PP gov't plans tunnel to Maracas Bay as part of 5-pronged development strategy

One of the economic initiatives announced Wednesday in the People's Partnership first budget provides for the opening of new economic space both within and outside of the economy.

Finance Minister Winston Dookeran said the plan is to develop five poles for expansion in the medium term using "a cluster development" approach.

The first pole includes covers Couva, Charlieville, Carapichaima and Chaguanas, which will be primarily private-sector driven with Government acting as a catalyst. Dookeran said this partnering will bring communities together to fill the void created by the demise of the sugar industry.

The project will involve, among other things, the establishment of a port at Felicity, a science park and business incubators. He said the government has already started discussions on the project with the relevant Chambers of Commerce.

The second pole involved the development of the South Western Peninsula of Trinidad, which will involve a new highway from San Fernando to Point Fortin and a new Industrial Estate which will create jobs in the area.

Dookeran said the third area will be East Port of Spain, initially targeting, the arts, culture and entertainment and the restoration of East Port of Spain into a heritage city like Old Havana in Cuba or Old San Juan in Puerto Rico.

He said the aim is to reduce the impact of poverty and steadily contribute to the economic health of these communities by optimizing existing entrepreneurial resources.

"We will establish a special task force, including civil society, UTT and UWI to develop a creative plan for a new entrepreneurship in smal business development, particularly in East Port of Spain," Dookeran said.

The North Coast will be the focus of the fourth pole of development. The business plan for this area would include an underground tunnel from Maracas Valley to Maracas Bay, to enable quicker access to the North Coast.

The fifth growth pole will focus on Tobago's North East region, providing incentives for persons to establish business enterprises particularly in St. John’s parish, which stretches from Kings Bay on the Atlantic side to Parlatuvier on the Caribbean coast.

The minister said special preference will be given to persons who will be establishing businesses in the services sector, including commercial farming. He added that a special financing facility will be established at the Agricultural Development Bank to help with this.