TT Manufacturer's Association CEO Dr Mahindra Ramesh Ramdeen said, "The state of emergency has had limited impact on the manufacturing capabilities of our members. The sector continues to operate efficiently, ensuring the uninterrupted supply of goods and services both locally and internationally.

"We remain committed to supporting the national economy and will continue to work closely with stakeholders to maintain productivity while adhering to all applicable legislation during this period."

Greater Tunapuna Chamber of Commerce president Ramon Gregorio said local businesses had not really commented directly to the chamber about the effect of the SoE on their operations.

"But based on what the minister (Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds) said in the media about the number of arrests and the number of operations the police have had, that is reassuring from a business standpoint. At least we are making some efforts to attack people who do crimes in a slightly more responsible manner than we have done in the past.

"As relates to businesses in the area, I think it has been business as usual."

Despite improved policing, he said, businesses have not returned to their previous state of calm.

"People are still very conscious and very alert as it relates to crime. We do still in fact have the criminal element roaming and looking for crimes of opportunity. The businesses have not let down their guard. They need to be very watchful of the environment to ensure that business and property, and most importantly 'self' is preserved."

He said details of police operations were only just released the day before in Parliament which was, therefore, too soon to discuss.

"But from what it seems, it augers well (based on) the statistics presented to us.

"We hope it continues for the next three months and we see some sizeable arrests and detection rates increasing at the same time."

Gregorio said beyond the SoE, his chamber wants to see safe havens for business and the "ease of doing business and the comfort of doing business."

Police said over 500 people had been arrested, and 30 guns and 937 rounds of ammunition seized during operations from the start of the SoE on December 30 to January 10. Unlike previous SoEs, no curfew has been imposed this time allowing free movement.

South Trinidad Chamber of Industry and Commerce president Kiran Singh welcomed the curbing of crime by the SoE and said businesses have not seen any bad effects.

"What we have observed is that since the SoE effected by the Government just before the start of the new year, to date we have noticed a drastic reduction in the murder rate and in serious crimes by approximately 50 per cent." He said that was welcome news for the country. "We have all been aware of the serious murder rate and the spiralling crimes which affect the society including the business community." He said crime hurts business confidence and investors including the retail trade.

"The fact that crime has been subdued to a certain extent two weeks into the SoE