We want our people to come home from abroad to build T&T: McLeod

File: Errol McLeod

Labour Minister Errol McLeod is advocating a reverse brain drain. He  told Parliament the government has put various incentives in place to encourage emigrants to return home.

"One area that requires greater attention in development of our economy is the role of returning citizens who possess skills and competencies in various disciplines," McLeod said.

"Based on their experiences and their international exposure qualified returning citizens would be instrumental particularly in contributing to the diversification of our economy," McLeod said. He added that the wealth of knowledge from returning nationals help to build the local economy.

"Greater emphasis must be placed on attracting and retaining such individuals as a means of preventing the brain drain of our economy. A number of people are coming back home and a number more could be encouraged to come back home as the more developed economies struggle to get back on to steadier footing," he said.