Who's Who in Trinidad & Tobago Business 2022-23

Automotive and Aviation Services

2

Banking, Investment and Financial Services

Insurance

Thanks 24 60

Construction and Engineering

42

Energy And Energy-Related Industries

Special 48

Health and Safety, Environment and Standards

Information and Communications Technology

Dr. Kongsheik Achong Low, Executive Chairman, Medcorp Limited

Emmanuel Baah, Deputy General Manager, Estate Planning and Business Development, Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (AATT)

Dr. Krishna Bahadoorsingh, Chairman, Caribbean Housing Ltd. (CHL)

Tricia Coosal, President, Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA)

Franka Costelloe, Chairman, InvesTT

Ian De Souza, Principal Adviser, Advice Financial Company Ltd.

Navin Dookeran, Chief Executive Officer, EXIMBANK

Mark Edghill, President, Association of Real Estate Agents (AREA)

Vashti Guyadeen, Chief Executive Officer, Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Service Industries (TTCSI)

Sherron Harford, Vice Chair, The Shelter

Dr. Alvin Hilaire, Governor, Central Bank of Trinidad & Tobago

Dr. Graham King, Dept. of Manufacturing & Mechanical Engineering, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine

Manufacturing and Retail Distribution

94

Professional Services, HR and Management Consultancies

104

18 122

Real Estate, Property Development and Security Services

82 114

Shipping, Ports and Courier Services

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Bevil M. Wooding

Angela Lee Loy, Chairman, Aegis Business Solutions, Eve Anderson Recruitment, and Caribbean Resourcing Solutions

Vilma Lewis-Cockburn, CEO, Trinidad and Tobago Inter-island Transportation Company (TTIT)

Glenn Mahabirsingh, President, Trinidad and Tobago Contractors Association (TTCA)

Eng. Dr. Chris Maharaj, President, Association of Professional Engineers of Trinidad and Tobago (APETT)

Nadra Nathai-Gyan, Chairman, Environmental Management Authority (EMA)

Niala Persad-Poliah, Executive Director, The National Insurance Board of Trinidad and Tobago (NIB)

Ernest Ashley Taylor, President, Point Lisas Industrial Port Development Corporation Limited (PLIPDECO)

Marcus Tewari, Director, Broadview Surveillance Systems

Ravi Tewari, CEO, Guardian Group Shared Services

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Richard Lewis Chairman Prestige Business Publications Limited

Fast Forward into 2023

Welcome to our 2022-2023 edition of the Who’s Who in Trinidad & Tobago Business . We hope that your journey of discovery, page after page, is as inspiring and informative as our publishing team and content producers would like it to be for our customers.

Whenever I hear the term fast forward, I think of technology and the mechanisms that have developed to allow people to skip over things they do not deem important, spending time instead listening or looking at some form of entertainment or educational content. Those people speed up the unimportant content by as much as five times by using two or three arrows consecutively to move ahead to a specific destination where they use a pause button and return to the regular viewing or listening speed.

The age of fast-forwarding has now taken us to new heights as the use of forecasting and visioning has brought the future to the present, and with a high degree of accuracy. Business has moved from five to 10-year planning, to a two to three-year planning cycle, moving faster every day because of the application of technology in all forms and functions.

In the book Exponential Organizations , the author Salim Ismail gives many examples of how a range of maybe 10 different technologies across many verticals – Health, Education, Security, IT, Agriculture, Transportation, Energy & Hospitality – provides time frames for delivering the cost/performance improvement, subsequently getting better by the day so that we can now understand why over the past four years, some technologies’ average cost has come from thousands of dollars for usage to mere cents.

Why do I speak to this in the Publisher’s Note this year?

Because I believe the message in the theme of this year’s edition “Fast Forward into 2023” must be that organisations who have chosen to be in the Who’s Who in Trinidad & Tobago Business see their participation not as a cost, but as an investment in the growth and scaling

of their business, and as part of an exponential return on an investment strategy that will result in their customers’ trust and experience.

Who’s Who in Trinidad & Tobago Business is not a magazine, it is a marketing and public relations tool, which puts your greatest asset, your people, in the face of existing and future customers. In every company, systems run the business and people manage the systems. Such is the critical pivot around which success moves constantly. For fast-forwarding to be successful, investing in the right talent is the number one investment strategy that a company, that wishes to be successful tomorrow, must get right today. With the wrong talent, the gaps will come fast and furious and any idea of fast forwarding will inevitably end in failure or will not achieve its desired future state, in the right time frame.

The business environment for 2023, is not likely to look different in the local and regional sense except for perhaps Guyana, which will continue to boom through oil and gas. The global economy will continue to have its ups and downs, but it would appear that those cycles are now much more predictable, and therefore the next year will be one of opportunity, as a window to the next five years will open to those who have the right people, with the right leadership, and the right culture. Those companies that have these three attributes are once again in this publication and those who are in for the first time, now have risen to the challenge.

In closing, let me thank the Executive Publication Team and the Editorial Contributors for once again punching way above their weight and the decision makers in the companies that are represented here, for their continuing brilliant foresight. This foresight continues to bring a very high level of confidence in the possibilities of business success for all customers, employees, shareholders, and communities of these business ventures.

Let’s create the Exponential Experience for all in 2023.

Ministry of Trade and Industry

Despite the challenges of the past two and a half years, the resilience demonstrated by the people and businesses of Trinidad and Tobago is particularly commendable and deserving of much praise. Guided by the National Development Strategy (2016-2030) — Vision 2030 and the Roadmap for Trinidad and Tobago: Transforming to a New Economy and a New Society, the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is focused on transforming and repositioning the economy by creating an ecosystem that expands the production of our goods and services, increases productivity, boosts competitiveness, leverages greater use of technology and stimulates innovation across all sectors.

To achieve these objectives, the Government is implementing a number of initiatives in the non-energy sector, in the manufacturing and agricultural sectors and more particularly, the wood and woodworking and agroprocessing sub-sectors. The Government acknowledges the symbiotic relationship between labour and productivity, and continues to equip the labour force with the relevant skills sets needed to reshape and recalibrate the economy.

Accordingly, an apprenticeship programme for the nonenergy manufacturing sector was launched in June 2022. This programme will train and upskill over 300 persons, enabling them to thrive in a world-class and competitive manufacturing environment. A similar apprenticeship programme for the wood and wood products sub-sector has also been developed and will be launched by October 2022 to provide 50 persons with the requisite technical and practical skills to enter the industry. Additionally, another 600 persons will benefit from training in agriculture and agro-processing under the Youth Agricultural Homestead Programme, and other training opportunities enabling them to sustainably contribute to the sector through entrepreneurship.

It is advocated that increased exports, particularly in the non-energy sector, will considerably boost the economic health of our country. In light of this, the MTI through the Export Facilitation Organization of Trinidad and Tobago (exporTT) is determined to expand the country’s range of exports to existing and new targeted export markets, with the objective of doubling non-energy manufacturing exports by 2024. To this end, the Export Booster Initiative (EBI) was launched in 2021 to assist businesses to increase production, create new and innovative products and expand market access, thereby generating greater revenue and pursuing import substitution.

The use of technology in business cannot be overemphasised. In fact, the pandemic has reaffirmed the critical importance of technology in the way we live, work and do business.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry is therefore enthused by the encouraging response to the recently launched Trade and Business Information Portal in May 2022. This platform, which is integrated under the Single Electronic Window-TTBizLink, provides invaluable trade and business information to entrepreneurs and investors enabling them to make more data-driven business decisions. Since its launch at the end of July, close to 100,000 businesses and investors have visited the portal from over 90 countries. The Government is also committed to creating an enabling environment for attracting business and investment. Accordingly, two fundamental developments—a new Special Economic Zones (SEZ) regime and a new proposed Trade and Investment Promotion Agency, are being spearheaded by the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Both entities are expected to be operational in early fiscal 2023 and will be focused on showcasing our country’s business landscape and marketing our non-energy sectors, while enhancing our competitiveness with the rest of the world in our offer of incentives.

Ministry of Trade and Industry

Level 17, Nicholas Towers

63-65 Independence Square

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 623-2931-4

Fax: (868) 623-7588

Email: mti-info@gov.tt

Website: http://www.tradeind.gov.tt/

Already there is a rebound in the country’s economic position to pre-pandemic levels on account of the implementation of several strategic initiatives by the Government and the strategic actions of our dynamic private sector to recalibrate Trinidad and Tobago. The Government remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering strong publicprivate partnerships that seek to encourage inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development. In this regard, the support of the private sector will continue to serve as a catalyst in repositioning and reasserting Trinidad and Tobago as a regional leader in business, trade and investment.

Senator The Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon Minister Ministry of Trade and Industry Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

Chief Secretary and Secretary for Finance, Trade and the Economy

Tobago House of Assembly (THA)

For many reasons, the two-year period of March 2020-March 2022 will remain an unforgettable part of history in Tobago, in Trinidad and Tobago and across the globe. The gradual lifting of health restrictions and the reopening of the economy has undoubtedly brought relief to many. There are few individuals who can say they were not impacted economically, socially, physically or mentally by the pandemic, or that they have not dealt with loss in any form. Yet, if history has taught us anything, it is that opportunity is often found in the company of adversity. Thus, our outlook tends to determine our level of success.

As Tobago looks forward to fiscal 2023, this calls for us to reassess, reshape and realign our approach to ensure that the residents of our great island are the beneficiaries of every economic gain we accrue. This is why the island’s budget presentation (2022-2023) outlined development aimed at improving the people’s welfare. Our desire is to make Tobago the “Greatest Little Island on the Planet”. To do so, we must guide Tobago towards fulfilling its considerable potential in a manner that is both sustainable and amenable to the future growth of our resources and our human capital.

We must contribute to this by boosting education and human capital development, and by fostering the spirits of creativity and innovation. We must be intentional about developing an efficient, effective and accountable public service. We must provide quality, science-driven healthcare, while protecting the most vulnerable among us; and we must safeguard the peace and security of our residents, as well as our natural, social and cultural heritage. Of course, this must be undergirded by a technologically driven economy, and transparent, accountable and inclusive governance. Yes, this is a grand ambition, but one that is eminently achievable.

The island’s quest for autonomy is critical to many of these reforms. Autonomy will allow us to put the right resources in the right places and to minimise the bureaucratic delays that threaten to stall our progress. It will also place renewed focus on Tobago’s role in national development. In the end, this will redound to greater, sustainable economic growth within the island, and on a national scale. It is surely the kind of future we look forward to with great optimism and confidence.

Charles Pashley President

Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce (T&T Chamber)

The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce takes this opportunity to warmly congratulate the publishers of Who’s Who in Trinidad and Tobago Business on its newest edition. The magazine stayed the course through the pandemic and pivoted to adjust to prevailing conditions. We are pleased to continue to be part of this magazine which is firmly established as a go-to reference for investors and the business community. As we emerge from the pandemic, we are confronted with a vastly changed world. Our country is at a defining point as we adapt to embrace the changes and remain competitive. The path ahead demands resilience in a society that will be increasingly defined by technology and creativity. We firmly believe that the support of MSMEs is integral to our national growth and well-being. A focus on the implementation of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards is necessary to fulfill our objectives for the betterment of our society.

The Chamber continues represent the “Voice of Business” as we work with other national and regional stakeholders to engender business growth. We provide robust advocacy on key public policies and regulations to foster a facilitative environment that allows all businesses to thrive and be globally competitive. We remain the only business representative organisation in T&T with a Tobago desk. Additionally, we offer an extensive portfolio of services to assist members by offering industry insights, developmental training, medical insurance coverage, a business awards programme, linkages with regional and international business associations and preferential rates for rental of our facilities.

Tobago House of Assembly Administrative Complex

62-64 Calder Hall Road

Scarborough 900408

Tobago

Tel: (868) 639-3421/2696; Fax: (868) 639-5374

Email: chiefsecretary@tha.gov.tt

Website: tha.gov.tt

Columbus Circle, Westmoorings

P.O. Box 499, Port of Spain

Trinidad

Tel: (868) 637-6966

Fax: (868) 637-7425

Email: chamber@chamber.org.tt

Website: www.chamber.org.tt

The Honourable Farley Chavez Augustine

62 Maraval Road, Port of Spain, Trinidad, W.I. PO Bag 150, Newtown, Port of Spain

Tel: (868) 622-4466/0340

Fax: (868) 628-9428

Email: inbox@amchamtt.com

Website: www.amchamtt.com

American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T)

Trinidad and Tobago’s immense natural resources and the talent of our people have made us a welcoming and attractive place for doing business, particularly for trade and investment opportunities. While the pandemic has caused specific challenges, it has also ushered in a new era for potential growth and development opportunities.

In the past two years, digital adoption has become the mainstay of our operations and human functioning which has led to an explosion of creativity, industriousness, and innovation by our people to stay competitive and successful in a rapidly evolving world. I believe this spirit of tenacity and resilience will help build a vibrant and competitive tech sector to increase the country’s economic diversification strategy.

Simultaneously, there are opportunities to develop a nearshoring sector which will also accelerate efforts to diversify the economy, find new and sustainable ways to increase GDP, and mitigate the negative impact of the pandemic on citizens and businesses.

AMCHAM T&T’s commitment to working with the Government to design and execute a nearshoring Strategy and promote digital transformation both in the private and public sectors will produce increased growth and sustainable development. With the right investments and increased collaboration among key stakeholders, we can become a nearshoring leader and use technology both as an enabler and as an industry to provide many opportunities for investors, entrepreneurs, and disruptors.

At AMCHAM T&T, we are well-poised to lead the business community through our expertise and access through our network of 25 AMCHAMs within this region. We are committed to developing a conducive business environment and building a resilient and cohesive society. So, make AMCHAM T&T your preferred growth partner into T&T or from T&T to the hemisphere!

The Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago (The Energy Chamber)

In the past two years, we have seen the role of natural gas increase in importance, both in terms of global energy security and in the pursuit of a low carbon future. This places the need to secure our natural gas supplies high on the national agenda.

Thackwray Driver President and Chief Executive Officer

The Energy Chamber recently released a six-point plan which we believe is critical to achieve this. Firstly, as a country, we need to fast-track bid rounds and the approval processes. The only way exploration and development is going to take place is if acreage is in the hands of competent and motivated companies.

We also need to focus on the issue of the reform of the upstream tax system to incentivise investment. Our Fiscal Reform Taskforce analysed the fiscal regime under which upstream companies operate in T&T and concluded that the current structure does not encourage companies to reinvest in exploration or in the development of new fields.

Thirdly, we need to promote investment to reduce the carbon intensity of both operations and products. In the future, cross-border adjustment mechanisms (or CBAMs) for carbon prices are likely to be introduced, particularly in Europe. This means that exporting will be dependent on the ability of operators to deliver low carbon products to market.

Fourthly, action is needed to divert natural gas from domestic electricity generation through energy efficiency and power generation from renewables. Doing this will free up natural gas which can be used in higher value activities like LNG and petrochemicals.

The fifth major area where we recommend action is in encouraging innovative approaches to small field development. We are a mature producer and new fields are often smaller and more difficult to develop. We need to find innovative ways of bringing this gas to market by making the best use of existing infrastructure.

The final area where we think action is needed is to secure cross and across-border gas supplies to be imported via pipeline. There are significant gas resources in neighbouring territories, especially in Venezuela, Barbados and Grenada. In addition to significant untapped offshore gas fields off Venezuela’s north coast, there are significant volumes of associated gas produced onshore Venezuela that is currently flared. The gas flared exceeds the current demand shortfall in Trinidad and Tobago.

Despite the challenges, T&T can position itself strategically in the energy transition and make the most of opportunities that are presented as the world shifts to a low carbon future. However, it is important to act now to ensure that our resources below the ground can be monetized as quickly as possible. Resources left in the ground have no value if not brought to market.

Dr.

Toni Sirju-Ramnarine President Nirad Tewarie Chief Executive Officer

Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CCIC)

For the last two and half years, businesses in Trinidad and Tobago and around the world had to combat and adapt to the culmination of the pandemic and the many problems that ensued from the war in Europe. Economic headwinds came in the form of supply chain disruptions, increasing inflationary pressure at the pump and the groceries, inefficient institutions, and ineffective government decisions.

When businesses found a glimmer of hope through pharmaceutical breakthroughs, mass vaccination, and the ease of restrictions on business sectors, the evolution of the Ukraine-Russia conflict brought yet another form of turbulence with which they had to wrestle. Indeed, the economic forecast for global growth remains dampened by various institutions as the vicious reality of the war looms large.

For a long time, businesses in T&T viewed themselves as immune and far removed from global shocks and pressures. However, a new day has dawned where political and economic instability (in developed nations that contribute heavily to providing major inputs) has far-reaching consequences in other parts of the world.

As we proceed along the second half of 2022 and look to 2023, businesses will not only have to be adaptable and agile to survive, they have to be antifragile. According to Nassim Nicholas Taleb, “Antifragility is beyond resilience or robustness. The resilient resists shocks and stays the same; antifragile gets better.”

Leaders cannot continue to do business as usual. Their decisions must be strategic and this means from procurement to capital budgeting, everything must be evaluated with rising inflationary pressures and supply chain disruptions at the top of mind.

This is also why digitization and the need for innovation can no longer be a luxury in T&T. It is a necessity. Embracing digitization not only allowed companies to lower their rental costs for physical space, but also enabled access to a wider market across the country and region.

You can innovate or wait until things go back to normal. Unfortunately, there were many businesses during the pandemic that were inflexible and did not want to adapt to the pace of change. Some of which had to close their doors permanently.

In sum, the businesses could not have imagined that Covid-19 would have caused so much disruption. Nevertheless, those who anticipated and adapted won. In the marketplace from 2022 to 2023, the companies that become antifragile will survive this period while the rest of the business world will be equipped to deal with a trade environment that no longer exists.

17 Cumberbatch Street

Chaguanas, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 671-2242, 272-2242

Email: nesha@ccictt.org

Website: www.ccictt.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Chaguanaschamber

Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) From Recovery to the Future

The theme of this year’s edition of the Who’s Who in Trinidad and Tobago Business magazine, ‘T&T Fast Forwarding into 2023’ appears to be a needed and natural extension of the national mandate that sought to put the country on the road to pandemic recovery over the course of 2021-22. While strides have been made towards recovery as evidenced by the Central Bank’s last three quarterly statistics, there is still much to be done.

From a manufacturing perspective, Trinidad and Tobago’s economy seems to need to recover and grow at the same time. That is to say, a true fast-forward action is required to keep up with the global rate of change. The good news about this challenge is that all sectors of the economy indicate that they are up to the task at hand. To this end, I believe the majority of both the energy and non-energy sectors have already set forth adjusted strategies and fresh growth objectives. What is left to be clarified is how both these sectors may fast forward recovery into growth not only for the interest of the sectors themselves, but for the benefit of tens of thousands of employees and other dependents.

One clear-minded vision is required to move the country forward and then a oneness of unity in its execution. Some of the ways I think this unity is built is through partnerships, collaborations, technical exchanges and projects that assemble resources from diverse fields. While not the exclusive skill set of the TTMA, and many other points of such synergies are possible and needed, the TTMA is a community of people who share this philosophy. In proverbial terms, it can be thought of as many hands make light work - an ethos I think is appropriate to accompany the theme of ‘T&T Fast Forwarding into 2023’. As I implore your consideration of theme and ethos, let me take this opportunity to wish you a successful year ahead, that you and your business partners fast forward into a brighter future.

TTMA Building, 42 Tenth Avenue

Barataria, Trinidad

PO Box 971, Port of Spain

Trinidad and Tobago

Tel: (868) 675-TTMA (8862)

Fax: (868) 675-9000

Email: bduofficer@ttma.com

Website: www.ttma.com

Richie Sookhai President

Tricia Coosal President Ramesh Ramdeen Chief Executive Officer

Tobago Division of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce (T&T Chamber)

The Tobago Division of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce congratulates the publishers of Who’s Who in Trinidad and Tobago Business upon successful publication of another informative issue.

The Division was established specifically to serve the needs of the Tobago business community and remains a vibrant and proactive arm of the T&T Chamber. Originally established as the Tobago Chamber of Commerce, it merged with the Trinidad Chamber 37 years later.

2nd Floor, Ansa McAl Building, Milford Road

P.O. 47, Scarborough, Tobago

Tel: (868) 639-2669; Fax: (868) 639-3014

Email: tobagochamber@chamber.org.tt; Website: www.chamber.org.tt

The Division will continue its work to be the connector and advocate for businesses on the island, particularly in the areas of tourism and related business streams which are critical to the island. Through the work of our divisional committees and our presence on committees of the Tobago House of Assembly, we engage collaboratively. We also seek out synergistic relationships with central government and national stakeholders. In doing so, we provide a vital link between the private and public sectors and civil society to further the interests of Tobagonians.

Trinidad Hotels, Restaurants and Tourism Association (THRTA)

The Trinidad Hotels, Restaurant and Tourism Association (THRTA), Trinidad’s largest private sector tourism body is honored to once again be part of this year’s Who’s Who in Trinidad & Tobago Business publication.

Hassel Thom President

P.O. Box 243

Port of Spain , Trinidad

Tel: (868) 634-1174/5

Email: info@tnthotels.com

As the THRTA continues to advocate for industry stakeholders on matters that can both negatively and positively impact the tourismcentric trading landscape, as it has done for more than half a century, on behalf of its membership and nonmembers alike that comprised the recognised locally owned independent hotels and guesthouses, as well as those belonging to international chains. Other integral components of its membership include restaurants, transport and tour operators and a multitude of companies that provide goods and services to the tourism industry.

The Covid-19 pandemic has been the most disruptive phenomenon to our tourism value

proposition in the past three generations. In light of such, the THRTA understands the need to work with all public and private sector partners, towards returning some level of normalcy to the trading environment, be it so with less resources, through advocacy and industry representation, strategic collaborations, networking and alliances, research and data acquisition and sourcing new revenue generation opportunities that will engender short term survival.

The THRTA remains cognisant that the postpandemic modus operandi demands that it must capitalise on opportunities that may not necessarily be generated from traditional sources as a strategy to ensure that each element of Trinidad’s tourism value chain continues to place the destination’s collective interest above self-interest, through rigorous adherence to and monitoring of Health and Safety Best Practices to influence the level of confidence for all travellers to Destination Trinidad.

The Supermarket Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SATT)

The Risk of Standing Still

Rajiv Diptee President

Unit 235, Centre Pointe Mall

3-25 Ramsaran Street

Chaguanas, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 789-6000

Email: info@satthq.com, satt.president@gmail.com

Website: www.satthq.com

Kickstarting an economy which has been shorn of the desired outputs and exports in various industries alongside an ever-ballooning food import bill, has created much tighter financial conditions for an ever-wearier citizen. Increasing food insecurity concerns linger and this has created the potential for social malaise, while ad hoc strategies are devised in the interest of the national recovery.

Adapting to the new normal has been frustrating for retailers and customers alike. Two years of crafting digital solutions for material consumables has spun the ‘means’ on a careening carousel towards the ‘ends’ that consumers desire. Yet the same smart technologies have not been able to replicate experiences but craft conveniences, which have petered out due to shifts in consumer

trends towards the nostalgia of household experiences.

While the outlook remains shrouded in uncertainty, we require astute leadership that steels against global currents. We must continue to invest in our people as our single greatest resource. Their individual development ensures the sustainability of a national pool of continuity as the heritage we leave for them must be the crowning legacy rising from the ashes of the pandemic. This will require crafting wily solutions for the present time with an eye on the medium to long term.

Tempering innovation with tradition by creating frameworks for technologies while recognising the cultural significance of household values is also a means to reset social dissonance. Therefore, with the myriad challenges Trinidad and Tobago continues to face, standing still is not an option.

Diane Hadad Chairman

Employers’ Consultative Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ECA)

Over the last two years, we have become hyper-aware of the value of resilience and the ability to respond to crisis events. We quickly learned that traditional models of work and business can sometimes hinder adaptability, and unless we embrace change, we risk being restricted in our ability to unlearn behaviours that no longer serve us. The shift towards remote and hybrid forms of work has been the most prominent example of this new reality.

In this regard, the ECA has been at the forefront of urging organisations, and providing support, to pivot towards the development and implementation of resiliency strategies with supporting systems and policies. Moreover, we understand that at the national level, there needs to be continuous dialogue on how to effectively build back better and stronger.

At the core of these issues is the question of human capital. Developing economies like ours cannot underestimate the necessity of nurturing our human resources within the region. Equally important in this conversation is recognising and accepting that the skills of the future will be different and therefore, our education and training systems and goals must be so aligned.

We need to inculcate values, at all levels, which encourage lifelong learning, and where necessary, reskilling. This is not always an easy road but encouraging an intrinsic need for continuous development within individuals will contribute to building a resilient workforce and society, with long-term, socio-economic benefits.

Now more than ever, we need responsible leadership to acknowledge and address the challenges we all face today and prepare us to thrive in the face of new adversities. The good news is that we already have a medium, through Social Dialogue, to frontally address these issues and encourage collective action among all stakeholders. Business groups and the private sector also have an important role to play in this regard. In fact, business organisations around the world have been leading conversations around sustainable economic transitions and the development of skills and capacities. Our future is dependent upon the decisions we make today, so let us collectively commit towards developing a world that is sustainable for those who inhabit it now, and for generations to come.

Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries (TTCSI)

TTCSI stands ready to drive services exports

One of the silver linings of the Covid-19 pandemic has been the increased use of technology to connect businesses with consumers. As the TTCSI and its member associations navigated the rough waters of 2020 into 2022, one of the mechanisms we used to ensure that service providers and industries can survive and thrive was to research, develop and implement a robust strategy for businesses to #GoGlobalTTServices.

Over the course of the past three years, we have:

Accelerated training for service providers and firms in Services Go Global (SGG).

• We have produced an electronic catalogue with the support of Caribbean Export for graduates of the SGG programme. This catalogue highlights businesses that have the capacity to internationalise. Ideally, this catalogue should be of interest to commercial banks.

• We have increased the TTCSI’s reach to include support of sub sectors that were not traditionally on the radar, namely barbering and hairdressing, woodworking, retail and distribution, speech and occupational health therapists.

• We are leading the charge for the reimagination of the maritime and yachting sectors.

• Developed the National Services Exporters Portal.

• Conducted extensive research on nearshoring opportunities for T&T as well as produced a Cluster Development Plan for Business and Events Tourism and are in the process of mapping the economic contribution of sports to T&T.

These are just some of the key projects that we have been spearheading. This is work that most business support organisations would shy away from, but not us at the TTCSI. We are serious about leading the charge for a new strategic direction for services in the Caribbean region. Be part of the movement to build a cadre of services exporters. Join us at the TTCSI as we move to accelerate the growth of services in T&T.

17 Samaroo Road, Aranguez Roundabout North Aranguez, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 675-5873, 638-6463

Fax: (868) 675-6026

Email: communications@ecatt.org

Website: www.ecatt.org

18 O’Connor Street, Woodbrook

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 622-9229

Email: marketing@ttcsi.org

Website: www.ttcsi.org

Mark Edghill President Vashti G. Guyadeen Chief Executive Officer

Keston Nancoo Chairman Ronald Ramlogan Chief Executive Officer

Chambers of Commerce

American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T)

Toni Sirju-Ramnarine – President

Nirad Tewarie – Chief Executive Officer

62 Maraval Road

Port of Spain, Trinidad

PO Bag 150, Newtown

Port of Spain, Trinidad W.I.

Tel: (868) 622-4466 / 0340

Fax: (868) 628-9428

Email: inbox@amchamtt.com

Website: www.amchamtt.com

Couva/Point Lisas Chamber of Commerce

Mukesh Ramsingh – President

12 Camden Road, Couva, Trinidad

Tel/Fax: (868) 636-5017, 609-5017

Email: couva.chamber@gmail.com

FB: www.facebook.com/couvachamber

European Business Chamber in Trinidad and Tobago

Maarten Spiljard – President

18 O’Connor Street, Woodbrook

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 684-8365

Email: info@eurochamtt.org

Website: www.eurochamtt.org

Penal/Debe Chamber of Commerce

Motilal Ramsingh CertPFM, FCCA –President 18 Penal Rock Road

Penal, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 717-1000

Email: penaldebechamber@gmail.com

Point Fortin South Western Chamber of Industry and Commerce

George Alexis – President

Davita Simon – First Vice President

Carlton Semper – Second Vice President

Southern Main Road, Point Fortin, Trinidad

c/o Coastal & Offshore Maritime Training Institute (COMTI)

Tel: (868) 648-4961

Email: pfswcic@gmail.com

Website: www.pfswcic.com

Sangre Grande Chamber of Commerce

Preston Sam – President

The Secretariat PO Box 4500

Sangre Grande, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 275-7274

Email: sgchambertt@gmail.com; sgrandechamber@gmail.com

Website: www.facebook.com/ SGChamberTT

The Chaguanas Chamber of Industry & Commerce (CCIC)

Richie Sookhai – President

17 Cumberbatch Street

Chaguanas, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 671-2242, 272-2242

Email: nesha@ccictt.org

Website: www.ccictt.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ Chaguanaschamber

The Energy Chamber of Trinidad & Tobago

Dr. Thackwray Driver –President and Chief Executive Officer

Jerome Dookie – Chairman

Suite B2.03, Atlantic Plaza

Atlantic Avenue

Point Lisas, Couva

Trinidad and Tobago

Tel: (868) 6-ENERGY, 679-6623/1398

Email: execoffice@energy.tt

Website: www.energy.tt

The Greater Tunapuna Chamber of Industry and Commerce

Ramon Gregorio – President

P.O. Box 2116

National Mail Centre

Golden Grove Road, Piarco

Trinidad, West Indies

Tel: (868) 322-4GTC (4482)

Email: gtchamberinfo@gmail.com

FB: www.facebook.com/ thegreatertunapunachamber

Tobago Division of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce

Diane Hadad – Chairman

2nd Floor ANSA McAL Building, Milford Road

PO Box 47, Scarborough, Tobago

Tel: (868) 639-2669

Fax: (868) 639-3014

Email: tobagochamber@chamber.org.tt

Website: www.chamber.org.tt

Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce (T&T Chamber)

Charles Pashley – President

Stephen de Gannes –Chief Executive Officer

Columbus Circle, Westmoorings

PO Box 499, Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 637-6966

Fax: (868) 637-7425

Email: chamber@chamber.org.tt

Website: www.chamber.org.tt

Associations

Associations

Christian Rampersad – President

Marcia Samaroosingh – Vice President

Sudesh Ramkissoon – 2nd Vice President

c/o Broadway Express Services Ltd

#24 Broadway, Town of Arima

Arima, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 331-6404, 685-0441

Email: arimabusinessassociation@yahoo.com

FB: www.facebook.com/ ArimaBusinessAssociation

Association

Eng. Dr. Chris Maharaj – President

The Professional Centre Building 1st Floor

Unit A203, 11-13 Fitz Blackman Drive South

Port of Spain, Trinidad

P.O. Box 935, Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 627-6697

Email: office@apett.org

Website: www.apett.org

Association of Real Estate Agents (AREA)

Mark Edghill – President Suite A4 Kencita Court

76 Picton Street, Newtown

Port of Spain, Trinidad

P.O. Box 6494, Maraval, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 628-9048 Fax: (868) 628-9049

Email: area.tt.assoc@gmail.com

Website: www.areatt.com

Association of Trinidad and Tobago Insurance Companies (ATTIC)

Jason Clarke – President

ATTIC Head Office and Training Centre

46-50 Picton Street, Newtown

Port of Spain, Trinidad

P.O. Box 208, Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 628-5457 / 2969 / 1663

Email: mail@attic.org.tt

Website: www.attic.org.tt

Employers’

Keston Nancoo – Chairman

Ronald Ramlogan – Chief Executive Officer

17 Samaroo Road

Aranguez Roundabout North

Aranguez, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 675-5873, 638-6463

Fax: (868) 675-6026

Email: communications@ecatt.org

Website: www.ecatt.org

Maria Daniel – President

Rudolph Hanamji – Co-Founder and Public Education Group Lead

c/o Trinidad & Tobago International Financial Centre

15th Floor, Tower D, International Waterfront Centre

P.O. Box 735, 1 Wrightson Road

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 627-3081, 225-6009 Ext. 305 / 306

Email: admin@fintechtt.com; info@fintechtt.com

Institute of Banking and Finance of Trinidad and Tobago (IBF)

Andre St. Clair – President

Marsha R. John – Chief Executive Officer

Level 1 Invader’s Bay Tower, Invaders Bay

Off Audrey Jeffers Highway

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 235-6291

Email: marketing@ibf.org.tt

Website: www.ibf.org.tt

Institute of Chartered Accountants of Trinidad and Tobago (ICATT)

Dwayne Rodriguez-Seijas CA, FCCA – President

2nd Floor, Professional Centre Building

11-13 Fitzblackman Drive

Wrightson Road Extension

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 623-8000

Email: service@icatt.org

Website: www.icatt.org

Ryan Latchu – President

Reyaz Ahamad – Vice President

130 Seventh Street, Barataria

Trinidad and Tobago

Tel: (868) 674-8885

Email: ryan.latchu@toyota-trinidad.com

Bankers

Richard Downie – President

Kelly Bute-Seaton – Executive Director

Level 1, Invader’s Bay Tower, Invaders Bay

Off Audrey Jeffers Highway

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 235-6291

Email: secretariat@batt.org.tt

Website: www.batt.org.tt

Dalia King – President

Tiffany Marquez – Vice President

18 Scott Bushe Street

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 491-1146

Email: info@sdattonline.org

Website: www.sdattonline.org

Shipping Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SATT)

Hayden Alleyne – President

Yuri Jardine – Vice President

15 Scott Bushe Street

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 623-3352 / 3355

Fax: (868) 623-8570

Email: sattops@shipping.co.tt, president@shipping.co.tt

Website: www.shipping.co.tt

Hayden Alleyne President

Mark Edghill President

Andre St. Clair President

Jason Clarke President

Dwayne Rodriguez-Seijas CA, FCCA – President

Christian Rampersad President

Keston Nancoo Chairman

Ryan Latchu President

Richard Downie President

Dalia King President

Automotive Dealers Association of Trinidad and Tobago

Association of Trinidad and Tobago (BATT)

Securities Dealers Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SDATT)

Eng. Dr. Chris Maharaj President

Maria Daniel President

of Professional Engineers of Trinidad and Tobago (APETT)

Fintech Association of Trinidad and Tobago (FINTECHTT)

Arima Business Association

Consultative Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ECA)

Associations

The Human Resource Management Association of Trinidad & Tobago (HRMATT)

Cavelle Joseph-St. Omer – President

Lara Quentrall-Thomas – Vice President

P.O. Box 22, Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 687-5523

Email: secretariat@hrmatt.com

FB: www.facebook.com/HRMATT

Trinidad

Glenn Mahabirsingh – President

Rodney Cowan – Vice President

The Professional Centre Bldg.

1st Floor, Unit B 203

11–13 Fitzblackman Drive South Wrightson Road Ext.

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 627-1266 / 8020

Email: service@ttca.com

Website: www.ttca.com

Trinidad and Tobago Institute of Architects (TTIA)

Rajiv Diptee – President

Sunita Persad - Vice President

Unit 235, Centre Pointe Mall

3-25 Ramsaran Street, Chaguanas, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 789-6000

Email: info@satthq.com, satt.president@gmail.com

Website: www.satthq.com

Lorraine Pouchet – President

Email: ttitoatnt@gmail.com

Tel: (868) 633-1771, 753-2775

FB: www.facebook.com/Trinidad-andTobago-Incoming-Tour-OperatorsAssociation-110987565583040/

Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association (THTA)

Christopher James – President (2020-2022)

Apt 1, Lambeau Credit Union Bldg.

Auchenskeoch Road

Carnbee, Tobago

P.O. Box 295, Scarborough, Tobago

Tel/Fax: (868) 639-9543

Email: tobagohoteltourismassoc@gmail.com

Website: www.tobagohoteltourism.com

Trinidad and Tobago Association of Insurance and Financial Advisers (TTAIFA)

Gerald Crockshaw – President

Larry Tai Chew – Vice President

129-131 Edward Street

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 624-2940 / 2608

Email: info@ttaifa.com

Website: www.ttaifa.com

Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries (TTCSI)

Mark Edghill – President

Vashti G. Guyadeen – Chief Executive Officer

18 O’Connor Street, Woodbrook

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 622-9229

Email: marketing@ttcsi.org

Website: www.ttcsi.org

Martyn Joab – President

Rm 305B, The Professional Centre North Block

11–13 Fitzblackman Drive, Woodbrook

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 624-8842

Email: administration@ttia-architects.org

Website: www.ttia-architects.org

Tricia Coosal – President

Ramesh Ramdeen – Chief Executive Officer

TTMA Building, 42 Tenth Avenue

Barataria, Trinidad

PO Box 971, Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 675-TTMA (8862)

Fax: (868) 675-9000

Email: bduofficer@ttma.com

Website: www.ttma.com

Trinidad and Tobago Medical Association (T&TMA)

Dr. Marisa Lesley Nimrod – President

Dr. Damion Basdeo – President Elect

1 Sixth Avenue, Xavier Street Extension Orchard Gardens, Chaguanas, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 671-7378 / 5160

Email: medassoc@tntmedical.com

Website: https://tntmedical.com

Trinidad Hotels, Restaurants and Tourism Association (THRTA)

Hassel Thom – President

P.O. Box 243

Port of Spain

Trinidad

Tel: (868) 634-1174/5

Email: info@tnthotels.com

Hassel

Rajiv Diptee President

Glenn Mahabirsingh President

The Supermarket Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SATT)

and Tobago Contractors Association (TTCA)

Lorraine Pouchet President

Tricia Coosal President

The Trinidad and Tobago Incoming Tour Operators Association (T&TITOA)

Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA)

Gerald Crockshaw President

Christopher James President

Dr. Marisa Lesley Nimrod President

Martyn Joab President

Thom President

Cavelle Joseph-St. Omer President

Mark Edghill President

Automotive and Aviation Services

Pivoting towards electromobility

By Bavina Sookdeo

Dr. Graham King

Dept. of Manufacturing & Mechanical Engineering

University of the West Indies

St. Augustine, Trinidad

T&T’s automotive sector moves ahead

Change is inevitable and this is evident in T&T’s automotive sector; the country is moving from Driver’s Permits to Driver’s Licences, deemed to be more secure, modern and internationally recognised. On the move also is the Licensing Division which launched a mobile service in late 2021. Citizens can access services from two fully outfitted buses at various locations throughout the country.

While motorists may welcome this change, one that has not settled well is the recent hike in fuel prices. In April, the price of premium and super gasoline each rose by TT$1 per litre to $6.75 and $5.97 respectively, diesel was adjusted by TT$0.50 to TT$3.91 per litre and kerosene increased to TT$3.50. Electric and hybrid buyers, however, are pleased with the Government’s decision to remove all custom duties, motor vehicle tax and value added tax (VAT) on the importation of two-yearold battery-powered electric vehicles. As of 25 May 2022, all taxes (customs

duty, motor vehicle tax and VAT) have been waived on passenger hybrid motor cars for private use with an engine size not exceeding 1,599 cc and an electric motor output not exceeding 105 KW.

The way forwardelectromobility

According to Dr. Graham King, “Globally, we are going through a huge transition in the automotive sector and that transitioning is really pivoting towards electromobility (emobility) across basically all transportation sectors.” The engineer said there are some big advantages to electric vehicles which are generally beneficial but for small islands, the benefit is amplified. However, he shared, “Manufacturers are not really prioritising our region with the supply of vehicles and that is going to be a bit of an ongoing problem because of the minerals it requires to manufacture the electric vehicle batteries. The demand for lithium and the other minerals that go into battery manufacturing is exceeding the supply but there is a lot of investment taking place in starting to meet that need and building the supply chain.

As far as I can think, there are three models that are being sold by franchise dealers, but the foreign car dealers are able to source their vehicles much more widely. There are things I think the franchise dealer could do to improve their supply. These islands are so small it makes perfect sense to run electric vehicles. It would be great if the franchise dealers could speak to each other and present a united front. It would help to give a voice to the Caribbean and to the manufacturers.”

While there are many advantages to electric vehicles, Dr. King explained that there will be the same number of vehicles on the road. “The problem we have is congestion and I think we underestimate its cost to the economy and to productivity.” What does he suggest can be done to ease congestion? “With the advent of emobility, there is a huge possibility to transition to a more modern and efficient public transport system,” he said, “but this has to be driven by the Government.” He also pointed out that a properly formulated transportation plan is necessary.

Manufacturers now, in response to legislative actions by countries in the west especially, are committing to phasing out internal combustion engine vehicles and going electric.

Attracting investment

So, what could be done to attract investors? He noted that there is some investment taking place as with Unipet and charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. “People will want to have public chargers and especially destination chargers (like those currently available in Preysal, 100% renewable, and Brentwood gas stations) but right now the charging network is very limited.”

Projected outlook

Slow growth in number of electric vehicles in T&T

What is Dr. King’s projected outlook for the sector? “I embrace the VAT and duty waivers for electric cars at this time but for hybrids, I think it is a big mistake. It is going to cost the Government potentially US$50 million a year and they’re not getting anything back from that. They could have taken that and invested it in developing the transport system and it could have made people’s lives a lot easier.”

Cabinet though has agreed to convert the fleet of Public Transport Services Corporation buses to electric buses. While the remaining internal combustion engine buses will still be used, Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan believes the move to electric needs to be done to reduce emissions and to move with the rest of the world.

Dr. King further explained that the growth of electric cars he was hoping to see may not happen because of the waiver on hybrids. He thinks people are going to revert to buying hybrids and there will be a big increase in those buying private vehicles – “more and more vehicles these days have some sort of hybrid system.” Additionally, he thinks there will be consistent growth in larger vehicle sales as more models become available. “Manufacturers now, in response to legislative actions by countries in the west especially, are committing to phasing out internal combustion engine vehicles and going electric and they are investing large amounts of money in developing electric vehicles. So, vehicle models are growing every day and are finding their way in,” he said.

CNG good retrofit with a lifespan

As for CNG, Dr. King sees it as a good retrofit option but pointed out that it is definitely not the future. “That has a lifespan but for now it is still good, especially for high mileage vehicles.”

INTERVIEW

Soaring Hope for Sector

By Bavina Sookdeo

“The return of airlines has been gradual,” said Emmanuel Baah, Deputy General Manager - Estate Planning and Business Development, Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (AATT). Speaking about developments after the pandemic’s lockdowns, Mr. Baah stated “in May 2022, we’ve only returned to about 63% of international passenger arrivals compared to 2019 (pre-pandemic levels). We think that by July 2023, we should reach about 75% or 80% of international passengers returning to Trinidad and eventually, 100% by December.”

Resilience in a pandemic

Despite the pandemic, Piarco International Airport is recognised by Skytrax as the leading airport in the Caribbean. A true game changer, Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL ) has received MAX aircraft – a new aircraft technology that will allow them to fly long distances at a competitive price. AATT is also working to expand its food and beverage offerings. Another game changer is a new service launched here by KLM (known for making wise business decisions) on 16 October 2021.

Opportunity for investment

Asked what he thought could be done to attract investors, Baah proudly stated, “In May, Cabinet made a decision to approve the implementation of AATT’s Strategic Land Use Plan through the setting up of a multidisciplinary team that would be involved in pushing for the commercialisation of airport lands through a public expression of interest process.” The plan includes maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities, a package for an air transport hub, air cargo warehouses and related services. “If it is allowed to run, it could lead to more investment and job creation,” said Baah.

Propelling the industry

But what legislation or policy could be put in place to truly propel the industry forward? Baah shared, “In 2021, CARICOM signed a Multilateral Air Services Agreement (MASA) that has the potential to bring down the cost of travel in the region because it will allow, for example, a country to give rights to another airline to operate on its domestic route or if there is a CARICOM country that has an airline as its designated carrier, all CARICOM countries have to give it the same rights.”

Technology’s role

Asked what role technology played in moving the industry forward, Baah explained that many benefits are coming from technology, especially in aircraft design. “It is allowing smaller aircraft to fly longer distances so that opens up opportunities for T&T as we are so far south in the Caribbean.” There continues to be a lot of interest in health, safety and sanitation matters. So, the trend towards touchless travel is going to continue well beyond 2023. “There are lots of technologies out there that can facilitate faster travel and touchless travel.”

Future of travel

Baah believes that we are going to continue to see some positive returns to passenger traffic by air. “We think that there will be a lot of high travel in December 2022 and that is going to continue into Carnival 2023 for T&T. We see a very solid return to growth in aviation when it comes to international travel.” Also, “2023 will see the start of construction of an airport hotel and in Tobago, we should see continued work on the new terminal being built.”

Additionally, construction of the largest solar park system in the country is being done at the Piarco International Airport. It is made possible by a TT$12 million European Union grant which was given to assist the country with meeting its Sustainable Development Goals.

Emmanuel Baah

Deputy General Manager, Estate Planning and Business Development, Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (AATT)

Varma Khillawan Vice President of Maintenance and Engineering

Roger Berkeley Vice President of Human Resources

Nalini Lalla General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

Arlene Hunte General Manager Procurement & Cost Optimization

Sudeep Ghai Chief Commercial Officer

Marklan Moseley General Manager Cargo & New Business Development

Marina Chase Chief Financial Officer

Jeremy Mohammed Chief Information Officer

Nirmala Ramai Chief Operating Officer

Garvin Medera Chief Executive Officer

Banking, Investment and Financial Services

Helping SMEs Succeed

By Kay Baldeosingh-Arjune

Veteran career banker, financial consultant and former Chamber CEO Ian De Souza has a rich perspective to share on the challenges and achievements the financial sector faced in 2021, the path forward in 2023, and the support needed by SMEs which would redound to the continued growth of the overall financial system and the larger economy.

Challenges

The major challenges in 2021 and the first half of 2022, he said, all related to the recovery of businesses, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular, from the impact of the pandemic and, more recently, the Russia-Ukraine War. These challenges, he noted, included:

• Supply chain issues, including the cost of shipping, which affected the supply of goods and services

• The increase in energy and food prices, which have also affected consumer and raw material prices

• The challenges of small and mediumsized businesses in servicing debts with loan moratoria extended by banks due to economic activity not having returned to normal.

Developments and milestones

Despite these challenges, he saw a number of positive developments taking place. These included:

• Increased use of digital solutions in conducting business

• Use of internet banking

• The establishment of a separate Ministry of Digital Transformation which, he said, signals Government’s intent on transforming how services are delivered to the public. He flagged two business developments as significant milestones that would positively impact the business and hence the financial sector. They were:

• The opening of the Phoenix Park Industrial Estate, which is a significant means of support for business and trade, for example, the PriceSmart regional distribution hub which is being set up on the new estate.

• The Trinidad & Tobago Trade and Business Information Portal

(TTBizLink) set up by the Ministry of Trade & Industry and launched in May 2022. Explaining the significance, De Souza said the facility gives all of the information required by an exporter to this country or someone looking to do business locally, as well as all of the information needed by a national exporter or importer seeking to find markets for manufactured products or source goods and raw materials.

Moving forward

How does the industry move forward to better meet the needs of the business sector in 2023 and beyond? The veteran banker emphasised: “The fact that the banks are very conservative in their lending and investment policies is a positive. There will always be pressure on the banks to be less conservative in their lending policies, but one has to be mindful of the fact that there are two sides to a bank’s balance sheet, and the interest and safety of depositors always have to be borne in mind. Conservatism helps protect depositors and national savings.”

There are two sides to a bank’s balance sheet, and the interest and safety of depositors always have to be borne in mind.

Ian De Souza

Principal Adviser, Advice Financial Company Ltd.

Concerning the needs of SMEs, he said: “There is pressure from small and medium-sized businesses for more financing support. The challenges they face in accessing loan capital is a limited amount of capital of their own for equity injection, and they also generally have limited amounts of security to offer. It is to be noted that most major financial institutions have special programmes to support SMEs, so that need is not lost on the industry. However, the challenge for banks and other financial institutions is that the failure rate for SMEs is high and to ensure that loan losses are minimised, there has to be insistence on equity injections and/or security.”

But he pointed out that apart from equity and security requirements to access funding, SMEs also need support in the following areas:-

• Affordable advisory support and representation in the interface with financial institutions when difficulties are encountered in servicing debts and reorganisation/ restructuring is necessary

• Access to shared professional services when financial circumstances do not support the employment of individual professionals

• Documenting bankable proposals for expansion when new projects are being considered

• Accessing grant and funding support from multilateral agencies that have facilities specifically geared to support the SME sector

• Accessing the Junior Stock Exchange which has a window that is specifically geared to support those who have the capacity to scale up and can attract equity capital as an alternative to traditional bank financing.

Projected outlook

Looking forward to 2023, De Souza said: “The banking and financial services sector will continue to be challenged by the impact of rising prices and the cost of living on their personal loans customers,” which reduces disposable income(s) and spending ability, and affects business revenue and the ability to cover previously contracted costs and debts. However, he assured: “The sector is strong, thanks to the conservatism in lending and investment policies, so the major institutions have enough ‘wool on their backs’ to weather the storm.”

(Ian De Souza has spent 40 years in the banking sector, holding senior executive positions. He is now the Principal Adviser in a company he established – Advice Financial Company Ltd.)

Navin Dookeran Chief Executive Officer, Export-Import Bank of Trinidad & Tobago Ltd. (EXIMBANK)

Boost Exports and Forex

By Kay Baldeosingh-Arjune

In 2023, EXIMBANK CEO Navin Dookeran wants to see exporters exporting more… and importers becoming exporters. That is the economic vaccine the country needs, he told ‘Who’s Who’. The foreign exchange supply issue, while slightly improved from 2020, has not been resolved. For Dookeran, the solution is straightforward – increase Forex earnings.

The EXIMBANK is ready to partner with the commercial banking sector to support T&T’s exporters in their drive to penetrate more markets in 2023. The organisation is particularly interested in helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) grow because “they are key to T&T’s long-term national economic growth,” Dookeran said.

The supply chain disruptions currently impacting global trade have created a great opportunity for T&T as nearshoring is deployed as a strategy to address those disruptions, he said, but to take advantage of this, manufacturers need to focus on improving productivity and competitiveness by:

• investing in planned machinery upgrades;

• adoption and deployment of technology; and

• having a reinvigorated focus on global marketing.

It is also an opportunity for importers to consider exporting to solve the tight foreign exchange situation. “Our importers have very good, long-term supplier relationships and they buy in volumes that allow them good prices,” he noted.

Another advantage available is T&T’s well-capitalised banking sector and available liquidity to provide the capital funds for investment at a reasonable cost. The constraint is not on the liquidity side, Dookeran added. What is tricky is finding the right comfortable risk appetite that would allow the banks to invest in the SME sector. The EXIMBANK can play a role here, he said. “There is room for further risk-sharing strategies that would allow the banks to mitigate their risks while enabling increased private sector investment in SMEs, for example, via collateral backing programmes,” he said.

Financial literacy programmes are also needed to help SMEs develop their financial readiness and have proper financial statements and record-keeping, without which the banks cannot do any risk analysis and credit analysis, Dookeran said.

Looking at how the banking and financial sector will change and progress, Dookeran said that digital banking was a global megatrend and fintechs were an opportunity for T&T banks to broaden both their reach and their offerings. “Many developed markets as well as some developing markets in Africa have already moved towards having the majority of their payments done via electronic means.” However, T&T is still a very cash-based economy. The priority is to move to electronic payments in the public sector, he said. He also suggested that the banking sector could push and drive consumer behaviour towards cashless. Pointing out that banks were currently using the electronic payments infrastructure set up by the Central Bank, Dookeran also suggested increasing the availability of these electronic fund transfer services to the micro and small business sector. Digital banking is an area of opportunity, but banks have to convince people of its value, he concluded.

INTERVIEW

From a Central Bank perspective, could you give a brief overview of the sector in 2021 and to date, highlighting any challenges and key developments as we move forward?

Trinidad and Tobago’s financial sector continued to demonstrate health and resilience in 2021, despite the challenges associated with the pandemic. Credit, market and liquidity risks were heightened in 2020 given the global health crisis, domestic infections, supply chain disruptions and lockdowns aimed at curbing the spread of the virus. Policy actions – including strong fiscal support and monetary actions to boost liquidity – helped to restrain the macroeconomic fallout. At the same time, adjustments by financial institutions as well as forbearance measures by the Central Bank provided some breathing room for individuals and businesses in managing their debt commitments. As a result, overall the banking sector continued to be well-capitalised, profitable and with adequate liquidity in 2020 to date.

How does the banking and financial services industry need to move forward?

Going forward, the banking and financial services industry should continue to embrace the use of financial technology

Banking Sector Well-Capitalised, Profitable and Resilient

By Kay Baldeosingh-Arjune

There

(fintech), while becoming more peoplecentred in their product and service delivery. The demonstrated benefits of modern technology and communications should be reflected in lower transaction costs of services to consumers and greater efficiency in product delivery. Meanwhile, financial institutions must be sensitive to the needs of customers who are not tech-savvy and must be prepared to significantly shore up their cyber defences to deter fraud and service interruptions.

More generally and consistent with what is happening worldwide, we anticipate that there will be new non-traditional players offering financial services in Trinidad and Tobago, notably fintech companies. The Central Bank is gearing up to deal with regulation in this unfamiliar area by partnering with other regulators, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and Financial Intelligence Unit, as well as fintech industry representatives.

Relatedly, can Government and/or a private sector partnership contribute to the success of the industry? Is policy or legislation needed to move the industry along?

Yes, there is a need for continued collaboration among all parties – the Government, regulators, private companies,

The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago is widely respected as a monetary policy authority and guardian of financial stability grounded in international best practices. The Bank conducts monetary policy and supervises and regulates licensed financial institutions in Trinidad and Tobago. The institution is committed to public education about core economic and financial concepts, as well as increasing awareness of its roles and functions. For specific queries, you may contact us via email at info@central-bank.org.tt.

and the public – to ensure durable financial development in Trinidad and Tobago. As noted earlier, the new insurance legislation marks a significant step in buttressing insurance supervision. Likewise, other gaps will need to be identified and addressed as opportunities and issues unfold in the dynamic financial services industry. For example, the concept of legal tender itself is being reviewed to take into account digital means of payments. A proactive, forwardlooking approach, seeing the experiences of other countries is essential to assure that Trinidad and Tobago keeps pace with the ever-changing global financial landscape.

What is your projected outlook for the sector between 2022 and 2023 ?

The domestic financial sector has weathered the pandemic reasonably well. The outlook is positive as the pandemic subsides and economic activity worldwide accelerates. Some of the new challenges include inflation sparked by supply shortages, defensive actions by major central banks that lead to higher interest rates which could dampen growth prospects, and geopolitical turmoil. We expect the domestic financial sector to remain resilient to these challenges. There is likely to be some more consolidation of financial firms, with new mergers and acquisitions within the country and with regional counterparts. An essential component of such success is the capacity of the supervisors to maintain a stable atmosphere and at the Central Bank, we are doing our part to prepare.

The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago

Eric Williams Financial Complex

Independence Square, Port of Spain

Phone: (868) 621-CBTT (2288)

Fax: 1 868 625 0021

Email: info@central-bank.org.tt

Website: https://www.central-bank.org.tt

will be new nontraditional players offering financial services in Trinidad and Tobago, notably fintech companies

Dr Alvin Hilaire Governor, Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago

Construction and Engineering

Construction Potential

By Sheldon Waithe

INTERVIEW

The industry has not been immune to the ongoing effects of the pandemic and latterly, the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The difference, however, is that construction represents a critical sector of the country and as the road to recovery continues, that importance is encapsulated in the words of President of the Trinidad & Tobago Contractors Association (TTCA), Glenn Mahabirsingh, “Construction is the only industry capable of creating a significant amount of employment in a very short space of time.”

Delays in shipping, swings in prices of materials and supply issues are but some of the challenges that the sector has had to endure since its reopening in July 2021. Mahabirsingh provides a window into the direct effect upon contractors even before the soil is turned, stating “We have seen a rapid increase in prices of materials making it difficult to respond to tenders because most suppliers give their validity for a period of seven days but now the volatility of prices makes the tender process a significant risk item as contractors are being asked to hold their tender price for up to 90 days.”

The TTCA is trying to mitigate the issue, explaining that they are lobbying for clients to include in their contract an allowance to treat with material price fluctuation, “That provision would bring a fair resolution if there were price changes to materials. It would be fair to the client as well as the contractor, not leaving any party out of pocket.”

The world is playing catch-up after the lockdowns. Mahabirsingh notes that this is the other main challenge to overcome. “It is now necessary to have a significant amount of effort into planning because there is also the constraint in terms of space availability in shipping materials. So together, it’s product availability, pricing volatility and shipping availability.”

Fortunately for the industry, materials that are produced locally – such as cement and aggregate – are in good supply but even within that, there are still external threats, as the TTCA head elaborates, “The machinery, plants and equipment to produce them locally are foreign items. Spare or replacement parts, in the event of a plant breakdown, must be imported at short notice, which comes back to the availability issue.”

The subject of imports leads to consideration of the foreign exchange matter, namely how contractors can generate forex for the T&T economy. The answer lies in expertise. “The construction industry in Trinidad is a mature industry. There are a lot of plants and equipment, plus we have a huge skill set in terms of management and technical capacity. This has arisen over the last fiftyplus years with the booms that we have experienced. We must allow the industry to earn foreign exchange by providing services for other CARICOM countries,” says Mahabirsingh.

“We see it as a big opportunity; supporting the capacity building in those countries that have not experienced the level of construction that we have experienced.” He notes that construction of major highways, bridges, high-rise buildings and mass housing is the particular skill set needed abroad and that T&T has in abundance. “A lot of our members already ventured into Guyana, Grenada and St Vincent but over the last year we have seen more members, who had not traditionally ventured into

We see it as a big opportunity; supporting the capacity building in those countries that have not experienced the level of construction that we have experienced.

Glenn Mahabirsingh President, Trinidad and Tobago Contractors Association (TTCA)

those territories, now going outside of T&T, which is definitely a positive.”

To support that export and to ensure the growth of the sector towards 2023 and beyond, the construction industry knows that there is some reliance on public sector support. Mahabirsingh explains, “One of the areas that the Association, private and government sectors can collaborate on is with training and development, developing a skilled workforce. Carpenters, masons, welders and other trade workers are critical because everything in the industry has to be bolted, fastened, or welded together. There is always the opportunity for Government to ensure that there are adequate training programmes to support the future of the industry.”

The ongoing procurement legislation matter is seen as vital for the industry and all stakeholders. “One of the provisions in the legislation is for State enterprises to publish their intended procurement plan for the next year. That data will help contractors understand what projects are in the pipeline, how to plan in terms of staffing and resources, and what to respond to, so that large contractors would target large projects, medium-sized contractors would target medium-sized projects. You won’t have large contractors operating in the small contractors’ areas.” It would lead to greater efficiency and focus. “Contractors will know which areas they want to respond to and create a higher level of strategic planning for the industry.”

For the immediate future, Maharbirsingh believes the importance of construction to the economy and its ability to create offshoot industries has created the necessary opportunities “State enterprises have a series of projects planned to support the industry, we note the relevant activity – notwithstanding the challenges – and know that we have the capacity to match it.”

President, Association of Professional Engineers of Trinidad and Tobago (APETT)

Engineering Initiatives for The Future

By Sheldon Waithe

Like all sectors, engineering is striking that balance of pursuing its full reopening while embracing new methodologies and markets made necessary by the global impact of Covid-19 and the trickledown effects of war in Europe.

President of the Association of Professional Engineers of Trinidad and Tobago (APETT) Eng. Dr. Chris Maharaj alluded to the trials of coping with the global issues affecting local sectors. “In this post-Covid-19 period along with the Russo-Ukrainian War, challenges still exist such as supply chain concerns leading to shortages with concomitant price increases. The hope is that existing businesses will adapt to these changes to maintain their customer base. During trying times such as these, I also expect to see innovation in businesses and the creation of new products and services in response to the aforementioned challenges.”

This crucial pillar of society has not been immune to the loss of contracts and jobs during the pandemic, but there is scope to help expedite recovery for the sector – and by extension, recovery for the wider economy – by collaboration with all stakeholders and ably tapping into financial resources that still exist despite the trying times. Maharaj confirms this, “I would recommend that business, industry, academia, and Government work together to determine the ways forward that the business community, having the liquidity, can invest sustainably in the country. Policies are needed to achieve this.”

Indeed, APETT has taken the initiative of this philosophy by partnering with the National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST) to conduct a series of webinars designed to identify the areas in a post-lockdown society that present opportunities for engineering and expand them to the wider regional market. The webinars will actively explore areas such as recycling and renewable energy, that have not been made a priority in the past but are now of greater global concern and can be addressed through the overall engineering ethos of problem-solving. The joint brainstorming exercise echoes this with its stated intention: ‘Engineering challenges exist in the world because the solutions are difficult and often arise through an innovation-oriented approach.’

One of APETT’s first roles here was to identify local requirements and shortfalls post-pandemic, within the engineering parameters of maintenance, management, mitigation, standards, and development. Through surveys of the experts (i.e. APETT members) the aim is to bolster local engineering with a view to exporting T&T’s chemical, civil, mechanical and electrical expertise to the Caribbean. In addition to job creation, it will also satisfy the ongoing quest of generating foreign exchange earnings.

Maharaj’s outlook for the industry in the coming year is embedded in this type of cohesion between public and private entities.

“The most significant initiatives and projects to be undertaken are those to manage a post-Covid world along with supply chain price increases. For governments, it will be the ability to manage the limited resources and redistribute some of the resources intelligently to low-income communities. I remain optimistic that the country and our people are resilient.”

Eng. Dr. Chris Maharaj

The Association, private and government sectors can collaborate with training and development, developing a skilled workforce.

Energy and Energy-Related Industries

Exciting Times Ahead

By Kay Baldeosingh-Arjune

It is an exciting, challenging and dynamic time for T&T’s energy sector as it looks forward to 2023 – with big plans to execute, critical policy decisions to make and implement, tremendous opportunities locally and regionally to pursue, and a skilful balancing act to choreograph between monetising T&T’s hydrocarbon resources and transitioning to a low carbon economy.

Energy Conference 2022

Speaking at the Trinidad and Tobago Energy Conference 2022, hosted by the Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago, Prime Minister Keith Rowley noted that some people have interpreted T&T becoming a signatory to the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change as a commitment to immediately eliminate all fossil fuels. Making the Government’s position crystal clear, he said: “We do not share this view. Energy security is a priority for Trinidad and Tobago. Accordingly, we have set in train steps to optimise the exploitation of our oil and gas resources while mitigating the emission of greenhouse gases and adopting low carbon solutions…To ensure a successful long-term energy transition, it is important to pursue policies that

engender affordable and sustainable energy and serve as a foundation for operationalisation and prosperity.”

Prime Minister Rowley emphasised that world events have highlighted the reality that “fossil fuels will continue to play a major part in the energy supply chain, for still some considerable time, as the world innovates and transitions to low carbon energy sources” in a way that is both reliable and affordable. “Prudent climate change policies are required in order to avoid or mitigate inflation propelled by the greening effort,” he added.

In this regard, the Point Lisas Energy Association (PLEA) has formed a new green agenda subcommittee to lead and co-ordinate synergies in green agenda actions among member companies. Other private sector initiatives include a partnership between Kenesjay Green Ltd and Hydrogen de France to establish an industrial project to produce carbon-free hydrogen.

In addition, the investment group comprising Lightsource Renewable Global Development Ltd, Shell Trinidad and Tobago Ltd, and BP Alternative Energy Trinidad and Tobago Ltd are expected to finalise project agreements

for a 112.22 MW Solar Project and begin construction by December 2022 with a planned completion within 12 months. The project will increase the country’s installed generating capacity from 2,093 megawatts to 2,205.2 megawatts.

Overview of recent E&P developments in T&T

The major finds announced in 2021 and the successful project milestones announced to date were welcome news for the country. Offshore, these include first gas from Shell’s Colibri project on 30 March 2022, estimated to provide nearly 174 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscf/d) or 30,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) of near-term gas production; De Novo’s Zandolie development; EOG’s Osprey East Development and Osprey West Project; and the bpTT Cassia Compression Project.

Onshore, Touchstone has confirmed the commercial potential of its Royston 1 in its Ortoire Block and announced additional major finds within the Ortoire block with first gas expected in the second half of 2022.

Consequent on these developments, gas production is projected to increase to 3.28 tcf by 2024. Gas supply between 2024 and 2027 is still expected to be

Photo: Platinum Sponsor CEOs participate in the CEO’s Panel on the Opening Day of the Trinidad and Tobago Energy Conference 2022 at Hyatt Regency. L-R: Darryl White, CEO, RBC Financial Caribbean Limited and Regional Vice President Corporate and Investment Banking RBC Royal Bank; Claire Fitzpatrick, President, bp Trinidad and Tobago; Dr. Thackwray Driver, President/CEO, the Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago (Moderator); Mark Loquan, President, The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited; Bryan Ramsumair, Managing Director, DeNovo Energy. (Eugene Okpere, Senior Vice President and Country Chair, Shell Trinidad and Tobago participated in this session virtually). Photos courtesy: The Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago.

tight before improving in 2028 with the coming onstream of the Manatee and Calypso mega projects from Shell and bpTT respectively.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, bpTT’s Matapal project came in seven months earlier than planned, within budget, with first gas announced in September 2021. This project has been instrumental in reversing the trend of declining natural gas production. Initially, Matapal is expected to deliver 250-350 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd).

To meet projected demand for power generation, LNG and downstream production beyond 2024, the oil and gas majors operating in T&T have a number of projects now awaiting sanction. These include bpTT’s Ginger, Cypre and Coconut fields and extended field developments in its Mango, Savonette and Juniper fields. Additionally, bpTT is involved in a joint-venture with EOG in the Mento field in the Ska/Mento/Reggae (SMR) Block. EOG Resources has seven exploration projects that are currently unsanctioned, four of which are joint ventures with bpTT.

Of major significance for gas production from 2027 is the Calypso Deepwater Project by BHP/Woodside/bpTT, and the Manatee Field Development by Shell with Government and Shell agreeing to the terms and conditions of a Production Sharing Contract (PSC) in November 2021.

Projects with the potential to significantly improve oil production include new developments by Touchstone in its Ortoire Block; Heritage’s South West Soldado, Jubilee, Main and East Cruze fields; EOG in its SECC Block, and in a joint venture with Heritage in its Southern TNA Block; and projects proposed by Trinity and Perenco. Based on these new developments, oil production is projected to increase to 85,00 barrels per day by 2024 and to 104,000 barrels a day by 2026.

Government has mandated Heritage to identify more farmouts and workover opportunities and will be pursuing policies that require blockholders who are not working the acreage for which

they have licences, to relinquish those blocks to allow companies who want to develop them to be able to do so.

Public sector initiatives

Key elements of the Government’s energy sector strategy going forward include increasing the target for renewables in power generation from 10% (target for 2021) to 30% of the country’s power generation capacity by 2030, transitioning to a hydrogen economy, electrification of the transportation system, and accelerating exploration and production activity in the hydrocarbon sector. There are several initiatives being implemented to achieve these goals.

Government has established a Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage Steering Committee to undertake the technical work required to reduce the country’s carbon dioxide emissions. It has also introduced an allowance in respect of the actual expenditure invested in Carbon Capture and Storage and Enhanced Oil Recovery, which took effect from January 1, 2022.

A feasibility study on the “Establishment of a Green Hydrogen Market in Trinidad and Tobago” begun in September 2021 is expected to be finalised in 2022 and to provide a road map for the decarbonisation of the energy-based industries in Trinidad and Tobago.

Government has also removed all customs duties, motor vehicle tax and value-added tax on the importation of battery-powered electric vehicles with an age limit of two years, as of January 2022 in pursuit of its objective to promote electric vehicles as the preferred mode of transportation. This is a key measure to achieve the country’s target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the public transportation sector by 30% by 31 December 2030.

Other important initiatives include:

- Series of bid rounds both offshore and onshore

- Comprehensive review of T&T’s oil and gas taxation regime to ensure that the country remains an internationally competitive hydrocarbon province.

- Mandate to Heritage to accelerate its programmes for lease operations, farmouts and joint ventures to avoid the stranding of potential hydrocarbon assets

- Government-appointed team to negotiate with Atlantic LNG shareholders on the restructuring of the facility and the grant of a long-term liquefaction licence

- Agreements signed by Government, relating to economic co-operation with regional neighbours for joint exploration of hydrocarbon resources in the shared maritime boundaries with Barbados, Grenada, Guyana and Venezuela.

Recommendations from energy sector players on accelerating exploration and production

• Normal approval cycle needs to be shortened. Parallel processing could help everyone

• Incentivise exploration companies to take the risk

• Put data in public domain for purchase

• Allow bids outside of bid round

• Facilitate acreage infrastructure sharing either through industry initiative or Government so that marginal pool sizes can get molecules to market at a particular price

• The Energy Chamber’s Six-Point Plan (see details on its website https://energynow.tt/) includes recommendations to fast-track bid rounds and the approval processes, encourage innovative approaches to small field development, and divert gas from domestic electricity generation through energy efficiency and renewables. The plan notes that a one-year reduction in the time taken to first gas has been calculated to create US$120 million in additional net present value for a typical Trinidad and Tobago medium-sized offshore gas field.

(Information for this article was sourced from presentations made at the Trinidad and Tobago Energy Conference 2022, hosted by the Energy Chamber of T&T in June 2022).

Delegates at the Energy Chamber’s Trinidad and Tobago Energy Conference 2022

Dr. Haydn I. Furlonge General Manager

PowerGen is driving opportunities to use waste heat and reduce carbon emissions

The Power Generation Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (PowerGen) is a reliable and socially responsible long-term energy partner, committed to a greener, more sustainable T&T.

PowerGen is the largest and longest serving independent power producer in Trinidad and Tobago supplying about 825MW to the national grid, and has over 250 employees. It was formed when the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) divested its generation assets in 1994 with the T&TEC holding 51%, and MaruEnergy Caribbean LLC, a subsidiary of the Marubeni Corporation, with 39% interest, and National Enterprises Limited with 10% interest.

In October 2021, Dr. Haydn I. Furlonge was appointed as General Manager of PowerGen in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and having to deal with health risk and supply chain challenges whilst delivering an essential service. Also at the forefront of his focus is guiding the Company’s energy transition to a lower-carbon future. Dr. Furlonge has

broad international energy experience of over 22 years, building energy value chains in collaboration with a variety of multinational stakeholders. Dr. Furlonge’s priorities are maintaining PowerGen’s reliability and delivering clean and affordable power. “All of PowerGen’s electricity is produced from natural gas, so in a sense operations are already clean in that we are using the cleanest fossil fuel.” He considers waste heat as a valuable energy resource and

notes that “at the moment, we are wasting waste heat”. PowerGen is therefore, behind the scene, driving opportunities to capture and use waste heat which can reduce carbon emissions and can redirect natural gas to more profitable uses.

Dr. Furlonge notes that “the generation cost from renewable energy has also fallen significantly and we are working to diversify our energy mix.” At the same time, the country will continue to need base load power from gas and PowerGen is also keenly interested in developing newer more efficient gas-fired generators.

One of PowerGen’s new Corporate Social Responsibility pillars focuses on “New Energy Leaders”. Dr. Furlonge explained, “the idea is to create future engineers, technicians and managers to serve the power sector.’’ PowerGen is keen to partner with all stakeholders - academia, business Chambers, professional Associations, Government and energy players, to help build a sustainable power sector for T&T.

VISION STATEMENT:

Our Vision is to be the leading supplier of quality energy, committed to the needs of our customers and sensitive to the environment.

MISSION STATEMENT:

Our Mission is to exceed our customers’ expectations for quality energy in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, creating value for our customers, employees and shareholders.

CORE VALUES:

PowerGen’s core values are:

• We take ownership

• We build mutually beneficial relationships

• We deliver results

• We care for our country

Phone:

Fax:

“PowerGen is driving opportunities to capture and use waste heat which can reduce carbon emissions and redirect natural gas to more profitable uses.”

Health and Safety, Environment and Standards

A sector dependent on the economy

By Bavina Sookdeo

INTERVIEW

Dr. Kongsheik Achong Low Executive Chairman, Medcorp

T&T’s health sector has seen the relaxation of many pandemic restrictions in the past year. Covid-19 PCR or lab acquired antigen test results are no longer required for entry into the country and the mask mandate came to an end. In June 2022, Cabinet approved the addition of the Monkeypox Virus to the list of dangerous infectious disease in T&T and while there are no cases of the virus in the country, to the time of publishing, the sector remains prepared to deal with it.

What will the health sector face in 2023?

According to Dr. Kongsheik Achong Low, Executive Chairman of Medcorp Ltd, the challenges faced are not unique just to the current time that we exist. While some of the challenges he mentioned are as a result of the pandemic, others are those that are faced throughout.

“The challenges are usually to do with the delivery of quality healthcare and healthcare of a standard, along with the complexity of the type of healthcare we deliver (in terms of what people have as their expectation).” He further explained, “Our limitations have to do with whatever the economy will present to us in terms of the financial ability

that we have for improving equipment and putting systems in place. Those things take a lot of time and money. It also has to do with the quality of staff and their ability to learn and understand what is being done.”

What about technology and its role? “You have to embrace technology,” said the doctor. “In running the business and in doing a more complicated type of medical procedure, technology makes things more efficient and therefore “easier”. Eventually, if the technology is installed and is working well, it will make things less expensive.” He added, “But to introduce technology and the IT that is required, we need to get a massive amount of training and the psychological adjustment in our human resource to ensure success. The Government has to train people into that space. See it is an investment.”

Can the medical industry attract investors and generate forex? Medical Tourism. The doctor explained, however, that the private sector cannot do this on its own. “The Government has to facilitate the private sector so that we can compete with other

countries on price for procedures” he said. “People can go to other countries and have procedures done at a lesser cost. That is because, for instance in Chile, the government went on a thrust towards trying to generate forex and they essentially gave complete concessions to the hospital industry. That is the only way we can hope to really compete on price.”

Another way to generate forex in the long term? The service attitude. “We have to get our human resource into the right type of psychological and mental mode. It really would help if people involved in hospitality training could assist. I think that is where the Government can help by having free hospitality training for anyone.”

What is his projected outlook? “From where I am seeing it, this sector is dependent on the economy in the country because obviously, fewer patients, less ability to generate funds. One of the things we need, not just for this sector but for every sector in the country is the removal of bureaucracy and red tape involved in doing business in T&T.”

Limited

To introduce technology and the IT required, we need to get a massive amount of training and the psychological adjustment in our human resource to ensure success.

Nadra Nathai-Gyan Chairman, Environmental Management Authority (EMA)

Sustainability and Conservation

By Bavina Sookdeo

There is no doubt that our environment is rapidly changing but in the midst of these changes, many organisations and the Government are both putting things in place to help slow such changes. The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) noted the continued development of national projects toward environmental sustainability and conservation, many of which are driven by the Green Fund or through funding from the United Nations Global Environment Facility (GEF). An official at the Authority said, “Recently, we have noticed the emergence of public private partnerships and private sector involvement in environmental projects, which is very heartening.”

Recent national milestones for the EMA include:

1. The Waste Management Rules, 2021 (WMR), and the Waste Management (Fees) Regulations (WMFR) 2021. The objective is, through a permitting regime, to regulate activities related to the management of waste.

2. T&T ratified the Paris Agreement on Climate Change in 2018. Its aim is to keep global warming to well under 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. To track the measures implemented to reduce GHG emissions, the principle of measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) was introduced. The system is the first to be created in the Caribbean region. The EMA is responsible for the implementation of the MRV and looks forward to private sector participation.

Questioned as to what can be done to attract investors/generate forex, the Authority stated, “The move toward the circular economy must be accompanied by incentives to attract investors. There is an urgent need

to transition from the traditional linear economic model (take-make-dispose) and adopt widely accepted sustainable alternatives such as the waste hierarchy and circular economy approaches (World Bank, 2022). Businesses are interested but need support from the Government to make the necessary investments. Countries must continue to seek opportunities to commercialise waste and by-products through waste prevention, reuse, recycling, and recovery before disposal. This will serve to close the loop between extraction, manufacturing, and disposal by advocating for designing products to reduce waste, using products and materials for as long as possible, and recycling materials from end - of- life products back into the economy. This can have a major impact on waste and

for a diversity of recyclables. Yes, policy and legislation are critical.”

The EMA commented on technology. “The impact of technology is both positive and negative on environmental matters. While the positive impacts of technology are acknowledged, we must admit that technology has caused many environmental and social problems – e-waste which is a growing concern worldwide. The first issue is that “many electronic devices contain hazardous materials that can leach into the environment as their casings degrade in landfills where many forms of consumer electronic waste currently ends up. Another reason for the urgent need for responsible recycling is that many components are becoming increasingly scarce or are dangerous to source globally” - BCRC-Caribbean. Therefore, as the world places greater emphasis on technological advancement, e-waste is of growing concern.”

But what are the advantages? “The MRV System includes the collection, analysis and transparent reporting of accurate and reliable information and data on GHG emissions, efforts to mitigate them and resources/support devoted to enabling these efforts. Technology is the backbone of this system. UNEP advises that countries must harness the digital revolution to drive environmental sustainability using a combination of high- and low-tech solutions. The key, however, is to ensure that this technology is compatible with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aligns with T&T’s National Environmental Policy; therefore, a balance must be struck.”

pollution reduction, while generating green jobs. Other opportunities exist in the Blue Economy to generate tourism opportunities through niche markets. One recent example is where a Tobago boat operator achieved the international Blue Flag award which is a renowned environmental award and indicative that this operator has complied with standards pertaining to environmental management, environmental education and information, safety and services, social responsibility and responsible operation around wildlife.”

Can Government and/or a private sector partnership contribute to the success of the industry? “The support of the private sector is critical,” said the official. “The EMA’s iCARE project has been changing the national landscape on recycling and sustainable consumption. Its major goal is to transition to islandwide initiatives, led by enterprising entities and catering

What about people? What role do they play? Nadra Nathai-Gyan, Chairman, EMA said, “We need all hands-on deck since, working collaboratively, we can do more to conserve the environment for current and future generations, therefore, personal responsibility is vital.” “Get involved, reduce your carbon footprint and be the change you want to see in the environment.”

Questioned on the EMA’s projected outlook for the sector the Authority said: “As a ratified signatory to the Paris Agreement, we anticipate a greater focus on climate mitigation strategies in accordance with the NDCs. The MRV is one example of T&T’s commitment and we look forward to private sector participation. We hope to see continued private sector led involvement in initiatives that drive recycling. We hope to see initiatives in the 2023 budget to encourage greater private sector participation in the greening of the economy.”

There is an urgent need to transition

Information and Communications Technology

Accelerating Digital Transformation

By Bevil M. Wooding

It is almost impossible to ignore the indelible mark technology is making on the human civilisation. It is evident in the dramatic changes human behaviour triggered by mobile devices and social media, to the almost magical role the internet is playing in removing distance and creating global opportunities for local entrepreneurs and businesses.

The technology advances in areas spanning artificial intelligence, machine learning, quantum computing, 5G telecommunications, nanotechnology, biotechnology, and even interplanetary communications, are simply astounding. Though many of these technologies are in their infancy, they have already hit an inflection point as it relates to shaping the trajectory of commerce, politics and society itself.

The unprecedented opportunities ushered in by digital technology, have been attended by heightened risks, mounting frustrations, and greater challenges to privacy, security, and equality. One of the most significant challenges facing business and government leaders is how to accurately decode the

multilayered interplay between technology, business, Government, and society.

A collective vision for transformation

In this context, there exists significant uncertainty surrounding our capacity to not only leverage existing technologies, but to develop our own digital innovations and ecosystems. But one thing is certain: the complexity and interconnectedness across sectors and between groups requires that all stakeholders – public sector, business, academia and civil society – embrace a collective responsibility to chart the way forward.

The changes to how people now work, interact, express, and entertain themselves, are unlikely to be reversed. And the pace of digital change shows no sign of slowing. Organisations must now address the expectations of their employees and customers, or risk falling behind their competitors. Similarly, governments must meet the shifting demands of citizens, and corporations or risk falling out of power.

Yet, it is impossible to know just how the transformation driven by this current technological revolution will fully unfold.

Spotlight on local capacity

One of the more profound impacts of the pandemic is how emphatically it shattered the illusion that a local digital economy can be effectively built on a foundation of external technology and expertise. The surge in demand for critical technical skills to support rapid digitisation exposed the limits of local capacity to meet the need. It also underscored the urgency of the requirement for:

1. education systems to be more deliberately calibrated to offer and emphasise the digital skills necessary for the digital era;

2. businesses, large and small, to more strategic in supporting upskilling, mentoring and internships to develop greater in-house capacity; and

3. tax and other incentives need to support this push to build greater indigenous capacity.

The equation is simple. For digital transformation efforts to be successful, mission-critical technology investments require complementary investments in local capacity, local talent and domestic internet infrastructure and facilitating

The complexity and interconnectedness across sectors and between groups requires that all stakeholders – public sector, business, academia and civil society – embrace a collective responsibility to chart the way forward.

Bevil M. Wooding Executive Director, Caribbean Agency for Justice Solutions, APEX

public policy. Such investments are worthwhile, with proven returns. Locally developed technology-enabled solutions can be developed and deployed to address long-standing issues, from improving the administration of justice and removing opportunities for corruption, to protecting the environment and improving access to education, healthcare and social services. Locally facilitated implementations help build much-needed local capacity, and confidence. Investments in local solutions also help keep the spoils of digital transformation within the local economy and help increase the perception of the value of local talent.

Financing the future

Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) can support the scaling up of technology companies by intervening more upstream through the development of the enabling environment for increased investment in digital infrastructure, technology companies, and digital skills.

Last July, for example, the Development Bank of Latin America, CAF, announced the issuance of a US$120 million loan to the Trinidad and Tobago Government to support the implementation of its digital transformation agenda. The funds will be used to accelerate the implementation of State digitalisation initiatives and the broader adoption of technology by the private sector and the general population. The loan is also expected to help mitigate the impacts of the pandemic and close the country’s digital gaps. Specifically, the fund will be used to promote actions in the following areas:

• Digital Government: Creation of an institutional and public policy framework for the digitisation of the State, with initiatives such as the development of a cybersecurity strategy, updating of service platforms for citizens, interoperability between ministries, a digital identification project, investment in a data centre, development of a government cloud and an ecosystem for online tax payments, among others.

• Digital Economy: Support the strategic objective of increasing the contribution of the ICT sector to GDP and consider digital solutions

for the development of productive sectors, such as the development of blockchain technologies for the agricultural sector and digital payment systems, use of ICT for climate resilience, the creation of a software developers’ hub, among others.

• Digital Society: Initiatives to massify access to ICTs, by fostering the digital inclusion of the population with less access. It seeks to support digital literacy and capacity building in excluded communities, as well as to invest in infrastructure for isolated areas and the provision of free wireless internet connectivity. For a relatively small emerging economy like Trinidad and Tobago’s, the potential to deliver the long sought-after promise of economic diversification through knowledgebased services is real and attainable.

Digital growth ahead

A recent study conducted in the Caribbean region by International Data Corporation (IDC), a leading provider of global IT research, noted that in the region, business IT investment (excluding devices) reached a total of US$709 million in 2021 and is expected to grow nine per cent in 2022. This growth will accelerate hand-in-hand with the digital transformation process of organisations. Investment in IT is expected to have an average annual growth of 12.5% between 2021 and 2025. The growth of infrastructure as a service (IaaS) stands out. In 2021, this represented 31% of IT investment. Between 2021 and 2025, that same investment in the Caribbean will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 45%.

Another study, published by the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), noted that the growth in the FinTech sector in Latin America and the Caribbean was fueled by increasing demand for financial services not provided by the traditional financial sector. The study also noted that digital loans (19%) and crowdfunding (5.5%) sectors are registering significant growth in the region. These are followed by business technology platforms for financial institutions (15%) and business finance management (11%), among others.

Further, the number of Fintech platforms offering digital banking services, mainly through mobile apps, rose from 28 in 2018 to 60 last year and 36% of Fintech startups polled offer solutions involving segments of the population that are totally or partially excluded from the formal financial system.

People leading the way

Yet, the question remains as to how much of this growth will directly benefit local markets and how much of the economic value will be exported to the benefit of some other jurisdiction.

It often seems that the vision of a modern, technology-enabled society and economy – anchored in local services and powered by local talent –remains frustratingly out of our grasp. In this regard, the mark technology is making is as much an adornment as it is a scar to our development.

Thankfully, a new perspective on the role, significance, and value of “local innovation” is emerging as leadership’s attention shifts to domestic production and social stability priorities. At the same time, more voices are joining the chorus demanding that participation in the global digital marketplace be predicated on deliberate and strategic investment in the local digital economy. We have certainly come a very long way on the road to digital transformation. However, on the journey towards a full, inclusive, digital economy and society, we still have a long way to go. The opportunity now is to transform short-term pandemic-triggered gains into long-term strategies for embracing new forms of business engagement, interaction, and innovation.

Seizing this opportunity is not a technology issue, it is a people issue. The key to staying the course, therefore, is to consider digital transformation as less of a digital challenge and more as a transformation imperative. This is a leadership responsibility, and those charged with leading digital transformation efforts must not only implement the right technology, but also inspire people to embrace the change that comes with transformation.

Evolving the Insurance Industry

By Sheldon Waithe

Ravi Tewari

Battered by the pandemic like most sectors, but with sufficient strength in depth to navigate its way through the lockdown aftermath and the continuing effects of the global economic downturn. That is the synopsis for the insurance sector as it turns towards 2023.

An industry that was directly impacted by the illness, medical requirements, and deaths from the Coronavirus knows that as markets reopen amongst the uncertainty, astute management of a robust sector such as insurance is crucial.

CEO of Guardian Group Shared Services, Ravi Tewari, offered an overview of the past year and the challenges involved, “(It has) been a very challenging time for the insurance sector for a number of reasons related to the pandemic. The slowdown of economic activity due to the lockdowns has significantly dampened the sale of new insurance policies. Of even greater significance is that there has been a sharp increase in the number of people who are no longer able to pay for existing policies resulting

in the cessation of many of these policies for outstanding premiums.”

Tewari cited a wider scenario, “The industry has also seen a sharp increase in claims due to Covid-related deaths. At the start of the pandemic, there was a decrease in claims on health policies as many people were not accessing regular preventative medical treatments due to the lockdowns. However, as the pandemic progressed, this lack of preventative treatments triggered a sharp rise in medical claims. In addition, the industry has suffered losses in its equity portfolios as globally, equity markets have registered declines.”

Across the economy, the lockdown aftermath is seen as an opportunity to explore new markets, new means of generating income and forex as industries move forward. Tewari agrees, “Many of the large domestic insurers are already net earners of foreign exchange. However, the sector has massive potential to generate even more forex. Insurance is naturally a service business that depends on technology for competitiveness. In recent years, technology has evolved

so that software is now accessed as a transactional service through the internet and cloud computing. In other words, massive capital investments are no longer needed to access the most sophisticated insurance technology in the world. Now, all players anywhere in the world, regardless of size, have access to the same technology. This creates unprecedented opportunities for local insurers.”

He does, however, allude to certain requirements. “It is a prerequisite that all insurers are tightly regulated. For global success, it is also necessary that regulations and regulators are proactive in seeking the growth of the sector. This is the aspect that will determine which jurisdictions cultivate the successful insurers of the future. This area needs to be significantly enhanced in the local environment.”

In Tewari’s view, such initiatives also require Government’s assistance together with alliances through the public and private sectors

“When insurance companies sell insurance policies, they need to

CEO, Guardian Group Shared Services

It is a prerequisite that all insurers are tightly regulated. For global success, it is also necessary that regulations and regulators are proactive in seeking the growth of the sector.

invest to assure payment of benefits under those policies. There is a major problem in the Trinidad and Caribbean markets in that long-term assets are in short supply. The natural solution to this would be for the development of a vibrant market where insurance capital funds projects to enhance our infrastructure and economy in general.”

He believes that the means to stimulate the sector to maximise its potential is through changing restrictive legislation, offering an example, “Insurance legislation stifles this activity and instead pushes insurance capital to support government-issued bonds. As an example, suppose that an independent non-political feasibility assessment proved that a toll road was viable between Port of Spain and San Fernando to generate a rate of return of 10% over 40 years. This would be a great investment for insurance capital. Developers could compete for the project ensuring the most efficient delivery. However, existing legislation prevents this. Instead, it allows the insurance industry to support a government bond to finance such a venture. This latter approach is sub-optimal for several reasons:

• the inception of such a project is slow

• there is less competition

• there is less transparency; and

• entrepreneurship is stifled.

From this example, there is a pressing need for both legislative reform and public/private partnerships.”

Highlighting that the sector must embrace technology for the immediate future, Tewari observed, “Customers rightly demand to access service when they choose, where they choose, at real or virtual locations, and through the medium that they choose.”

In recognition of this, he confirmed “Guardian is launching a brand-new customer service portal to completely overhaul our interactions with our customers. In addition, there is a massive exercise to totally restructure our operations concerning customer service.”

For 2023 and beyond? “It is a complicated dynamic. On the one hand, the world is entering a phase of high inflation and interest rates connected with a high probability of recession. Trinidad and Tobago and our wider region will not be spared. On the other hand, economic activity was so heavily curtailed during the pandemic that there will be natural growth as full economic activity resumes. In addition, the sharp rise in hydrocarbon prices will certainly benefit Trinidad and Tobago. With so many interwoven factors, it is critical for management to constantly monitor the environment to be able to rapidly pivot as necessary.”

Niala Persad-Poliah Executive Director, The National Insurance Board of Trinidad and Tobago (NIB) Social Insurance

By Sheldon Waithe

Entrusted with the task of protecting insured persons against economic difficulty due to loss of earnings emanating from work-related contingencies, the National Insurance Board of Trinidad & Tobago (NIBTT) is an entity of massive importance for the citizens of T&T. Specifically, 634,381 citizens, or as NIBTT sees it through their client service-oriented approach, ‘customers’. Having recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, the organisation occupies a unique position to provide a detailed perspective on all aspects of Trinidad and Tobago’s social insurance landscape.

NIBTT’s Executive Director, Niala Persad-Poliah, acknowledged the accomplishments of the organisation saying, “Our golden anniversary is a time to reflect on all that we have accomplished and strategically chart our vision and plans for the future. Fifty years reinforces the knowledge that we have served a noble purpose in the lives of many, and this anniversary is an encouragement for us to press on to sustainability and enhanced service.”

The NIBTT has grown exponentially with the required solidity to achieve its stated aims built around its core values of collaboration and commitment, accountability, resourcefulness, resilience, and empathy. Persad-Poliah provided the specifics of said development. “I reflect on how we have grown. For example, in 1977, our Retirement Benefit expenditure was just about $2 million. Fast forward 20 years to 1997, and Retirement Benefit expenditure was $139 million. We have seen the $1,000 minimum pension in 2004, rise to $2,000 in 2008 and then on to $3,000 in 2012. In 2021, our Retirement Benefit expenditure stood at $4.5 billion with more than 125,000 persons now accessing this benefit.”

The clear intention is to continue NIBTT’s progression through the embracing of continually evolving work practices, not least of which is the inevitable requirement of increased technology implementation. The Executive Director confirms that mass digitisation is fully on the NIBTT horizon. “We are well on our way to a comprehensive digital transformation right now. If I look perhaps five years into the future, the NIBTT will have seen a full transformation and we will be reaping the rewards from our current efforts. I look forward to the implementation of ICT initiatives and other customer-focused projects at the NIBTT, to better serve the needs of our customers.”

There are other factors that must be taken into consideration as the NIBTT moves forward, including the reality that people are living longer and healthier lives. Persad-Poliah acknowledges this social impact and responded, “Strategic reform is an important element.

I am pleased to see that the reform measures, as outlined in the 10th Actuarial Review, are being discussed as the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT) has embarked upon stakeholder engagements with Unions, Associations and Chambers on the issue of the gradual increase of the retirement age to 65 years.”

For 2023 and beyond, the intended trajectory is backed by a solid base: “Our large and diverse investment portfolio remains robust, and the NIBTT’s total funds stand at approximately $30 billion as at June 2021. We are always cognisant of our larger mandate of providing excellence in social insurance customer service, to the people of Trinidad and Tobago.”

Domestic violence is an endemic societal ill which creates a harrowing and often unseen reality for many women here in Trinidad and Tobago. It was in response to this dire problem that The Shelter, a charitable organisation which takes in and seeks to help victims of domestic abuse, was opened by the formidable humanitarian advocate, Mrs. Diana Mahabir-Wyatt. Helping hundreds of women in distress since its inception in 1987, The Shelter continues to offer both a temporary safe haven to those escaping domestic violence, as well as a range of services to help victims escape from dangerous situations, heal from trauma, and get back on their feet.

The Shelter works alongside various agencies, including 800-SAVE, The Rape Crisis Centre, The Coallition Against Domestic Violence (CADV) and The Gender Based Violence Police Unit, who refer potential residents to the safe house. Once the victims have been able to escape from their domestic stituations they are offered not only a safe space, but a

The Shelter

By Paul Hadden

holistic programme to help them to overcome their trauma and prepare for successful re-entry into society.

“We work with all of our residents on a case-by-case basis,” says Sherron Harford, vice-chair of The Shelter. “When victims are first admitted to The Shelter, they are given psychological counseling within the first 24 hours, and then our team of social workers and psychologists work together to decide what the next best step for the victim would be.” These individualised plans aim to help the victims to begin to process their trauma, heal from their own experiences, and learn practical steps to be able to support themselves and their children without having to rely on the abusive partner.

Even though many may associate domestic violence with purely physical abuse, the problem is a complex and multilayered one affecting victims on the physical, emotional, and mental front.

“A common misconception is that domestic violence is only physical, but it could also include emotional, sexual, family, and financial abuse. Domestic

abuse is also very complicated on an emotional level because yes it is trauma, but it is trauma that started with a love story. So, not only do victims have to process the trauma of the abuse, but also the trauma of a failed love affair,” adds Harford.

The major challenge faced by The Shelter, which houses up to 20 women and children at a time, and provides not only psychological counselling, but also food, clothing and of course temporary accomodation for the residents, is finding adequate funding to carry out its mission. In spite of all the work that it does, The Shelter is given a monthly stipend from the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services of TT$7,500. The Shelter must therefore rely on both private funding as well as grants from international humanitarian organisations such as the United Nations in order to carry out its important work.

“We want to take our ladies from victims, to survivors, to thrivers,” says Harford, “The most important thing that I would like any victim of domestic violence to know is that it’s not their fault and there is help available. We encourage all those who need help to reach out to us or to any of the other services available. Nobody facing this sort of abuse on a daily basis can go through this alone, and that’s what we are here for.”

For more information on The Shelter or if you are interested in assisting with their efforts, please email admin@trinidadshelter.com

The Shelter for Battered Women and Children was established in 1987 as a safe haven for women and children who are victims of all forms of domestic violence. Our mission is to support victims in their transition from victims to survivors and survivors into success stories. The Shelter operates a safe house, granted to it by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, providing accommodation for residents, staff quarters, a counselling room, children’s activity room, and training room.

P.O. Box 1436, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago

Phone: 1 (868) 345-4218/4555

Email: admin@trinidadshelter.com

Website: trinidadshelter.com

Diana Mahabir-Wyatt Founder Colin Mitchell Chairman Sherron Harford Vice Chair

Manufacturing and Retail Distribution

Road to Recovery

By Natalie Dookie

A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step and last year 2021, Trinidad and Tobago took its first step on the road to pandemic recovery with its mass vaccination campaign, ‘Vaccinate to Operate.’ From that point to now, a few other obstacles have been tossed along the path. Two key ones have been the global supply chain problems and fallout from the war in Ukraine. Still, Trinidad and Tobago is bravely stepping forward as a nation and working to rebuild essential parts of its local economy that bore the brunt of the pandemic issues. Stepping in the right direction is reason enough to have a positive outlook and to be cheerful about the future of business and the economy.

The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (the Bank) gives us grounds for optimism. A recent publication of the Bank’s showed increase in productivity in the non-energy sector for the first three quarters of 2021. This position was further supported by the Minister of Finance pronouncement in the 2022 Mid-Term Budget Report, where he highlighted the increase in the Gross Domestic

Product (GDP) is a result of significant positive movement of a number of sectors of the economy, including the non-energy manufacturing sector to surpass pre-pandemic levels.

and Suriname and others are planned, some in collaboration with exporTT. Additionally, the TTMA hosted its annual Trade and Investment Convention (TIC), live again, after a two-year break, from 25–27 August 2022. The face-to-face meetings of business interests again generated meaningful investment opportunities for participating parties.

Of course, a certain level of proactiveness is required to progress the journey along the path and too, an essential, to make it pleasant. To these ends, the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturing Association (TTMA) intensified its efforts to open and solidify new markets for the manufacturing sector via our trade missions, particularly within the CARICOM community. We believe that by looking inward to CARICOM and solidifying our existing trade relationships we may be able to mitigate the impact to stabilise, strengthen and grow despite international constraining factors. In 2022, we have already hosted trade missions to Guyana

The Government’s extension of the Foreign Exchange Facility at EXIMBANK in the 2022 has also allowed us to be optimistic about realising our objective to double non-energy exports in five years. The facility made available by the Ministry of Finance has given businesses access to funds to buy foreign goods and services. Certainly, the capacity of our human resources is a top priority. As such, our team has put in place several agreements with training institutions such as The UWI, MIC Institute of Technology (MIC-IT) and the Ministry of Trade to identify and close skill gaps in the job market. We have no doubt that the road to economic recovery is a long one, but at the TTMA we believe that we have the right combination of strategy and partnership to see us through all the miles that lie ahead.

Looking inward to CARICOM and solidifying our existing trade relationships we may be able to mitigate the impact to stabilise, strengthen and grow despite international constraining factors.

Tricia Coosal President, Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA)

Human resources is a top priority

Franka Costelloe Chairman, InvesTT

A hub of investment opportunities

By Natalie Dookie

Trinidad and Tobago’s manufacturing sector is the largest in the Englishspeaking Caribbean, and the largest sector of the national economy based on its share of GDP. As Trinidad and Tobago’s Investment Promotion Agency (IPA) aligned to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, InvesTT focuses on key non-energy sectors such as Energy Intensive Manufacturing, Maritime Services, Logistics and Distribution and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO). According to Franka Costelloe, Chairman, InvesTT, there are many reasons to invest in the local manufacturing sector.

Recovery in investment

Costelloe shares how InvesTT fared, “Eleven (11) investments closed in 2021 at TT$135 million, nearly returning to the pre-pandemic figure in 2019 of TT$143.5 million. In 2022 it is anticipated that the rethinking around route to market strategies due to supply chain disruption coupled with the added focus on implementation of infrastructure investment stimulus remain key points driving rejuvenated interest in the Caribbean and South America. The important risks to be mindful of include labour demand, supply chain bottlenecks, the energy crisis and inflationary pressures that will also affect results.”

While there is normally a time lag between economic recovery and recovery of new investments, Costelloe states, “InvesTT can say that we are at the end of the third quarter of our

financial year and that we stand at a Total Investment Value of TT$356.1 million to date. The message is that InvesTT is well on the road to surpassing the FY target of TT$230 million, which was a 70% increase on the previous year’s target. Further to that, it has been a pleasure to see the cross-section of geographies, industries and business sectors being facilitated at InvesTTMaritime, Manufacturing, Logistics, Agro-Processing, Tourism, BPO companies, Call Centres and investments that range in size from $1 million all the way up to $265 million and they all get the same essence of importance.”

Why invest in manufacturing?

Trinidad and Tobago’s robust logistics infrastructure, supported by numerous bi-lateral and multi-lateral trade agreements have created avenues for manufacturers seeking to access new markets. Additionally, local amenable energy costs – facilitated by the hydrocarbon industry – significantly boost the capacity of manufacturers to offer competitively priced products for export. Geographically situated between the Americas, Trinidad and Tobago has a strategic export and supplier network location. At the southern-most end of the Caribbean archipelago, the threat of operational downtime for businesses is minimised during the region’s annual hurricane season. With two major seaports for sea freight (Port of Port of Spain and Port of Point

Lisas) and one major airport for air freight (Piarco International Airport), there are several routes for importing raw materials and exporting finished goods. There is also ease of access to modern industrial estate opportunities such as e TecK’s Phoenix Park Industrial Estate and the Tamana InTech Park.

Investment opportunities in manufacturing

There are numerous gas-based downstream manufacturing opportunities such as Liquefied Natural Gas; Alternative Fuels & Fuel Additives — CNG, Petrochemicals for Fuels (eg: flex fuels), DME; Metals Processing —Aluminium; Downstream Methanol — DME and Plastics; Downstream Ammonia — Urea, Fertiliser Applications; Inorganic Chemicals; and Biochemicals – Natural Gas to Protein. Trinidad and Tobago is also positioned to become a manufacturing centre for renewable energy components for the solar and wind energy industries to support growing demand in the Caribbean and the Americas. Other sustainable energy manufacturing opportunities include Renewable Energy Electricity Generation, Green hydrogen and green chemicals and Energy Storage — Battery Assembly. In the food and beverage sector options exist for the manufacturing of prepared food stuff, beverages, and spirits and there are also possibilities in Pulp and Paper Manufacturing.

New horizons for investment

“The real estate option stretches in Trinidad all the way from Phoenix Park, Moruga, Tamana and estates that are outside of e TecK’s purview as well, all the way to Tobago. We have also built a very strong relationship with the new Tobago House of Assembly, Chief Secretary, The Honourable Farley Chavez Augustine, who is exceptionally passionate about growing business in Tobago and having a one-on-one relationship with local and foreign investors. There is a lot of energy on the InvesTT Board and amongst the InvesTT executives to build on this new momentum coming out of the Covid-19 drop that we saw in 2020.”

Costelloe looks forward to future developments, “We are enthusiastic about the merger with exporTT - we see this as added resources and collaboration to hit all time higher numbers to stretch our targets.” These recent measures by the Ministry of Trade and Industry to establish a Trade and Investment Promotion Agency in Trinidad and Tobago, merging several state agencies, will create an enabling environment giving the local manufacturing sector a much-needed boost.

What is the T&T Standard for Good Agricultural Practices – Fresh Produce Requirements (TTS 648:2020)?

The Trinidad and Tobago Standard for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) – Fresh Produce Requirements (TTS 648:2020) establishes minimum requirements of good agricultural practices for fresh produce at production, harvesting, post-harvest handling, packaging, storage, or transportation stages. The Standard for GAP will sensitise, prepare, monitor, evaluate and certify fresh produce growers in accordance with the requirements of the TTS 648:2020 allowing them to address onfarm food safety issues and ensuring quality assurance and traceability in the production and handling.

The Standard for GAP is voluntary and can be adopted within agreements or used as a management tool by players in the food production industry.

Who developed the T&T Standard for GAP?

T&T Standard for GAP was published in 2020 and developed by a Specification Committee for Good Agricultural

Trinidad and Tobago Standard for Good Agricultural Practices

Nirmalla Debysingh Chief Executive Officer, NAMDEVCO

Practices, led by the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) and chaired by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture – Trinidad and Tobago (IICA-TT).

What is NAMDEVCO’s role in the T&T Standard for GAP?

NAMDEVCO has been identified by the GORTT as the organisation responsible for the development and implementation of a National Good Agricultural Practices Programme for Trinidad and Tobago. The Corporation has been appointed as the Scheme Owner and is responsible for the establishment of the National GAP Certification Scheme. NAMDEVCO also chairs the National Steering Committee for the T&T Standard for GAP.

How is the T&T Standard for GAP profitable?

The Standard will ultimately transfer into a plethora of benefits to the different stakeholders involved, including food safety, quality assurance, traceability, standardised production and compliance requirements.

For the producers, they will be better positioned to meet compliance criteria for food safety audits to be met by the operators in the food and beverage manufacturing industry, as their products will be considered healthy in accordance to the Standard. This can lead to an increase in more abundant products and access to new high quality markets. For consumers, concerns about health risks and food safety are minimised which will increase product quality and trust between the producer and consumer. Increased consumer confidence can also lead to a rise in demand. In terms of retail companies, the opportunity to make more qualified and rewarding agreements with manufacturers will be enhanced.

Where can I learn more?

Visit our website at www.namdevco.com. Print and e-copies of the Standard are also available for purchase at the Standards Information Centre and at the TT Standards Store via the TTBS Website at www.gottbs.com.

The National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO) is a Statutory body created by Act of Parliament No. 16 of 1991 with a mandate “to create, facilitate and maintain an environment conducive to the efficient marketing of agricultural produce and food products through the provision of marketing services and the stimulation of business investment in the agro-industrial sector of Trinidad and Tobago.

Address: 3 1/4 mm S.S. Erin Road, Debe, Trinidad Head Office: 868-647-3218

In 1922 Abdul and Zainab Khan started a candy-making business at their home, located in the heart of the sugar belt, the Khans first sold sweets by biking across Couva. As KC Candy commemorates its 100th anniversary, Satnarine Bachew, Chief Executive Officer, shares how the company moved from these humble beginnings to become a global exporter.

Establishing a global footprint

“We currently export to 21 markets including CARICOM, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Dominican Republic, and the Netherland Antilles. Within the region, Guyana is our largest export market and Grace Kennedy is one of our biggest customers. Recently we also started exporting to Martinique as well as Tortola in the US Virgin Islands,” Bachew elaborates. KC’s flagship product is its hard candy line, “KC has a good cross section of products, our mints are very popular - ginger mints, dinner mints and icy mints and our gum and toffee lines are also very strong.” In February KC resumed shipments to the UK with the strategic intent of expanding into Europe.

Adapting, innovating, succeeding

KC’s innovation centres around ‘culturalising’ its products by incorporating local flavours and packaging designs such as cricket and steelpan. Today KC’s customers are more sophisticated with growing interests in health and wellbeing, “More consumers are reading labels and want

MANUFACTURING AND RETAIL DISTRIBUTION

INTERVIEW

Satnarine Bachew, Chief Executive Officer, KC Candy

KC: Celebrating 100 Years of Sweet Success

By Natalie Dookie

to know the composition of what they are putting into their bodies. There is also a global drive towards healthier products, so sugar-free candy has become very popular. Consumers are also seeking products with medicinal properties such as ginger, and there is a growing demand for high-energy options. This is where we are trying to modify our product line to satisfy those needs.”

Celebrating a Century

KC will kick off its centennial year celebrations by firstly recognising the contribution of its employees, customers, suppliers, and shareholders, “We are a family-oriented company, so most importantly we will be celebrating some of our employees who have worked with us for many years.” As part of its commemorative activities, later this year KC will launch a foundation, KC Kids in Need, “it’s an initiative we are very proud of as there are so many disadvantaged children, and this is an umbrella through which we can give back to the community.”

Other planned initiatives include support to the Diabetes Association of Trinidad and Tobago, collaborating with TTPost to launch the first-ever candy stamp in October and construction of an arch welcoming visitors to KC’s hometown of Couva, the newly acclaimed, “Candy City”.

Roadmap for the next 100 years

“From a manufacturing perspective, economies of scale only materialise from fully utilising your plant. KC’s plant utilisation rate is currently 40 percent because our manufacturing runs are eight (8) hours per day, five (5) days per week. Every year the plant depreciates and to capitalise on this you must run the plant at full capacity.” As a result, sales are the engine of growth for KC, with the real potential being in the export market.

As he looks to the future Bachew says, “Our strategic intent is to grow our global footprint alongside the local market by becoming more innovative and more competitive. It’s about refocusing our product line and increasing exports. That is where growth is going to come from. And if we are successful, then we can better utilise our plant at least up to 80 percent so that we can improve our economies of scale and take the company to another level. That is our vision for the next 100 years.”

KC CANDY’S 100-YEAR JOURNEY

1922 • Khan’s Crystals (KC) is bornFounders, Abdul & Zainab Khan

1936 • Ibrahim Khan – 2nd generation leadership

1989

• Cottage industry started

• 3rd generation leadership

• Introduced new products

• Initiated plant automation

• Commenced exporting

1996 • Prime Minister’s Award for Export Performance

2003

2009

2013

2022

• FDA approval (US exports)

• Fully automated 12-tonne line

• Export expansion

• Launched sugar-free candy

• 100 years!

“Our strategic intent is to grow our global footprint alongside the local market by becoming more innovative and more competitive. It’s about refocusing our product line and increasing exports.”

Professional Services, HR and Management Consultancies

Needed: Speed & Urgency

By Kieran Andrew Khan

INTERVIEW

Angela Lee Loy

Chairman, Aegis Business Solutions, Eve Anderson Recruitment, and Caribbean Resourcing Solutions

The ease of doing business in Trinidad and Tobago continues to be a work in progress,” notes Angela Lee Loy, Chairman, Aegis Business Solutions, Eve Anderson Recruitment, and Caribbean Resourcing Solutions.

“While some industries and government divisions have gone online in some processing areas, the digital transformation for the whole user experience from start to finish is still needed,” Lee Loy points out. An astute businesswoman with decades of experience, Lee Loy hats also contributed her time and talent to several associations and NGOs. She recognises more than most that it is now necessary to work with ‘speed and urgency to connect the dots and improve our process flow in both private and public sector services.’

Technology and legislation crucial to success

“There is a real opportunity for Government, private sector and citizens to embrace technology and tap into what already exists truly. The cost is not prohibitive,’” Lee Loy advises.

“Platforms already exist for what you want to do. With that, you no longer need huge capital, and you can test many services via subscription payment options,” she adds. “Access and deployment of technology is the way to level the playing field, gain customers and vendors globally and leapfrog other businesses in the economic landscape,” Lee Loy emphasises.

Still, the legislative framework will play a key role too.

“The procurement legislation is important for transparency and accountability. This is key to avoiding corruption in the system which is essential for good governance and attracting investors. When the process is transparent from top to bottom, it allows every business to get a fair chance in the vendor selection process, particularly in a society of so many SMEs. A proper tendering process is important,” Lee Loy believes.

T&T’s economy has a high level of SME engagement – with a clear majority of registered businesses in the country

operating with less than four persons. Driving greater engagement between these types of companies and the Government can positively impact the communities affected by the pandemic by empowering smaller businesses. “Public and private sector participation is a must. We must continue to build trust and encourage Public-Private partnerships (PPP),” Lee Loy elaborates.

Challenges

Lee Loy recognises that there are many issues, some exacerbated by recent events. Chief among them is that food imports are rising, but so are energy prices. “We are already experiencing logistical challenges due to the Ukrainian-Russian war, so supplies for products are already being substituted. Every element of the supply chain will be recosted and passed on to the consumer, which is already happening worldwide. The cost of goods will impact us, and consumers will be more discerning regarding their spending. The price at the gas pump will have a negative impact on citizens. We will continue to feel the shock on our shores,” she explains.

Access and deployment of technology is the way to level the playing field, gain customers and vendors globally and leapfrog other businesses in the economic landscape.

“As a result of all of this, we have to be looking at food security. Agriculture should play an essential role in the Government’s projected outlook. We have land but we need to mechanise agriculture,” Lee Loy adds. She acknowledges that many businesses also need to place greater emphasis on customer service as well – which would be a key determinant in seeing Trinidad and Tobago as a worthwhile tourism destination.

The outlook

Still, Lee Loy is confident and hopeful that positive outcomes are coming.

“The new industrial park in Point Lisas is a step in the right direction. If we look at the current Point Lisas Industrial Estate, we are the number one exporter of ammonium and methanol from a single site. We are one of the largest gas processing facilities in the Americas. We have such good oil and gas infrastructure here. We have so much liquidity in this country that we should be our own investors because we have done it before.”

She also notes that we are beginning to see significant investment in the hotel industry as travel picks up.

“The cottage industries have done really well as people continue to create and innovate. Citizens are appreciating more and showcasing our local artisans, local food and the new products that are emerging in the local markets such as cassava flour, local chocolates and a range of sauces. These are just a few examples but there are so many things to see, taste and do now in Trinidad and Tobago. I expect more of our local suppliers to be available online and delivery options to improve,” she observes.

Drawing on her wealth of knowledge and experience, Lee Loy reminds us that we have been here before. “In the 80s and 90s, when Trinidad and Tobago was in a recession, our manufacturing sector rose to the occasion and innovated. We do have resilience but sometimes we have to be pushed to get there. We have qualified people across many industries in Trinidad and Tobago and we need to value and maximise our own people in these areas. We have done it before,” she reiterates.

“Looking ahead, the Government must also focus on the education sector. Our education system has to move forward with technology and ensure we close the digital divide throughout Trinidad and Tobago. We need to ensure every citizen has broadband and it is affordable for everyone. We need to ensure children receive training to prepare them for jobs today and for the future too.”

Much work is needed, but the cornerstone, Lee Loy reminds us, has to be speed and urgency.

Vashti Guyadeen Chief Executive Officer, Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Service Industries (TTCSI)

Now or Never

By Kieran Andrew Khan

The service industry’s contribution to national GDP has been steadily falling since 2016, and our global competitiveness has been in flux for much of the same time. Vashti Guyadeen, CEO, Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Service Industries (TTCSI), believes that stronger mechanisms need to be put in place to mitigate this.

“Over the past year, according to official figures, the services sector has experienced stagnated growth. Production volumes are declining, and performance expectations were not delivered in relation to forecasts. In 2019, the services industry in Trinidad and Tobago contributed 53.4% of the value added to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). This share has been decreasing since 2016, when the services sector represented 59.3% of the same,” Guyadeen notes.

Recognising that what gets measured gets managed, the TTCSI has been focusing on collecting and analysing trade-in-services data to support its members, as, according to Guyadeen, even these official figures are ‘not a true reflection of services.’

Our fluctuation in global competitiveness is also an area of concern for the organisation. Michael Porter, one of the world’s most influential thinkers on management and competitiveness, highlights that it is firms that compete in global markets, not nations. Guyadeen suggests that ‘robust’ annual research can enhance local firms’ competitiveness. “The National Services Exporters (NSE) Survey 2020 now fully equips the private sector, government stakeholders and policymakers with bespoke information to make data-driven decisions regarding the implementation of recommendations aimed at improving the competitiveness of the national services sector. The recommendations not only support the Government’s efforts to develop a diversified sustainable economy while supporting export-led growth of service industries but also support the wider regional services mandate,” Guyadeen adds.

The NSE survey pointed out that exporting has become much more difficult for these firms. “This is one of the reasons that drove us to develop this country’s first national #GoGlobalTTServices, the country’s national services export campaign designed to improve firm competencies and local export potential.”

The organisation acknowledges that ‘stronger political will, together with employing the right talent to lead the transformation of services in T&T, is what we need’. “We must make radical moves to ensure that the Caribbean region is a knowledge-based hub. This process entails revamping institutions that were traditionally geared to support the manufacturing sector,” the CEO adds.

There are immediate aspects that we must tackle with stronger political will.

“In a nutshell, we need to aggressively dismantle and remove bottlenecks to do business in T&T to start with. We then need to digitise the top 10 mandatory services for investors to do business in the country – urgently in one fiscal year. This will send a signal to global investors that we are serious about attracting and sustaining investments and business,” Guyadeen advises. “With respect to foreign exchange, we need to prioritise support to services exporters. Government can start with the most export-ready firms under TTCSI’s Gateway to Trade as well as UTC’s Scale UpTT and other export accelerator programmes.”

Will this all work in time as we witness regional partners also making aggressive moves in the global economy? Guyadeen is optimistic, “Our preliminary research indicates a positive outlook for business and professional services. However, vulnerable sectors continue to stagnate, and business closures are evident in tourism, yacht and marine services, and personal care services.”

The indicators suggest that it may be now or never.

25 projects successfully completed on time over the last 24 months.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, HR AND MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCIES

TOGETHER , we see a world where PEOPLE unite and take action to CREATE lasting CHANGE across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.

DEMYSTIFYING ROTARY

By Sean Paddy, Assistance Rotary Public Image Coordinator for Zone 34 (Caribbean Region)

Many persons have heard of Rotary in one way or another. In most cases, that familiarity typically involves buying tickets to a fundraiser, sponsoring a project, or being asked to become a member. The support that is usually rendered by individuals, groups or companies is usually based on not much more than an intrinsic, albeit often limited understanding that Rotary is involved in charitable work – so supporting “the Rotary club” is basically an act of giving to charity.

While this recognition is not wrong, undervalued nor unappreciated, it is but one piece of the much larger pie that makes up a global organisation which has existed for over 117 years and comprises one of the ltargest memberships and most diverse scope of service-based programs and activities ever, yet still finds itself somewhat misunderstood by the public-at-large.

The initial key to demystifying Rotary is knowing that, first and foremost, it is a membership organisation. Similar to other professional associations or business chambers, members of Rotary (i.e. Rotarians) would have been initially invited to join the organisation based on their willingness and potential to achieve the organisation’s goals, followed by their paying of annual membership dues to become and remain a member.

The second key centres on the guiding principles of the organisation – all of which tantamount to two basic tenets:

1) fostering networking and high ethical standards in business; and

2) applying the ideal of service both professionally and personally.

In its longstanding motto of “Service Above Self”, Rotary embodies the concept and practice that persons united in a common cause to help others can do more good than any one individual.

The third key highlights the diverse range of Rotary and its programs. From its Seven Areas of Focus, to its many programs which aim to develop the next generation of leaders, to its enduring commitment to #EndPolioNow and eradicate only the second human disease in history, there is something worthwhile and appealing for almost anyone to become inspired by and support.

Rotary clubs were established in Trinidad and Tobago beginning in 1957 and quickly grew in quantity and membership. Past and present Rotarians include some of the most prominent citizens of the country, representing a wide cross-section of society – a tradition that has been well maintained by clubs over the last 65 years.

The last key focuses on understanding the organisational structure itself. Globally, there is Rotary International which represents the prime entity to which all other arms of the organisation belong. Within countries, there are usually several Rotary clubs – each of which are themselves semiautonomous, but all of which abide by the general policies and guidelines set forth by Rotary International.

Since 1957, Rotary has been everpresent in Trinidad and Tobago with a prolific range of accomplishments. Currently, there are 600+ Rotarians divided among 22 Rotary clubs spread throughout the country – each club with its own unique name (e.g., Rotary Club of St. Augustine), agenda, goals, initiatives, and membership. “Thus, while there are several local Rotary clubs implementing different projects and activities simultaneously, each targets different communities and/or needs - therefore, there is really no one “Rotary club”. So the next time you hear something about Rotary or are asked to support it in some way, keep in mind that while it usually falls under the umbrella of the organisation as a whole, the specific club which is spearheading the initiative, the basis of the initiative and the target beneficiaries may all be quite different and therefore appeal to your specific and repeated attention towards building better communities in Trinidad & Tobago.

For more information on Rotary, visit: https://rotary.org

For a list of local clubs and contacts, visit: https://rotarydistrict7030.org/ClubDirectory

Real Estate, Property Development and Security Services

Looking at Recovery

By Kieran Andrew Khan

Is real estate an essential service?

You may change your mind when you consider the point of view of Mark Edghill. He has served in the Association of Real Estate Agents (AREA) in various capacities for the past few years, including the last five as President. “We did lobby the Government to be considered an essential service. Given that people were losing their jobs, moving out and having domestic issues, real estate should be considered essential,” he notes. “Shelter is a basic human right,” he highlights, “so it means that real estate should be allowed to operate given that we can also mitigate contact too, should we face a similar situation again.” Given the warning signals of other possible pandemics, Edghill urges reconsideration.

The economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has dramatically affected the real estate industry. Job losses have sent people back to family homes and negatively impacted persons who previously qualified for mortgages – with a number moving

out of that bracket. “Many large offices also downsized, and of course, many businesses closed down so that commercial real estate saw a downturn. Recovery is ongoing, but we aren’t there yet,” Edghill notes. The industry is also awaiting the proclamation of legislation that will provide regulations and the registration for licensing of realtors too. “This has been with the Registrar General for some time, but we understand that there are other pressing issues to deal with like the economy,” he notes. “However, it stymies our ability to move forward.”

But how can we re-energise local real estate?

Tourism as a Means to Real Estate Growth

The AREA President notes that tourism is one key area of our economic recovery that needs greater attention. “Having a clear tourism product remains a challenge for us. Tourists that visit our shores may want to buy a vacation or retirement

home, and this happens all over the Caribbean. If you invest in a development or a certain amount into property, in many of the northern Caribbean islands, you can easily access residency and in time, a passport for that country. We have nothing in our legislation to compete with this and these Caribbean countries are all benefitting from something that we should be as well,” Edghill adds. “We can look to events tourism, not just in terms of Carnival but also in terms of conferences and trade shows to assist in bringing in high net worth individuals too. Many countries in the region have also introduced digital nomad passports, but we have no legislation to facilitate this, and we need to move quickly,” he advises.

The ‘dis-ease’ of doing business in T&T remains a challenge, however. “We need to move away from this bureaucratic nightmare we are stuck in when people attempt to do business in T&T. From simple things like hosting events to moving businesses to our shores. We also need a reprogramming of our culture in terms of understanding the importance of the tourist dollar and the improvement in everyone’s lives if

Mark Edghill

President, Association of Real Estate Agents (AREA)

Programmes such as industrial expansions and redevelopments of the capital city are areas that AREA is happy to see coming on stream.

we welcome tourists – providing great service, keeping clean beaches and public spaces that they come to enjoy. We would also like to see faster digitisation as well as greater support for the development of small businesses. If we can get these aspects together along with our tourism product it can definitely improve our economic position,” he advises.

Recognising that Grenada has created the incentives for yachting and concomitant industries, he urges decision-makers to look at opportunities afforded by our geographical location. “Aviation is another sector, and we are strategically located to be a hub for air travel, and we haven’t acted on this with the importance that we should,” he notes.

Hope on the horizon

Programmes such as industrial expansions and redevelopments of the capital city are areas that AREA is happy to see coming on stream as these involve the redevelopment of real estate for higher value purposes. “The Port and City of Port of Spain redevelopment projects, along with the plans for City Gate, Invaders Bay and the former PowerGen site will really bring a new vitality back to the city if those earmarked projects do move forward,” he adds. “But to have interest in those projects, we have to show to international investors, that we have an economy that is stable and has a positive outlook,” he notes.

“We need to see greater collaboration between public and private sectors but also between realtors and developers. There is immense potential here still but it also hinges on our culture being receptive and ready for these investments. This means that other areas like crime and corruption along with the ease of doing business must be addressed collectively,” Edghill advises.

AREA recently aligned with the US National Association of Realtors (NAR), an American trade association for those who work in the real estate industry with over 1.4 million members. The organisation will collaborate with NAR in training and education to bring more information, technology and expertise into the local real estate space.

INTERVIEW

Marcus Tewari Director of Broadview Surveillance Systems

Security Needs

By Kieran Andrew Khan

The impacts and costs of crime are seen and felt everywhere. But some approaches can begin to turn the tide.

Director of Broadview Surveillance Systems Marcus Tewari sees the reality of our national insecurity daily. “The need for greater security and secure property development and management is evident daily here,” he points out. “The ‘Broken Windows’ theory is at play in every corner of the country,” he adds. But he highlights some measures on the horizon at the State level that can pair well with personal advice for the average citizen.

Technology first

“Technology is currently an excellent avenue for secure property development (SPD) for those who can afford it. If technology like smart locks, smart controllers, and smart alarm systems can be made more affordable, it can support the way forward in SPD and really impact the attractive influence of a person’s real estate. But as the cost of living rises, this type of technology will remain a back-burner item for the most,” Tewari notes.

Still, Tewari constantly urges his clients to invest in adequate security and networking systems. “Go beyond simply setting up camera systems with DVRs that can be removed,” he urges. “Cloud and remote-based systems are better but remember to mix the traditional with the innovative – have an emergency plan, secure your property and assets with reinforced doors and windows, and be vigilant too,” he adds.

Legislation next

“Recently, there have been discussions by Cabinet and the Minister of National Security on the Private Security Bill, which is expected to expand the number of persons available to protect and serve. This will strengthen the platform of the state protective services,” he highlights. He believes that the public sector needs to improve its Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) implementations, too.

International co-operation

A key area in deterring crime would be to secure our borders and limit the flow of illegal firearms into the country. In July 2022, nine law enforcement and protective services officials received training to help combat drug trafficking on the transAtlantic cocaine route. The nine officers are attached to various protective services units in T&T and benefitted from a five-day workshop delivered by Benoit Verniquet of the French Customs/Coastguard, who also is the Deputy Coordinator for the Seaport Cooperation Project (SEACOP) in the Caribbean, and Christian Stafrace of the Malta Defence Forces. The project was supported by the European Union and SEACOP.

“Once the protective services of T&T are giving the support necessary to its citizens, they will be encouraged to invest in technology of their own to secure their assets. Once it’s proven a few times, that should lead to a domino effect in reducing crime. This is all it takes to encourage secure growth,” Tewari says. Combined, technology, legislative and co-operative measures, and improved response and detection rates by the T&T Police Service can improve our outlook into 2023 and beyond.

… need to see greater collaboration between public and private sectors, also between realtors and developers.

Caribbean Housing Ltd (CHL) has been at the forefront of building communities since 1968. Led by Dr Krishna Bahadoorsingh, the company is one of the more prominent private developers locally. It is known for its work in developing Westmoorings and West Mall alongside its most recent project in Brentwood.

Affordable housing stock in T&T remains an area of investment interest and public need. According to Dr Bahadoorsingh, the country requires at least 150-200,000 affordable homes - of which CHL is building 100 per year. “We are talking about homes in TT$1M-1.3M bracket, that would be ideal for home owners no matter the current economic conditions.” Though much has been said about our current economic indicators and predictions, he believes this need still exists.

“We have grown accustomed to being in a boom cycle - just like we are a party country. But we can’t party all year round - we have to get used to ‘normal times’ too,” he advised. The current state, he notes, is what may really be the new normal.

One of the significant challenges that the company continues to face is the approval process for building homes. “As a developer, there is no single mechanism or process for getting these approvals, so it takes more time than it should,” the TT Chamber of Commerce 2021 Hall of Fame inductee notes.

INTERVIEW

Real Estate from a Developer’s Perspective

By Kieran Andrew Khan

Dr Bahadoorsingh has spent most of his life as a businessman, entrepreneur and real estate pioneer. He was also a lecturer at the Institute of International Relations at the University of the West Indies and an Independent Senator on two occasions. Through these experiences, he also acknowledges that economic turns are cyclical.

“We have seen the patterns over many years in terms of demand for housing and commercial spaces too, and we believe that as the country settles into ‘normal times’ that it will find its footing as it needs to,” he adds. He absolutely believes there is something special about Trinidad and Tobago, noting that perhaps God may indeed be a Trini. “I have 100% faith in this country and though I believed as my good friend Errol Mahabir also did,

that we should have by now become the Singapore of the West, this was not to be. However, we remain committed to T&T.” Currently, the company is fully engaged in the continued development of a new community at Brentwood, located on the old Edinburgh sugar estate in Chaguanas. The name Brentwood was drawn from Dr Bahadoorsingh’s school of the same name in his studies abroad. The development hosts a mixture of commercial and residential spaces. It includes one of the Caribbean’s largest gas/petroleum stations, the latest Massy Supermarket and the new Brentwood Mall. The development of homes will continue along with plans for a possible medical centre and other amenities to create a fully sustainable community in the coming years.

Caribbean Housing Limited (CHL) has been Trinidad and Tobago’s most trusted real estate developer for more than 50 years. Starting with single-family homes in east and central, then expanding to northwest Trinidad where we broadened our portfolio to include retail and commercialbased developments. CHL remains an industry pioneer.

Tel: (868) 235-HOME (4663)

E-mail: sales@chltt.com

Website: www.chltt.com

Dr Krishna Bahadoorsingh, Chairman, Caribbean Housing Ltd. (CHL)

By Natalie Dookie

Shipping, Ports, and Courier Services

At the helm of Port Point Lisas, often referred to as the “Gateway to the Americas,” Ernest Ashley Taylor, President, PLIPDECO, has successfully manoeuvred the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. An advocate for legislative and technological changes, he is confident that Trinidad and Tobago can become a logistics and warehousing leader in the Caribbean.

Sector review: 2021-2022

“Challenges started in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic with a spillover into 2021. Several issues arose –changes in working arrangements, unavailability of staff and an increase in overtime charges. In the latter half of 2020, there was also a significant increase in shipping costs which impacted overall trade as well as the cost of doing business,” Taylor explained. “The reason this spike occurred was that some shipping lines took vessels out of rotation to better manage their costs during the height of the pandemic and the reduction in available shipping containers. Once major economies started recovering, there was a surge in demand with which

the industry could not cope, thus causing shipping costs to escalate.”

What is required for the shipping, ports and courier services sector to move forward?

A champion of economic diversification, Taylor recommends, “We need to position Trinidad and Tobago as a major player in the logistics and warehousing industry, encompassing all aspects of the supply chain – warehousing, distribution, consolidation and reconsolidation – as well as the provision of services around this such as transportation, goods and services, technology, ship spares and supplies, infrastructure development and engineering.” Citing regional examples, Taylor stated that in 2012 the Panamanian government established a Logistics Cabinet comprising their government and business community. It was responsible for making the logistics sector an integral component of the Panamanian economy. Jamaica has also undertaken

a dedicated push to develop its logistics sector by, among other things, establishing hundreds of thousands of square feet of new warehousing space within the last few years.

How can Government contribute to the sector’s success? What role can the private sector play? “I would like to see Government review the free zone legislation to facilitate consolidation of incoming cargo for repackaging for export to the Caribbean and Latin America. The Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority (TTRA) also can’t come on stream soon enough. The view is that customs is inefficient and outdated.” Taylor wants the sector to increase its use of technology, “Although the Ministry of Trade and Industry has been at the forefront of advancing the one-stop-shop concept, the speed of adoption needs to be accelerated to keep pace with the rest of the world. Government should also facilitate more industry investment incentives and training programmes. We also need an enabling banking sector, so industry stakeholders can access small to medium-sized loans.” The shipping lines had to implement innovative solutions to deal with forex challenges, and last year

We need to position Trinidad and Tobago as a major player in the logistics and warehousing industry encompassing all aspects of the supply chain.

Ernest Ashley Taylor President, Point Lisas Industrial Port Development Corporation Limited (PLIPDECO)

they implemented a new measure to receive payment of local charges in US dollars.

What are the most significant sector initiatives expected over the next couple of years?

Last year, the Government issued an expression of interest for privatisation of the Port of Port of Spain. The Request for Proposals should be issued in 2022. “PLIPDECO also has a lot of projects in the pipeline. In the coming months, we will issue a contract for an automated gate system using RFID technology. This is going to fundamentally change the way business is done at PLIPDECO by reducing container truck wait times. Other major projects include rehabilitation of the container storage base and implementation of an online payment system.” Government’s establishment of the Phoenix Park Industrial Estate is also expected to further position the Point Lisas product as a hub for logistics and warehousing services.

How do increased port activities in Guyana, Suriname and Jamaica impact Trinidad and Tobago?

“With respect to Guyana and Suriname, we benefit from transshipment and containerised cargo and in Guyana also, specifically from the movement of supplies for the energy sector. In the short to medium term, we will continue to realise benefits as the Guyanese economy grows and as its oil and gas sector grows.” However, in the long-term, Taylor expects a drop-off as Guyana has plans underway for the construction of additional shore based facilities as well as sizeable cargo ports. Jamaica is in a different competitive space from Trinidad and Tobago, focused on the transshipment of cargo to the US.

What is your outlook for the sector from 2022 to 2023?

“It is going to be a mixed bag. We are seeing year-to-date 25% growth in activity for containerised cargo due to a substantial increase in transshipment. However, from the import-export perspective, we have seen about a 6% improvement compared to last year and we expect to see that grow further as we slowly come out of Covid-19 restrictions. There was a lot of suppressed demand and while consumers are now spending more, this may be tempered somewhat locally because economic growth is still sluggish. While I remain optimistic, I expect sectoral growth to be slightly below the global average.”

INTERVIEW

Vilma Lewis-Cockburn CEO, Trinidad and Tobago Inter-island Transportation Company (TTIT)

Supporting domestic tourism

By Natalie Dookie

In 2021, domestic tourism prevailed as a critical component of the local tourism industry, with a constant flow of visitors between Trinidad and Tobago, offsetting the impact of declining international arrivals during the pandemic. The daily interisland ferry service between Port of Spain (Trinidad) and Scarborough (Tobago) which is a key infrastructural component of the domestic tourism offering, remained a popular choice for vacationers and others commuting between the islands as it completes the 20-mile journey in a mere three to three and a half hours.

Trinidad and Tobago Inter-island Transportation Company Limited (TTIT) operates the sea bridge service providing reliable affordable transportation for passengers, vehicles and cargo between Trinidad and Tobago. It is a vital sea link for business and leisure/tourism.

From inception, the inter-island sea bridge has been operating vessels of varying size, speed, and capacity. Having addressed several challenges, Vilma Lewis-Cockburn, Chief Executive Officer of TTIT outlined recent developments, “Innovations in vessel design and technology, and changing customer demands have resulted in fleet upgrades over the years. The acquisition of the Galleons Passage and more recently, the APT James and the Buccoo Reef catamarans provide examples of progress.”

Heavily subsidised by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, TTIT’s operational costs are escalating. Historically, passenger utilisation of the interisland ferries has been between 68% to 82%, with the lower limit reflecting the movement of passengers during non-peak periods and the upper limit representing the peak utilisation interval. The sea bridge usually operates a fleet of at least two passenger ferries, hence there is always excess capacity even under normal circumstances. To fill this gap, TTIT is intent on attracting new customers through improved delivery and marketing of its services.

What’s next for TTIT? Lewis-Cockburn shares her vision, “We want to maintain our leadership position in providing inter-island transportation by improving our service delivery. In addition, we also want to streamline operations which will result in improved efficiencies. I would also like to see us improve brand TTIT and provide customers with an experience of safe, reliable, comfortable, and affordable travel between the islands.” TTIT also has plans to invest in infrastructural works as well as increased training for its employees.

Current visitor arrival figures reflect a significant increase in domestic tourism and with international travel behaviours likely to be impacted in the long term, it is expected that this will continue as the new normal in the domestic travel industry. Optimistic about the continued revival of domestic tourism in a post-Covid environment, Lewis-Cockburn anticipates that passenger utilisation rates will increase by 25% in 2022 and 27% in 2023.

With limited recovery in global tourism expected in 2022 and projections of a scaled rebound in the Caribbean, it is anticipated that domestic tourism will maintain the positive momentum generated during the pandemic. In the face of uncertainty caused by new Covid-19 variants, TTIT must continue to seize the opportunity to drive profitable demand and retain client loyalty in a competitive market.

Fast Facts

Trinidad

Capital: Port of Spain

Main Towns: City of San Fernando, Arima, Point Fortin, Chaguanas

Tobago

Capital: Scarborough

Nationality

Trinidad: Trinidadian Tobago: Tobagonian

Official Language

English Population

Mid-Year Estimate (June 2021): 1,367,558

(Source: Central Statistical Office)

Electricity

110 volts/220 volts (+/-6%); 60 Hz

Telephone

1 (868) + seven-digit local

Geography and Location

Tucked below the hurricane belt, the country is located in a safe haven. It is bordered by the Caribbean Sea in the north and by the Atlantic to the east. On the west coast, it is separated from Venezuela by the Gulf of Paria and to the south, the Columbus Channel.

Trinidad

Once attached to the South American mainland, Trinidad is situated at 12 km (7 miles) northeast of the coast of Venezuela and is separated from it by the Gulf of Paria. About 40% of all land is undeveloped forest and woodlands, although the island continues to experience rapid development.

Trinidad’s Pitch Lake is the largest natural reservoir of asphalt in the world.

Total Area: 4,828 km2 (1,864 sq miles) 81.25 km long by 57-73 km wide (50 miles by 35-45 miles)

Location: Latitude 10.5° N; Longitude 61.5° W

Tobago

Tobago lies 34 km (21 miles) northeast of Trinidad. Though of volcanic origin, there are no active volcanoes here. The island is a single mountain mass, although the southwestern tip has a coral platform. The highest peak, the Main Ridge, reaches an elevation of about 576 m (1,890 ft) and its lower-lying lands include a protected reserve area. The coastline is broken up by inlets and sheltered beaches, and there are several uninhabited islets.

Total Area: 300 sq km (116 sq miles)

Location: Latitude 11.5° N, Longitude 60.5°W

Time Zone

Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time: Minus four hours (GMT -4)

In US Winter: Eastern Standard Time plus one hour (EST +1)

In US Summer: Eastern Standard Time (EST). There is no Daylight Saving Time (DST). Climate

Trinidad and Tobago has a tropical climate with high relative humidity. There are two distinct seasons: dry, from January to May and wet, from June to December. There is a short dry period around mid-September called Petit Carême. The hurricane season runs from June to November, peaking between August and October. Given Trinidad’s southern geographical location, the island is not affected by storms as frequently as the sister isle, Tobago. Tobago can experience inclement weather as a result of such weather systems.

Trinidad and Tobago’s southerly location keeps temperatures consistent yearround, about 30/32 °C (86/90 °F) during the day and somewhat cooler at night.

Telecommunications

Providers of landline and mobile telephone services are prevalent on both islands, and cable television and internet services are readily available. The more prominent agencies are Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (TSTT), Digicel (Trinidad and Tobago) Limited and Columbus Communications Trinidad Limited (Flow). With wide coverage throughout the islands, communication is generally easy and wireless internet services are commonplace at hotels, restaurants and many other establishments. I nternational Access Code: 1

Country Code: 868

Media

There is a well-established network covering television, radio, print, electronic billboards and and increasingly strong digital presence. The three daily newspapers are Trinidad Express, Trinidad Guardian and Newsday

Top News and Media Websites

• T&T Newsday.

• Loop TT News.

• Trinidad Guardian.

• Trinidad Express.

• Wired868.

• Breaking News T&T| Facebook

• Cnc3.co.tt

• Online Radio Stations

Government

Trinidad and Tobago follows the Westminster model of government and upholds the traditions of parliamentary democracy it inherited from Britain. The Government is stable. The Head of State is the President, who is elected by an Electoral College of members of the Senate and House of Representatives for a five-year renewable term. Executive power, however, is vested in the Prime Minister and Government, following elections at least every five years. The next general election will become due in 2025.

Fast Facts

Tobago has its own elected House of Assembly and its seat is in the capital city, Scarborough. https://www.ttconnect.gov.tt/ https://www.tha.gov.tt/

Banking

The financial system consists of commercial banks, trust and mortgage finance companies, finance houses and merchant banks.

Number of Commercial Banks: 8

Number of Branches: 123

Number of Automatic Banking

Machines: 254 ATMs

https://batt.org.tt/banking-industry/

Standard Bank Hours of Operation

City Centres:

Monday to Thursday – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Friday – 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. & 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

RBC and Scotiabank (not mall branches)

8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

8 RBC Branches open on Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Shopping Centres (Daily):

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Exchange Rate: TT$6.77: US$1 (July 2022)

Economic Data

GDP 2021 (US$ Billion) = 21.39

Labour Force 2020 (persons with jobs) = 603,800

Major Exports: Natural gas and oil, ammonia, alcohol, fertilisers, iron and steel.

Major Trading Partners: United States, CARICOM, Spain, Mexico, France, the United Kingdom, China, Venezuela, Japan, Nigeria, The Netherlands, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Colombia, Russia, and Germany.

The phased reopening of the economy following the prolonged lockdown period has been a boon to all sectors of the economy. Broad-ranging growth is expected and in the energy sector, as new projects come on stream, higher natural gas production is anticipated.

References:

Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago: Economic Bulletin January 2022; Financial Stability Report 2021; https://www.central-bank.org.tt

Central Statistical Office, Trinidad and Tobago https://cso.gov.tt/

https://tradingeconomics.com

Meeting Places and Conference Centres

Trinidad and Tobago is one of the top five Caribbean meeting and conference destinations. Many hotels have facilities for conferences, including international brands

such as the Hyatt Regency Trinidad and the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre.

In addition, the state-of-the-art National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), South Academy for the Performing Arts, award-winning spots like Coco Reef and the Magdalena Grand Beach Resort in Tobago are ideal for corporate meetings and team-building retreats.

Transportation Airports

Piarco International Airport is a vital hub for international air traffic in the Caribbean. It is located about 45 minutes from the capital city, Port of Spain and there are non-stop daily scheduled flights to and from major international cities.

Caribbean Airlines Limited, the national airline, offers routes that include direct flights to major cities like Toronto, New York and Miami. CAL also flies regionally with regular flights to Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana and Suriname, to name a few destinations.

International flights are also available direct from Tobago’s ANR Robinson International Airport. Airlines that fly directly to Tobago include British Airways, Condor and Monarch. International and regional airlines that fly to Trinidad and Tobago include American Airlines, British Airways, Caribbean Airlines, United Airlines, West Jet, JetBlue, LIAT and several charter flight companies. https://www.tntairports.com/

Seaports

The main seaports are located in Port of Spain and Point Lisas. The Port of Port of Spain handles dry and general cargo, break bulk, containers and passenger traffic. The Point Lisas Industrial Port Development Corporation Ltd. (PLIPDECO), mainly a bulk port for industrial commerce, also handles container and general cargo traffic. Ferries travel the inter-island route daily. Several cruise lines stop at Port of Spain during the peak season from November to April.

Port of Spain Ferry: (868) 625-3055 Tobago Ferry: (868) 639-2417

The CARICOM Jetty, which is located at the Port of Port of Spain and operates the passenger inter-island ferry, receives, stores and delivers CARICOM cargo and multipurpose containers for trade within the Caribbean region.

A water taxi ferry connects Port of Spain and San Fernando. Scheduled sailing times are Monday to Friday. Tickets cost TT$15 one-way and can be purchased at the Water Taxi Terminal located at Flat Rock, Lady Hailes Avenue, San Fernando or the Cruise Ship Complex, Port of Spain. Free parking is available at both ports. There is a Public Transport Service

Corporation (PTSC) shuttle service, which costs TT$3 through the city of Port of Spain. For further information, visit: www.nidco.co.tt or call 624-3281/674-5593 (POS) or 800-4WTS (San Fernando).

Immigration, Work Permits and Visas

Effective July 2022, Covid-19 PCR or labacquired antigen test results were no longer required for entry into Trinidad and Tobago. All passengers arriving into the country must wear properly fitting face masks and are encouraged to adhere to existing public health and social measures. While mask wearing is voluntary in public spaces, it remains mandatory at private and public hospitals and other health care facilities.

For updated guidelines for travel to or from Trinidad and Tobago, visit the following websites: https://health.gov.tt/ and https://nationalsecurity.gov.tt/immigration/

Work permits are required for business stays beyond 30 days. Visa extensions can be obtained from the Immigration Office at 67 Frederick Street, Port of Spain, while work permits can be obtained from the Ministry of National Security, Temple Court II, 52-60 Abercromby Street, Port of Spain. www.nationalsecurity.gov.tt

MAJOR AIRLINES

Piarco Airport

American Airlines 1 (868) 821-6000

Caribbean Airlines 1 (868) 625-7200

British Airways 1 (800) 247-9297

Copa Airlines 1 (868) 669-5189

LIAT 1 (800) 669-2982

Surinam Airways 1 (868) 627-0102

United Airlines 1 (800) 864-8331

West Jet Airlines 1 (888) 937-8538

1 (888)-WESTJET

JetBlue 1 (800) 538-2583

Rutaca 1 (868) 625-4324

ANR Robinson Airport

Virgin Atlantic 1 (800) 744-7477

British Airways 1 (800) 247-9297

Approximate Flying Times to Trinidad and Tobago

London – 8.2 hours

New York – 4.5 hours

Miami – 3.3 hours

Houston – 5.3 hours

Toronto – 5.5 hours

Regional and International Organisations

ASSOCIATION OF CARIBBEAN STATES (ACS)

Rodolfo Sabonge

Secretary-General

5-7 Sweet Briar Road

St. Clair, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 622-9575, 628-0936 / 6756 / 7222

Email: mail@acs-aec.org

Website: www.acs-aec.org

CARIBBEAN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE (CARDI)

Ansari Hosein

Executive Director

Frederic Hardy Building

The University of the West Indies

St. Augustine, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 645-1205-7

Fax: (868) 645-1208

Email: executive@cardi.org

Website: www.cardi.org

CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY IMPLEMENTATION AGENCY FOR CRIME AND SECURITY (CARICOM IMPACS)

Lt. Col. Michael Jones

Executive Director

19 Keate Street

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 235-5511

Email: secretariat@carimpacs.org

Website: www.caricomimpacs.org

CARIBBEAN COURT OF JUSTICE (CCJ)

The Honourable Mr. Justice Adrian Saunders

President

134 Henry Street

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 623-2225

Fax: (868) 627-1193

Email: info@ccj.org

Website: www.ccj.org

CARIBBEAN COURT OF JUSTICE TRUST FUND (CCJTF)

Michelle Persad

Executive Officer

22 Cornelio Street

Woodbrook

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 625-8500 / 8501

Fax: (868) 625-5608

Email: trustee@ccjtrustfun.org

Website: www.ccj.org/about-the-ccj/ccj-trust-fund/

CARIBBEAN FINANCIAL ACTION TASK FORCE (CFATF)

Dawne Spicer

Executive Director

Level 21, Nicholas Towers

63-65 Independence Square

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 623-9667

Fax: (868) 624-1297

Email: cfatf@cfatf.org

Website: www.cfatf-gafic.org

CARIBBEAN FOOD CORPORATION (CFC)

Ansari Hosein

Executive Director

c/o The Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI)

CARDI Headquarters

P.O. Box 212

The University of the West Indies Campus

St. Augustine, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 645-1205 / 3573

Fax: (868) 645-1208

Email: hresources@cardi.org

CARIBBEAN METEOROLOGICAL ORGANISATION (CMO)

Dr. Arlene G. Laing

Co-ordinating Director

27 O’Connor Street

Woodbrook

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 622-4711 / 0277

Fax: (868) 622-4711

Email: cmohq@cmo.org.tt

Website: www.cmo.org.tt

CARIBBEAN PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY (CARPHA)

Dr. Joy St. John

Executive Director

16-18 Jamaica Boulevard

Federation Park

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 622-4261, 299-0895

Fax: (868) 622-2792

Email: postmaster@carpha.org

Website: www.carpha.org

CARIBBEAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS UNION (CTU)

Rodney Taylor

Secretary General

4 Mary Street

St. Clair

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 622-5871 / 628-0281

Email: rodney.taylor@ctu.int

Website: www.ctu.int

DEVELOPMENT BANK OF LATIN AMERICA (CAF)

Gianpiero Leoncini

Representative

8th Floor

Albion Plaza Energy Centre

22-24 Victoria Avenue

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 222-1540/1541

Email: trinidadandtobago@caf.com

Website: www.caf.com

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS

Reuben Robertson

Representative for Trinidad and Tobago and Surinam

No.2 Serpentine Road

St. Clair

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 299-0027/0029/0030

Email: FAO-TT@fao.org

Website: hwww.fao.org

INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (IADB)

Carina Cockburn

Country Representative

17 Alexander Street

St. Clair

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 822-6400 / 6421

Email: idbtrinidad@iadb.org

Website: www.iadb.org

INTER AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR COOPERATION ON AGRICULTURE (IICA)

Diana Francis Representative in Trinidad and Tobago # 16 Factory Road

Building #3 Brechin Castle

Couva, Trinidad

P.O. Box 1318 Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 645-4555 / 5020

Email: diana.francis@iica.int

Website: www.iica.int

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION (ILO)

Dennis Zulu

Director

Stanmore House, 6 Stanmore Avenue

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 623-7704/7178; 625-0524; 627-6304

Fax: (868) 627-8978

Email: ilocarib@ilo.org

Website: www.ilo.org

INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION FOR MIGRATION (IOM)

Ministry of National Security Temple Court 2

50-62 Abercromby Street

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Direct No: (868) 627-6969

Tel: (868) 623-2441 Ext.13138/9

Fax: (868) 625-5009

Website: www.iom.int

INTERNATIONAL REGIONAL CENTRE FOR THE CARIBBEAN (CABI)

Naitram Ramnanan

Regional Representative, Caribbean

59 Gordon Street

St. Augustine, Trinidad

Tunapuna 331323

Tel: (868) 645-7628

Email: n.ramnanan@cabi.org

Website: www.cabi.org

ORGANISATION OF AMERICAN STATES (OAS) TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO OFFICE (OASTT)

15 Wainwright Street

St. Clair, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 622-9272

Email: oastrinidadandtobago@oas.org

Website: www.oas.org

REGIONAL JUDICIAL AND LEGAL SERVICES COMMISSION (RJLSC)

The Honourable Mr. Justice Adrian Saunders

Chairman

2nd Floor, 134 Henry Street

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 623-8376 / 2225

Fax: (868) 625-4004

Email: rjlsc@rjlsc.org

Website: www.ccj.org

THE PAN AMERICAN HEALTH ORGANIZATION (PAHO), WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

Country Office in Trinidad and Tobago

1st Floor, Briar Place

10-12 Sweet Briar Road

St. Clair, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 612-2000, 622-4202/5445

Website: www.paho.org

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR UNESCO

Debra Lalloo

Secretary General

Ministry of Education

Level 5, Tower A,

#5 St. Vincent Street

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Phone: (868) 622-2181 Ext. 2220

Email: unesco.info@moe.gov.tt

Website: www.unesco.org.tt

UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (UNDP) (TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO)

Randi Davis

UNDP Resident Representative

UN House

3A Chancery Lane

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 623-7056

Fax: (868) 623-1658

Email: registryTT@undp.org

Website: www.undp.org

UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN (ECLAC)

Diane Quarless Director

1 Chancery Lane

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 224-8000

Email: eclac-hr-pos@un.org

Website: https://www.un.org/

UNITED NATIONS INFORMATION CENTRE (UNIC)

Juan Miguel Diez Jiménez Director

1st Floor, 1 Chancery Lane

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 224-8012

Email: unic.portofspain@unic.org

Website: www.caribbeanun.org

Honorary Consuls Accredited to The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS

Dr. E. Monica Davis

Honorary Consul

PO Box 56 St. Vincent Street

Port of Spain,

Email: elainemonicadavis@bahamas.gov.bs

BARBADOS

Dr. Roosevelt S. Rock

Honorary Consul

16 Jackson Street

Curepe, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 636-8696

Email: rooseveltrock@yahoo.com

PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF BANGLADESH

Razai Azard Rahaman

Honorary Consul - General

1 Shafik Drive, Cross Crossing

San Fernando, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 657-8425

Fax: (868) 652-7108

Email: azard_rahaman@rahamutgroup. com

imtiaz_rahaman@rahamutgroup.com

KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

Paul Jay Williams

Honorary Consul

2 Sixth Avenue

Barataria, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 674-1677

Fax: (868) 675-9831

Email: honoraryconsulbelgium@gmail.com

BELIZE

Thomas Chanona

Honorary Consul

31-33 Warren Street

St. Augustine, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 645-4062

Fax: (868) 645-4064

Email: tchanona@kee-chanona.com/ admin@kee-chanona.com

BOTSWANA

Rubindra Debideen

Honorary Consul

Ultra Cool Limited

72 Fourth Street

Barataria, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 627-7770/7700

Email: boss@ultracoolgroup.com

KINGDOM OF DENMARK

Ravi R. Dolsingh, LLB, PG, Dip, LPC

Honorary Consul, General

Mansfield House, Mansfield Chambers

1st Floor, No. 24 Abercromby Street

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 780-3772

Email: rav@ravidolsingh.com

REPUBLIC OF FINLAND

Troy Garcia

Honorary Consul

153 Eastern Main Road

Barataria, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 638-1277 Ext 240

Fax: (868) 674-2644

Email: tgarcia6@hotmail.com / officeadmin@partsworldlimited.com

GRENADA

Michael Brizan

Consular Officer

Grenada Consular and Trade Office

Grenada House

127 Henry Street

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 625-9235

Fax: (868) 624-1257

Email: grenadaconsular@gmail.com

CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE CO-OPERATIVE REPUBLIC OF GUYANA

Maharine Deborah Yaw

Consul General (Ag.)

12 Alexandra Street, St. Clair

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 628-2616, 622-2913

Email: dyaw@minfor.gov.gy

REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

Ian Anthony

Honorary Consul

Building 5, Christina Court

33-35 Boissiere No. 1

Maraval, Trinidad

Tel/Fax: (868) 628-4818

Email: ianthony@renavatio.net

STATE OF ISRAEL

Barbara Malins-Smith

Honorary Consul

Tel: (868) 785-3054

Email: malinssmith@yahoo.com

ITALIAN REPUBLIC

Shira Serena Mohammed

Honorary Consul

Tel: (868) 756-3939

Email: italconstt@gmail.com

REPUBLIC OF LATVIA

Kirby Anthony Hosang

Honorary Consul

112 Saddle Road

Maraval, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 657-9653

Email: hosanganthony@gmail.com

LEBANESE REPUBLIC

Amer G. Haidar

Honorary Consul (Dean)

7 Adam Smith Square

Woodbrook, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 782-4700

Email: aghaidar3@gmail.com

MALTA

John Hadad

Honorary Consul

HADCO Ltd.

JRJ Warehousing Compound

Bhagoutie Trace

San Juan, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 675-7628 Ext. 1201

Email: john.hadad@hadcoltd.com

MOROCCO

Mario Sabga-Aboud

Honorary Consul

80 Lower Boundary Road

San Juan, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 674-2697 Ext 2258

Fax: (868) 638-4711

Mobile: (868) 680-3597

Email: mario@pizzaboys.com

NEW ZEALAND

Donald Kelshall

Honorary Consul

31 Alberto Street, Woodbrook

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 463-9911

Email: dkelshall@savannahcomputing.com

KINGDOM OF NORWAY

Stuart Jardine K.F.O.

Honorary Consul General

101 St. Anthony’s Drive

Westmoorings

PO Box 13

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 633-7687

Email: norkonpos@gmail.com

ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN

Amjad Ali

Honorary Consul General

LP16 Orange Grove Estate

Tacarigua, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 640-6595 Ext. 1002

Fax: (868) 640-8884

Email: amjad@adfoam.com

REPUBLIC OF POLAND

David Lewis

Honorary Consul

Lot 25 Frederick Settlement

Industrial Estate

Caroni, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 645-0604; 645-5522

Fax: (868) 663-0897

Email: davidl@labelhouse.com

REPUBLIC OF PORTUGAL

William A. Ferreira

Honorary Consul

Furness House - Second Floor

90 Independence Square

PO Box 283, Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 625-1745/1131

Fax: (868) 625-1243

Email: furness@furnessgroup.com

SLOVAK REPUBLIC (SLOVAKIA)

Lawrence S. Naipaul

Honorary Consul

Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago

Administration Building

1st Floor Dock Road

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 625-6273

Email: lsnaipaul@msn.com

SLOVENIA

Om Prakash Lalla

Honorary Consul

c/o K R Lalla & Co.

# 9 St. Vincent Sreet

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 625-5074

Fax: (868) 625-6110

Email: omlalla@krlalla.com

REPUBLIC OF SURINAME

Jerome Khan

Honorary Consul

42 Spanish Villas, 16 Foncette Road, Cascade

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 680-7254

Email: jeromekhan.slm@gmail.com

KINGDOM OF SWEDEN

David O’ Brien

Honorary Consul

c/o Massy Motors, Lady Young Road

Morvant, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 675-6523; 674-4200 Ext. 1103

Fax: (868) 674-7761

Email: david.obrien@massygroup.com

THE SWISS CONFEDERATION

Email: portspain@honrep.ch

SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC

Marwan Yousef

Honorary Consul

15 Queen Street

Arima, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 667-3927

Fax: (868) 667-7019

Email: syrianconsolatect@gmail.com

REPUBLIC OF TURKEY

Michael Llanos

Honorary Consul General

19 Western Main Road

St. James, Port of Spain

Trinidad

Tel: (868) 628-3222

Fax: (868) 622-6661

Mobile: (868) 324-4989

Email: mike@llanosgroup.com

REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

Dr. Dinesh Mor

Honorary Consul

133 Columbus Circle

Westmoorings, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 633-2215

Email: dinesh12mor@gmail.com

Embassies and Diplomatic Missions

APOSTOLIC NUNCIATURE

Father Luciano Labanca

Chargé d’Affaires of Acquaviva

11 Mary Street, St. Clair

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 622-5009/6359

Fax: (868) 222-9814

Email: apnuntt@googlemail.com

EMBASSY OF THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC

Ambassador Marcelo Suarez Salvia

4th Floor, Tatil Building

11 Maraval Road,

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 628-7557/7587

Fax: (868) 628-7544

Email: etrin@mrecic.gov.ar

HIGH COMMISSION FOR THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

His Excellency Bruce Lendon

High Commissioner

18 Herbert Street, St. Clair

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 822-5450

Email: ahc.portofspain@dfat.gov.au

Website: www.trinidadandtobago.embassy.gov.au

EMBASSY OF THE FEDERATIVE REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL

His Excellency Rodrigo do Amaral Souza

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

18 Sweet Briar Road, St. Clair

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 622-5779/5771

Fax: (868) 622-4323

Email: amboffice.portspain@itamaraty.gov.br

HIGH COMMISSION OF CANADA

His Excellency Sharad Kumar Gupta

High Commissioner

Maple House

3-3A Sweet Briar Road, St. Clair

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 622-6232

Fax: (868) 628-2581

Email: pspan@international.gc.ca

Website: www.canadainternational.gc.ca

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHILE

José Alfredo Cisterna

Chargé d’Affaires

4 Alexandra Street, St. Clair

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 628-0540/4763

Fax: (868) 622-9894

Email: echilett@minrel.gob.cl

EMBASSY OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

His Excellency Qiu Fang

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

76 Long Circular Road, Maraval, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 622-1832, 628-6417

Fax: (868) 622-7613

Email: chinaemb_tt@mfa.gov.cn

Website: http://tt.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA

Her Excellency Martha Cecilia PinillaPerdomo

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

4th Floor, Newtown Centre

30-36 Maraval Road

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 628-5656, 222-2275

Email: eptoespana@cancilleria.gov.co

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA

Her Excellency Tania Diego Olite

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

74 Elm Avenue, Bayshore

Westmoorings, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 633-3268, 632-8691

Email: cubasec.tt@gmail.com or embajada@tt.embacuba.cu

EMBASSY OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

His Excellency Wellington Darío Bencosme Casataños

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Eleven Albion, Corner Dere & Albion Streets

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

Tel. 868-220-6955, 868-229-0864

Email: embtt@mirex.gob.do

DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

His Excellency Peter Cavendish

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

5th Floor, 11 Queen’s Park East 101002, Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 235-6453

Email: delegation-trinidad-and-tobagogeneral@eeas.europa.eu

Website: www.eeas.europa.eu/ delegations/trinidad-and-tobago_en

EMBASSY OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC

His Excellency Serge Lavroff

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

7 Mary Street, St. Clair

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 232-4808

Email: info@ambafrance-tt.org / cad.portd-espagne-amba@diplomatie.gouv.fr

Website: www.tt.ambafrance.org

EMBASSY OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

Her Excellency Ute König

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

19 St. Clair Avenue, St. Clair

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 628-1630/1632

Email: info@ports.diplo.de

Website: www.port-of-spain.diplo.de /tt-en/embassy

GRENADA CONSULAR AND TRADE OFFICE

Michael Brizan

Consular Officer

Grenada House

127 Henry Street

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 625-9235

Fax: (868) 624-1257

Email: grenadaconsular@gmail.com

CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE CO-OPERATIVE REPUBLIC OF GUYANA

Maharine Deborah Yaw

Consul General (Ag.)

12 Alexandra Street, St. Clair

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 628-2616, 622-2913

Email: ghctt@mission.gov.gy

HIGH COMMISSION FOR THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA

His Excellency Arun Kumar Sahu

High Commissioner

6 Victoria Avenue

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 225-4340

Email: hcoffice.pospain@mea.gov.in / hcipos.hc_ss@yahoo.com

Website: www.hcipos.gov.in

HIGH COMMISSION FOR JAMAICA

His Excellency Arthur H.W. Williams

High Commissioner

2 Newbold Street, St. Clair

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 622-4995

Fax: (868) 622-9043

Email: jamaica@jhcpos.org

EMBASSY OF JAPAN

His Excellency Yutaka Matsubara

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

5 Hayes Street, St. Clair

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 628-5991/5993

Fax: (868) 622-0858

Email: embassyofjapan@po.mofa.go.jp

Website: www.tt.emb-japan.go.jp

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

His Excellency OH Dong-il

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

36 Elizabeth Street, St. Clair

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 622-9081/1069

Fax: (868) 628-8745

Email: trinidad@mofa.go.kr

Website: www.overseas.mofa.go.kr/tt-en/ index.do

EMBASSY OF THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS

His Excellency Sándor Marnix Raphaël

Varga van Kibéd en Makfalva

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Trinre Building

69–71 Edward Street

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 625-1210/1722/2532

Email: por@minbuza.nl

Website: www.netherlandsandyou.nl/ your-country-and-the-netherlands/trinidadand-tobago/about-us/embassy-in-port-ofspain

HIGH COMMISSION FOR THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

Abubakar Danlami Ibrahim

Ambassador

3 Maxwell-Phillip Street, St. Clair

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 622-4002

Fax: (868) 622-7162

Email: nhc.nigtt@gmail.com / mfa.nigtt@ gmail.com /

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA

Her Excellency Selvia Miller-Palmer

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

7 Ground Floor, Gray Street, St. Clair

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 628-9956/9957

Email: embpanamatyt@mire.gob.pa

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF PERU

His Excellency David Francisco Malaga

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

4 Trinidad Crescent, Federation Park

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 221-8642/2939

Email: missiontt@embassyofperutt.net

HIGH COMMISSION FOR THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

His Excellency Dr Lovell Francis

High Commissioner

4 Scott Street, St. Clair

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 622-9869, 628-6997

Fax: (868) 622-7089

Email: sahctt.general@dirco.gov.za or sahctt.consular@dirco.gov.za

Website: www.gov.za/about-government/ contact-directory/representatives-rsa/ representatives-rsa/trinidad-and-tobago

EMBASSY OF THE KINGDOM OF SPAIN

His Excellency Fernando Nogales Álvarez

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

7th Floor, Tatil Building

11 Maraval Road

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 625-7938, 628-2560, 622-1151

Fax: (868) 622-3032

Email: emb.puertoespana@maec.es / emb.puertoespana.vis@maec.es

CONSULATE OF SURINAME

Jerome Khan

Honorary Consul

42 Spanish Villas,

16 Foncette Road, Cascade

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 680-7254

Email: surinameembassy.tt@gmail.com / jeromekhan.slm@gmail.com

HIGH COMMISSION FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

Her Excellency Harriet Cross

High Commissioner

19 St Clair Avenue, St. Clair

Newtown 190125

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 350-0444

Fax: (868) 622-4555

Email: generalenquiries.ptofs@fcdo.gov.uk

Website: www.gov.uk/world/organisations/ british-high-commissiontrinidad-and-tobago

EMBASSY OF THE UNITED MEXICAN STATES

His Excellency Victor Hugo Morales

Meléndez

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

12 Hayes Street, St. Clair

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 622-1422

Fax: (868) 628-8488

Email: embttobago@sre.gob.mx

EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Shante Moore

Chargé d’Affaires

15 Queen’s Park West

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 622-6371-6

Fax: (868) 822-5905

Email: POSexecutiveoffice@state.gov

Website: https://tt.usembassy.gov/

THE EMBASSY OF THE BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA

His Excellency Álvaro Enrique Sánchez Cordero

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

16 Victoria Avenue

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 627-9821/9823-4

Fax: (868) 624-2508

Email: embve.ttpsp@mppre.gob.ve

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY

Her Excellency Bengü Yiğitgüden

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

3 Scott Street, St. Clair

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 794-2465

Email: melis.altuntas@mfa.gov.tr / embassy.portofspain@mfa.gov.tr

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago

THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Circular Road, St Ann’s, Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 225-4687

Email: otp.mail@otp.gov.tt

Website: www.otp.tt

OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER

Office of the Prime Minister

White Hall, Lot 29 Maraval Road

Queen’s Park West, Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 622-1625

Email: opm.info@gov.tt

Website: www.opm.gov.tt

OFFICE OF THE PARLIAMENT

Parliamentary Complex Cabildo Building

St. Vincent Street, Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 624-7275

Fax: (868) 624-4672

Email: webmaster@ttparliament.org

Website: www.ttparliament.org

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, LAND AND FISHERIES

Corner Narsaloo Ramaya Marg Road & Soogrim Trace

Chaguanas, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 220-6253

Email: ministryoffoodproduction@gmail.com

Website: https://agriculture.gov.tt/

MINISTRY OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND LEGAL AFFAIRS

AGLA Tower

Corner London & Richmond Streets

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 223-2452

Fax: (868) 226-5145

Email: communication@ag.gov.tt

Website: www.agla.gov.tt

MINISTRY OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Level 7, National Library Building (NALIS)

23 Abercromby Street

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 623-4724

Fax: (868) 624-4216

Email: MDT-CorporateCommunications@gov.tt

Website: www.mdt.gov.tt

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

Education Towers

No. 5 St. Vincent Street

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 622-2181

Fax: (868) 624-2035

Website: https://www.moe.gov.tt/

MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND ENERGY INDUSTRIES

Levels 26, Tower C, International Waterfront Centre

1 Wrightson Road, Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 225-4334

Fax: (868) 225-5764

Email: info@energy.gov.tt

Website: www.energy.gov.tt

MINISTRY OF FINANCE

Eric Williams Finance Building

Level 8, Independence Square

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 627-5633

Fax: (868) 625-8354

Email: mofsecretariat@gov.tt

Website: www.finance.gov.tt

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AND CARICOM AFFAIRS

#2 Prada Street

St. Clair, Newtown

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 623-6894 / 285-5029

Fax: (868) 285-5029

Website: www.foreign.gov.tt

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

63 Park Street

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 623-2741

Fax: (868) 627-2139

Website: www.health.gov.tt

MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

HDC Building, 44-46 South Quay

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 623-4663

Fax: (868) 627-8044

Email: info@housing.gov.tt; ttministryofhousingandurbandev@gmail.com

Website: www.housing.gov.tt

MINISTRY OF LABOUR

Levels 5 & 6, Tower C

International Waterfront Complex

1 Wrightson Road, Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 625-8478

Fax: (868) 624-9126

Website: www.labour.gov.tt

MINISTRY OF NATIONAL SECURITY

Temple Court 1, 31-33 Abercromby Street

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 623-2441-5

Fax: (868) 627-8044

Temple Court 2

52-60 Abercromby Street

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 627-1032; 625-2864/7554

Email: corpcomm@mns.gov.tt

Website: www.nationalsecurity.gov.tt

MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Level 14, Eric Williams Financial Complex

Independence Square, Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 612-3000

Website: www.planning.gov.tt

MINISTRY OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Level 5-7, National Library Building (NALIS)

Corner Hart and Abercromby Streets

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 623-4724/9081

Fax: (868) 624-4216

Website: http://www.mpac.gov.tt/

MINISTRY OF PUBLIC UTILITIES

One Alexandra Place, 1 Alexander Street

St. Clair, Newtown, 190129

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 628-9500

Fax: (868) 628-5467

Email: customerservices@mpu.gov.tt

Website: www.mpu.gov.tt

MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Kent House

Long Circular Road, Maraval

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 622-1669/1979, 628-1323-5

Fax: (868) 628-7283

Email: rdlgcomms@gov.tt

Website: www.rdlg.gov.tt

MINISTRY OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SERVICES

CL Financial Building

39-43 St. Vincent Street

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 623-2608 / 800-1673

Email: info@social.gov.tt

Website: www.social.gov.tt

NATIONAL SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

2nd Floor, #45A-C St. Vincent Street

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 623-2608 ext. 1501–1517

NATIONAL FAMILY SERVICES DIVISION

95-97 Frederick Street

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 623-2608 ext. 6705

MINISTRY OF SPORT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Head Sport Office

Level 8, Nicholas Towers

63-65 Independence Square

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 625-6088 Ext. 5187

List of district offices: www.mscd.gov.tt/contact

Website: www.cdca.gov.tt

MINISTRY OF TOURISM, CULTURE AND THE ARTS

Levels 8 & 9, Tower C

International Waterfront Complex

1 Wrightson Road

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: 624-1403

FB: TourismTT

Website: www.culture.gov.tt

MINISTRY OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Level 17, Nicholas Towers

63-65 Independence Square

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868) 623-2931-4;

Fax: (868) 627-8488

Email: mti-info@gov.tt

Website: www.tradeind.gov.tt

MINISTRY OF WORKS AND TRANSPORT

Head Office

2-4 London Street

Port-of-Spain 100623

Trinidad

Tel: (868) 625-1225

Email: communications@mowt.gov.tt

Website: www.mowt.gov.tt

MINISTRY OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND NATIONAL SERVICES

2 Elizabeth Street, St. Clair

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Tel: (868)628-6792 Ext. 5019, 5022, 5058

Email: info@mydns.gov.tt

Website: www.mydns.gov.tt/youth-development