Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo has dismissed alarm over Standard & Poor’s (S&P) latest action, stressing that while T&T’s outlook shifted from “stable” to “negative,” the nation’s BBB- investment-grade rating remains intact. He said the change is a warning, not a crisis, reflecting past fiscal weaknesses, and pledged that the 2026 budget will launch reforms to strengthen fiscal discipline, diversify the economy, and boost investor confidence.
S&P warned a downgrade could come within 6–24 months if fiscal and economic issues aren’t addressed. The T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce echoed these concerns, citing overreliance on energy, forex shortages, and slow diversification, but expressed hope that upcoming government strategies and bold reforms in the budget will improve competitiveness and resilience. The Chamber’s post-Budget forum will focus on “Unlocking Trinidad and Tobago’s Next Generation Economy.”
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