Liquidity Support Government Guarantee  Firms with an  $350 million at  To be implemented Programme through Commercial Banks (primarily for annual turnover of preferential rates wages, rent and working capital) to ensure business less than $30 million continuity and employment sustainability.  Provide a moratorium on principal payments on liquidity  SMEs  NA  In progress support Government loans for at least twelve months.  Increase the facility for the Credit Union Sector through  Credit Union  $200 million  In progress NEDCO and other approved non-governmental Members institutions to enhance execution capabilities in providing immediate financial assistance. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago MEASURE TARGET GROUP AMOUNT $TT STATUS (Financial Requirement)  Eliminate VAT on technology products until 31st  All Businesses  NA  To be implemented December 2021 for the promotion of innovation and enhancement in business enterprises.  Extend the Construction Sector Fiscal incentives to the  Firms in the  NA  In progress Tourism Sector for construction projects in the Sector Construction Sector commencing on or before 31st December 2020 to mitigate the uncertainty in the prevailing environment and start projects which might hitherto be postponed or delayed.  Facilitate tapping into cheaper alternative food supply  All Citizens and  NA  To be implemented chains within the region and stimulate intra-CARICOM Agro-processors trade, through collaborative arrangement with the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.  Provide funding to NEDCO for the provision of grant  1,250 Micro and  $35 million  In progress support, not exceeding $20,000, to MSEs including the Small Enterprises un-banked.  Re-advertise Grant Fund Facility  Small  NA manufacturers,  In progress Agro-processors and Steel Pan manufacturers.  Increase the availability of business  SMEs  NA  In progress incubator/accelerator hubs through NEDCO, CARIRI, YBTT and IBIS to assist in spawning new and viable SMEs.  Partner with the UWI Ventures Limited to accelerate  SMEs  $20 million  In Progress Innovation and Entrepreneurship with seed funding.  Reenergise and refocus the Fair Share Programme to  MSEs  NA  To be implemented encourage entrepreneurship, promote training, Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago MEASURE TARGET GROUP AMOUNT $TT STATUS (Financial Requirement) development and certification, and provide opportunities for MSEs to grow into successful medium and large businesses  Complete and implement the Special Economic Zones  All Businesses   In progress (SEZ) Regime.  Introduce utility payment plans.  SMEs  To be implemented  NA  Provide incentives for new business ideas and innovation  All Businesses  To be implemented  TBD targeting the non-energy sector but with priority given to technology, health, food security and education Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX – ENERGY AND ENERGY INDUSTRIES MEASURE TARGET GROUP AMOUNT $TT STATUS (Financial Requirement) Sustaining Economic Activity in Energy and Energy Related Industries  Maintain schedule on upstream major projects and  Offshore and on  NA  In progress implement selected downstream maintenance activity. shore operators Some of the projects which will generate multi-billion- dollar activity in the sector include: o Offshore  Compression (bpTT)  Matapal a (bpTT)  Colibri (Shell)  Barracuda (Shell)  Ruby (BHP) o Onshore  Chinook and two additional wells (Touchstone)  Innnis – Trinity CO2 EOR Project (Columbus Energy)  Accelerate the Gas Value Chain discussions among all  Downstream gas  NA  To be implemented parties, augmented with the necessary technical producers analyses and support with a view to providing clarity and certainty of the Value Chain Structure in a volatile and sensitive environment so that all companies are able to invest and remain in operation. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago MEASURE TARGET GROUP AMOUNT $TT STATUS (Financial Requirement)  Provide liquidity support for the Energy Services Sector –  Energy Services  TBD  To be implemented Apart from support for the restructuring of debt among Providers energy service companies, it is important to ensure payment of long outstanding Petrotrin debt to energy service providers which currently stands at $100 million  Identify short-term business opportunities locally and  Energy Services  NA  To be implemented regionally – Focus on facilitating business diversification Providers among certified energy-based service providers by providing support for new opportunities in the local supply chain. Additionally, efforts should be made to explore the possibility of providing additional services directly to upstream operators in Suriname and Guyana, in light of the border restrictions in both countries.  Work with the preferred bidder to facilitate the opening  OWTU  TBD  To be implemented of the Guaracara Refinery in the shortest possible time.  Create business opportunities and employment  Energy Services  TBD  To be implemented opportunities through well abandonment and Providers environmental clean-up activities.  Stimulate activity in the area of Energy Efficiency by  Energy Service  TBD  To be implemented immediately certifying accredited Energy Service Companies Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago MEASURE TARGET GROUP AMOUNT $TT STATUS (Financial Requirement) Companies (ESCOs) to start the work of energy audits in the industry.  Actively pursue the development of the hydrogen  Private Investors  TBD  To be implemented economy and green petrochemicals. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX – BANKING, INSURANCE AND CREDIT UNIONS MEASURE TARGET GROUP AMOUNT (TT$) STATUS (Financial Requirement) Providing Appropriate Financial Relief through Banking and Insurance Institutions  Protect customers from loss of their homes through  Home owners  NA  In progress residential mortgage rate reduction and/or restructuring as required, working in collaboration with the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago.  Provide cash flow relief for businesses and households  Businesses and  NA  In progress through the following: households o Deferral on payment obligations on loans payments (retail, mortgages/car loans/credit cards, business loans), and insurance payments such as life/general/motor vehicle and health) and Waiver of Penalty Fees. o Interest Rate reductions for retail, commercial and credit cards. o Reduction of the Reserve Requirement for Merchant Banks to facilitate interest rate reductions for their customers. o Redesign of insurance products to give customers greater flexibility in payments and benefits, and Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago MEASURE TARGET GROUP AMOUNT (TT$) STATUS (Financial Requirement) increase grace period for lapse of insurance policies o Deferral and amortization of health premiums on occupational plans on a case by case basis to prevent loss of health cover for employees of companies heavily affected by the economic downturn. o For a limited period, allow motor and property insurers to offer structured payments on motor and property premiums of SMEs. o Provision of short/medium term loans by insurance companies to clients, subject to the value of their insurance coverage and temporarily allow clients to access amount accumulated in their personal registered deferred annuity contracts up to a 25% of the Fund up to a maximum of $25,000, on a tax free basis.  Provide Government Guaranteed Loans at subsidized  MSMEs  NA  In progress rate for MSMEs to restart business.  Facilitate an environment of risk-taking through  Institutional collaboration with the Central Bank on measures to Investors provide confidence and stability to market participants. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago MEASURE TARGET GROUP AMOUNT (TT$) STATUS (Financial Requirement)  Restructure existing business and consumer loans by  Households and  NA  In progress need. Businesses  Reduce interest rates for new non-government  Business Sector  NA  In progress guaranteed loans for businesses by providing interest tax exemption.  Develop a junior commercial paper market (akin to  Business Sector  NA  To be Junior Stock Exchange) which will allow the business implemented sector to access the capital market for short term funds.  Increase use of digital channels for Banking and  Households and  NA  To be Insurance via enabling legislation to widen access to Businesses implemented existing products and expand availability of new products. Provide Appropriate Financial Relief Through Credit Unions  Expand the size and scope of the Liquidity Support  Displaced workers,  $100Mn.  In progress Programme to Credit Unions. small businesses and sole traders.  Initiate a working relationship between the Credit Union  SMEs  NA  To be Sector and NEDCO via the Central Financing Facility to implemented facilitate the development of the micro business sector by increasing the value chain activities, to enable growth oriented enterprises to maximise their potential. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago MEASURE TARGET GROUP AMOUNT (TT$) STATUS (Financial Requirement)  Use the Credit Union Movement to develop financially  MSMEs  NA  To be feasible co-operative enterprises. implemented  Implement the Enterprises to Excellence (E2E)  Businesses that  NA  To be Programme to accelerate the establishment and growth are: growth implemented of - oriented with a (a) cooperative enterprises and goal of utilizing (b) innovative and growth oriented entrepreneurs. local inputs from the agricultural sector  Start-ups and/or up-scaling cooperative enterprises that target agriculture and information technology sectors. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX - TOBAGO MEASURE TARGET GROUP AMOUNT $TT STATUS (Financial Requirement) Boosting Construction and Infrastructural Development  Accelerate the implementation of key construction  All Travelers and  $2.1 million (2020)  In progress projects. The new Crown Point Terminal Complex Visitors TBD will be a stimulus to the accommodation and vehicle rental operations on the island. The Marina Construction at Cove will accelerate tourist type activities similar to those found at other Caribbean destinations.  Provide funding support to Hoteliers to engage in  Tobago Hoteliers  $50 million  In progress construction projects to conduct repairs and upgrades including energy efficiency upgrade to properties during the period of low visits.  Extend soft loans to homeowners to carry out  Tobago  TBD  To be repairs to houses. Homeowners implemented  Explore channels to supply sand and aggregate from  THA – Studley Park  TBD  In progress Hard rock and Studley Park quarries to Trinidad and Enterprise Limited other Caribbean locations such as Guyana. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago MEASURE TARGET GROUP AMOUNT $TT STATUS (Financial Requirement) Supporting Resurgence of Tobago Business  Expand Enterprise Development Programme to  Small Tobago  $50 million  In progress provide support for Small and Medium Enterprises Businesses in Tobago  Extend an operating grant from the THA $50M  Tobago Hoteliers  TBD  To be allocation to facilitate a skeleton staff to maintain implemented and secure hotels and guest houses during the lockdown. Allocate post-lock down funding to support employee retention and training and to operationalize the businesses and prevent the collapse of the tourism industry. To be supported by government policy on employee retention, furlough, and retrenchment.  Facilitate Room Upgrade Plans through reducing  Tobago Hoteliers  NA  To be bureaucratic restrictions to accessing government implemented grants.  Reduce Stamp Duties to promote ownership of  Hoteliers and  NA  To be villas and condominiums and remove import Tourism related implemented duties on tourism-based products for two years. businesses  Implement virtual training with the Caribbean  Hoteliers  TBD  To be Hotel & Tourism Association in compliance with implemented Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago MEASURE TARGET GROUP AMOUNT $TT STATUS (Financial Requirement) the Green Key initiative and enhanced health and safety requirements such as StaySafe certification.  Decentralize regulatory approval processes for  All Tobago  NA  To be administrative procedures that can be conducted residents and implemented in Tobago. investors Expanding Agricultural Activity  Explore new and innovative farming techniques  Farmers  NA  To be such as aquaculture, to achieve increased food implemented production  Increase and improve agro-processing facilities to  Farmers and Agro  TBD  To be add value to primary agricultural products. processors implemented  Develop a labour swaps and skills alignment  Farmers and Agro  TBD  To be programme in the THA aimed directly at the CEPEP processors implemented and graduates from the relative tertiary institutions to move to the agricultural and agro-processing sectors.  Encourage PPPs in the development of the  Farmers  TBD  To be agriculture sector utilising state assets such as Hope implemented Farm. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago MEASURE TARGET GROUP AMOUNT $TT STATUS (Financial Requirement)  Reduce the minimum acreage of farmers to qualify  Small and Micro  NA  To be for the recent incentives by the Department of Food Farmers implemented Production.  Allow farmers with land title issues to utilize  Farmers  NA  To be affidavits and Certificates of Comfort to access implemented services and support.  Intensify the “Eat Local Campaign” and review the  Farmers, residents  TBD  To be restarted Tobago’s School Feeding Programme towards and students and intensified incorporating more locally produced products in its meal plans. Boosting Local Tourism  Promote a Local Tourism Campaign aimed at  Hoteliers  TBD  To be stimulating economic activity and promoting local implemented expenditure through firstly a “Staycation Campaign “focused on package deals for Trinidad residents and secondly, a “Tobago Homecoming Campaign” focused on the T&T diaspora.  Provide free sea bridge transportation for 3 months  Local Tourists  TBD  To be to persons travelling without vehicles. Hoteliers and implemented Tobago Businesses Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX – ENABLING ENVIRONMENT MEASURE TARGET GROUP AMOUNT $TT STATUS (Financial Requirement) Building a Digital Nation: Making it Easy to Do Business TBD  Create an e-identity for each citizen and permanent  TT Citizens and  To be implemented resident that: permanent residents  is mandatory to access Government services and is managed by the Government in a government- controlled private data centre.  integrates all existing identifiers. This will require a robust-re-registration process and effective personal data protection.  supports the electronic processing of all Government services and digital commerce activities.  addresses the digital divide between old and young, urban and rural user, and the rich and poor.  Develop an open-source data platform to support  Individuals, NGOs  TBD  To be implemented economically stimulating activities and builds and private sector transparency in accounting for Government expenditure.  Implement electronic systems for processing Customs  Private sector and  TBD  To be implemented declarations and orders. individuals.  Implement e-payments for Government services through  Private sector and  TBD  In progress TTBizLink and Customs e-services. individuals Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago MEASURE TARGET GROUP AMOUNT $TT STATUS (Financial Requirement)  Incentivise new business ideas and research and  Youth and  TBD  In progress development that gives priority to innovation-oriented unemployed and entrepreneurial culture in technology.  Develop a successful FinTech ecosystem (cashless society)  Government,  TBD  In progress that encompasses: private sector and  Adoption of the eMoney policy and Regulatory individuals Sandbox  Creation of a FinTech innovation hub  Execution of a strategic public education campaign.  Legislative reform and updates - including the Cyber  Government and  NA  In progress Crime Bill, Data Protection and Electronic Transaction financial institutions Acts - that will enable the digital transformation and safeguard cyber security, particularly among financial institutions. Critical Supporting Infrastructure  Engage and incentivize service providers to expand  Telecommunication  TBD  In progress advanced telecommunication networks and ICT service providers infrastructures including 5G networks, secure data centres and cloud-based platforms.  Release additional spectrum to service providers to  Telecommunication  NA  In progress expand the national broadband connectivity to 100% service providers and improve access speeds within the next six (6) and individuals months using the resources of the Universal Service Fund.  Expand free TT WIFI access in public spaces using the  Individuals  TBD  In progress resources of the Universal Service Fund. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago MEASURE TARGET GROUP AMOUNT $TT STATUS (Financial Requirement)  Set an ambitious target for increased electricity  T&TEC  NA  In progress generation from renewable sources and in so doing maximise the monetary value of natural gas resources.  Immediately improve energy efficiency among the  Government,  NA  In progress national population. households and private sector  Install community rainwater harvesting systems to  Communities  TBD  To be implemented supply unserved and under-served communities that without water for >2 includes rehabilitating existing groundwater assets that days per week are un/under producing.  Secure appropriate long-term funding to facilitate a  Government,  NA  In progress holistic approach to addressing the issues of the water communities & sector. private sector  Execute a national groundwater rehabilitation  WASA and  TBD  To be implemented programme that includes rehabilitating existing households groundwater assets that are un/under producing.  Utilise unused water assets handed over from  Communities  In progress  TBD Petrotrin/Heritage to supply water to nearby communities.  Launch a non-revenue water reduction programme to  WASA and  In progress  NA plug the financial and physical losses by full metering of households industrial customers in the first instance, managing network pressures and replacing dilapidated assets. Building Institutional Capacity  Execute a Government-wide data analytics intervention  Ministries and Public  To be implemented  NA to identify and prioritise high-value, public sector Sector Agencies projects. Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago MEASURE TARGET GROUP AMOUNT $TT STATUS (Financial Requirement)  Process reengineering of the approval and permitting  Businesses and  In progress  NA processes for business activity. Investors  Develop a 10-year Workforce Development Plan  Public and Private  To be implemented  TBD Sectors  Institutionalise and legislate  Government, Trade  To be implemented  NA Accords/Concordats/Agreements between Government, Unions, Businesses Labour, Private Sector and Civil Society that will create a and Civil Society space for respectful dialogue in addressing the Organisations transformation guide and facilitate the environment of harmony needed over the next 12 months.  Amend the legislation to allow for the roll-out of new  All Target Groups  In progress  NA fiscal measures that will complement the strategies proposed in the Roadmap.  Secure the right talent with the core technical skills that  Individuals with Core  To be implemented  TBD support digital transformation. Technical Skills  Review and revise the labour environment to promote  Trade Unions,  To be implemented  NA industrial relations peace. Workers, Government and Businesses Reigniting our National Value System: Creating an Environment of Harmony and Inclusiveness  Revive key institutions to drive change in our national  Trade Unions,  In progress  NA identity including the Productivity Council and NTAC. Workers, Government and Private Sector  Build an open and transparent Accord among the social  Trade Unions,  In progress  NA partners - Government, the trade union movement and Government and the private sector for productive engagement in an Private Sector Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago MEASURE TARGET GROUP AMOUNT $TT STATUS (Financial Requirement) environment of peace and harmony. An environment of discord and acrimony will be unproductive and exact a heavy price on the development of our country.  Media messaging around the Roadmap and  Government,  To be implemented  TBD transformation initiatives. individuals, NGOs and private sector  Implement a two-way channel of G2C (Government to  To be implemented  Government,  NA Citizen), G2B (Government to Business) and G2G individuals, NGOs (Government to Government). and private sector  Implement a mechanism to solicit and incorporate the  Individuals & NGOs  To be implemented  NA views of the public.  Mobilise civil society and alliance partners to listen from  NGOs  To be implemented  NA the ground and respond through partnerships.  Rebirth T&T’s Art and Culture using online artistry and  Art and Cultural  To be implemented  TBD technology. sectors  Build youth-SHIPS - mentorship, internship, leadership,  Youth and NGOs  TBD  To be implemented and entrepreneurship. NA: Not Applicable TBD: To Be Determined Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago