An innovation centre, a teaching university, a new market for Scarborough and the upgrade of all health centres in Tobago are among the plans for the next fiscal year that were unveiled during the Tobago House of Assembly’s budget presentation.
In his maiden budget presentation, which took close to three hours this morning, Finance Secretary Joel Jack said despite having to adjust their expenditure in light of oil prices, the THA was committed to implementing key projects to the island to reap the necessary benefits.
Among those projects he highlighted was the expansion of the Cove Industrial Park, which he said is open for business. A new factory building for new tenants as well as a waste and recycling plant are among the projects planned.
An animation centre and an innovation centre, scheduled to begin construction later this year are among the plans to boost entrepreneurship.
Focusing on ICT development on the island, Jack said there will be three main initiatives: the development of a website and mobile app to provide useful information such as a list of services, hotels and guest houses and the publication of wholesale and retail prices of produce; training in app development in collaboration with the private sector; and the implementation of high speed Internet access across the island.
On the subject of tourism, Jack said the island will continue to pursue relationships with carriers to new destinations. He said there is a shortage of high end rooms on the island, stating that 1500 high end rooms are needed to improve the island’s attractiveness.
Security, said Jack, remains a concern and urged a security strategy that is specific to Tobago. He expressed disappointment in the discontinuation of the contracts to build police stations in Grange and Roxborough, stating that it constitutes yet another broken promise by the Central Government.
Among the other plans Jack revealed is the intention to market Tobago as a destination for affiliate university campuses. This, he said, will benefit tourism, contribute to increased sale of goods and services and boost the construction industry.
A committee will be established this coming fiscal year, he said, to explore this initiative further.
Jack revealed that revenue collection is projected at $255.05 million for fiscal 2016.
The budget is position at just over $5 billion dollars.
Taken from Looptt.com
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