Highlighting the important role the manufacturing sector plays in generating export revenue, coupled with the fact that the country’s COVID-19 cases appear to be controlled,  the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association is hoping to be given the go-ahead for all of its members to resume operations by May 18th.

A formal request for such was sent to Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh and the Recovery Committee set up to plan the post COVID-19 reality, by  TTMA President, Franka Costelloe.

In a statement on Thursday, the Association noted that 273 of its 530 workers are already in operation, given they are listed as essential services. It called on government to “play fair” and allow the other members to open their businesses. “To date there has been no known case of Covid-19 spread in a factory setting. The TTMA is therefore advocating that the remaining members be allowed to open and operate – especially given that they are bound by the same guidelines and protocols under which the essential businesses have been operating,” it said.

The Association said the extended closure has severely impacted revenue, noting that “Among the membership of the TTMA alone as of 14^th April, nineteen non-essential manufacturers have export orders totaling TTD $103M. When the 2020 figures for the period 28^th March -29^th April is compared to that of 2019, it shows an alarming decline in exports of 66% (just over TTD $283M”.

This continued loss in export revenue, it said,  cannot be sustained, “especially with the current TTD $934M spent by the government on COVID relief as of 12^th May”.

Earlier this week, In response to private sector complaints about the “risk averse” approach adopted by government in reopening the economy, Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon says there is still need for a degree of continued vigilance.

In a statement on Tuesday, Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon defended government’s approach to reopening the economy, saying while the country is in a good place to resume some economic activity, the main priority must be maintaining the progress made in the recent months.