Naparima MP and shadow Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Rodney Charles has called for “tangible results” from the “expensive foreign jaunts” Government officials were going on.
In a release, Charles alleged that millions in tax-free per diems are being paid for the travelling delegation to Saudi Arabia with “precious little to show”.
“How many soft loans/grants will benefit T&T? How much foreign direct investments? How many more tourists, technology transfers, crime-fighting collaborations or well-paying jobs created?” were some of the questions Charles had for the Prime Minister.
Charles claimed that up to September 2022, the PM had racked up TT$1.5 million in tax free, foreign travel per diems paid in US dollars.
“Arguably, T&T has experienced no substantial benefits from these trips,” Charles posited.
Charles said PM Rowley needs to follow fellow Caricom leaders who, when they hold meetings with foreign leaders, secure very tangible trade, jobs and investment achievements for their citizens.