Leaders of three business groups have applauded efforts to reduce the bureaucracy in accessing goods and services from the state. They did so following the recent launch of the TTBiz Link platform.
Ramesh Ramdeen, CEO of the T&T Manufacturer’s Association (TTMA), Ravi Suryadevara, president of the American Chamber of Commerce of T&T (AmChamTT) and Shiva Roopnarine, president of the Penal/Debe Chamber of Commerce said the portal is in keeping with recommendations made by their respective organisations.
Now in its third phase of development with more than 6,500 registered users, TTBiz Link hosts 45 transactional e-services administered by 24 government departments across nine separate ministries. It has reduced duplication of information across multiple agencies and improved information sharing among statutory organisations.
Government will be working with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for further development of the system.
Ramdeen said he expects the new servicest to enhance the business environment by reducing the length of time it takes to get business done.
“The only concerns we have is the back-up systems in place, because our experience with the TTBiz Link framework is that sometimes when it shuts down it creates havoc. They need to have a good back-up system in place,” he said.
He called for an the system to be expanded to include on-line applications for passports and driver’s permits.
“In the United States for example, you can stay home and get your driver’s permit. We would like to see TTBiz Link move in that particular direction,” Ramdeen said.
Roopnarine, meanwhile, is calling for access to TTBiz Link to be expanded.
He said: “You had to fill out eight forms for the maritime services. That is now condensed into one form that goes out to different people. The information you submit to one agency can be shared among others. In business, there is a lot of red tape in doing stuff. Sometimes simple things like this could take you days. Now, you are talking about a matter of minutes you could get it done.”
Suryadevara, described the unveiling of the service as a tremendous step forward that had been long awaited.
“This, in addition to the work we have been pushing the Government to do with the Exchequer Act to facilitate on-line payments, will help with compliance and collection,” he said.