Speaking at a media briefing on Monday, Persad-Bissessar said her government has received calls for assistance from the leaders of St Vincent, Barbados and St Lucia.
All three islands suffered extensive damage from the hurricane. The tail of the storm also created havoc in parts of Trinidad and Tobago.
"We will have to look at ways in which we would be able to assist. But you would recall my comments earlier this year, when I said there must some way in which Trinidad and Tobago would also benefit," she said.
"So if we are giving assistance with housing for example...then we may be able to use Trinidad and Tobago builders and companies, so that whatever money or assistance is given, redounds back in some measure to the people of Trinidad and Tobago," she added.
Persad-Bissessar said housing is one of the issues she has discussed with the Prime Minister of St Vincent, Dr Ralph Gonsalves.
She also said before any decision is made on that she would consult with her cabinet and the leader of the opposition, Keith Rowley.
But Rowley has refused to meet Persad-Bissessar to discuss the issue, saying it is "shameful" to attach conditions to the aid.
In an official statement Tuesday Rowley said the move is a "backward, colonial policy" and insisted that he would have "nothing to with such discussions or concept.”
Rowley said he will not associate himself with “humanitarian relief from the people of T&T to Caricom that is tied to conditionalities of self-interest as outlined by our Prime Minister”.
Now an online campaign has developed aimed at boycotting Trinidad and Tobago products. Several social networking sites have been harnessed for the campaign.
One BlackBerry broadcast message calls on people to stop buying anything made in Trinidad and Tobago as a protest against the government's position.
"This is a result of the TNT PM’s open statement to the media saying she will not give any assistance to Caricom countries affected by Hurricane Tomas unless it is to the benefit of Trinidad.
"I wonder if she is aware of the amount of products we purchase daily that is made in Trinidad. PLEASE JOIN AND PASS IT ON," said the message, which originated in Jamaica.
The campaign is also on Facebook, with a St. Lucian driving the campaign.
“Seriously, that was simply heartless and plain selfish! We need to show her what can happen when serious, God-fearing and caring people unite," the Facebook site said.
"I think we (St Lucia) import a lot of snacks from T&T, I will try my best to avoid buying these things...Come on guys and join me!”
One Facebook news page "On The Ground News Report" already has several comments that are highly critical of Persad-Bissessar for the comments.
In the midst of the condemnation there are some contributors who have said a boycott is a bad idea.
Law student Marc Ramsay wrote: "While I am equally distressed and appalled by her call for reciprocal aid arrangements with our Caribbean neighbours affected by Hurricane Tomas, I implore you not to see revenge as the way forward. I encourage you to see this as a wake up call for our region."
"As young people we now see first hand the deeply embedded attitudes and sentiments held by many of those who govern us.
"This is not the time to lash out in a way that would affect our brothers and sisters in Trinidad and Tobago who depend on export revenue to feed their families. On the contrary, this is a call for us as young people to use our power to change the system."
Check the site: Go-Jamaica
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