Business chambers welcome SoE

THE business community across Trinidad and Tobago has largely welcomed the state of emergency (SoE) as a necessary step in addressing the country’s growing security concerns. The Express reached out to various chambers of commerce and business organisations to gather their views on the measure. Here’s what they had to say: T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce “The T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce recognises the declaration of a state of emergency (SoE) as a necessary measure in the best interest of he public given the current crime crisis.

The alarming level of homicides and proliferation of high-powered weapons highlight the grave reality that crime is out of control, posing a significant threat to the safety and security of our citizens and businesses. We view the SoE as an opportunity for our national security forces to address the situation head-on, with the hope of restoring some degree of normalcy to our society. However, the T&T Chamber emphasises that while the SoE is an important step, it is not a standalone solution to our country’s crime problem.



It must me part of a broader, comprehensive, and sustainable plan to combat crime effectively. The TT Chamber remains ready and willing to support the national efforts to tackle this issue. Addressing crime is not only about saving lives but also safeguarding livelihoods and fostering an environment conducive to economic growth and stability.

During this period of suspension of rights under the SoE, we also expect that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service will be sensitive to heightened public sentiments and be careful to not create any perception of abuse. Upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens is crucial to maintaining public trust and ensuring the success of this measure. T&T Coalition of Services Industries The Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries (TTCSI) fully supports the initiatives undertaken by the Government to address the pervasive criminal activity that continues to threaten the safety and well-being of our nation.

We understand the urgent need to protect our citizens, which is integral to the continued development of our nation. As the representative body of the services sector, TTCSI is particularly encouraged by the Government’s assurance that this measure will not disrupt economic activities. We are pleased that there is no curfew at this time, which allows law-abiding citizens and businesses to continue their operations uninterrupted.

By targeting criminal elements while preserving the operations of businesses and industries, this initiative strikes a crucial balance between national security and economic stability. Crime affects all facets of society, including the ability of our members to do business. A secure environment is critical to fostering growth, investment, and innovation within the services sector.

We commend the Government for recognising this and for implementing measures that will help to restore confidence among local and international customers and stakeholders, ensuring that businesses, investors, and citizens can operate without fear. American Chamber of Commerce of T&T (Amcham) AMCHAM T&T is pleased that the Government is taking additional steps to combat out-of-control crime in T&T. The fact that more people have been murdered in 2024 than in any other year, clearly means that additional measures need to be implemented as the current approaches are not working.

We also recognise that the Government is delicately seeking to balance these additional measures with the preservation of economic activity. AMCHAM T&T will also be concerned about any measures that curtail civil liberties. As such, while we are supportive of the SoE in the manner it has been announced, at this time, we await both the regulations with appropriate safeguards against the potential arbitrary abuse of power by individual members of the protective services.

Additionally, we look forward to the establishment of the Special Tribunal to ensure the preservation of the rule of law and individual rights in this period. We eagerly anticipate results from the state of emergency and urge the Government and protective services to use the opportunity to significantly and meaningfully disrupt gangs and gang leadership through all lawful means. Moving forward, our view is that crime suppression measures alone will not solve the problem therefore, we reiterate our call for greater collaboration around medium-to-long-term anti-crime measures.

Arima Business Association The topic of an SoE has been discussed at length by the ABA and we believe that it can’t work on its own. There must be a broader plan to target the criminal element based on intelligence driven policing. The SoE on its own only hinders commercial activity while the criminals take a vacation, aka rest and recuperate to come back fully energised when the restrictions are lifted.

We have constantly called for changes in the methods of policing in T&T and the CoP has ignored all calls. Instead the TTPS implement old, somewhat useless methods such as roadblocks during peak rush hours which only frustrates the hard-working law-abiding citizens who by the way are the target of the criminal element. The ABA agrees that something has to be done to stem this crime surge we have been living with, but as stated an SoE will not achieve the desired outcome on its own.

The Ministry of National Security must take the fight to the criminals, as stated before targeted and intelligence-driven policing. Tobago Chamber of Commerce The declaration of a state of emergency (SoE) in Trinidad and Tobago, without curfew restrictions, is an interesting approach. The absence of curfews ensures minimal disruption to economic activities, which is crucial given the fragile state of many businesses.

However, it also raises concerns about whether this SoE will have the necessary teeth to effectively address the intended issues, such as crime reduction. The success of the SoE in reducing crime will largely depend on how it is implemented and enforced. If the SoE serves as a platform for enhanced police operations, intelligence gathering, and visible law enforcement, it may deter criminal activities.

However, without clear, decisive actions targeting key areas of concern, such as gang activity and illegal arms trafficking, the impact might be limited. To supplement the SoE, the Government should focus on: 1. Intelligence-Driven Policing: Strengthening the capacity for intelligence gathering and surveillance to target criminal networks effectively.

2. Community Engagement: Building trust between law enforcement and communities to encourage the sharing of information and cooperation. 3.

Social Interventions: Investing in programmes that address underlying issues contributing to crime, such as unemployment, lack of education, and social inequality. 4. Judicial Efficiency: Improving the justice system to ensure swift and fair trials for offenders, deterring repeat offenses.

5. Gun Control Measures: Addressing the proliferation of illegal firearms with stricter border controls and arms regulation. Greater Tunapuna Chamber of Industry and Commerce I think this is a responsible first step and as a Chamber we agree with the Defence Force working in concert with the police.

We would really like all efforts to be directed to stemming this crime flow and as a 1st measure, it seems reasonable At this stage, while we would have liked to see a limited curfew to stem the flow of movement of criminals, this may be the next obvious stage pending the outcomes related to Stage 1. It (an SoE) really was inevitable. I would agree with the population that it should have been called at an earlier stage but as it stands we are spiralling to an unwanted record and based on the killings in the last few days, it seems that we have reached the tipping point.

Only time will tell if it has been called too late or not As a country, we should be focussing on attracting tourists to our island, generating positive word of mouth about our citizens and what we have accomplished and not being in the media for the wrong reasons. Like other citizens, we are traumatised by crime and hope these latest efforts allow for the restoration of order and maintenance of peace. This is a short-term measure and we need to have frank conversations about our social fabric, what we are producing in our communities ? what we are producing with our education system? Those are the questions that must co-exist with crime reduction measures.

As a Chamber, we have always called for the use of technology and intelligence- based policing on a national level. In Tunapuna, we have started the Eagle Eye initiative and we believe it is a model that can support crime fighting mechanisms up to convictions but we also need the police to have the requisite resources to respond—both in-person and via the use of technology..