A Roadmap for Growth: AMCHAM T&T's Recommendations for the 2026/2027 National Budget
LINKAGE Q2 (2026) - IMPACTThe American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T) recently submitted its 2026/2027 National Budget Recommendations to the Honourable Davendranath Tancoo, Minister of Finance.The submission presents a comprehensive set of policy recommendations spanning several key sectors, which are reflective of the Chamber’s membership concerns gleaned from a member survey conducted by the Chamber’s Secretariat. While broad in scope, they are united by a single objective: creating the conditions necessary for long-term economic resilience and sustainable growth.
Commercial relationship with the United States
AMCHAM T&T recommends:• designation of the Piarco International Airport as a U.S. Pre-Clearance Port, allowing travellers to complete U.S. immigration and customs procedures before departure• participation in the U.S. Global Entry Programme, improving the ease of international business travel• modernising the Trinidad and Tobago–United States Double Taxation Treaty to improve cross-border investment and commercial activity.
Digital Transformation
AMCHAM T&T recommends:• establishment of a funded National Digital Public Infrastructure Programme• implementation of the "Once-Only Principle" for government services• digitisation of the country's top citizen and business life events• development of a national artificial intelligence governance framework• continued investment in cyber resilience.
AMCHAM T&T also proposes
• creation of a National Nearshoring and Digital Export Strategy to position Trinidad and Tobago as a regional hub for digital services while encouraging investment in sustainable artificial intelligence infrastructure and modern data centres.• enhanced tax incentives for research and development, alongside the introduction of an Advanced Tax Ruling System to provide businesses with greater certainty, improve tax compliance and strengthen confidence in the country's tax administration.• mobilise greater private sector investment through public-private partnerships to accelerate national development projects and improve productivity.• continued investment in national security, judicial reform, occupational health and safety, environmental sustainability and broader ESG initiatives that strengthen investor confidence and long-term resilience.• prioritising strategic cross-border gas developments, including the Dragon, Loran-Manatee and Manakin-Cocuina projects• a transparent gas allocation policy and longer-term gas supply agreements to support downstream industries and preserve Trinidad and Tobago's industrial competitiveness.• renewed focus on tourism development through stronger destination marketing and investment facilitation• expanded support for agriculture and agro-processing to improve food security, strengthen local production and reduce import dependence. Read AMCHAM T&T's full 2026/2027 National Budget Recommendations to explore the complete set of proposals and policy recommendations.https://www.amchamtt.com/budgetrecommendations2026
