BEFORE a packed La Joya Complex auditorium, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar rolled out an economic package should the nation votes the UNC back into office on April 28.
This meeting was in a town hall format, where are formal speeches, the panel led by Persad-Bissessar, fielded questions from the audience. There was not a single empty seat in the auditorium as hundreds of people turned up.
Persad-Bissessar, the final speaker of the evening, took notes as she listened to previous speakers. Dressed in royal blue with the party’s rising sun logo, she stepped up to the podium to a standing ovation.
She began by addressing the timing of the meeting, apologising for holding a political event during Ramadan and Lent. "I mean no disrespect, but it is the young man (PM Stuart Young) who called the election during this holy month."
Turning to economic policy, she revisited the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) agreement, initially signed under her government, and outlined her administration’s vision for the future.
She pledged to lower corporate taxes over the next five years saying, "You cannot tax your way into prosperity. Over-taxation leads to misdirected subsidies, stifling growth. Reducing corporate taxes, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, we will support business expansion, job creation, and ultimately, increased revenue."
She also promised no property tax, as she vowed to simplify and expedite environmental approvals for businesses, criticising excessive regulations that drive up costs and discourage investment.
She proposed requiring operational businesses to implement environmental management systems, arguing it would reduce bureaucratic hurdles while ensuring long-term sustainability.
[caption id="attachment_1146563" align="alignnone" width="1024"] WOMAN TO WOMAN: Well-known East Dry River, Port of Spain activist Christine "Twiggy" Levia, left, speaks with Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar at the UNC's economic forum town hall meeting on Thursday at the La Joya Complex auditorium in St Joseph. - Photo by Angelo Marcelle[/caption]
On international trade, the UNC leader stressed the importance of securing double taxation agreements with more countries, particularly in South America, West Africa and the Commonwealth.
"South America alone has over 600 million potential consumers, an untapped market for our products. By expanding trade agreements, we can boost exports, attract skilled foreign investors and create new economic opportunities."
She then addressed legal reforms, promising to strengthen legislation to protect minority shareholders and improve contract law.
Persad-Bissessar announced plans to make Spanish a compulsory second language in schools, starting as early as preschool.
"This is not just about the growing Venezuelan population. It’s about equipping our workforce to engage with the South American market of over 422 million consumers."
She stressed the urgency of integrating computer technology and software developm
