Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Social and Economic Policy

Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Social and Economic Policy Framework The Social and Economic Policy Framework marks the beginning of a process of setting the policy agenda to take Trinidad and Tobago to developed country status by the year 2020. In the upcoming m onths, this document will be reviewed in consultation with stakeholders. Ministry of Finance Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago www.finance.gov.tt TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC POLICY FRAMEWORK TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1. INTRODUCTION 1 2. VISION: DEVELOPED COUNTRY STATUS BY 2020 3 3. THE CHALLENGES OF THE GLOBAL ECONOMY 5 4. REVIEW OF DOMESTIC CONDITIONS 9 4.1 Social Conditions 9 4.2 Economic Conditions 17 4.3 Environmental Conditions 20 5. THE POLICY OBJECTIVES FOR 2003-2005 22 6. THE 2003-2005 POLICY AGENDA 23 6.1 Social Policy 23 6.2 Economic Policy 26 6.3 Environmental Policy 31 7. FACILITATING THE POLICY AGENDA 34 7.1 Creating a Knowledge-Based Society 34 7.2 Improving Service Delivery in the Public Sector 36 7.3 Enhancing the Infrastructure Base 39 7.4 Improving Law and Justice 43 THE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AGENDA 8. HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT 45 8.1 Education and Training 45 8.2 Basic Education 46 8.3 Skills Development 49 8.4 Tertiary Education 51 8.5 Technical Education 53 8.6 Distance Education 53 8.7 Lifelong Learning 53 i THE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AGENDA (con’t) 9. WELLNESS AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLES 55 9.1 Health 55 9.2 HIV/AIDS 57 9.3 Mental Health 59 9.4 Drug Abuse: Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation 59 9.5 Occupational Health and Safety 60 9.6 Food and Nutrition 60 10. LIVING CONDITIONS 61 10.1 Housing 61 10.2 Public Utilities 63 11. POVERTY ALLEVIATION 67 11.1 Social Intervention Programmes 68 11.2 Social Services Delivery 70 11.3 Minimum Wages 70 12. PEOPLE EMPOWERMENT 71 12.1 Employment 71 12.2 Wealth Creation: Co-operatives, Medium, 73 Small and Micro Enterprises 12.3 The Informal Economy 75 12.4 Consumer Rights 76 12.5 Community Development 76 13. PERSONAL SAFETY AND SECURITY 79 13.1 Crime 79 13.2 Police Services 81 13.3 Fire Services 82 13.4 Coast Guard and Defence Force 83 13.5 Prison Service 83 13.6 Domestic Violence 84 14. SOCIAL INTEGRATION 85 14.1 A Tolerant and Harmonious Society 85 14.2 Family 85 14.3 Youth 86 14.4 Sport 88 14.5 Culture and The Arts 89 14.6 Child Rights 92 14.7 The Elderly 92 14.8 Persons with Disabilities 93 14.9 Gender Equality 94 ii THE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DIVERSIFICATION AGENDA 15. ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DIVERSIFICATION 95 15.1 Economic Diversification 95 15.2 Key Economic Sectors 95 15.2.1 Energy 95 15.2.2 Manufacturing 96 15.2.3 Services 100 15.2.4 Agriculture 104 15.2.4 The People’s Sector 106 THE ENVIRONMENTAL AGENDA 16. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 109 16.1 Protection of Natural Resources 109 16.2 Control of Pollution, Hazardous and Toxic Substances 109 16.3 Community Participation 110 16.4 Private Sector Involvement 110 16.5 Strengthening of the Legislative and Institutional Framework 111 16.6 Public Sensitisation 111 16.7 “Polluter Pays” Principle 111 IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX 17. Facilitating the Policy Agenda 113 Human Capital Development 129 Wellness and Healthy Lifestyles 154 Living Conditions 158 Poverty Alleviation 171 People Empowerment 175 Personal Safety and Security 184 Social Integration 189 Economic Growth and Diversification 203 Environmental Management 215 APPENDIX iii LIST OF BOXES, FIGURES AND TABLES LIST OF BOXES 3.1 THE CSME 7 3.2 THE COTONOU AGREEMENT 7 4.1 HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX 9 4.2 THE REPO RATE 20 6.1 COMPANIES WHOLLY OWNED BY GOVERNMENT 27 7.1 SPECIFIC STRATEGIES FOR S&T 35 7.2 WHAT DIFFERENCE WILL IHRIS MAKE? 37 7.3 MAJOR PROJECTS OF UDeCOTT 40 7.4 MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS OF THE THA 40 7.5 NATIONAL HIGHWAYS PROGRAMME 42 7.6 SOUTHERN ROADS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT 42 8.1 EDUCATION INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS 46 8.2 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES 46 8.3 LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS 48 8.4 SCHOOL-BASED MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES 49 8.5 SOCIAL SECTOR SKILLS 49 DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES 8.6 NEW TECHNOLOGY CENTRES 50 9.1 HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS 55 10.1 ACCELERATED HOUSING PROGRAMME 62 10.2 IDB-FUNDED NATIONAL SETTLEMENTS PROGRAMME 62 10.3 MANDATE OF THE REGULATED INDUSTRIES COMMISSION 63 10.4 AGENDA FOR WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 65 11.1 SOCIAL INTERVENTION PROGRAMMES 68 11.2 EU-SPONSORED POVERTY REDUCTION PROGRAMME 70 12.1 PROGRAMMES PROMOTING FEMALE EMPLOYMENT 72 12.2 NATIONAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT COMPANY 74 12.3 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND 77 13.1 SPECIALISED TRAINING FOR THE POLICE SERVICE 81 13.2 PROGRAMME OF INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADING 82 (POLICE SERVICE) 13.3 SITES OF NEW FIRE STATIONS 82 14.1 YOUTH TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMMES 87 14.2 EXPANDING AND UPGRADING OF CULTURAL FACILITIES 91 14.3 CORE ILO CONVENTIONS ON CHILD LABOUR 92 15.1 TARGET INDUSTRIES: TECHNOLOGY AND 99 MANUFACTURING ESTATE 15.2 AGENDA FOR CONNECTIVITY IN THE AMERICAS/ 100 QUITO ACTION PLAN iv LIST OF FIGURES 4.1 HDI RANKING FOR SELECTED COUNTRIES 2000 9 4.2 POPULATION DISTRIBUTION 1996-2002 10 4.3 EDUCATION LEVEL OF LABOUR FORCE 2000 11 4.4 TRENDS IN SERIOUS CRIMES 12 4.5 CONFIRMED HIV CASES IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO 14 1982-2000 4.6 AGE AND SEX DISTRIBUTION OF REPORTED 15 HIV/AIDS CASES 4.7 PRINCIPAL CAUSE OF DEATH: SELECTED YEARS 16 4.8 COMPARISON OF KEY INDICATORS IN SELECTED 17 CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES 2002 4.9 REGIONAL COMPARISON: REAL GDP GROWTH 2002 18 4.10 COUNTRY COMPARISON: DEBT SERVICE RATIO 19 6.1 COUNTRY COMPARISON: FDI AS A PERCENTAGE OF GDP 2000 30 LIST OF TABLES 6.1 SELECTED ECONOMIC INDICATORS 2002-2005 31 v Introduction 1. INTRODUCTION Trinidad and Tobago is faced with a bright and challenging future. For almost a decade now, the economy has demonstrated remarkable strength and resilience in the face of an uncertain global environment that is characterised by rapid and far-reaching economic, social and technological change. As the pace of global change intensifies, Trinidad and Tobago must consolidate on the success it has achieved thus far to effectively manage the risks and take advantage of the opportunities as they arise. With the imminent expansion in the oil and gas sector, the prospects for continued success on the economic front are extremely positive. However, the experience of many countries has shown that economic growth, while necessary, is insufficient to ensure sustained improvement in the quality of life enjoyed by the majority of the people. Consequently, the key to sustained development is the creation of enabling conditions for the optimum realisation of a country’s human capital potential. As Trinidad and Tobago enters a new phase of industrialisation, there will be increased demand for high-level technical skills, managerial and entrepreneurial capabilities as well as competence in the utilisation of sophisticated technologies. This demand must be supported and sustained by a disciplined, multi-skilled workforce imbued with a positive work ethic. This facet of human development must be accompanied by the provision of opportunities for all citizens to participate actively and equitably in the social and economic life of the nation. It is in recognition of this challenge that the Social and Economic Policy Framework (SEPF) places the highest priority on human development and the creation of economic, social and environmental conditions that nurture and advance the well being of all the peoples of Trinidad and Tobago. The SEPF sets out the essential elements of national policy in a comprehensive and integrated agenda that places people at the centre of the development process. The policy framework is cast in the vision of transforming Trinidad and Tobago into a developed country by 2020. To facilitate this transformation, special attention is placed on the creation of a knowledge-based society, enhancement of the quality and delivery of public services, strengthening of the infrastructure base of the country and modernisation of the system of law and justice. At the heart of the policy agenda is the issue of human development – education and training, health, housing, basic amenities such as water and electricity, employment, equity ownership, and personal safety and security. High priority is placed on poverty alleviation, the generation of sustainable employment opportunities and the creation of a harmonious society. 1 Social and Economic Policy Framework In order to achieve developed country status, a robust and diversified economic base is a prerequisite. Accordingly, the energy, manufacturing, services, agriculture, small business and micro-enterprise sectors have been targeted as the key sectors to drive the growth process. The thrust towards a higher level of growth and human development must take place within a framework that ensures environmental sustainability. As a consequence, equal priority is given to the preservation and conservation of the environment. The developmental objectives, strategies and programmes of the SEPF, for the period 2003-2005, are summarised in an implementation matrix, which will serve as a key policy management tool to monitor progress towards the attainment of developed country status by 2020. 2 Vision 2. VISION: DEVELOPED COUNTRY STATUS BY 2020 The Government has a clear vision for the transformation of Trinidad and Tobago into a developed society by the year 2020. Vision 2020 places Trinidad and Tobago as a fully developed nation in every sense, in terms of the strength and resilience of its economy, the level of human development, its social and institutional structures, the quality of governance, as well as, the state of the natural environment.

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