TRADE and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon debunked claims by Opposition Senator Damian Lyder that the domestic manufacturing sector has collapsed.

She did so during her contribution to the budget debate in the Senate on Monday. Lyder made his claims when he spoke in the debate on October 20.

Lyder was absent from the sitting owing to illness.

Former NAR political leader Dr Carson Charles was appointed as a temporary opposition senator in his absence.

Gopee-Scoon described Lyder's claims as "silly," amd said Lyder had got confused by what he was saying.

"He is betwixt and between."

Gopee-Scoon said, "During fiscal 2023, 40 major reinvestments by manufacturers were recorded to the amount of TT$1.4 billion, which is quite significant and expected to generate at least 923 jobs."

Government senators thumped their desks when she added, "These manufacturers are really performing well, not only in investments but in export performance."

Gopee-Scoon said this was reflected in growth in areas like the food and beverage sector "which (is) valued at $3 billion, representing an increase of 22 per cent from 2021."

Non-energy exports, she continued, increased by 15 per cent, from $15.6 billion to $17.9 billion, in 2021-2022.

Government also continues its focus to develop small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the budget.

Gopee-Scoon said, "SMEs are the backbone of our economy and the architects of our nation's future."

SMEs, she added, are "integral not only to the country’s economic prosperity through job creation, revenue generation and foreign-exchange earnings but also to sustaining livelihoods and wellbeing, especially among women and youth."

Gopee-Scoon described the budget as SME-focused.

She identified the Moruga Agro Processing facility as an SME initiative "which takes advantage of the strong agro-base of our domestic manufacturing sector and is an apt industrial response to food security which is a priority of the government."

Gopee-Scoon criticised people who trivialised this initiative or expected it to blossom overnight.

She said "SMEs can be vehicles to sustain livelihoods and the wellbeing of families and communities

"Our nation would be better off if in every family there was the access and opportunity for at least one member to become an entrepreneur."

Gopee-Scoon hinted this can be possible "when you consider the entire ecosystem that this government has made available to citizens."

Government is seeking to strengthen this ecosystem.

"The facilities and programmes are available and I encourage all interested parties and existing businesses to take advantage of them."

She also said Government is pursuing efforts to increase opportunities for female entrepreneurs through initiatives such as the SheTrades Hub.

This platform, Gopee-Scoon continued, has over 700 women registered on it.

Gopee-Scoon said the importance of SMEs to the economy was further emphasised last week in the House when Finance Minister Colm Imbert said, "84 per cent of the 158 manufacturing com