Central Bank

Folks have started referring to the CLICO EFPA product as a Ponzi scheme.  While it may have been a Ponzi scheme at the time Mr Lawrence Duprey approached the Central Bank/Ministry of Finance for help in Jan 2009, my theory is that it didn't start out that way.  This theory is the subject of this article.

It is refreshing to note that our public agencies are making increasing use of the Internet as part of their public relations.  The key elements to me, as a citizen seeking to analyse public policy statements, are the performance data.  I am a firm believer that public policy should be supported by sound quantitative and qualitative data, if only to reduce the risk of 'policy by vaps'.  I wish to congratulate those public servants who implemented this positive action through their websites, and the Ministers who ensured it was funded (and those who ensure it continues to expand).

As reported in today's Trinidad Guardian, the Hon. Minister of Labour, Small and Micro Enterprises Errol Mc Leod says the minimum wage will not be increased to $20 an hour. He was made to respond to widespread claims that this was a People's Partnership campaign promise.

A Trinidad Guardian article ("Food prices inch up", 29 Mar 2010) prompted me to go to the Central Bank T&T website (click on the Data link) for some raw price index data.  I discovered something interesting, but can't fully explain it.  Maybe you can help.