Published by: Nigel A. Campbell
“In addition, we will be working to develop the creative industries, through specific fiscal incentives…”
—Imbert, Colm. In “The Appropriation (Financial Year 2017) Bill 2016.” The 2nd Reading Sep 30, 2016, 11th Parliament, 2nd Session.
Colm Imbert, MP reading the 2017 budget statement in Parliament
A budget statement is a snapshot of the economy and the anticipated spending and earnings for the forthcoming year. It is not a detailed treatise where every single cent is accounted for. The annual exercise here in Trinidad and Tobago is a major news item occupying large blocks of broadcast air time beyond the budget speech with analysis giving “armchair” experts, business people, accountants and economists opportunities to explicate.
In recent years, Ministers of Finance—Larry Howai and now Colm Imbert—have given some detail on areas of the economy that the government is looking towards for economic activity or is seeking to explain why we as a nation may have “to eat little to live long.” Since the 2013 budget statement, the creative industries—a collective noun for the separate film, fashion and music industries—has become a topic for discussion and detail in the budget. The industry was targeted as one for diversification of the economy away from oil and gas. However, in contrast to other service areas, the creative industries have been getting decreasing “lip service” from the minister in the budget speech. The focus has waned from a high in the 2013 budget statement to the insult of a half of a sentence reference, 15 words, by Minister Imbert in his recent 2017 budget statement.
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Replies
This interview is worth TWO LISTENS if EXPATS want to learn about the REALITY (present tense reality) of the MUSIC SCENE (and please don't miss the less than fleeting reference to the lack of PAN MUSIC) down in SWEET SWEET T&T.
Great article/interview WST!!!