Opinion
- Editorial- Commentary
PNM :
Vision
2020: Towards first-world status
In
his budget for fiscal ’08, Prime Minister
Patrick Manning reminded Trinidad and Tobago that
the PNM government, when it came into office in
2001, began to implement proposals developed during
its period in opposition for transformation of
this country into a developed nation in the shortest
possible time, but certainly by the year 2020.
He
emphasised that the driving force behind this
transformation was the PNM’s enduring passion
and determination to bring sustained prosperity,
accompanied by a higher quality of life to every
individual, family and community throughout the
length and breadth of T&T.
The
vision that emerged—Vision 2020—was
more than just an economic vision, but the distillation
of the hopes and aspirations of the founding fathers
of the People’s National Movement (PNM),
as enshrined in every one of the articles of our
constitution.
It has been articulated by our prime minister
and his ministers that successfully achieving Vision
2020 will enable us to attain first-world status
and all that comes with that status.
But what is meant by the term first-world status,
and what are the parameters that indicate the attainment
of such a paradigm?
What do we have to put in place to qualify for
such recognition, and who are the judges to confer
such an exalted status?
Let’s
define and qualify the term first world, which
means that when such a phrase is used,
it refers to a country that is democratic, industrialised,
socially responsible and capable of functioning
efficiently and profitably within a highly-competitive
globalised environment.
In
a discussion among government and financial experts
in London, recently, a consensus was arrived
at as to what is necessary to be done by aspiring
third world countries with advanced economies (T&T
is included in the world’s top 60 countries
in this category) to achieve first world status.
The discussion described all the physical attributes
that one would normally associate with the developed
world, like health, education, infrastructure,
security and transport.
The discussants also spoke about the Human Development
Index (HDI) which is published annually by the
UN, and measures the average achievements of a
country in three basic dimensions of human development
viz: a long and healthy life, as measured by life
expectancy at birth; knowledge, as measured by
the adult literacy rate and the combined primary,
secondary and tertiary gross enrolment rate; and
a decent standard of living, as measured by its
GDP per capita.
Since
T&T, as part of its Vision 2020 goal,
is seeking to establish itself as the region’s
financial centre, certain prerequisites will have
to be met in keeping with this objective.
In the interest of transparency, the financial
regulatory agency would need to be independent,
consistent with what obtains in successful financial
centres.
An appropriate legislative framework would, therefore,
have to be enacted to oversee such an important
sector in our country. Government would, of course,
be required to pursue policies that will keep under
constant review such parameters as, for example,
the value of the currency, inflation and GDP trends.
A
well-founded financial centre could serve as
an inducement to many of the major financial
entities
to establish their presence here, thereby further
enhancing the country’s prestige as a financial
banking centre.
As
Minister Enill told Parliament when wrapping-up
the 2008 budget debate in the Senate on Thursday
night, such a development would allow T&T to
protect its future away from oil and gas.
It would also provide challenging career opportunities
in capital market operations for many of our brightest
sons and daughters, enabling them to apply their
talents at home, rather than being forced to migrate
to do so.
Let us look at ourselves and ascertain how far
along the road to first world developed status
we have reached.
In
a recent speech at the handing over of the official
prime minister’s residence and diplomatic
centre, Udecott’s Chairman, Calder Hart,
said through the development programme:
n jobs are being created and unemployment figures
being reduced;
n facilities such as community centres and recreational
facilities are being provided;
n affordable housing is being made accessible
to more and more citizens in varying income brackets;
n police and fire stations and facilities for
the coast guard are being provided;
n opportunities are being provided for our nationals
to benefit, learn and enhance their vocational
skills through training programmes;
n the education, skills and technical abilities
of all players in the construction sector from
the architects, contractors and project managers
to the lawyers are being enhanced and developed;
n long-term investments are being made in the
healthcare sector through the construction, refurbishment
and upgrading of a number of primary and secondary
healthcare facilities;
n much-needed training facilities for our sportsmen
and women are being provided;
n cultural facilities are being constructed, expanded
and/or upgraded;
n Renovation and refurbishment works are being
undertaken on a number of our historical landmarks;
n Improvements are being made in our transportation
sector;
n through the construction of modern and ergonomic
office buildings, the Government is enhancing accommodation
for public servants, while reducing rental costs
and initiating public sector reform.
n
greater awareness in T&T’s enormous
potential and possibilities is being promoted;
and
n
T&T is broadening and deepening its relations
with the international community.
Manifestly,
T&T is already a functioning democracy
with a market-driven economy; we are an active
member of the equally democratic Caribbean Community
(CARICOM) and though small, is well-respected within
the international community.
As
T&T embarks on its 46th year of independence
and nation-building, our people are generally accepting
of the transformational vision of the PNM; demonstrating
quiet confidence in its leadership, given its determination
to steer the ship of state towards the achievable
goal of developed nation status.
We,
the people, will reaffirm this confidence when
called upon in election 2007 to make a critical
decision for T&T’s continuing development
within our existing democratic framework of peace,
order and good government.
Magnum est PNM
et praevalebit
May God bless our nation
PNM People’s
national Movement is
one of Trinidad's political currents ( www. pnm.org.tt
). Petroleumworld
not necessarily share these
views.
Editor's
Note: This article was first publish in Trinidad
Guardian, Sunday 9th September, 2007 . Petroleumworld
reprint this article in the interest
of our readers.
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Petroleumworld
09/09/07
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