Trinidad and Tobago is moving in the right direction after a decade of “damage and disorder” under the former People’s National Movement (PNM) administration, says Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.She said this has been validated by the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF’s) positive assessment of the country.Persad-Bissessar was responding to questions from the Express yesterday about the IMF’s conclusion of its 2026 Article IV consultation with Trinidad and Tobago.The Prime Minister said the IMF’s report was a powerful endorsement of leadership, prudent economic management and an unwavering commitment to rebuilding T&T after a decade of economic decline.She said the decade of “doom and gloom” under the PNM was turning around and “brighter” days were ahead as she urged citizens to not lose hope and hold strain as policies were implemented to keep T&T moving towards development.Persad-Bissessar said the successful conclusion of the IMF consultation confirmed that T&T was once again “moving in the right direction” and the respect of the international community was boosted.She said T&T has shifted from a period of economic deterioration under the former PNM administration to one of rebuilding, transformation and renewed progress.Persad-Bissessar said the IMF report highlighted several key achievements attained by her Government in just over one year in office, including low inflation, a stable and well-capitalised banking sector, a strong external position and adequate international reserves supported by the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund.IMF cautions“These achievements are particularly significant given the difficult economic realities we inherited, including declining foreign reserves, escalating debt, weakened national buffers and years of fiscal mismanagement,” she said.Persad-Bissessar said from the very beginning, her Government took decisive and responsible action to stabilise the economy, restore investor confidence and implement sound fiscal reforms geared toward long-term sustainability, resilience and growth.The Prime Minister said the IMF’s findings validated the difficult but necessary decisions taken to restore economic stability, strengthen institutions and reposition Trinidad and Tobago on a sustainable path of national development.“I have said repeatedly that we could not repair the damage and disorder we inherited overnight. However, through discipline, competence, sound governance and strategic planning, we have succeeded in restoring confidence both locally and internationally,” she said.Persad-Bissessar noted that these efforts were made while still honouring commitments to the population, including delivering a 10% wage increase to public servants and restoring vital social programmes such as the laptop initiative for schoolchildren.She acknowledged the IMF’s caution regarding the impact of the war in the Middle East, but also pointed to the Fund’s observation that faster implementation of reforms under the Revitalisation Blueprint and sustained investment could lift medium-term growth prospects.“We remain focused on revitalising the energy sector, diversifying the economy, improving the investment climate, reducing bureaucracy and accelerating national development,” said Persad-Bissessar.She said as foreign direct investment continued to increase and both the public and private sectors expand critical projects and initiatives, more opportunities and jobs would be created for citizens.“My Government remains fully committed to protecting the vulnerable, empowering businesses and young people, expanding opportunities and ensuring that Trinidad and Tobago achieves sustainable growth, lasting prosperity and renewed national pride,” she said.