- The Event: Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo will present the UNC Government’s second national budget in Parliament on Monday, October 12th.
- Core Theme: Tancoo said that the budget is centered on strict accountability and transparency, ensuring the public knows exactly how every dollar is raised and spent.
- Fiscal Restraint: Addressing calls for increased government spending, Tancoo warned that limited resources mean some good ideas must be put on hold, stating that good governance requires discipline and sacrifice.
- Collaborative Process: The Minister described the budget as an ‘economic jigsaw puzzle’ resulting from months of collaboration across government ministries, business, labor, and civil society, rather than a ‘one-man show.’
- Strict Oversight: Beyond Monday’s announcements, the government has committed to real-time tracking of expenditures and strict auditing to maintain public financial stewardship throughout the year.
In a video message on Saturday, Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo says the 2026/2027 Budget to be delivered on Monday will be one of fiscal discipline, transparency, and accountability.
Noting that it will be the Government’s second national budget, he described the fiscal package as a blueprint for the year ahead.
Tancoo said the budget will clearly outline how the government intends to earn revenue and invest in its people.
He said, “This budget is about accountability.”
Tancoo said, “It is your Minister of Finance keeping you in the loop, reporting on how every dollar is raised, how every dollar will be spent, and where we stand with our current plans.”
A collaborative “economic jigsaw puzzle”
The Finance Minister was quick to dispel the notion that the budget is a “one-man show” or crafted in isolation. He described the formulation process as an “economic jigsaw puzzle” that required months of extensive collaboration between Ministry of Finance staff, various government ministries, and stakeholders across business, labor, and civil society.
Tancoo noted that specialized teams have been rigorously assessing economic growth, inflation, unemployment, and sector performance. These evaluations, he said, are aimed at achieving economic stability, diversification, and accelerated growth while protecting vulnerable citizens, improving healthcare and education, and creating safer communities.
Tough choices and fiscal restraint
Addressing the public’s desire for immediate solutions to national issues, Tancoo offered a sobering reminder about the country’s financial realities. He admitted that one of the most difficult parts of preparing the budget was balancing the great initiatives proposed by various ministries with affordability and overall government policy.
“Sometimes having to say ‘not yet’ to good ideas is necessary because of limited resources at this time,” Tancoo explained. Responding to calls for increased government spending, he added, “People often say the government should just spend more money to fix things, but it isn’t that simple. Good governance calls for sacrifices, it calls for discipline, and it calls for restraint.”
He emphasized that these sacrifices are essential to rebuilding the nation, recovering its international standing, and ushering in a new era of sustainable development and shared prosperity for Trinidad and Tobago.
Beyond Budget Day
Tancoo said passing the budget is only the first step. He assured the public that stringent oversight mechanisms, including real-time tracking of expenditure, active daily management by the Treasury Division, and public auditing, will be enforced to ensure funds are spent transparently.
He told citizens to look beyond the raw numbers and major announcements.
Tancoo said, “Listen to the story that the budget tells, look at the problems that are being addressed and how those actions connect for the benefit of everyone.”
He said, “Behind the numbers is where you will see the shape of progress.”
Tancoo also thanked the countless individuals who contributed to the budget’s development, giving a special acknowledgment to his constituents in Fyzabad, and expressing his optimism for the future of Trinidad and Tobago.
