Who's Who in Trinidad & Tobago Business 2020-2021 by Prestige Business Publications Ltd.

CONTENTS AUTOMOTIVE AND AVIATION SERVICES

161

PRESTIGE BUSINESS PUBLICATIONS TEAM Chairman

Richard Lewis

BANKING, INVESTMENT AND FINANCIAL SERVICES CONSTRUCTION, ENGINEERING AND TRANSPORTATION

Director

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EDUCATION AND TRAINING

ENERGY AND ENERGY-RELATED INDUSTRIES

38 42

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HEALTH, SAFETY, SECURITY, ENVIRONMENT AND STANDARDS

HUMAN RESOURCE AND MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCIES

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

INSURANCE

MANUFACTURING AND RETAIL DISTRIBUTION

Laird Raymond, Patrice Letren, Shayam Karim Writers

Kay Baldeosingh-Arjune, Kieran Andrew Khan, Nigel Romano, Keith Spencer, Sheldon Waithe, Bevil Wooding Employers’ Consultative Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ECA) Shipping Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SATT) Trinidad & Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) Special Thanks

Christopher Boodoosingh, Director, Cocoa Republic Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Kirk Henry, CEO, iGovTT Louis Lewis, CEO, Tobago Tourism Agency Ramchand Rajbal Maraj, President, Couva/Point Lisas Chamber of Commerce Paul Traboulay, President, Association of Trinidad and Tobago Insurance Companies (ATTIC) Sandra Welch-Farrell, Director, Sandra Welch-Farrell & Company (SWF&Co.) Printed by

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANISATIONS

104

REAL ESTATE, PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT AND FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

114

TRAVEL, PORTS, SHIPPING AND COURIER SERVICES

118

Scrip-J, Trinidad Annual Distribution

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

RICHARD LEWIS PUBLISHER

The year 2020 started as a very exciting and positive one for the local and global business community even though we were not actually arriving at the famous destination outlined in “Vision 2020” that had been developed many years ago. We were coming off the 2019 global stock market success with predictions of Dow Jones indices topping the 30,000 mark up to the end of February. Then the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic hit Europe and the Americas. With a free-fall collapse of the Bellwether stock markets along with the price of oil and natural gas literally tanking, Trinidad and Tobago was being hit even harder with the price of energy-based commodities, a mainstay of the T&T economy, collapsing along with all the other global supply chains that make up world trade. Since then, we have seen a first wave of lockdown, a first wave of reopening and now, the second wave of lockdown, without a real end in sight. T&T had a pretty good run in the early days until community spread raised its head in late July. At the time of writing, it would appear the spike is far more than anticipated and that there is all likelihood of a further return to the days of policies to balance saving lives versus livelihoods. However, I believe that there have been many lessons learned, many positive ones at that and if it were not for the sense of unpredictability over the next 12 months, in this new disruptive business landscape, the business community, civic society and Government could use those learnings to support the rebirth of Trinidad and Tobago as a society of collaborative problem solvers, raising the bar for future generations. The Who’s Who in Trinidad and Tobago Business customers, who are the backbone of the publication, our dedicated employees and, of course, our thousands of readers all believe in the power of human capital as the driver of innovation and business transformation, which is the pathway not necessarily to defeat this dreaded virus but a way to survive and thrive now, and after COVID-19. We have shifted gears and adjusted the compass forever. Who would have thought of a T&T workforce where the majority of people are working from home, homeschooling and online learning with their children, not travelling overseas for most of the year, and not being able to go to church for weddings, worships and funerals, and are now being held accountable to wearing face masks in public at all times. We need to say thank you to all who have put their lives and livelihoods on the line for others during this time and also to those who have repurposed, repositioned and reset their business models and their people capital, to help flatten the curve of the virus’ spread in our country, but also to continue to find new ways to meet their customers’ brand new compelling needs for goods and services. The team at Prestige Business Publications, publishers of the number one indigenous business networking tool, the Who’s Who in Trinidad and Tobago Business remains confident that if we as business owners continue to focus on the valuable people who appear in the publication by making them leaders in their businesses, we will lead the way back to prosperity and safety postCOVID-19. Thank you all for your contributions to the success of another edition of Who’s Who in Trinidad and Tobago Business, 2020-2021.

CONTENTS Prestige Business Publications Limited/ Caribbean Tourism Publications Limited.............................. Inside Front Cover Purivo Dialysis Centre Limited................................................................... Back Cover Citibank (Trinidad & Tobago) Limited..................................... Inside Back Cover Publisher’s Note.......................................................................................................................3

MESSAGES...................................................................................................... 6 Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister - Ministry of Trade and Industry....................................................................6 The Honourable Ancil Dennis, Chief Secretary of Tobago House of Assembly (THA) and Secretary of Tourism, Culture and Transportation...........................................................................................................................7 Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce (T&T Chamber).........................................................................................................................7 Tobago Division of The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce......................................................................................................8 Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA)...............................8 The Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago........................................................9 American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T).......................................................................................................................9 The Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CCIC)......................10 Trinidad Hotels, Restaurants and Tourism Association (THRTA).................10 Employers’ Consultative Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ECA)............................................................................................................................................ 11 Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries Limited (TTCSI)......................................................................................................................................... 11

ASSOCIATIONS................................................................................................12 Arima Business Association............................................................................................. 12 Association of Real Estate Agents (AREA)............................................................. 12 Association of Trinidad and Tobago Insurance Companies (ATTIC)....................................................................................................................................... 12 Bankers Association of Trinidad and Tobago (BATT)....................................... 12 Employers’ Consultative Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ECA)............................................................................................. 12 Institute of Chartered Accountants of Trinidad and Tobago (ICATT)....................................................................................................................................... 12 Institute of Banking and Finance of Trinidad and Tobago (IBF)..................13 Sangre Grande Business Association.........................................................................13 Shipping Association of Trinidad and Tobago.......................................................13 The Human Resource Management Association of Trinidad & Tobago (HRMATT)........................................................................................13 The Supermarket Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SATT)..............12, 13 The Trinidad and Tobago Incoming Tour Operators Association (T&TITOA)......................................................................................................13 Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association (THTA)...................................................13 Trinidad and Tobago Association of Insurance and Financial Advisers (TTAIFA)............................................................................................13 Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries Limited (TTCSI)........................................................................................................................................13 Trinidad and Tobago Contractors Association (TTCA)....................................13 Trinidad and Tobago Institute of Architects (TTIA)............................................13 Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA).............................13 Trinidad Hotels, Restaurants and Tourism Association (THRTA).................13

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE...............................................................................15 American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T)....................................................................... 15 Couva/Point Lisas Chamber of Commerce............................................................. 15 European Business Chamber in Trinidad and Tobago...................................... 15 Greater Tunapuna Chamber of Industry and Commerce................................ 15 Penal/Debe Chamber of Commerce.......................................................................... 15 Point Fortin South Western Chamber of Industry and Commerce............ 15 Sangre Grande Chamber of Commerce................................................................... 15 The Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CCIC)...................... 15 The Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago...................................................... 15 Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce (TTCIC)....................................................................................................................................... 15

Tobago Division of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce.................................................................................................... 15

SPECIAL FEATURES COVID-19 Impact on Business........................................................................................14 Association of Trinidad and Tobago Insurance Companies (ATTIC).......................................................................................................................................14 Couva/Point Lisas Chamber of Commerce.............................................................14 National Information and Communication Technology Company Limited (iGovTT).............................................................................................14 Tobago Tourism Agency................................................................................................... 15 Innovation in the Time of a Pandemic.......................................................................54 Cocoa Republic - Christopher Boodoosingh..........................................................81 Health Insurance and the Pandemic...........................................................................93 The Worst of Times, the Best of Us............................................................................113 CARPHA Anchors the Caribbean’s Response to COVID-19.........................125

AUTOMOTIVE AND AVIATION SERVICES.............................................................16 Total Convenience Management (TCM).................................................................... 17 National Helicopter Services Limited (NHSL)........................................................ 17

BANKING, INVESTMENT AND FINANCIAL SERVICES............................................18 First Citizens.....................................................................................................................20, 21 Republic Bank Limited.............................................................................................. 22, 23 CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank..................................................................24 Firstline Securities Limited..............................................................................................25 NCB Global Finance Limited (‘NCBGF’)...................................................................26 Trinidad and Tobago Unit Trust Corporation (UTC)..........................................27 The National Insurance Board of Trinidad and Tobago (NIBTT).................28 Aspire Fund Management...............................................................................................29 KCL Capital Market Brokers Limited..........................................................................29 Caribbean Information & Credit Rating Services Limited (CariCRIS).......30 Funds International Limited............................................................................................30 Bankers Association of Trinidad and Tobago (BATT).......................................31 Institute of Banking and Finance of Trinidad & Tobago (IBF).......................31 PAYQAL Mobile Wallet......................................................................................................31

CONSTRUCTION, ENGINEERING AND TRANSPORTATION......................................32 The Paramount Transport & Trading Company Limited..................................34 TOSL Engineering Limited..............................................................................................35 Locksol Ltd...............................................................................................................................36 OJ’S Electrical and Instrumentation Services (OJ’S).........................................36 Caribbean Housing Ltd (CHL).......................................................................................37 WilsonArts Designs & Construction Ltd...................................................................37

EDUCATION AND TRAINING..............................................................................38 Youth Training and Employment Partnership Programme (YTEPP) Limited.................................................................................................................. 40 SITAL College of Tertiary Education Ltd...................................................................41 DriveWise Interactive Learning Solutions (ILS).....................................................41 The Professional Institute of Marketing & Business Studies Ltd (PIMBS).......................................................................................................................................41

ENERGY AND ENERGY-RELATED INDUSTRIES......................................................42 Dumore Enterprises Limited......................................................................................... 44 HHSL Safety Systems Limited.......................................................................................45 Lake Asphalt of Trinidad And Tobago (1978) Limited......................................46 Offshore Innovators............................................................................................................47 RelyOn Nutec.........................................................................................................................48 The NGC Group.....................................................................................................................49 The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited......................49 Phoenix Park Gas Processors Limited (PPGPL)...................................................49 Trinidad and Tobago NGL Limited (TTNGL).........................................................49 NGC CNG Company Limited (NGC CNG)...............................................................49 National Energy Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (National Energy).................................................................................................................49 ASCO Logistics Limited....................................................................................................50 Damus Limited.......................................................................................................................50

CONTENTS The Power Generation Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (PowerGen).............................................................................................................................. 51 Fircroft........................................................................................................................................ 51 Trinidad Project Management Services Limited................................................... 51

ICM Interiors Ltd.................................................................................................................100 BOSS..........................................................................................................................................101 The Business Supply Group...........................................................................................101 SCRIP-J.....................................................................................................................................101

HEALTH, SAFETY, SECURITY, ENVIRONMENT AND STANDARDS............................52

Happi Products Ltd...........................................................................................................102

Medical Associates Hospital Ltd...................................................................................55 Medical Associates Chaguanas Hospital..................................................................55 Renew Star Serpentine Ltd.............................................................................................56 Medcorp Limited.......................................................................................................... 57, 58 St. Clair Medical Centre.....................................................................................................57 Biomedical Enterprises of Trinidad & Tobago Limited ....................................58 Goodhealth Medical Centre............................................................................................58 Spark Technologies Limited...........................................................................................58 Analytical Testing Services Limited (ATSL)...........................................................59 Crisp Clean Sanitizing Services.....................................................................................59 Tradewey Enterprises.........................................................................................................59 Piranha International Limited........................................................................................ 60 CSA Ocean Sciences (Trinidad) Ltd.......................................................................... 60 Sygma Environmental....................................................................................................... 60 Ecosol Services Limited.....................................................................................................61 Waste Disposals (2003) Ltd............................................................................................61

The National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO)............................................................102

HUMAN RESOURCE AND MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCIES....................................62 ODYSSEY CONSULTinc Limited..........................................................................62, 64 DIY Place...................................................................................................................................64 PEAPSL Consultancy Limited........................................................................................64 Regency Recruitment & Resources Limited..........................................................65 PMSL...........................................................................................................................................65 Think Talent HR Consulting.............................................................................................65

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY..........................................66 bmobile......................................................................................................................68, 69, 70 Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT)........................................................................................................................68, 69, 70 National Information and Communication Technology Company Limited (iGovTT)............................................................................................. 71 Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT).........72, 73 Amaranth Business Solutions Limited.......................................................................74 Massy Technologies............................................................................................................75 Modcomm Limited..............................................................................................................76 SAP..............................................................................................................................................77 Si Media.....................................................................................................................................78 Unified Networking Development Systems Limited (UNDSL).....................79 Chakra Enterprises Ltd..................................................................................................... 80 Digital Broadcast................................................................................................................. 80

Somasu Selective Sourcing...........................................................................................102 Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA)..........................103

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANISATIONS........104 Atlantic Project Consultants Ltd (APCL)........................................... 106, 107, 108 APCL Healthcare................................................................................................................109 Access Trinidad....................................................................................................................110 Concepts and Services Ltd............................................................................................110 National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS)........................111 Regional Compliance Consultants Limited..............................................................111 Ken Corbie Executive Coaching...................................................................................112 IKIGAI Consulting.................................................................................................................112 Lennox H. Sealy & Associates Ltd (LSA)..................................................................112 The Supermarket Association of Trinidad and Tobago...................................112 Sandra Welch-Farrell and Co (SWF&Co)................................................................113

REAL ESTATE, PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT AND FACILITIES MANAGEMENT........... 114 Association of Real Estate Agents (AREA)........................................................... 116 1 On 1 Realty........................................................................................................................... 116 CPRC Realty........................................................................................................................... 116 Caribbean Paradise Real Estate Co. Ltd.................................................................. 116 Ele Patrick Real Estate...................................................................................................... 116 Errol Jaglal Real Estate..................................................................................................... 116 G.A. Farrell & Associates Limited................................................................................ 116 Key West Real Estate........................................................................................................ 116 Ric’s Real Estate Services............................................................................................... 116 Sea Jade Investments....................................................................................................... 116 Vantaggio Real Estate...................................................................................................... 116 Terra Caribbean.....................................................................................................................117 Dynamic Real Estate Consultancy Ltd......................................................................117 Plimmer Real Estate............................................................................................................117

TRAVEL, PORTS, SHIPPING AND COURIER SERVICES......................................... 118 Caribbean Dockyard and Engineering Services Limited (CDESL)..................................................................................................................................120 Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago....................................................................121

INSURANCE....................................................................................................82

Cargo Consolidators Agency Limited......................................................................122

Agostini Insurance Brokers Ltd.....................................................................................84 Beacon.......................................................................................................................................85 Cardea Benefits Limited...................................................................................................86 NAGICO Insurances.............................................................................................................87 The NAGICO Group............................................................................................................87 Pan-American Life Insurance Group..........................................................................88 Risk Management Services Limited............................................................................89 Gallagher Group....................................................................................................................89 Universal Insurance Brokers Ltd.................................................................................. 90 GENESIS Insurance Brokers & Benefits Consultants Limited........................91 The Insurance Company of the West Indies (ICWI)............................................91 Farah Insurance Brokers Ltd...........................................................................................92

Point Lisas Industrial Port Development Corporation Limited (PLIPDECO)...........................................................................................................................122

MANUFACTURING AND RETAIL DISTRIBUTION....................................................94 LH Group..........................................................................................................................96, 97 The Pouch Company..................................................................................................96, 97 Angostura.................................................................................................................................98 Caribbean Traceability & Packaging Solutions Limited (CTPSL)................99 Engineering Associates Ltd............................................................................................99

Shipping Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SATT)....................................123 Tropical Express Couriers...............................................................................................123 Acclaim Freight & Logistics Services Ltd............................................................... 124 Jet Express Freight........................................................................................................... 124 Shipping Solutions & Services Ltd............................................................................. 124 Caribbean Discovery Tours Limited......................................................................... 124

INFORMATIONAL LISTS AND INDICES..............................................................125 Fast Facts of Trinidad and Tobago........................................................................... 126 Honorary Consuls Accredited to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago........................................................................................................ 129 Embasssies and Diplomatic Missions.......................................................................130 Regional and International Organisations...............................................................131 The Government of Trinidad and Tobago..............................................................132 Index by Surname.............................................................................................................. 133 Index by Company............................................................................................................. 135

MESSAGES SENATOR THE HONOURABLE

PAULA GOPEE-SCOON MINISTER MINISTRY OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Ministry of Trade and Industry 2020 marks a watershed for all, including Governments, firms and individuals in both the developed and developing worlds whose futures hinge not only on their ability to weather the devastating effects of the Novel Coronavirus, but also on their awareness to see the numerous opportunities that lie ahead and their resolve to adapt and take firm action. The Government of Trinidad and Tobago, like others, faced significant challenges with this latest onslaught but has acted decisively and has demonstrated the ability to balance the needs of public health and economic resilience while creating an environment that promotes social protection and engenders confidence in the economy. To date, the country’s economy has demonstrated resilience as the economic fundamentals have remained robust, as evidenced by close to zero inflation (0.4%), low unemployment, sufficient import cover (8 months), solid HSF reserves and projections of growth. However, to ensure continued growth and expansion of trade and investment, the Ministry of Trade and Industry is committed to implementing several initiatives such as its new Trinidad and Tobago Trade Policy, e-Commerce Strategy and the creation of several new economic spaces for investors to engage in economic activity and stimulate non-energy exports. The new Trade Policy seeks to promote business and investment in Trinidad and Tobago, enhance trade relations with regional and international trading partners, improve competitiveness, and strengthen the country’s export base to capture the gains from trade. This involves reducing the country’s food import bill by increasing the supply of locally produced food items, as well as establishing cheaper alternative supply chains within the region. The Ministry is also resolute in the implementation of its e-Commerce Strategy promoting and facilitating a digital economy with the prevalence of online sales and payments which have grown in importance. To facilitate and complement these initiatives the modernisation of existing economic parks such as the Tamana InTech Park and the creation of new economic spaces such as the Moruga Agro Processing and Light Industrial Park offer investors lucrative opportunities for firms to research, innovate, produce and expand non-energy exports. The above are tangible manifestations that the Ministry of Trade and Industry will continue to play a defining role in the diversification and development of the country as we navigate through the new normal. They are compelling evidence of the Government’s unwavering commitment to providing the necessary tools and policy direction to stimulate economic activity in a digital economy, which is critical now, more than ever.

Ministry of Trade and Industry Level 17, Nicholas Towers 63-65 Independence Square Port of Spain Tel: (868) 623-2931-4 Fax: (868) 623-7588 Email: mti-info@gov.tt Website: http://www.tradeind.gov.tt/

MESSAGES THE HONOURABLE

ANCIL DENNIS CHIEF SECRETARY OF TOBAGO HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY (THA) AND SECRETARY OF TOURISM, CULTURE AND TRANSPORTATION

Tobago House of Assembly (THA) The COVID-19 pandemic is a crisis and a catalyst fused together; a period of uncertainty that can still be leveraged to further the development of this country. In many ways, it has thrust us into the digital future, challenging us to become more tactical and resilient in the way that we do business. At the Tobago House of Assembly, we continue to navigate the complexities surrounding this new normal. From the onset, the island’s tourism industry has experienced tremendous strain like so many of our regional and international counterparts. Through collaboration with the Central Government, a $50 million allocation was made available to hoteliers and proprietors for renovation purposes. Indeed, this downturn is being harnessed strategically, to build a more competitive tourism product going forward. The THA has also implemented a $4 million Tourism COVID Relief Grant, to render greater support to other industry players. Much of our energies are also being invested into the agricultural sector. This pandemic has reminded us of the vulnerability of global supply chains, and the importance of boosting food security. Liaising with farmers and agro-processors regarding their ideas and challenges remains a top priority of this administration. In addition to the above, ensuring that the SME’s can circumvent this unprecedented chapter is crucial. Therefore, our Business Development Unit (BDU) has announced new initiatives and expanded previous programmes targeting local entrepreneurs. Truly, this is a disguised opportunity for Tobago to re-examine and recalibrate its vision. A chance to return to the world stage possibly stronger than before.

Office of the Chief Secretary Tobago House of Assembly Administrative Complex 62-64 Calder Hall Road Scarborough 900408 Trinidad and Tobago Tel: (868) 639-2696 Fax: (868) 639-5374 Email: chiefsecretary@tha.gov.tt

REYAZ AHAMAD

GABRIEL FARIA

PRESIDENT

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce (T&T Chamber) The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce would like to congratulate the publishers of Who’s Who in Trinidad and Tobago Business on another successful edition, particularly in light of the challenges that came with the COVID-19 pandemic early in the year. We are pleased to continue to be part of this magazine, which has maintained a consistent standard of excellence and remains a go-to reference for investors and businesspeople overall. As the recognised “Voice of Business”, the T&T Chamber provides robust lobbying and advocacy on key public policies and regulations to foster a facilitative environment that allows all businesses to thrive and be globally competitive. Additionally, we offer an extensive portfolio of services to assist members through advocacy, lobbying, networking opportunities, trade facilitation and missions, business development training, preferential rates for conference/meeting facilities, and dispute resolution services. With a goal of providing the vital connections that will empower members to build strong and sustainable businesses, we have been adding services. The Business Insights series provides ‘training for business by business’ through live events, webinars and on-demand platforms. Our Membership Value-Added programme provides cost-saving benefits to members on selected services. The T&T Chamber has also created a special category of membership open to local participants of business incubator programmes. This is one way we offer support to entrepreneurs and start-ups as they develop into viable commercial enterprises. Our organisation continues to be national in scope, with over 550 corporate members spanning the services, retail and distribution and manufacturing sectors as well as start-up operators, while Tobago’s business community is served through our Tobago Division. The T&T Chamber serves on over 30 national and non-governmental committees where we represent the views of Business to national stakeholders. Our internal committees are comprised of members who volunteer their time and expertise to provide input on a range of issues – from trade, logistics, finance, small business development and technology to leadership, responsible business and environment, safety and health.

Columbus Circle, Westmoorings, Trinidad 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 Visit our website for more information on the T&T Chamber, or find us on: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

MESSAGES

DIANE HADAD

FRANKA COSTELLOE

PRESIDENT

Tobago Division of The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce The Tobago Division of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce extends warm congratulations to the publishers of Who’s Who in Trinidad and Tobago Business, upon publication of another informative issue. The T&T Chamber remains the only business representative organisation with an office established and specifically dedicated to serving the needs of the Tobago business community. Originally established as the Tobago Chamber of Commerce, it merged with the Trinidad Chamber 37 years later becoming a becoming a national organisation. Over the years, many teams have contributed to the respect in which the Division is now held. As we go forward, the Division will continue to be the connecting thread in advocacy for operators on the island in critical areas of business and tourism development. We will do this through the work of our seven committees and through our presence on committees of the Tobago House of Assembly. We also engage collaboratively with other representative groups in Tobago and 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 and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) Businesses are adapting to the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic by implementing technology to improve efficiencies and reduce human contact. The use of technology not only preserved lives through stay at home initiatives to prevent the spread of the virus but it also preserved livelihoods through continuity of business. The digital 4.0 discussion began long before COVID-19 and was considered a topic to watch and potentially invest in. Businesses that took the plunge into digital 4.0, before COVID-19, and invested in software, apps, ecommerce and automation, to streamline processes, were not only ahead of the game, but better prepared to pivot quickly to a global crisis that affected supply chains, human resources, market share, inventory and cash flow. Companies that offered flexible schedules, shift systems, and work from home solutions were lauded as forward thinking and progressive. This is our new normal. As a result, we are all forced to improve our technology skills, ultimately resulting in a new labour force, technically competent for tomorrow’s economy. Traditional time-keeping and measurement of productivity has changed. Productivity is now measured more genuinely by input and output and not on superficial time cards. Through digitised processes, production lines are streamlined to find inefficient uses of time and materials. We have been encouraged into a world that is more flexible, efficient and productive, using technology that has successfully improved the traditional production lines and office management routines. These new technologies will continue to assist business growth and global competitiveness long after the current COVID-19 crisis ceases to disrupt economies. TTMA has launched its Manufacturing Export Strategy (2020-2025) which seeks to stabilise, strengthen and secure the position of manufacturers for the balance of 2020 by encouraging local businesses to support each other and locally procure goods and services which may have traditionally been sourced externally. The result is envisioned to be an enlarged market space that will encourage manufacturers to lower imports by locally producing products to meet increasing demands. Additionally in 2020, the TTMA intends to focus on regaining market share for its members regionally via virtual trade missions and hosting its first-ever virtual Trade and Investment Convention (TIC) which will facilitate meaningful business-to-business meetings and strengthen existing relationships while creating new ones. Quite appropriately, the theme for TIC2020 is “Breaking Boundaries: The New Normal for Business” and will be hosted from 28th October-30th October 2020. As President, I look forward to continue working with our 525 members, various associations, regional partners and the Government to collectively stabilise, secure and strengthen our manufacturing industry in Trinidad and Tobago, ultimately improving the quality of life for all citizens of our proud nation.

2nd Floor, ANSA McAL Building Milford Road Scarborough, Tobago Tel: (868) 639-2669 Fax: (868) 639-3014 Email: tobagochamber@chamber.org.tt Visit the T&T Chamber’s Website: www.chamber.org.tt

TTMA Building, 42 Tenth Avenue Barataria, Trinidad and Tobago P.O. Box 971, Port of Spain Tel: (868) 675-TTMA (8862) Fax: (868) 675-9000 Email: service@ttma.com or info@ttma.com Website: www.ttma.com

MESSAGES

DR. THACKWRAY DRIVER

EUGENE TIAH

PRESIDENT / CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

CHAIRMAN

PATRICIA GHANY

NIRAD TEWARIE

PRESIDENT

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

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

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

The Energy Chamber remains focused on positioning Trinidad and Tobago as the energy services hub of the region and playing a leadership role in the sustainable development of the sector. We continue to work towards achieving this by focusing our efforts in six key advocacy areas: fiscal reform, gas value chain realignment, promoting local content, increasing energy efficiency and renewables, industrial relations reform and exporting energy services.

At AMCHAM T&T, we recognise that we have a key role to play in attracting investment into T&T and a responsibility to make our society better. While COVID-19 may have presented many challenges, it is important to focus on the opportunities that have arisen from this pandemic. It brought us the opportunity to accelerate the digital transformation in the way we do business and interact with the State. It showed that, once given the push and the right support, we can be agile and transformative. This agility and resilience show that there is some untapped potential here for local business to grow and for investment in our local ecosystem that can result in expansion into new markets, new opportunities, and new innovations.

The crisis which now confronts the oil, gas and petrochemical sector in the Caribbean, brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and sharply falling commodity prices, while unprecedented, is not insurmountable. We believe that greater efficiency can bring about the cost reductions that all players in the sector now require for survival in the current scenario. Policy measures to improve the ease of doing business and cutting unnecessary regulatory red tape must be a central element of the recovery plan for the region. We must take advantage of this ‘new reality’ to automate systems, especially government regulatory processes. Additionally, labour market reforms must be central to the recovery plans, as well as removing subsidies that promote inefficient use of resources. Greater integration of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) labour markets, especially for skilled but currently uncertified workers, will help the overall efficiency of the region’s energy. Governments are going to have to work closely with the local private sector and international investors to ensure that the overall investment climate promotes new energy sector investment. This includes getting the right fiscal measures in place to ensure that we continue to attract capital into the upstream oil and gas industry. Without this investment, the petrochemical and LNG sectors have a very uncertain future. As the representative body of our energy sector, the Energy Chamber will continue to advocate for, and take the lead in, ensuring that the sector remains competitive and sustainable and continues to serve all stakeholders.

Suite B2.03, Atlantic Plaza, Atlantic Avenue Point Lisas, Couva, Trinidad P.O Box 80, San Fernando Trinidad and Tobago Tel: (868) 6-ENERGY, 679-6623/1398 Fax: (868) 679-4242 Email: execoffice@energy.tt Website: www.energy.tt

Our geographical location, just north of South America, and cordial ties to our American and CARICOM neighbours position us to enjoy beneficial trade relations with many of the countries in the Western Hemisphere. Our geography, culture, creativity, adaptability and natural resources open up many opportunities for investment in the areas of tourism, manufacturing, and our main economic influencer, the energy industry. Also ripe for exploitation are the emerging markets for technology, communications and the creative arts. To achieve this will require strong leadership and even more collaboration between the State, the business sector, unions, civil society, and the wider society. AMCHAM remains not only a strong advocate for collaboration, but we see ourselves as a catalyst for meaningful dialogue. Therefore, 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 an environment conducive to business and to build a resilient and cohesive society where the role we expect business to play will require fairness and adherence to the rule of law. So, make AMCHAM T&T your preferred growth partner into T&T or from T&T to the hemisphere!

62 Maraval Road, Port of Spain Trinidad, W.I. P.O. Bag 150, Newtown, Port of Spain Tel: (868) 622-4466/0340, 628-2508 Fax: (868) 628-9428 Email: inbox@amchamtt.com Website: www.amchamtt.com

MESSAGES

VISHNU CHARRAN

HASSEL THOM

PRESIDENT

The Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CCIC)

Trinidad Hotels, Restaurants and Tourism Association (THRTA)

The coronavirus pandemic has created unprecedented times globally, creating not only massive upheaval from an overall health and wellness perspective but also contributing to the never before seen historic drop in oil prices to minus figures.

The THRTA, Trinidad’s largest private sector tourism body, is honoured to once again be part of this year’s Who’s Who in Trinidad & Tobago Business publication.

As we move forward, we are mindful of the delicate balance required to ensure optimum health of our population and economy. Hence, we are more focused on how to integrate healthy practices in our businesses to ensure high overall productivity and efficiency as we plan for the new economy that will focus on basic needs e.g. food and shelter. Post COVID-19, our country has recognised the need for innovation and creativity in areas like manufacturing, agriculture, and agro-processing to offset the negative economic effects of dwindling oil revenues. The business community, the agricultural producers and Government must team up to create an enabling ecosystem for agro-food processing and manufacturing with a focus on export markets as well as green technology as an alternative source of fuel to lower the overall cost of food production over time. As business owners and leaders, we have the opportunity to restructure our businesses allowing our employees the latitude to co-create new business models with us, to become better versions of ourselves. It is important also that we are decisive, communicate well and work collaboratively with our teams. As leaders in a crisis, we are also called upon retool and rethink our management strategies. With a visionary outlook we can be assured of a brighter future for our nation.

The THRTA continues to be the leading advocate voice on tourism-related matters, as it has done for more than half a century on behalf of its membership that comprised of the recognised locally owned independent hotels and guest houses, as well as the 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. During this upcoming period and in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the THRTA will redouble its efforts towards recreating an enabling investing and trading environment for its member companies and industry partners through advocacy and industry representation, strategic collaborations, networking and alliances, research and data acquisition, revenue generation and financial sustainability, and human capital development. Through the Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute (TTHTI), its in-house training arm, the THRTA has forged key alliances with various internationally accredited and globally recognised institutions which has significantly improved its training offerings and collective value proposition for its existing and future student base, and the development of the tourism industry’s human capital. The THRTA is of the considered view that the New COVID-19 Normal requires increased collaboration locally and internationally to ensure that each element of Trinidad’s entire tourism value chain operates in concert through the implementation of, adherence to, and monitoring of health and safety best practices to engender the level of confidence required to influence regional and international travellers to return to Destination Trinidad. The tourism industry must survive and we remain committed to this effort.

17 Cumberbatch Street Chaguanas, Trinidad Tel: (868) 671-2242 (CCIC)/779-8804 Email: gccic@chaguanaschamber.org Website: www.chaguanaschamber.org

Corner Airway Road and Hilltop Lane Chaguaramas, Trinidad P.O. Box 243 Port of Spain, Trinidad Tel: (868) 634-1174/5 Email: info@tnthotels.com Website: www.tnthotels.com

MESSAGES

KESTON NANCOO

STEPHANIE FINGAL

CHAIRMAN

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

LARA QUENTRALLTHOMAS

VASHTI G. GUYADEEN CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PRESIDENT

Employers’ Consultative Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ECA)

Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries Limited (TTCSI)

It is once again a distinct pleasure to extend warm greetings from the ECA. This new decade began with the global community engulfed, as some commentators have described, in a pandemic of unprecedented proportion. The reality is that COVID-19 has created a health crisis, a socioeconomic crisis and a world of work crisis.

The Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries (TTCSI) is the representative body for associations within the national services sector. We currently represent 51 associations with a combined membership of approximately 662,510 companies and persons. Over the course of this year, we have embarked on a number of initiatives to assist members in navigating the pandemic by focusing on exporting their services.

Given the continued impact of this pandemic both domestically and internationally, the uncertainty around its depth and duration and the recent declines in oil prices, there is no question that from a financial perspective, T&T is also standing on shaky ground. However, similar to the remarkable successes realised in “flattening T&T’s curve”, the ECA is confident that we can recover and build back better for long-term sustainability.

In collaboration with exporTT, in July TTCSI embarked on a webinar series, ‘Building Alliances for Recovery’, with the objective of bringing stakeholders with common causes together to find innovative solutions to challenges impacting their industry. The intention is to facilitate discussions within specific clusters.

However, recovery necessitates our coming together as citizens and leaders of society to create a future that is sustainable in economic, social, and environmental terms. There must be a tangible manifestation of the commitment that no one will be left behind and principled compromises in the sharing of the burden of adjustment among social partners. I cannot overemphasise the importance of an active commitment to a progressive system of Tripartite Social Dialogue built on trust, mutual respect, collaboration, and consensus.

The first webinar attracted 53 participants from the Trinidad and Tobago Institute of Architects, the Association of Real Estate Agents and the Trinidad and Tobago Society of Planners and focused on COVID–19 design challenges for the built environment. In October we will collaborate with regional coalitions on mapping a regional digital agenda.

From the ECA’s perspective, we must first appreciate and firmly accept that “we are in this together; we will be able to come out of this together; and most importantly, we are stronger together”. We remain committed to supporting the employer community in this regard through responsible advocacy, informed representation and the provision of innovative and transformational services.

• The Services Go Global Training Programme modules are being upgraded to include a digital component, thus allowing for virtual delivery in the future.

17 Samaroo Road Aranguez Roundabout North Aranguez, Trinidad Tel: (868) 675-5873 Fax: (868) 675-6026 Email: communications@ecatt.org Website: www.ecatt.org

Regionally, Caribbean Export continues to provide support to our membership, the training pipeline for Q3 – Q4 2020 is as follows:

• We continue to work closely with the Caribbean Network of Service Coalitions (CNSC) to secure funding from international donors for projects which will advance trade in services in the region.

18 O’Connor Street, Woodbrook Port of Spain, Trinidad Tel: (868) 622-9229 Fax: (868) 622-8985 Email: info@ttcsi.org Website: www.ttcsi.org

ASSOCIATIONS ARIMA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION Reval Chattergoon – President Sanjiv Boodhu – Vice President

RAJIV DIPTEE

Reval Chattergoon President

c/o Broadway Express Services Ltd #24 Broadway, Town of Arima Arima, Trinidad Tel: (868) 495-6614, 789-9004, 344-8800 Email: arimabusinessassociation@yahoo.com

PRESIDENT

ASSOCIATION OF REAL ESTATE AGENTS (AREA)

The Supermarket Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SATT) 2020 has given birth to new paradigms that have witnessed massive shifts to traditional models of doing business. It has witnessed economic upheaval on a global scale creating supply chain uncertainties that have brought certain ramifications for retailers and consumers. This pandemic tossed social conventions out the window and instead gave us social distancing, hand wash stations, face masks and much more. The challenges that continue to exist continue to remain multifaceted. Economic transformation that requires several different ‘fixes’ along with strategies to achieve returning the nation to the trough of increased foreign exchange, is dire. This will certainly affect the variety of products customers will find in supermarkets nationwide. The very careful calibration of this transformation must revolve around creating job security and, ultimately, food security which is where our ambition must lie. Our nation is extremely blessed to have a supermarket and retail sector that boasts one of the most competitive in the Caribbean and Latin America. Our customers are spoilt for choice by their options. This translates well for consumers but also delivers innovation by retailers seeking to capture market share. Online growth and virtual options have inspired innovative delivery options, made more consumercentric as technology and competition have thrust us into a period of change. As we navigate a very novel situation of transformation, the theme for retailers moving further into 2020 is one of consolidation. It is a time to encourage the sector to adapt new strategies to thrive on leaner efficiencies as well as encourage emerging technologies. Most of the nation’s customers would have done their first grocery e-commerce during this period. More than likely, it will not be their last.

Corner Connector Road and Chaguanas Main Road Chaguanas, Trinidad Tel: (868) 689-2037, 762-9702 Email: info@satthq.com; satt.president@gmail.com Website: www.satthq.com

Mark Edghill President

Mark Edghill – President Suite A4 Kencita Court 76 Picton Street, Newtown Port of Spain, Trinidad P.O. Box 6494, Maraval Post Office 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)

Paul Traboulay President

Paul Traboulay – 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 Fax: (868) 622-4205 Email: mail@attic.org.tt Website: www.attic.org.tt

BANKERS ASSOCIATION OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO (BATT) Karen Darbasie – President Kelly Bute-Seaton – Executive Director

Karen Darbasie President

Level 1, Invader’s Bay Tower, Invader’s Bay Port of Spain, Trinidad Tel: (868) 235-6291 Website: www.batt.org.tt

EMPLOYERS’ CONSULTATIVE ASSOCIATION OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO (ECA) Keston Nancoo – Chairman Stephanie Fingal – Chief Executive Officer

Keston Nancoo President

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

INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO (ICATT) Denise Chinpire-O’Reilly - President

Denise ChinpireO’Reilly 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

ASSOCIATIONS

Darren Ali President

INSTITUTE OF BANKING AND FINANCE OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO (IBF)

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL ADVISERS (TTAIFA)

Darren Ali – President Marsha R. John – Chief Executive Officer

Mariana Galindo – President Alicia Birch – Vice President

Level 1 Invader’s Bay Tower, Invader’s Bay Off Audrey Jeffers Highway Port of Spain, Trinidad Tel: (868) 235-6291 Email: marketing@ibf.org.tt Website: www.ibf.org.tt

129-131 Edward Street, Port of Spain, Trinidad Tel: (868) 624-2940/2608 Email: info@ttaifa.com Website: www.ttaifa.com

Mariana Galindo President

SANGRE GRANDE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO COALITION OF SERVICES INDUSTRIES (TTCSI)

Kenneth Boodhu - President c/o Ojoe’s Building 193B Eastern Main Road Sangre Grande, Trinidad Tel/Fax: (868) 668-5932 Email: kenboodhu@hotmail.com Kenneth Boodhu President

Lara Quentrall-Thomas – President Vashti G. Guyadeen – Chief Executive Officer #18 O’Connor Street, Woodbrook Port of Spain, Trinidad Tel: (868) 622-9229 Fax: (868) 622-8985 Lara Quentrall-Thomas Email: info@ttcsi.org President Website: www.ttcsi.org

SHIPPING ASSOCIATION OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION (TTCA)

Garry Dalla Costa – President Shelly Balkissoon – Vice President

Garry Dalla Costa President

15 Scott Bushe Street, Port of Spain, Trinidad Tel: (868) 623-3352/55 Fax: (868) 623-8570 Email: admin1@shipping.co.tt; president@shipping.co.tt Website: www.shipping.co.tt

THE HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION OF TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (HRMATT) Simone Bowen – President Keisha Deokiesingh – Vice President

Maxine Attong President

Glenn Mahabirsingh – President Rodney Cowan – Vice President The Professional Centre Bldg. Ground Floor, Unit A 303 11–13 Fitzblackman Drive, Wrightson Road Ext. Glenn Mahabirsingh Port of Spain, Trinidad President Tel: (868) 627-1266/8020 Fax: (868) 623-2949 Email: service@ttca.com Website: www.ttca.com

PO Box 22, Port of Spain, Trinidad Tel: (868) 687-5523 Email: manager@hrmatt.com; eventinfo@hrmatt.com Website: www.hrmatt.com

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS (TTIA) Ronald Ammon – Interim President

THE SUPERMARKET ASSOCIATION OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO (SATT) Rajiv Diptee – President Joann Legall – Vice President

Rajiv Diptee President

Corner Connector Road and Chaguanas Main Road Chaguanas, Trinidad Tel: (868) 689-2037, 762-9702 Email: info@satthq.com; satt.president@gmail.com Website: www.satthq.com

Ronald Ammon Interim President

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION (TTMA) Franka Costelloe – President

THE TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO INCOMING TOUR OPERATORS ASSOCIATION (T&TITOA) Lorraine Pouchet – President Email: ttitoatnt@gmail.com Tel: (868) 633-1771, 753-2775, 791-7941 Website: www.touroperatorsassociationtt.com

Franka Costelloe President

Lorraine Pouchet President

Christopher James – President

Christopher James President

TTMA Building, 42 Tenth Avenue Barataria, Trinidad P.O. Box 971, Port of Spain, Trinidad Tel: (868) 675-TTMA (8862) Fax: (868) 675-9000 Email: bdu@ttma.com; info@ttma.com Website: www.ttma.com

TRINIDAD HOTELS, RESTAURANTS AND TOURISM ASSOCIATION (THRTA)

TOBAGO HOTEL AND TOURISM ASSOCIATION (THTA) 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

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

Hassel Thom – President

Hassel Thom President

Corner Airway Road and Hilltop Lane Chaguaramas, Trinidad P.O. Box 243, Port of Spain, Trinidad Tel: (868) 634-1174/5 Email: info@tnthotels.com Website: www.tnthotels.com

SPECIAL FEATURE

COVID-19 IMPACT ON BUSINESS The COVID-19 pandemic is a public health crisis that is starting to take its toll on the real economy. However, therein lies opportunity. 2020 is a defining moment in history which has the unprecedented potential to change the trajectory of e-commerce and the way we work. It gives the business community the opportunity to find new avenues to service their customer base, to develop new products, new efficiencies and new markets. This could involve greater adoption of autonomous delivery of services, digital payments, voice and video conferencing, voice-enabled mobile business applications, increase in the use of artificial intelligence powered CRM platforms, sensors and more direct contact between producers and consumers.

PAUL TRABOULAY PRESIDENT ASSOCIATION OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO INSURANCE COMPANIES (ATTIC)

We look forward to an enabling environment which facilitates ease of doing business generally through the embrace of a more digital environment – electronic submission of business forms, the use of e-signatures and access to digitised public databases. This is certainly impactful to the insurance sector, where increased automation of insurance processes, including the use of e-motor certificates, digital policy and certificate issuance will bring significant benefit to our customer base while supporting the retooling of our employees. If we can learn and adopt these new practices in the context of our chosen industries, we will see a remarkable and resilient future for our nation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken the world completely by surprise and business enterprises, both large and small, are grappling to cope with the ever-rapid changes taking place in their external environment. Matters such as the wearing of masks, frequent taking of temperatures, working from home, and social distancing are just a few of the new norms that are present in a COVID world. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought fast-moving and unexpected variables, some of which existing crisis plans and teams weren’t prepared to handle. Many companies successfully developed incident management plans specific to this crisis and are now looking ahead. What you can do now: • Leverage your crisis management team to mobilise your response efforts in the immediate wake of the crisis - it can help as you transition into what’s next. • As you stabilise and shift focus on how to bring people back to work, assess your organisation’s response efforts to date and identify areas for real-time course corrections. • Look to what organisational insights the crisis process has provided to help your strategies and capitalise on the opportunity for event-driven transformation. However, it is imperative that trade and commerce be allowed to continue and that business enterprises be given the appropriate breathing space to grow, efficiently operate and maintain their financial resources in order to remain viable.

RAMCHAND RAJBAL MARAJ PRESIDENT COUVA/POINT LISAS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The COVID-19 pandemic has wrought significant disruption on societies across the world and in most instances, it has forced us to re-examine not only what we do but how we do what we do. Trinidad and Tobago is no exception and as we proceed further into this uncharted world of social distancing, there are some foundational technologies that organizations must consider. Enterprise Collaboration Technologies: Until such time as the society fully reopens, the need to communicate effectively to internal and external stakeholders will be at a premium. These fairly simple technologies have been around for a while but were not in widespread use locally. This was particularly so among Government agencies. The last two months have seen an explosion in the use of these technologies and at iGovTT, we have embraced this and have been effectively operating from a virtual space.

KIRK HENRY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER NATIONAL INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LIMITED (iGovTT)

Online Case Management: This is a critical element of operations in an age of social distancing. Organisations must find ways to utilise the technology to present their services online and to allow for access and management of the resulting business activities. The days of F2F contact are past, making appropriate use of the right cloud technologies presents an opportunity to provide services to customers in a safer and, often-times, more cost-efficient manner. Electronic Payments Processing: This represents another important pillar in effectively operating during these pandemic times, and the Caribbean region has the opportunity to improve its maturity in this area. The proliferation of payment networks and supporting technologies, some may argue, have not been readily migrated at the levels that are needed to support the true potential of the region. It is apparent, however, that a lot is happening locally and there is increasing interest and appetite for payment technologies and emerging Fintech options.

COVID-19 IMPACT ON BUSINESS CONTINUED There is an economic and social position that the passage of this pandemic is going to bring to us, that we would not have otherwise arrived at by deliberate effort. There’s no escape from some pain as we approach a zero of some sorts. Incomes will fall, frail businesses and enterprises will fail with or without support, and there will be a myriad effects. Regardless of our best efforts we will not be able to avert it, because all sensible predictions are that it’s going to be a U-shaped scenario. The other side of the U will not resemble the decline, because the climb will be into a new reality which has already begun as we adapt to the shock. The CARICOM Heads of Government meeting held on 15 April 2020, was one such adaptation, with a virtual platform that didn’t require the multimillion-dollar logistics, for which they have become known.

LOUIS LEWIS

On the way up, we have the opportunity to address issues of productivity, to build resilience and relevance into education, ensure sustainability in tourism, truly diversify the economy into growing business niches, foster linkages that add value to areas where we have clear comparative advantages and address once and for all the ease of doing business. At the forefront of all of those, we will need to assure the population that their concerns about public health are addressed.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER TOBAGO TOURISM AGENCY LTD.

The emerging world will not allow us to return to what we knew as NORMAL. Therefore, we will have a painful experience, but at least we can make it worthwhile. https://www.visittobago.gov.tt/

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T) Patricia Ghany - President Nirad Tewarie – Chief Executive Officer 62 Maraval Road Port of Spain, Trinidad W.I. PO Bag 150, Newtown, Port of Spain Tel: (868) 622-4466 Fax: (868) 628-9428 Email: inbox@amchamtt.com Website: https://amchamtt.com/

Couva/Point Lisas Chamber of Commerce Ramchand Rajbal Maraj – President #12 Camden Road, Couva, Trinidad Tel/Fax: (868) 636-5017, 609-5017 Email: couva.chamber@gmail.com Website: https://www.facebook.com/cplcoc/

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: http://www.eurochamtt.org/

Greater Tunapuna Chamber of Industry and Commerce Surindra Maharaj – President 110 Eastern Main Road Tunapuna, Trinidad c/o Pat & Max Limited Tel: (868) 645-5639 Email: gtchamberinfo@gmail.com, info@tunapunachamber.org Website: http://www.tunapunachamber.com/

Penal/Debe Chamber of Commerce

The Energy Chamber of Trinidad & Tobago

Rampersad Sieuraj – President 18 Penal Rock Road, Penal, Trinidad Tel/Fax: (868) 647-0452/683-9573 Email: penaldebechamber@gmail.com Website: https://www.facebook.com/PenalDebe-Chamber-of-Commerce-104217117711240/

Dr. Thackwray Driver – President and CEO Eugene Tiah – Chairman Suite B2.03, Atlantic Plaza, Atlantic Avenue Point Lisas, Couva P.O Box 80, San Fernando Trinidad and Tobago Tel: (868) 6-ENERGY, 679-6623/1398 Fax: (868) 679-4242 Email: execoffice@energy.tt Website: https://energynow.tt/

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: https://www.pfswcic.com/

Sangre Grande Chamber of Commerce Lakshman Lochan – President The Secretariat PO Box 4500 Sangre Grande, Trinidad Tel/Fax: (868) 271-9930 Email: sgchambertt@gmail.com; sgrandechamber@gmail.com Website: http://sgchambertt.com/

The Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CCIC)

Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce (T&T Chamber) Reyaz Ahamad – President Gabriel Faria – Chief Executive Officer 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: https://chamber.org.tt/

Tobago Division of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce Diane Hadad – Chairman 2nd Floor ANSA McAL Building, Milford Road P.O Box 47, Scarborough, Tobago Tel: (868) 639-2669 Fax: (868) 639-3014 Email: tobagochamber@chamber.org.tt Website: https://chamber.org.tt/

Vishnu Charran – President 17 Cumberbatch Street Chaguanas, Trinidad Tel: (868) 671-2241(CCIC), 779-8804 Email: gccic@chaguanaschamber.org Website: https://chaguanaschamber.org/

HISTORY TELLS US THAT THE AVIATION SECTOR DOUBLES EVERY 15 YEARS (IATA), EVEN WHEN HIT BY PERIODS OF CRISIS SUCH AS 911, SARS OR THE 2008 GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS.

AUTOMOTIVE AND AVIATION SERVICES AVIATION Almost every sector has been heavily impacted by the Novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) but in spite of this, the Airport Strategy and Marketing (ASM) notes: “The consensus is that this pandemic will pass, and the industry will bounce back. History tells us that the aviation sector doubles every 15 years (IATA), even when period of crisis has hit such as 911, SARS, Global financial crisis etc.” According to Emmanuel Baah, Deputy General Manager – Estates Planning and Business Development, Airports Authority of T&T, South Terminal, “T&T’s aviation industry saw a return to growth in 2019.” Airline seat capacity, into and out of the Piarco International Airport (POS), grew by 8.8% between 2018 and 2019. The volume of aircraft movements increased by 9%, rising from 38,588 to 42,266 and passenger movements at POS grew by 11.3% in that period. Some highlights of 2019: • Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) launched a new service between POS and Curaçao • Commencement of work on an Airport Master Plan for POS; and • Engagement of ASM to conduct a long-term traffic forecast for POS.

Impact of COVID-19 In May 2020, a survey conducted of businesses based at T&T’s airports reported that businesses had been adversely affected financially and that they were in jeopardy of not being able to continue operations if the borders remained closed for a prolonged period. By 16 July 2020, it was reported that over 300 employees of Swissport T&T would be retrenched with effect from August 2020. Opportunities for growth - Developing direct service to Europe - New intra Caribbean services Of all the world aviation developments in recent times, it is the development of new aircraft technologies that will have the most positive impact for airports like Piarco International. The new technologies such as the single aisle A320 NEO’s and Boeings B737 MAX Jets that have been developed for extended range with increased fuel efficiency, making markets previously only achievable with long range wide body aircraft, a narrow body route.

AUTOMOTIVE On 26 May 2020, Amendments to the Motor Vehicle and Traffic Act 2017 were brought into effect. The Act, proclaimed by T&T’s President, Paula-Mae Weekes allows for the implementation of a Demerit Points System, New Traffic

Ticketing System and Red Light Camera Enforcement System. According to Visham Babwah, President of the T&T Automotive Dealers Association, “When the sector reopened after COVID-19 sales were a bit down, however it has picked up quite well. The reasons he gave for this were T&T’s 2020 general election and upcoming annual budget. “Usually, before the budget there is an uptake in car sales due to the uncertainty of government policies changing with regard to taxes” stated Babwah. One challenge that the industry has, according to Babwah, came with the reduction of the age of importation of vehicles from six years to four years. “The impact on the industry was devastating” he said, “but we were able to deal with that by upping our game with regards to moving to hybrid and electric vehicles. This has placed us in a better position, even better than the franchise dealers.” According to the car dealer, something is now necessary to stimulate the industry. Babwah suggests changing the permissible age of importation from four years back to six. “The quality of the vehicle is the same, it will cost the consumers approximately $20,000 less and it will have a positive impact on foreign exchange because we will use less than half of the forex that we are currently using,” he said.

AUTOMOTIVE AND AVIATION SERVICES

THE BANKING SECTOR CAN BE PROUD OF ANOTHER STRONG AND PROFITABLE YEAR IN 2019. ACCORDING TO THE 2019 FINANCIAL STABILITY REPORT, RELEASED BY THE CENTRAL BANK OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ON 23 JUNE 2020

KAY BALDEOSINGH -ARJUNE

BANKING, INVESTMENT AND FINANCIAL SERVICES

he Banking sector can be proud of another strong and profitable year in 2019. According to the 2019 Financial Stability Report, released by the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago on 23 June 2020, the banking sector recorded a 24% increase in before-tax profits to $5.5 billion, maintained its asset quality at 3.1% and saw a 6% increase in Total Assets to end 2019 at $160.4 billion. “Liquid assets and capital buffers remained high, so banks were well placed to respond to liquidity shocks,” while capital adequacy “continued to be healthy and far in excess of the minimum statutory requirement,” the Report said. It cautioned, however, that “with the shock to household and business income due to COVID-19 containment measures, the quality of loan portfolios may be at risk.” According to the Bankers Association of Trinidad and Tobago (BATT): “Well-capitalised banks which provide substantial buffers to allow banks to withstand the potential credit risk losses

derived from the pandemic,” is one of the strengths of the local banking sector highlighted by the COVID-19 crisis. Other ways that the banking sector shone, BATT said, included: • Care for staff and their families – with member banks prioritising customer and employee health and well-being while meeting client needs in new and innovative ways. • Regular contact with customers to understand their situation and needs so we could expand our value offering and deliver muchneeded services while exiting COVID-19 on surer footing. • Financial support initiatives to customers - “Our banks have taken extraordinary measures for those struggling to meet their financial obligations. We have instituted various forms of relief, among them a reduction in interest rates on loan types, including credit cards, as well as loan instalment deferrals along with a waiver of penalty charges and fees,” BATT said.

DAILY AVERAGE LEVEL OF EXCESS LIQUIDITY 2 JANUARY – 17 MARCH 2020

$4.4 BILLION APRIL 2020

$5.74 BILLION MAY 2020

$8.34 BILLION BANKING SECTOR LIQUIDITY (LIQUID ASSETS TO TOTAL ASSETS)

19% DECEMBER 2019: 21.5% DECEMBER 2018:

Key Financial Sector Statistics (Source: Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago publications)

BANKING, INVESTMENT AND FINANCIAL SERVICES

• Assistance to NGOs under the umbrella of extremely robust and well-organised Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programmes.

SUPERCHARGING ONLINE BANKING “The development of technology within the banking industry has long been on the rise, but the pivot to digital has been supercharged with the onset of the COVID-19 crisis,” BATT said. Pointing to a significant increase in the use of online and mobile banking across all sectors, including among customers who were disinterested or not digitally savvy in the past, BATT said: “There are signs that persons are more willing to adopt digital banking as their new default…COVID-19 disruptions have underscored that technology will play a more profound role in the banking sector. Digital offerings of online and mobile banking will remain a key channel of customer interactions for the foreseeable future while technology will be central to our new normal.”

company, Republic Financial Holdings Ltd, also formally acquired seven Scotiabank operations in the Eastern Caribbean. • A joint IMF/World Bank Financial Stability Assessment Programme (FSAP) of the domestic financial system was completed in February 2020 and will guide the Central Bank’s priorities going forward. • Introduction of a Governmentsponsored SME Stimulus Loan Facility at zero interest and a two-year moratorium on principal payments, which is being implemented via First Citizens Bank, Republic Bank Limited, RBC Royal Bank and Scotiabank. The loan programme of up to TT$300 million will help micro, small and medium-sized businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The loan can only be used for salary payments, working capital and purchase of raw materials; will not incur any handling fees; and all interest will be paid by the Government.

NUMBER OF COMMERCIAL BANKS..... 8

OTHER KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN 2019/2020

NUMBER OF NON-BANK FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS................ 16

• The cotton $100 note was replaced by a polymer $100, which became legal tender on 9 December 2019. By April 2020, 94.2% of the estimated 81.7 million cotton notes that were in circulation were returned to the Central Bank.

NUMBER OF FINANCIAL HOLDINGS.... 4

• The Central Bank unveiled the concept designs for the entire suite of polymer notes in February 2020 with distribution to the public expected in late 2020.

PERCENTAGE OF

• Also in February, the Trinidad and Tobago International Financial Centre launched FinTech T&T to create a collective voice for financial technology stakeholders. FinTech aims to improve the delivery of financial services in T&T and the wider Caribbean and promote a cashless future through the use of financial technology.

BY SECTOR IN 2019: FINANCE, INSURANCE AND REAL ESTATE

• Republic Bank Trinidad and Tobago (Barbados) Ltd purchased 75% of Cayman National Corporation Ltd for US$198 million. Its parent

THE DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGY WITHIN THE BANKING INDUSTRY HAS LONG BEEN ON THE RISE, BUT THE PIVOT TO DIGITAL HAS BEEN SUPERCHARGED

COMMERCIAL BANK LOANS AND ADVANCES

16%

CONSUMERS REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE LOANS

31.2% 25.6%

Key Financial Sector Statistics (Source: Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago publications)

• In addition, the Government has also instituted a Liquidity Support Loan Programme of $100 million through the Credit Union movement for its individual members to provide COVID-19 Emergency Income Loans, plus an additional $100 million for business loans to its members. • March 2020 – the unprecedented lowering of the Repo rate by 150 basis points to 3.5% by the Central Bank with a simultaneous reduction in the primary reserve requirement applicable to commercial banks by 3% to 14% – the first such reduction since June 2004. • Most commercial banks adjusted their prime lending rates. Interest rates on loans tied to prime fell automatically while loans with variable interest rates were also adjusted.

BANKING, INVESTMENT AND FINANCIAL SERVICES

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BANKING, INVESTMENT AND FINANCIAL SERVICES

BANKERS ASSOCIATION OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO (BATT)

Our Objectives Are

Karen Darbasie President

Kelly Bute-Seaton Executive Director

The Bankers Association of Trinidad and Tobago is a non-profit organisation formed among the commercial banks to promote collaboration on matters of importance to the banking sector. Our Mission is to play a core role in the growth and stability of the financial sector, through advocacy and representation, and to facilitate the provision of the most competitive banking products and services to our customers, with integrity and transparency.

• To foster a collaborative approach for positioning the banking sector in Trinidad and Tobago consistent with international trends, standards, compliance and changing markets and regulatory requirements. • To play an active role in the education of the public on various risk mitigation methods as well as to enlighten them on their financial options. • To work as a cohesive body in partnering with the Central Bank and other local regulatory and business agencies for the development of the banking sector, as well as to enhance their support for the productive sectors of the economy.

Level 1, Invader’s Bay Tower, Invader’s Bay, Port of Spain. Tel: (868) 235-6291 Website: www.batt.org.tt INSTITUTE OF BANKING AND FINANCE OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO (IBF)

Darren Ali President

Marsha R. John

Chief Executive Officer

About Us: The Institute of Banking and Finance of Trinidad and Tobago (IBF) is a non-profit organisation established in 1984 to assist the advancement of banking and finance professionals through its offerings of professional educational programmes and corporate training services. We are the educational arm of the Bankers Association of Trinidad and Tobago. Our Council Members are representatives of participating commercial banks, the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, the Trinidad and Tobago Unit Trust Corporation and the University of the West Indies. Our Mission: To facilitate the continuous development of banking and finance professionals and to promote high standards of knowledge, skills and conduct to meet the high demands of a changing financial industry. Our Vision: To be the preferred learning institution for financial services professionals. Who We Serve: IBF serves banking and finance professionals seeking career advancement through self-development. Some of our educational programmes include: 1) The Professional Certificate for Financial Advisors (Cert. FA), accredited by the Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago.. 2) The Diploma in Banking (DIB) which allows matriculation into UWI upon completion. 3) Chartered Banker MBA, in collaboration with Bangor Business School – Executive Education. A specialised MBA in Banking and Finance. Advanced Certification Blended Learning Programmes: 4) Certified International Risk Manager (CIRM) 5) Certified Credit Professional (CCP)

BANKING, INVESTMENT AND FINANCIAL SERVICES

Level 1 Invader’s Bay Tower Invader’s Bay Off Audrey Jeffers Highway Port of Spain, Trinidad Tel: (868) 235-6291 Email: marketing@ibf.org.tt, info@ibf.org.tt Website: www.ibf.org.tt

THE TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION (TTCA) HAS PUT THE ONUS ON THE GOVERNMENT TO PUSH AHEAD WITH STATE PROJECTS, TO THEREBY CREATE THE RESIDUAL EFFECT FOR PRIVATE PROJECTS TO ALSO RESTART.

SHELDON WAITHE

CONSTRUCTION, ENGINEERING AND TRANSPORTATION

s the nation seeks to kickstart the economy in the post-COVID-19 period, construction has been identified as one of the primary factors, with transport and engineering intertwined in the recovery process. Like many nations, T&T seems to have perpetual projects in place, highlighting the importance and dynamism of the sector to the country. Prior to the pandemicenforced lockdown, State and private sector construction continued apace, the most highprofile projects being the Curepe Interchange and the Point Fortin highway extension. The former – a project highlight of the past year – was opened in the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 restrictions, with the Government boasting that costs were cut from $440M to $221M for the road junction designed to ease EastWest traffic woes for the everincreasing car population. Prime Minister Dr. The Hon Keith Rowley also advised of a novel approach to the Point Fortin project, claiming that the contracts were separated into sections for each portion of the highway, “… to allow our

local contractors to be part of the tendering process.” The completion of the Arima General Hospital in June 2020 for $1.6B, is the other major completed project, much needed for the borough and its environs. The construction agenda for the immediate to mid-future includes: • 20 continuing housing estate projects under the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) • Chaguanas Traffic Alleviation Project • Point Fortin Highway Extension completion In addition to the cost and time required by the industry to employ new social distancing requirements, COVID-19 has seen the supply of raw materials decrease while prices have increased. While such ratios may be a cause for worry, entities such as the Trinidad and Tobago Contractors Association (TTCA) see the potential for the trade to become a key player in the economic recovery. Adopting new safety guidelines, the TTCA has produced a blueprint to enable the majority of the 80,000 construction workers in T&T to return to work, even if hours are reduced through a shift system to encompass everyone

(https://ttca.com). The Association has put the onus on the Government to push ahead with State projects, to thereby create the residual effect for private projects to also restart; in their own words, “Construction is the fastest method of creating employment, in the shortest time.” While citing that COVID-19 has halted the Toco Port project, Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan assured that it will restart once the Government analyses the economic fallout from the pandemic. He also confirmed that the necessary applications for dredging, land reclamation and infrastructural works have been submitted to the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), a factor causing major concern for environmentalists protecting Toco’s coral reefs.

ENGINEERING Perhaps the industry with the greatest probability to change its practices as it enables the processes of the ‘new normal’ in other sectors, engineering in T&T stands ready to grab the baton and run with it. Everything from schools to supply chain management will require engineering to minimise

CONSTRUCTION, ENGINEERING AND TRANSPORTATION

human interaction and facilitate the new safety standards. With a strong base from its industrial background, the engineering fraternity will be at the forefront for the implementation of greater automation, increased hands-off production measures, as well as the local manufacture and execution of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the workspace. It represents a great opportunity for engineering to help enable the country to take a great technological and mechanical leap forward. Indeed, the Association of Professional Engineering of Trinidad and Tobago (APETT) has led by example, creating a virtual APETT office to enable their members to carry out their functions during the COVID-19 crisis and “any future health or natural disaster which may befall Trinidad and Tobago”.

TRANSPORTATION Though delayed by the Coronavirus pandemic, the big news is the rollout of the Demerit Points System in T&T. After years of consultation

with relevant stakeholders such as the NGO Arrive Alive and the police service, and the digitisation of many departments within the police and Ministry of Works and Transport (MOWT), the scheme is a major culture shift that will facilitate the adoption of safer driving habits and optimal road usage across the nation. As emphasised by Minister Sinanan “The system is not a revenue generating one for the Government, it is about safety and how we continue to reduce carnage on our roads.” The implementation of the system in May 2020 was preceded by a year-long blitz of messaging to the general public, detailing every level of traffic violation and the subsequent points added to an individual’s licence; the number of points accumulated in a specific period could result in the suspension of the driver’s licence. Backed by a scale of considerable fines for each offence, together with 12 nationwide payment centres, the system is comprehensive and is served by a continually growing network of cameras across the main highways and roads of the country.

IT IS ABOUT SAFETY AND HOW WE CONTINUE TO REDUCE CARNAGE ON OUR ROADS

Curepe Interchange Project Photo courtesy: Ministry of Works and Transport (MOWT) and The National Infrastructure Development Company Limited (NIDCO).

CONSTRUCTION, ENGINEERING AND TRANSPORTATION

THROUGH CONSULTATION WITH OUR STUDENTS, THE MAJORITY HAVE INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO INCORPORATE A MORE BLENDED LEARNING APPROACH, COMBINING FACE-TO-FACE AND ONLINE CLASSES, AND IN SOME CASES, ENTIRELY ONLINE CLASSES.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING KAY BALDEOSINGH -ARJUNE

hat does the future hold for the Education and Training sector in light of the challenges of COVID-19? Who’s Who found out from five of the leading institutions in this sector:-

• MIC Institute of Technology (MIC-IT) • SITAL College of Tertiary Education Ltd. • the University of Trinidad & Tobago (UTT) • The University of the West Indies (The UWI) • Youth Training and Employment Partnership Programme (YTEPP). Going forward, these institutions all said they would be doing more online classes, introducing rotation and shift systems where necessary, training staff in how to more effectively deliver an online curriculum, finding the ideal balance between online and face-to-face for each programme, and making provisions for students unable to access online resources. They all saw great potential for the country to increase its export of educational services in the Caribbean, with MIC, UTT and The UWI all having concrete plans to build on their current export offerings.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING POST-COVID-19 MIC-IT General Manager, Training Division & CEO (Ag.) Brian James: “Coming out of COVID-19, MIC-IT sees a great opportunity to reach many more trainees via the blended learning approach. In keeping up with the changing and challenging times, MIC-IT has been developing new programmes to assist in diversifying the economy. Some of these new programmes include agriculture, solar photovoltaic, automotive and entrepreneurship.”

50%

Degree of Online Teaching Taking Place Due to COVID-19 - MIC

SITAL Executive Director Ann-Marina White: “Through consultation with our students, the majority have indicated that they would like to incorporate a more blended learning approach, combining face-to-face and online classes, and in some cases, entirely online classes. Therefore, there is a considerable amount of restructuring at our end, in terms of developing a robust online learning environment and retraining lecturers… If we play

Selected Education Statistics PRE-SCHOOL (ECCE CENTRES)

NO. OF SCHOOLS POPULATION

892

35,518

PRIMARY SCHOOLS

NO. OF SCHOOLS

483

POPULATION

136,085

SECONDARY SCHOOLS

NO. OF SCHOOLS POPULATION

141

91,280

TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS ENROLLED PRE-SCHOOL TO TERTIARY

POPULATION

300,000 Sources: ttconnect.gov.tt, ACTT, UNESCO, Trinidad Guardian Newspaper

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

our cards right, this will mean getting the best of both worlds with the convenience of remote learning and the social support of face-to-face, while maintaining flexible options for students based on their needs and concerns.” She added, “This will allow our staff more flexibility and make future employment opportunities available to those who can only work remotely.” She also noted: “The increase in remote learning options is also allowing us to increase accessibility for students who live in more remote regions of the country, as well as individuals with disabilities who have mobility issues or other challenges that make the traditional classroom setting difficult.” One of SITAL’s key achievements has been its 2019 Corporate Outreach Programme aimed at organisations looking for ways to improve staff morale, productivity and profit and demonstrated the value of employee-employer collaborations to business success. The programme was very successful and well subscribed, resulting in over 25 Corporate Partnership Agreements being signed with companies.

100% 100%

Degree of Online Teaching Taking Place Due to COVID-19 - SITAL Degree of Online Teaching Taking Place Due to COVID-19 - UTT

UTT Principal (Ag) Professor Prakash Persad: “The country is changing…Very few people want to spend the best years of their life attending classes full time…. part-time programmes will become more popular…Before, we used to laugh at online degrees. Now, all the top universities are offering online programmes… People can organise their lives better.” UTT has surveyed students to find out their opinions on and experiences with online learning. He added, “Pandemics could happen again and again. We need to look at education fundamentally differently. We can use the same infrastructure more effectively… school buildings, university buildings are very expensive…and children are very computer literate… they like to read on their phones/ devices. We need to build on that.”

UWI, St Augustine Principal Professor Brian Copeland: “COVID-19 provides the opportunity for the nations of the region to rethink and re-engineer our National Education systems. This is long overdue, given that the systems we have are variations of systems that were designed for another purpose. COVID-19 has pointed to the need for us to build greater resilience among our peoples. This is a long discussion but, needless to say, it is of the utmost importance that we use this opportunity to finally get it right.”

94%

Degree of Online Teaching Taking Place Due to COVID-19 - UWI

YTEPP Corporate Communications Manager Montgomery Guy: “PostCOVID-19 is going to see the harmonisation and streamlining of Education and Training in Trinidad and Tobago. This will be an imperative as controlling costs and redundancies in the system becomes high priority…A greater deal of skills gap analyses would have to be undertaken to match the necessary skills required in the new economy.” YTEPP has had a graduation of 1,678 participants from its Youth Training and Retraining Departments and partnering with key stakeholders such as bpTT, the National Gas Company, Nestle and Metal X Engineering to impact youth in the nation.

25%

Degree of Online Teaching Taking Place Due to COVID-19 - YTEPP

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION LEARNING PLATFORM

47,000 students daily PENNACOOL

PRE-COVID-19

MAY AVG.

6,000-7,000 12,000

COVID-19 PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE NATIONS OF THE REGION TO RETHINK AND RE-ENGINEER OUR NATIONAL EDUCATION SYSTEMS TVET CHALLENGE Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has faced a particular challenge during the pandemic. A May 2020 ILO-UNESCOWBG Joint Survey on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Skills Development, responses from organisations across 126 countries said: • More collaborative initiatives were required to develop training materials and facilitate distance learning among institutions, IT professionals, private sector, social partners, internet providers and governments. • Statistics were needed on the use of online training by teachers and students to provide greater insights into the challenges faced and solutions found. • Low internet access and lack of equipment among poor students were key impediments for remote learning. • The serious lack of connectivity and digital skills among teachers as well as learners needed to be addressed to ensure effective preparedness of training systems.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

THE WORLD HAS CHANGED IN RECENT YEARS, WITH A NUMBER OF MARKET FACTORS, BOTH PRE AND POST-COVID, IMPACTING THE DOMESTIC OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY.

KAY BALDEOSINGH -ARJUNE

ENERGY AND ENERGY-RELATED INDUSTRIES

GC President Mark Loquan is cautiously optimistic of improvements in the not too distant future, and that the many significant positive developments taking place in energy will boost investor confidence and ensure a bright future for the industry. Notwithstanding this optimism, it is given with the presumption that there are no unforeseen production and reliability issues in existing fields which could result in higher decline rates, and that the planned development projects are delivered on time and achieve their desired production targets. Loquan noted that the supply side issues that were negatively impacting the sector over the last decade certainly have changed over the last few years with developments announced and being executed for future supply to maintain stability. In addition, he is heartened by the positive degree of communication, co-ordination and collaboration that has been taking place among stakeholders, made necessary because of COVID-19 and the lockdown, and he is optimistic that this will carry forward as the industry plans for the future.

PRE-COVID CHALLENGES… ADJUSTING TO A NEW WORLD

BIG INVESTMENTS… BIG OPPORTUNITIES

The world has changed in recent years, with a number of market factors, both pre and post-COVID, impacting the domestic oil and gas industry, Loquan said. These include the rise of shale oil; the change in markets for local LNG, ammonia and methanol to more distant Asian customers; the emergence of new international energy players; increased global production which has driven prices sharply down for oil, gas and associated commodities; tight and more expensive domestic gas supply as a result of depleting reserves; and a lack of timely investment in exploration and production.

But industry and investor confidence have been reinvigorated with announcement after announcement of new finds, new contracts and new initiatives. “It remains heartening

“The collective outcome of these factors has been reduced margins and challenged economics for energy producers, NGC as aggregator, and downstream companies – which has an overall impact on the country’s revenues that depend on rents from the sector, causing NGC to rethink value across the entire gas value chain and opportunities regionally and internationally.” Loquan said.

NEW PROJECTS WERE SANCTIONED

BHP’s Block 3(A) Ruby Development Shell’s Block (C) Barracuda Development OTHER

BPTT - Ginger exploration well Cassia compression and Matapal projects Touchstone Exploration’s Hydrocarbon discovery in the Ortoire block onshore Trinidad

ENERGY AND ENERGY-RELATED INDUSTRIES

for the local energy sector that there has been little change in execution of developments by the upstream producers in the last 12 months regarding their planned upstream investment and development activities. New projects were sanctioned such as Block 3(a) Ruby Development (NGC having 11.41% participating interest) in August 2019 and Shell’s Block 5(c) Barracuda Development in February 2020, and corresponding commercial agreements were signed, which augurs well for the sustainability of the local energy,” Loquan said. Other significant developments include: • BPTT’s announcement in December 2019 of a gas discovery in the Ginger exploration well off Trinidad’s southeast coast, as well as commencement of work on its Cassia compression and Matapal projects which were both sanctioned in 2018; • Touchstone Exploration’s announcement of a significant hydrocarbon discovery in the Ortoire block onshore Trinidad in September 2019; • In January 2020, the National Energy Corporation (National Energy) launched its ttEngage Online Investor Platform, a one-stop shop for investors, where potential investors can submit project ideas, access pertinent information and be guided through the approval process in real time from anywhere in the world; • National Energy opened an office in Guyana in 2019, providing an avenue for greater co-operation, and strategically positioning T&T to provide logistical services to Guyana and Suriname’s burgeoning energy industries; • Commencement in June 2020 by the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI) of a vital Gas Value Chain Study facilitated by international consulting firm Gas Strategies Group Limited; • A number of green initiatives in various stages of implementation.

NEW NORMAL Greater use of technology, more synergies, stronger relationships and improved energy efficiency are some of the defining characteristics

of the New Normal created by COVID-19, according to the NGC President. Across the industry, “I think we went into a very responsive and responsible mode of sharing information coherently,” Loquan noted. “During this challenging time, I would like to thank the people in the control rooms and all employees and contractors who faced the situation and continued to be innovative and adaptable to new protocols to reduce risk,” he added. While the energy sector has always been the leader in adopting technology, COVID has accelerated the pace and Loquan believes many of those changes are here to stay, including negotiations via online platforms, virtual employee meetings, use of AI to collect data from the field, and using all these technologies to make decisions real time. “The thrust to cleaner fuels and a green agenda is part of the new normal,” he added. “It’s quite a different world, where we can play our own part.”

VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS One of the most significant initiatives that NGC and the industry keenly await is a Gas Value Chain Review commissioned by the MEEI that commenced in June 2020 and which Loquan described as “absolutely critical for the future of the energy sector.” He explained: “NGC, located across the gas value chain, saw the significant challenges and concerns raised by the upstream producers and the downstream sector and strongly advocated for a long range energy sector gas value chain review, to develop a plan for the maximisation of value to the country from its gas resources and its gas-based industries.”

GREEN AGENDA Stressing that “clean energy must be a front-burner priority for the country,” Loquan said: “Renewable energy and energy efficiency present important opportunities for us to reduce our national carbon footprint and to divert natural gas away from power generation into more productive economic and unsubsidised activity.”

“CLEAN ENERGY MUST BE A FRONT BURNER PRIORITY FOR THE COUNTRY. ..” Green projects underway or in the pipeline in 2020 include: • An NGC EnergySmarTT app – a new green energy app launched in June 2020 that enables consumers to measure their energy consumption and carbon footprint and assess energy efficient and renewable alternatives; • A pilot SuperESCO project to help downstream companies audit their energy consumption patterns and implement fixes to make their operations more efficient. The outcomes of this pilot will inform a broader project across the Light Industrial and Commercial sector; • An NGC project to measure and reduce methane emissions throughout its pipeline infrastructure using infrared cameras and working with the University of Trinidad and Tobago; • The conduct of feasibility studies by National Energy for a commercial-scale wind farm and solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing facility; • A feasibility study involving National Energy and the BP/Shell consortium which had won its bid for two solar projects that will generate 92.2 MW of electricity from solar PV sources “at a cost on par with the current electricity prices in T&T.”

ENERGY AND ENERGY-RELATED INDUSTRIES

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Ayanna Sylvester-Antoine

Corporate Secretary / Legal Officer

Manager, Marketing and Business Development

ENERGY AND ENERGY-RELATED INDUSTRIES

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ENERGY AND ENERGY-RELATED INDUSTRIES

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THE SUPPORT OF THE CARIBBEAN PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY (CARPHA) IN CARRYING OUT COVID TESTING FOR ALL ITS MEMBER CARIBBEAN NATIONS WAS A CRUCIAL FACTOR

SHELDON WAITHE

HEALTH, SAFETY, SECURITY, ENVIRONMENT AND STANDARDS

hese five pillars of T&T society have been sorely tested in the past few months, as the COVID-19 pandemic examined the nation’s infrastructure. The results offer a mixed outlook.

HEALTH Preparedness and swift action by a Ministry of Health that took the lead when the first Coronavirus cases emerged globally, minimised the spread of the disease in T&T. Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh and his Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Roshan Parasram became a formidable team, guiding the rollout of quarantine measures, lockdown procedures (and the subsequent scaled reopening of the country). It proved that T&T could cope with a pandemic regardless of its size, by applying the logic of working backwards based on its medical capacity i.e. the number of patients that can be treated at any one time due to beds available. The suspension of non-essential surgery and treatment during the lockdown period was further evidence of this logic. As of June 2020, normal medical services resumed.

The support of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in carrying out COVID testing for all its member Caribbean nations was a crucial factor, enabling the Minister and CMO to provide daily updates about the spread (and eventual lack thereof) of the disease while providing opportunities to reinforce the precautionary measures and the reasoning behind it. The daily briefings also helped pave the way for a seamless, staggered, transition from the full lockdown status to the “New Normal”. Strict adherence by the public and implementation put T&T into a relatively enviable global position of 10 cases per 100,000 people, though the number of tests, 5.6K tested as at July 2020 with 133 cases & 8 deaths, was also very low. The sector has not rested on its laurels, with work continuing with the reiteration of the safety requirements in the workplace and schools. Companies have been advised to undertake a shift system with workers that will satisfy social distancing protocols, while at the time of writing, schools, which had been closed since mid-March, were deemed to reopen January 2021.

Online teaching – undertaken by some schools from April to July 2020, will continue throughout the September – December school semester. Due to the rise of cases, the Government has announced that schools would reopen in January 2021. The second wave of COVID-19 cases, though expected, did not limit its impact of quick community spread across the local landscape. Over a four-week period T&T saw a spike that took the total number of confirmed cases from July 2020 to 1,941 with 28 deaths by September 3, 2020. The General Elections in the same month were considered a factor in

THE COUNTRY’S HEALTHCARE COVERAGE AS AT JULY 2020:

89 PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITIES 05 REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES 10 PUBLIC HOSPITALS 03 TEACHING HOSPITALS 10 PRIVATE HOSPITALS AN OVERALL RATIO OF 2.7 HOSPITAL

BEDS PER 1000 PERSONS

HEALTH, SAFETY, SECURITY, ENVIRONMENT AND STANDARDS

said spread with Dr. Parasram warning of the increase as a consequence of the subsequent public gathering and advocating the need to continually adhere to safety protocols instead of being lax due to the perceived lack of new cases. With the issue of bed space enhanced by the global onset of COVID-19, there was the welcome news of the new Arima General Hospital opening its doors in June 2020, together with the 100bed Point Fortin Hospital. The opening of the Couva Children’s Hospital remains a point of contention, despite its designation as a quarantine facility.

SAFETY The Occupational Safety & Health Act 2006 (OSHA) was followed closely by the Ministry of Health for the phased return to work post lockdown. OSHA’s position was clear “Safety & Health must come first when considering recommencing work in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak.” Their call was for employers to ensure the 4 P’s: People, Plant, Premises, Processes. “These parameters can tell us where to intervene to protect people and can help us to understand the effectiveness of these factors and improve their design.”

“Safety & Health must come first when considering recommencing work in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak.”

OSHA’s call was for employers to ensure

the 4 P’s

LE OP PE

S ISE EM PR

S SE S CE O PR

NT A PL

As such, a comprehensive document ‘Returning to Work Guidelines: The New Normal’ has been issued, covering all areas and concerns. With working from home a major part of the new working landscape, OSHA has also updated its guidance document relevant to that arrangement. As always, OSHA’s guidelines incorporate global standards for these matters, while also following the advice issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health.

SECURITY Joint exercises by the police and army throughout the pandemic lockdown created an excellent atmosphere of adherence that was largely incident-free. The police have remained at the forefront of enforcement of the restrictions laid down by the Government, with patrols of beaches and bars just one of the many areas under their remit to maintain protocols in terms of limited numbers and social distancing. It will remain a crucial part of their responsibility for the foreseeable future but thus far, they have ably coped with the added tasks. The bane of T&T society is its poor record on nationwide security; as such, it remains the country’s number one concern. Illegal immigration issues – especially from a troubled Venezuela – were tackled by a massive registration scheme in 2019, resulting in a degree of greater awareness and control over a worsening situation. However, the bulk of the country’s security problem pertains to internal gang wars, fed by the narcotics trade.

ENVIRONMENT Natural resources, climate change management, pollution, chemical and waste management continued to be issues throughout the COVID-19 lockdown and T&T has some catching up to do to attain its stated mandates for these sectors. The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) took the opportunity of a nation

CORONAVIRUS DATA NOW OFFERS PROOF OF THE POSITIVE EFFECTS OF REDUCED TRAFFIC AND REDUCED AIR POLLUTANTS

in lockdown to measure the effects of factors such as traffic on ambient air quality, finding that there was a significant and immediate improvement in the quality of air across both islands. With three sites gathering the data, the differences were significant enough to push the EMA to widen testing with a total of 10 sites. (Source ‘Observations of the EMA during COVID-19’) The private sector has latched onto the international trend of environmentally friendly practice and the feasibility of it as a business; 17 plastic recycling companies now exist. Growing in importance, the EMA’s iCare project continues its growth as a Vision 2030 initiative. It was deemed an essential service throughout the pandemic lockdown and haulage personnel adopted sanitisation as part of the new health and safety guidelines, allowing the public to recycle throughout.

Coronavirus data now offers proof of the positive effects of reduced traffic and reduced air pollutants. The need to diversify into greener practices as part of the postCOVID-19 recovery provides scope for prioritising the environment, but funding in the post-pandemic era to implement more stringent environmental practices creates a catch-22 situation.

STANDARDS A crucial hub in the rollout of pandemic precautions, the Trinidad & Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) began their role with the monitoring of products at the forefront of the Coronavirus battle, including household and industrial cleaning chemicals, disinfectants and sanitisers, to ensure they contained the

properties required to protect consumers. With uncertainty rife in the early days of the pandemic, the TTBS issued notices (in conjunction with the Ministry of Health) containing all information as to what each product should contain to be effective. Its spread of information continued with the publication of standards for face masks, encompassing international standards for ventilators and respiratory equipment by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It ensured that both ends of the spectrum – from the Government and medical fraternity to the general public – had all the information to give themselves the very best protection in the fight against the Coronavirus. In quick time, the TTBS rolled out information to enable every size commercial site to implement

plant quarantine if required, to understand the ISO & WHO requirements within the sites considered to be essential services and, therefore, in operation throughout the lockdown (e.g. food production, waste disposal, energy sector, health division). Utilising the New Normal approach, a number of TTBS webinars have been made available to businesses and the public, disseminating crucial advice across myriad COVID-related topics, including cybersecurity and information security management, in the wake of the huge increase of dependence upon the digital working world. TTBS has covered most bases thus far but will – like all industries – have to adapt and prioritise different areas for an ever-evolving immediate future and beyond.

SPECIAL FEATURE

Innovation in the Time of a Pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic has inspired innovative responses from two leading educational institutions in Trinidad & Tobago - the University of the West Indies, St Augustine campus (UWI), and MIC Institute of Technology (MIC-IT). Outlining these innovations, UWI Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal, Professor Brian Copeland stressed: “COVID has allowed us to emphatically demonstrate the real value of The UWI to the national and regional communities. In particular, this university has stepped up to provide its expertise, support and guidance to the Government and other entities, in the management and containment of the pandemic.” From the outset, he noted, UWI created a Task Force to ‘inform the Caribbean response’ while working alongside the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). The St Augustine Campus also shared its medical and biological resources from the Faculty of Medical Sciences and Faculty of Technology in testing and exploring treatments. There have also been 50 nurses, students of the Medical Sciences Faculty, who have been providing frontline engagement while taking part in the Ministry of Health’s contact tracing exercise. More recently, our engineers have been assisting with broadening the scope of the Ministry’s GIS maps, which have been critical tools in tracking infection spread. Professor Copeland also pointed to the Faculty’s role in the design and production of PPE and medical equipment. “In collaboration with CARIRI, MIC and the private sector, face shields have been designed, tested and deployed; a certification system has been set up for fabric masks; and a design for

by Kay Baldeosingh-Arjune

N95 respirators is almost complete,” he said. In addition, he noted: “One of the more ambitious projects is UWI-Vent, a rapidly manufactured ventilator that will provide back-up support in case our health systems are overwhelmed,” and noted: “There is a potential here for the development of a new manufacturing sector in Trinidad and Tobago.” This is the type of long-term impactful return that one expects from a university such as The UWI, Professor Copeland concluded. MIC-IT is also justly proud of its contribution to the national response to the pandemic. According to General Manager, Training Division & CEO (Ag.), Brian James, MIC-IT’s Engineering and Design Department joined in the battle against the spread of COVID-19 and embarked on a number of projects aimed at developing PPE for primary use in the medical arena. He said: “With research assistance being provided by UWI, MIC-IT is looking at potential alternative forms of PPE to help alleviate the situation (e.g the Stopgap Face Mask initiative). Once this is proven to be acceptable by the medical field, we will be looking at designing a mould to mass produce the items.” In addition, MIC-IT, in collaboration with ProtofabTT, has also been developing a prototype for longterm and export-ready medical Face Shields. James also noted that, “MIC’s consultants, together with our Engineering dept, has been doing research on modifying nasal swabs used in testing kits. We are also looking at copper coating as a safer metal since the virus tends to live on other metals for longer periods of time.”

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IN 2020, CUSTOMERS ARE NOT COMING TO YOUR BUSINESS PLACE – IT REQUIRES SOME FUNDAMENTAL RECONFIGURATION OF THINGS

HUMAN RESOURCE AND MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCIES T

he Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted the lives of everyone – from the way we interact to the way we work. The need to effectively manage human resources is a growing concern and while many companies have ceased operations, resilient companies and employees look for ways to adjust to the new normal. CEO/Principal Consultant of ODYSSEY CONSULTinc Limited, L. Anthony Watkins, disclosed that COVID-19 presented an opportunity for his company to get more creative at what it does. “It was an exciting time for us and it was a learning curve for us in the organisation” he said. “We had to offer (our products/ services) to clients who were now faced with new challenges (which COVID-19 presented). We, therefore, had to reengage with our clients (in order to understand their new needs).” He added that while it meant a slowdown in traditional business, it meant an increase in what was needed at a time like this.” Luckily, prior to the pandemic, ODYSSEY had already started

reconfiguring the business. Watkins related: “Last year, we moved to reconfigure our organisation – business roles were reconfigured. We knew we had to become more innovative, that we had to move to digital and that we had to make better use of intellectual property. When COVID-19 came to T&T, we did not have to change the business but we just had to speed up our reconfiguration.” The company’s offerings were restructured and online training programmes such as Capsule Consulting started. Several of the company’s products were split and offered in capsules online. But how is this pandemic different from the global crisis of 2008? Watkins related, “The global crisis did not impact on businesses in an operational way – there was a loss of confidence and there was impact on economic activity. Additionally, there were a lot of developments on international policies and economic issues accompanied by regulatory things. COVID-19 is quite different as it speaks to changes in how we work, where we work and how we manage performance.” He then drew an

COVID-19 is quite different as it SPEAKS TO CHANGES in

how we work where we work how we manage performance

HUMAN RESOURCE AND MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCIES

example: In 2008, customers came in to your business place but in 2020, customers are not coming to your business place – it requires some fundamental reconfiguration of things.

change. “That conversation can best take place if there was initially a culture of conversation – how we have dealt before will help or hinder businesses.”

An additional issue that managers face is: “How to measure performance?” According to Watkins, there should be deep conversations and dialogue with people on big issues such as hours, rotation and salary

Leaders now have to manage themselves whilst helping employees through such a time. Watkins is aware of Employee Assistance Programmes that are available to assist with coping strategies through this pandemic.

Working from home is another strategy that many businesses took to since the pandemic started. But how effective has it been? Quality Consultants Limited, a Caribbean business research and management consulting firm formed in 1998, conducted a survey between the period April 27 to May 15, 2020 - Working from Home During A Pandemic: The Employee Experience - and the findings were as follows:

91%

Almost all respondents to the survey said they have a clear understanding of what is expected of them while working from home (WFH).

82% 53%

4 out of 5 respondents believe they are as or more productive WFH as working at the office.

60%

If given the option, 3 out of 5 respondents would work from home 2 or 3 days per week. Only 5% of the respondents would not want to work from home at all.

60% 62% 53%

3 out of 5 respondents say WFH has given them a better work/life balance.

46%

Less than half of the respondents say they are getting the psychological and emotional support they need from their company while WFH.

13%

Just over 1 in 10 respondents say their company is doing a good job of implementing WFH at this time.

Over half of the respondents believe they are getting more work done at home than at the office. Female respondents were more inclined to believe so than male respondents.

A little over 3 out of 5 respondents say they feel less stress WFH than at the office. Over half of the respondents say they have no fear of losing their job while WFH. Male respondents are less fearful of losing their job than female respondents.

• Not having to commute to and from work is what respondents like most about WFH, while the disconnection from their co-workers is what they like least. • Respondents’ main suggestion for their company to support them while WFH is to provide them with the resources they need to be successful, and/or to upgrade the resources they have.

LEADERS NOW HAVE TO MANAGE THEMSELVES WHILE HELPING EMPLOYEES THROUGH SUCH A TIME Quality Consultants Limited’s suggestions to improve the employee experience while WFH: • Demonstrate empathy and understanding with employees working from home during the pandemic through regular “social,” non-work-related management check-ins. Get the employee assistance programme or other similar facility involved with supporting employees’ mental and physical wellbeing. • Engage employees to find out what works best for them and then agree on a structure for WFH, including rules of engagement; schedules; expectations; communication protocols for when, how often and how to communicate with them; etc., and then trust them to do their job. • Ensure that employees have the requisite hardware and software technology and equipment to work from home successfully. Compensate them for the use of their personal equipment, electricity, Wi-Fi and physical space for doing the company’s work. • Make required company information and documentation easily accessible digitally, ensuring the necessary security and authorisations are in place. Digitise hardcopy material to make it accessible electronically.

•

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THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A STRONGER CASE OR BETTER TIME FOR BUILDING OUT LOCAL INTERNET INFRASTRUCTURE AND INCENTIVISING THE CREATION OF LOCAL INTERNET CONTENT AND SERVICES.

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INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

ne year ago, few would have thought the world could change so radically in such a short time. The COVID-19 pandemic, and resulting public health and safety mandates, have stalled economies, tested governments and redefined social interactions. In the midst of the crisis has emerged an unprecedented opportunity to leverage technology to transform our economy and society for the post-COVID new normal.

However, obstructing the path to our technology-enabled future is the complex mix of public policy, regulation, infrastructure, education, and investment capital barriers. While there have been attempts to remove these barriers before, what was once clichéd and optional is now urgent and imperative. For industries to evolve and survive and for new opportunities to be seized, a fast track to digital innovation must be found.

Stay at home and social distancing orders have left citizens with little choice but to go online to shop, work, keep in touch with family and friends as well as access education, entertainment, banking, justice and other essential services. The process has created an unprecedented reliance on technology-enabled services in every sector. The internet is no longer optional for certain types of transactions and social interactions, it’s the only option. We have hit an inflection point past which we can no longer treat the technology-enabled modernisation as anything but the most urgent development priority.

WANTED: MORE LOCAL INTERNET SERVICES The coronavirus crisis has exposed the need to have more local services available over the internet. It has also revealed inadequacies in national policies and preparedness to support such services. There has never been a stronger case or better time for building out local internet infrastructure and incentivising the creation of local internet content and services. According to Ronald Hinds, a past president of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry

Some of the areas of opportunity for local entrepreneurs and businesses

LOCAL CLOUD-BASED SERVICES • ONLINE ENTERTAINMENT • DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE • INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION • CYBERSECURITY • FINTECH • HARDWARE ENGINEERING • DATA ANALYTICS • ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE • DIGITAL ID AND TRACKING Ronald Hinds, CEO - Teleios

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

and Commerce and CEO of Teleios, a software services firm, “Almost overnight, the coronavirus has triggered a rapid adoption of digital services. There is an unprecedented opportunity to diversify our economy and create entirely new sectors that can benefit from what is expected to be a sustained demand for these services.

sustain digital services than to launch them. Even after digital services are established, organisations have to wrestle with training staff, securing digital assets and changing entrenched behaviours. To prepare for a digital new normal, companies will have to take a very deliberate and whole-organisation approach to digital transformation initiatives.

Local cloud-based services, online entertainment, digital infrastructure, industrial automation, cybersecurity, fintech, hardware engineering, data analytics, artificial intelligence, digital ID and tracking are just some of the areas of opportunity for local entrepreneurs and businesses,” he added.

BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY

BITCOIN TECHNOLOGY

DIGITAL WALLET

FINTECH INDUSTRY

BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY

BITCOIN TECHNOLOGY

DIGITAL WALLET

FINTECH INDUSTRY

However, the speed of technological advances can only accelerate if the policy environment is conducive to digital innovation.

LEADERSHIP REQUIRED Business and government leaders find themselves in the challenging position of having to TECHNOLOGY balance shortBLOCKCHAIN BITCOIN TECHNOLOGY term pressures against medium and long-term uncertainties. The barriers that stand in the way of developing BITCOIN TECHNOLOGY BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY a robust, relevant and resilient local ICT sector can only be removed through decisive leadership. Nigel Edwards, Executive Director of the Trinidad and Tobago Unit Trust Corporation, shared that innovation in the delivery of financial services is one of the critical enablers to the digital economy. “Fintech, digital wallets, electronic payments, blockchain and similar in vogue technologies have to be backed up in the real world by systems, policies and institutions that encourage and not frustrate our entrepreneurs and innovators. We have to execute more relevant strategies for creating and enhancing wealth by building a more reliable pipeline to connect the potential that resides in our communities to the digitisation needs that exist in our industries.” Organisations often struggle to find the right talent to properly define and implement digital initiatives. Many are already discovering that it takes much more investment to

THE SPEED OF TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES CAN ONLY ACCELERATE IF THE POLICY ENVIRONMENT IS CONDUCIVE TO DIGITAL INNOVATION

DIGITAL WALLET

FINTECH INDUSTRY

“Digital transformation is not only a buzzword, it is also forcing connectivity and enabling deeper relations between public and private service providers and their customers. Every service now needs to be built with empowering the users in mind; and technology is the ultimate enabler, providing our citizens with easy means of transacting conveniently and securely,” according to Gerry Brooks, co-chairman of Trinidad and Tobago’s post-COVID economic recovery team.

A MARATHON NOT A SPRINT The crisis conditions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic can be a powerful catalyst, forcing the embrace of new approaches to work, governance, problem solving and service delivery. It is an invitation to depart from outdated,

inefficient and costly manual and paper-based systems, to more efficient, responsive and accessible technology-enabled models. The key is to recognise that digital transformation is a marathon, not a sprint. To best pace ourselves, we can focus on identifying specific potential areas for process improvements, cost savings and revenue generation; moving decisively to remove inefficiencies and eliminate unnecessary, corrupt, or wasteful processes; and on celebrating successes. The seed of what is needed to carry us beyond COVID-19 has always been present in our country – entrepreneurship, creativity and determination. Now, these seeds need to be fertilised by leadership, enabling technology, faith and a shared vision for a new economy, a new society and a better future.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

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

SPECIAL FEATURE

KIERAN ANDREW KHAN

COCOA REPUBLIC CHRISTOPHER BOODOOSINGH

ocoa Republic represents the renaissance of our cocoa industry today as much as it does our future potential on the world stage. The chocolate brand’s modern packaging can be found on shelves at many local supermarkets as well as at retail stores and restaurant suppliers globally. The path from pod to packaged product was a mindfully deliberate one and has recently earned founder, Christopher Boodoosingh, numerous accolades.

“Growing up, I would hear these stories about how our cocoa was world-famous and I would think, that this was untrue. It didn’t seem possible,” Christopher recalls. “If this was the case, then our chocolate brands should be leading the global chocolate market, but they weren’t – except for Dwayne Dove’s Tobago Cocoa Estate.” One of Christopher’s first business ideas while attending the University of Southern California was to craft his brand of chocolates, but 15 years ago, small-scale chocolatiers weren’t a typical business. On returning to Trinidad, he investigated the cost of establishing such a company and found it prohibitive, so he shelved the idea. He delved into events, but his business background left him wanting more. “This desire to create a sustainable form of income that had scale became something that I couldn’t escape. I wanted to do something that I could be the best in the world at, and I was always hypnotised with brands like Appleton, Sandals and Angostura, which have these amazing Caribbean identities with global appeal. I knew my T&T heritage and identity would give me an unfair competitive advantage against the world in the cocoa business, so I began exploring it once more,” he points out. Realising that there were hundreds of new artisanal chocolate-makers emerging on the West Coast of the US, Christopher embarked on the “Jeep Cherokee diaries” travelling from Seattle to San Francisco, stopping at little chocolatiers, cafés and coffee shops to learn more about

his true passion. “The best part of that experience was connecting with their community and realising how enthralled they were learning where we were from home of the infamous trinitario bean,” he added. On one of those stops, we found a chocolate bar made entirely with trinitario that cost a cool US$100!” He also landed on the name Cocoa Republic in the US while getting lost on his way seeking out equipment suppliers; a fortunate accident. His team also secured Regalis Foods, one of the US’ most respected luxury food purveyors as its American distributor.

“LEARN TO THINK IN BOTH A DISRUPTIVE AND COLLABORATIVE WAY – THAT’S THE WAY FORWARD.”

In the future, the brand plans to introduce entirely new lines, from drinking chocolate powder with Caribbean spices and a vegan ice cream line (based on cocoa butter) among others. His advice for persons wanting to pursue their passion? “Learn to think in both a disruptive and collaborative way – that’s the way forward.” Christopher was awarded the 2019 EY Entrepreneur of The Year™️ – Start-Up Entrepreneur Award.

www.cocoa-republic.com

OUR BUSINESS IS BASED ON MANAGING RISK AND WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY WILL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN ITS VIABILITY TO ENSURE THAT POLICYHOLDERS’ INTERESTS ARE WELL PROTECTED AND SECURE.

INSURANCE Digital Transformation

KAY BALDEOSINGH -ARJUNE

espite the negative impact of COVID-19 on revenues and profits, the local insurance industry believes strong fundamentals will enable it to weather the current crisis and protect the interests of its policyholders, who will have increasingly greater access to digital services.

INDUSTRY OUTLOOK According to the Association of Trinidad and Tobago Insurance Companies (ATTIC), “The insurance industry, like most sectors in Trinidad and Tobago, has experienced declining revenues and profitability due to COVID-19. Nevertheless, the sector has a strong capital base which will enable the industry to survive the current negative economic impact of COVID-19. Our business is based on managing risk and we are confident that the insurance industry will be able to maintain its viability to ensure that policyholders’ interests are well protected and secure.”

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION Perhaps the most significant impact of the pandemic on the operations of the industry was

accelerating its online presence with online renewals, payments and quotes – a few of the features being offered by some insurers. “More insurers are now seeing the importance of adding the digital element to their business model. Customers are demanding convenience and do not want to spend time visiting a physical location to transact business. The COVID-19 pandemic drove home how critical it is for our industry to be able to service our customers remotely,” ATTIC said.

ONLINE CLAIMS BANK Digital transformation was a priority for the Association even before the crisis. In 2020, ATTIC launched its cloud-based Insurance Claims Bank Database, with the portal going live on 01 May. The Association said the online database, which can be accessed on its website by authorised persons, allows for the easy and convenient electronic sharing of claims information on all lines of business by its members. “The main impetus for this initiative is to aid in the detection and prevention of fraud. Benefits to the public will be lower cost due to a

Customers are demanding convenience and do not want to spend time visiting a physical location to transact business.

Cloud-based Insurance Claims Bank Database To aid in the detection and prevention of fraud

INITIATIVES The use of digital technology

to issue and validate motor insurance by year-end Pioneering initiative to be implemented by year-end 2020 that will improve

the process and reduce the settlement time of “contentious” claims

INSURANCE

reduction in insurance fraud, and easier processing of their insurance needs as their claims history can be quickly and easily validated by any insurer,” ATTIC said.

iii. Required changes in legislation to facilitate the use of digital solutions

REDUCING UNINSURED MOTOR VEHICLES ON THE ROAD

v. Low interest rates in an increasingly volatile investment environment.

Another significant initiative in the pipeline is furthering the use of digital technology to issue and validate motor insurance by year-end. “Currently, motor insurance is only validated through the issued certificates which are provided in paper form. We want this extended to electronic form also,” ATTIC explained. Police and licensing officers will be able to access a cloud-based account to quickly and easily validate if a vehicle has insurance. “We are proposing to integrate this solution with the proposed radiofrequency identification (RFID) licence plates, so the authorities can quickly scan to validate insurance coverage. With this solution, the significant number of vehicles on our roads without valid insurance will be reduced,” ATTIC said.

NEW NORMAL

PIONEERING INITIATIVE ATTIC is also pursuing a “pioneering initiative,” to be implemented by year-end 2020 that will improve the process and reduce the settlement time of “contentious” claims. “We are developing a transparent, quick and easy solution of mediation and arbitration which claimants and insurers can use to settle matters” and which will be a complement to legal proceedings, ATTIC said. The Association further explained, “As citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, we are all aware of the challenges in using our legal system; it can take years to have a matter heard/settled and it is also very costly to all parties. This solution will greatly reduce cost and guarantee a settlement within a defined time frame.”

BURNING ISSUES PRE-COVID-19 ATTIC identified some of the burning issues confronting the industry as: i. Access to foreign exchange ii. Increasing attempts to defraud insurers

iv. Implementation of the new Insurance Act 2018

“Our ‘New Normal’ is an increasing move to facilitate employees working remotely as well as being able to service customers remotely,” ATTIC said. It noted: “The need to “social distance” and limit the possibilities of being exposed to the COVID, at least until a cure is found, may push the more risk-averse members of our society to demand solutions facilitating this choice. This could also result in a significant reduction in annual miles driven, which would curtail demand for some of our services.”

IMPORTANT LESSON FOR INDUSTRY COVID-19 has taught us an important lesson that remains relevant – we must have a welldeveloped Business Continuity Plan which also includes pandemic events, as they are more likely to reoccur than most may have predicted in the past.

WE MUST HAVE A WELL-DEVELOPED BUSINESS CONTINUITY PLAN WHICH ALSO INCLUDES PANDEMIC EVENTS No. of Active Life Insurance Companies................7 No. of Active General Insurance Companies..............17 No. of Active Composite (Life & General) Companies.......7 No. of Insurance Brokers........86 (Figures as at 31 December 2019)

SELECTED FINANCIAL SOUNDNESS INDICATORS DEC 2019 DEC 2018

LIFE INSURANCE EXPENSE RATIO (LIFE) (%)

28.8

30.7

4.8

4.7

RETURN ON EQUITY (LIFE) (%)

12.3

13.1

LIQUIDITY ASSETS TO CURRENT LIABILITIES (%)

19.5

22.1

NON-LIFE EXPENSE RATIO (%)

54.7

56.8

LOSS RATIO (%)

46.3

49.4

RETURN ON EQUITY (%)

10.5

7.3

RETURN ON ASSETS (%)

4.7

3.1

48.6

47.2

INVESTMENT YIELD (%)

LIQUID ASSETS TO CURRENT LIABILITIES (%) (Source – Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago)

INSURANCE

1 4

12 8 10

9 11

Fast, Fair & Always There NAGICO Insurances is a dynamic and versatile group with almost 40 years of operating history in the Dutch, French and English-speaking Caribbean. NAGICO provides a combination of property and casualty and life and health insurance products risk solutions to its customers across 21 territories.

To NAGICO, the delivery of a positive customer experience is very important and it invests wisely to generate that desired result.

NAGICO is recognized as a knowledgeable and trustworthy insurer and a market leader in the region. NAGICO proudly attributes its success, ultimately, to the excellent support of its reliable and friendly staa, qualiied and experienced intermediaries, and very strong reinsurance partners. As a direct result of the conndence of its reinsurers, NAGICO can unilaterally write up to $134 Million for any single risk; a solid testame testament of its underwriting capabilities.

The NAGICO Group is a resilient one which truly knows about disasters and crises and how to successfully navigate through them, owing to risk management and customer experience both being at the core of its balanced decision making. The NAGICO Group has over $500 million in equity, nearly $3 billion in assets and generates nearly $1.5 billion in gross written premiums annually. Furthermore, the NAGICO Group has an impressive claims settlement track record, having paid billions of dollars over the years for the various perils it covers.

The NAGICO Group is very committed to providing timely, professional and courteous service to its customers and delivering on its promise to be Fast, Fair and Always There. In 2020, COVID-19 (Coronavirus) required persons to distance themselves from each other and limit or avoid physical contact. This created a need for businesses to quickly evolve to be able to eeectively serve its clients. NAGICO did just that through the enhancement of its website and online service ooerings which enabled its existing

customers and potential new ones regionwide to conduct services online safely and securely.

In 2016, the NAGICO Group became a member of the Fosun Group, which has in excess of $100 billion in equity, when Peak Reinsurance Company Limited, an A- Excellent rated company, became a shareholder of the NAGICO Group; this further enhanced NAGICOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S nancial strength. Insurance, in the simplest of terms, is the purchase of a promise. When choosing an insurer, ensure that you select the one that you know consistently deliver on that promise. Choose NAGICO Insurances, a Caribbean insurer that is true to its tagline: Fast, Fair and Always There.

NAGICO InsurancesTrinidadTobago NAGICO InsurancesTT

www.nagico.com

INSURANCE

1. Ms. Jamie Manson, Manager - Insurance Administration 2. Ms. Sherene Ramdial - Company Secretary 3. Ms. Sharon Melville - General Manager 4. Mr. Chaz Huggins Executive Manager - Claims 5. Mrs. Lois Marcelle-Kennedy - Corporate Services Manager 6. Mr. Arjay Ramlal - Manager - Sales 7. Mr. Marlon Oliver, Manager - Claims 8. Mr. Alan Hackett - Financial Reporting Manager 9. Mr. Rishi Singh - Sales Manager - Agencies 10. Mr. Imran McSood Amjad - Chairman NAGICO Group of Companies 11. Mr. Kendal Walter - Management Reporting Manager 12. Ms. Carmen Sylvester - Senior Manager - Underwriting 13. Ms. Janelle Augustine - Manager - Agency

INSURANCE

Board of Directors Human Services on a Digital Platform

Varun Maharaj

Yogendranath Ramsingh

Chairman

GENESIS was founded on ethical objectives with a revolutionary spirit. We will emerge as the leading Insurance Broker by providing comprehensive innovative solutions and best in class service to ensure overall client satisfaction.

To enable our vision, we have co-opted a robust high-profile Board of Directors with a diverse range of professional backgrounds. They embody an unparalleled level of insight and experience, balanced with diversity in competencies and philosophies. GENESIS is also pleased to announce it has signed a strategic Global Partnership Agreement with Aon, a leading global professional services firm providing a broad range of risk, retirement and health solutions, and will be its exclusive correspondent in Trinidad and Tobago. We are leveraging GENESIS’s industry leading core expertise in Health and Benefits with Aon’s world class capabilities in the provision of superior risk management solutions for local and international Property and Casualty placements.

Roberto Schaechter

Dave Ramkissoon

Primary Service Include: Insurance Brokerage Placement Risk Management Expertise Beneﬁts Consultancy Pension Administration

Contact information: Corner Henry Pierre Street & Mucurapo Road, St. James, Trinidad, West Indies. Tel: (868) 235-5346 | Email: info@genesistt.com | Website: www.genesistt.com

Medical Provider Network Clinical Coordinator Services Genesis Member Engagement Portal

Empower Results®

Genesis is Aon’s exclusive correspondent in Trinidad & Tobago

INSURANCE

Dilip Dan Professor

SPECIAL FEATURE

NIGEL ROMANO

HEALTH INSURANCE AND THE PANDEMIC

eneral insurance, e.g., home and car, take care of your possessions. Life insurance takes care of your family. In the new normal, given COVID-19 and the prospect of other pandemics, I believe that the industry needs to focus on the individual—what’s in it for them?

Insured

YES

Who takes care of the individual when they get sick? Who pays for the treatment should they be diagnosed with cancer? Who helps them to recover or compensates them for reduced earning capacity as a result of the effects of COVID-19? As we live longer due to advances in medicine, despite good lifestyle choices, the possibility of succumbing to a major illness exists. This is where medical, disability and long-term care insurance kicks in. I believe that, now more than ever, the insurance industry needs to focus on health insurance. Medical/Health Insurance Health or medical insurance provides coverage for expenses incurred as a result of sickness, injury, routine medical bills, disability, or accidental death and dismemberment. Health insurance can be an expensive proposition and designing the right plan for an individual and their family could be quite complicated. However, this is most probably the most critical kind of insurance you can offer since not having the right medical insurance could lead to financial distress as a result of illness or an accident. The point to note here is that quality medical care is not free. One trip to the emergency room could put an individual and their family in debt for a long time. Also, without health insurance, people are less likely to see their doctor for that all important annual check-up. As a result, diagnosis of a serious medical condition like a tumour, blockage of arteries, or cancer may be delayed, making the treatment more expensive and less effective. As Suze Orman notes in her book, “The Road to Wealth”, “not having

NO health insurance means that people could be deprived of the care they need and deserve—and still find themselves hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt.” Insurance companies should be focused on developing affordable group health insurance plans, the best way to serve individuals. Next, they should focus on affordable private health insurance plans.

Private Health Insurance

Group Health Insurance

Technology and Health Insurance

Group health insurance plans provide coverage to a group, usually comprised of company employees or members of an organisation. Group health members usually receive insurance at a reduced cost because the insurer’s risk is spread across the group. Simply put, this type of insurance is cheaper and more affordable than individual plans available on the market because there are more people who buy into the plan. I believe that insurance providers should focus on expanding group health coverage to as many small and medium enterprises as possible. This expansion of coverage will spread the risks across a higher number of people, thereby reducing cost even further.

In both group and individual offerings, insurance companies should be exploring the widespread use of technology, particularly the proliferation of health and fitness apps, to incentivise companies, organisations and individuals to share their data in exchange for discounts for good metrics. For example, completing 10,000 steps every day or burning a certain number of active calories should translate into lower premiums.

Insurance companies should also look at more creative ways to offer private individual health insurance plans to individuals who don’t have health coverage through their job or do not want to rely on the care offered by public institutions. Private health insurance should be designed for those who are self-employed, part-time employees, or retirees.

We live in interesting times—many risks and many opportunities. Let’s find ways to create value for our customers while capturing value for our team members and shareholders—win/win. Nigel Romano Partner, Moore Trinidad & Tobago Chartered Accountants

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION (TTMA) VIEWS THE CHALLENGES BROUGHT BY THIS PANDEMIC AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO STABILISE, STRENGTHEN AND SECURE THE POSITION OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.

Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association

MANUFACTURING AND RETAIL DISTRIBUTION

hat does COVID-19 mean for the future of the manufacturing and retail distribution industry?

• 48,900 persons were employed in the manufacturing sector, an increase of 600 persons from 2018 (Source: Central Bank)

of port rent and demurrage fees, and decreased clearance times by Customs and Excise Division for items deemed to be essential.

2020 will be infamously remembered as the year of the COVID-19 pandemic which politically, economically and socially, rocked the world. However, Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) views the challenges brought by this pandemic as an opportunity to stabilise, strengthen and secure the position of the manufacturing sector.

• 1,853 STEM graduates, an increase of 109 persons from 2018 (Source: UTT and UWI Statistics)

Additionally, the Government approved the injection of additional foreign exchange into the Export Import Bank of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (EXIMBANK) – for manufacturers and distributors –

A SNAPSHOT OF THE ECONOMY BEFORE COVID-19 Some highlights of Trinidad and Tobago’s economy in 2019 are provided below: • Non-energy manufacturing exports represented 5% (or $3.61 billion) of total exports.1 • 73% of those exports were sold in the CARICOM market. The determination of the value for non-energy manufacturing exports starts with the total domestic exports value from CSO, followed by the removal of energy and primary products exports, including but not limited to pig iron, iron ore and concentrate, and non-ferrous metal, scrap.

• 44 manufacturing graduates, an increase of 11 persons from 2018 (Source: UTT Statistics)

COVID-19: THE TEACHER A number of lessons from the pandemic can be identified, but several of those lessons revolved around the most important resource of any company – the human resource. Thus, there was a great emphasis on ensuring employee safety while maintaining the successful operations of the business. During the Government’s stay-at-home directive, several companies employed digital technologies which allowed employees to work from home. Another lesson was adaptability. In response to the pandemic, various trade facilitation measures were implemented by State agencies to minimise the economic impact on companies, including the waiver

Two highly demanded products were commercially produced in response to COVID-19

FACE MASKS AND FACE SHIELDS These innovations complemented the already-existing local production of PPE, including

HAND SANITISERS DISINFECTANTS GARMENTS AND GLOVES

MANUFACTURING AND RETAIL DISTRIBUTION

so that there would be no shortage of essential items in the local market.

INNOVATIONS WERE ALSO BRED

CLEAN WORKING ENVIRONMENTS

One phrase that captures the response of manufacturers is ‘Breaking Boundaries’, the theme for the 2020 edition of the Trade and Investment Convention. Specifically, two highly demanded products were commercially produced in response to COVID-19 – face masks and face shields. These innovations complemented the already-existing local production of PPE, including hand sanitisers and disinfectants; garments; and gloves.

One of the main lessons learnt was that business operations need to be kept clean in order to curb the spread of the virus. In summary, the following protocols must be adhered to: • Physical distancing – employees and visitors must practise physical distancing at all times. To assist in maintaining this distance, markers should be used. Online meetings should be encouraged. The workstations of employees who interact with the public should be shielded. • Office sanitisation – there should be a cleaning schedule for the office, especially for regularly touched surfaces, shared spaces, and shared vehicles. • Personal hygiene – running water with soap and paper towels, and/ or sanitisers should be provided by the company for employees and visitors. Companies should encourage hand washing and/ or sanitisation via proper signage. Also, persons entering a company’s building should be encouraged to use masks. Manufacturers that were deemed “essential” by the manufacturing sector were allowed to operate during the lockdown period while adhering to the health and safety guidelines. These companies accounted for over 200 companies in the TTMA’s membership. The fact that there were no additions to the number of cases of COVID-19 in the country from the manufacturing sector operating during this time, attests to the high standard of safety employed by the sector. This evidence assisted the TTMA in securing an earlier reopening for the rest of the manufacturing sector than was previously proposed by the Government. Furthermore, to assist SMEs in their back-to-work preparation, the TTMA provided PPE to manufacturers – face shields, face masks, social distancing stickers, sanitising stations, hand sanitiser and proper signage.

INVESTMENT IN THE POST-COVID ENVIRONMENT The investment climate, as with other components of the economy, would have felt the effects of COVID-19. However, local and foreign-based investors would be pleased to know that the TTMA’s Manufacturing Strategy was launched in June 2020. The strategy is built on a foundation of private sector initiatives that are intended to strengthen the domestic market and to reverse the downward-moving export trend. The five-year plan is also intended to insulate Trinidad and Tobago from the cyclical shocks of the oil and gas industry. This strategy is divided into three phases with the objectives of stabilising, strengthening, and securing the manufacturing sector. The following are the phases of the Strategy:

Stabilising the domestic market through existing initiatives and working aggressively with the membership base, especially the SMEs, to get trade back to levels achieved in December 2019, valued at $3.2 billion.

Strengthening the base. The manufacturing sector will seek to recapture and recover its pre-COVID-19 export market share through digital networking and connection with buyers, leveraging technology to build new relationships and facilitating the strengthening of existing relationships.

‘BREAKING BOUNDARIES’ - TRADE AND INVESTMENT CONVENTION (TIC) 2020

Refocusing the manufacturing sector’s attention on growing exports by targeting and securing new markets. The objective is to grow exports in ways that reduce reliance on the public sector for foreign exchange, and which foster the diversification of the economy.

It is anticipated that the manufacturing sector will grow and flourish due to the initiatives of this strategy, which will greatly improve the investment climate of Trinidad and Tobago.

EMBRACING THE NEW NORMAL COVID-19 affected the local economy and business operations in different ways, but local businesses have responded and are adapting to the new normal. Manufacturers diversified their product offerings, and are ensuring that the workplace is safe. Economic development will continue, and the Government’s trade policy and new industrial parks are initiatives that investors can look forward to benefiting from. To conclude, the new normal is here, and Trinidad and Tobago’s businesses are embracing it.

MANUFACTURING AND RETAIL DISTRIBUTION

Cor. Eastern Main Rd. & Trinity Ave., Laventille, Trinidad Tel: (868) 623-1841 | Fax: (868) 623-1847 Email: corphq@angostura.com | Website: www.angostura.com

IAN FORBES Chief Operations Ofﬁcer (COO)

KATHRYNA BAPTISTE ASSEE Group General Counsel / Corporate Secretary

GINELLE LAMBIE Chief Financial Ofﬁcer (CFO)

The proud history of the House of Angostura® began in 1824, when founder Dr. Johann Siegert first produced aromatic bitters in the city of Angostura, in Venezuela. The company has been recognized over the centuries by the granting of Royal Warrants of Appointment to several royal households, including Great Britain. Angostura® aromatic bitters is an integral ingredient in premium cocktails and a mainstay of cocktail culture. The House of Angostura® has 196 years of experience in developing a portfolio of brands; blending and producing some of the best premium rums in the world and is world-renowned for its bitters brands. Angostura is the only rum distillery in Trinidad and Tobago and our international rum range includes distinctive, exquisitely blended rums: Angostura® 1787,

RAHIM MOHAMMED Executive Manager, Corporate Services

ALEJANDRO SANTIAGO Executive Manager, Regional Sales

Angostura® 1824, Angostura 1919®, and Angostura® 7 Year Old. The rums are blended by masters with decades of experience and training in original traditions using closely guarded formulas and techniques. The multiple award-winning Amaro di ANGOSTURA®, leverages our unsurpassed heritage as a blender of the finest bitters and rums. The Company’s Vision, “Proudly grow for the betterment of the environment and the people of Trinidad and Tobago” and our Mission, “Be a world-renowned rum company with sought after brands rooted in authenticity and craftsmanship, while accelerating the ingenuity and mystique of delivering exceptional Aromatic spirits and other beverages”, places us at the forefront of our industry.

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TIC 2020-BREAKING BOUNDARIES – THE NEW NORMAL FOR BUSINESS meeting facilities, giveaways and sales. The virtual platform allows for prescheduled B2B meetings, Webinars and an e-Marketplace, where products and services can be transacted, along with the redemption of giveaways and specials. The advantages of a virtual TIC are numerous, including saving money on travel expenses as well as physical exhibit displays and increased exposure.

The new virtual format for TIC 2020 is an interactive immersive experience, and will take the form of a virtual exhibitor hall, which is modelled after the actual walk through of a physical show. Buyers, consumers and fellow exhibitors can log in to the platform and navigate an interactive floor plan with interactive exhibitor and buyer capabilities. Buyers/Visitors will be able to click specific prompter icons which will show them different marketing features of the business in question with access to live chats,

The Trade and Investment Convention is known to be an invaluable contributor to economic stimulation and growth in the business community in Trinidad and Tobago and by extension, to other participants promoting and showcasing their products from over 40 countries throughout the region and international territories for the last two decades. This virtual format, the first of its kind in the region, is expected to reap similar benefits.

• The benefits to you as a TIC 2020 participant: • Networking with Industry leaders and entrepreneurs • Exhibiting your products and services • Meeting with unlimited buyers and consumers from local, regional and international markets • Engaging in Business to Business Meetings with potential partners and investors • Participating in Business Education Webinars From October 28th-30th, we intend to Break Boundaries with the introduction to the New Normal for Business, towards enabling growth in your respective industry in local and international markets. Visit www.tic.com/tic for more information.

MANUFACTURING AND RETAIL DISTRIBUTION

The TTMA officially welcomes all to the 21st Instalment of the Trade and Investment Convention, TIC 2020-Breaking Boundaries – The New Normal for Business. Due to the unfolding of the effects surrounding the pandemic COVID-19 locally, regionally and internationally, the need and idea for a virtual platform was conceptualized to enable businesses to trade and operate.

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THIS UNEXPECTED HEALTH CRISIS, MUSHROOMED INTO ONE OF THE BIGGEST SOCIOECONOMIC CRISES IN THE LAST DECADE, IF NOT THE CENTURY, FORCING OUR “FUTURE OF WORK” TO ARRIVE MUCH SOONER THAN ANTICIPATED.

Employers’ Consultative Association of Trinidad and Tobago

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANISATIONS

OVID-19 forced many workplaces to quickly adapt to severe unexpected challenges, fundamentally changing how we work, manage our people and deliver products and services. This “business un-usual”, may very well be the “future of work”. Prior to January 2020, the professional world was rife with discussions about the “future of work”. It was said that a new revolution was upon us, referred to by the World Economic Forum as the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). The 4IR, defined by the convergence of biology and the physical world with the digital world, was expected to disrupt our way of life and fundamentally shift how we produce, consume and relate, much like revolutions of the past. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be just as disruptive, if not more so. This unexpected health crisis, whose body count is approximately 3.5% of total infections, also mushroomed into one of the biggest socioeconomic crises in the last decade, if not the century, forcing our “future of work” to arrive much sooner than anticipated.

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PRE-COVID-19 CHALLENGES Certainly, the sector has had to contend with numerous challenges prior to COVID-19, some of which have been amplified due to the impact of the pandemic while others have become almost inconsequential as businesses had to contend with survival and recovery. • Emerging Issues In January 2020, the Employers’ Consultative Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ECA) opened the year with a symposium on the implications of the decriminalisation of marijuana for the workplace as a number of organisations signalled concern about the amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Act. While many believed that the use of marijuana in the workplace would be the major issue for employers in 2020, this topic was quickly overshadowed by the virus outbreak turned pandemic. • Ease of Doing Business With a 2020 rank of 105 out of 190 countries, the ease of doing business in T&T has been a longstanding issue. While the situation is exponentially more direr now,

many fundamental issues have only been exacerbated as a direct result of COVID-19, especially in respect of small businesses. Access to finance is a major issue in this regard and were it not for the eventual direct intervention of the Government, many small businesses would be languishing in the aftermath of necessary restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the virus. Even before COVID-19, countless administrative barriers and legislative hurdles continued to affect the ease of doing business, which still requires urgent and decisive action. • Labour Legislation Modernisation of labour legislation is of paramount importance to any country hoping to succeed at sustainable development. However, a major area of concern for many employers and businesses continue to be what is being perceived as a lack of urgency in moving the legislative agenda forward, despite commendable efforts at stakeholder consultation forums. This continued deficiency, coupled with our challenging economic conditions, have resulted in

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANISATIONS

concerns being expressed by both employers and workers as they yearn to maintain the “usual” level of existence in “unusual” economic conditions. The result has been extremely challenging as employers continue to endure genuine struggles for business survivability in the face of declining revenues. In the absence of a strong business climate with fair and balanced legislative reforms and tangible incentives for business stimulation, employers may, and have begun out of necessity, to reduce their risks and costs. • Other Issues Other pre-COVID-19 issues are still prevalent and problematic, some of which may be linked to the state of the socioeconomic landscape. These include crime, our ageing workforce, the skills gap and the need to redesign our education system. Some useful insight can be derived from a 2018 survey of the World Economic Forum, which outlined some of the skills that are likely to emerge and others that are becoming redundant.

EMBRACING THE UNUSUAL According to a recent employer survey conducted by the ECA, COVID-19 has significantly affected the lives of individuals and the operations of businesses. During the period of lockdown, only 19% of

TOP 10 SKILLS TODAY

businesses were able to continue fully operating on site, while 68% were able to continue some form of operation partially on site or remotely and 17% would have stopped operating completely. An encouraging 73% of respondents indicated that they did not dismiss, nor did they plan to dismiss workers due to the impact of COVID-19. However, as restrictive measures continue in some sectors, it can be expected that this situation will change. In terms of the financial impact of COVID-19 on revenue or sales, 56% of enterprises reported high impact and 26% of enterprises reported medium impact. Financial impact was particularly high among small businesses and large enterprises in retails/sales, real estate, and the food and beverage sectors. The survey also revealed some telling data on the resilience of the business sector, with 91% of enterprises indicating a change in their business operations or service delivery to protect their enterprise and workers against COVID-19, and embrace the new normal. This new normal is now characterised by reduced physical face-to-face interactions, a heightened sense of safety and personal hygiene, the adoption of new technologies, remote work capabilities and leaner organisational structures.

TRENDING SKILLS

In all of this, we must consider the psychological impact of the continuing difficult realities of many individuals and ensure that even as organisational restructuring is taking place, emphasis is also placed on support for impacted workers, through access to social support, employee assistance programmes (EAP) and mental health awareness initiatives. Our reality is one where challenges abound, but where businesses, including those in professional services, are required to adapt and overcome in order to survive… and overcome we shall. Who knows? We may even see the continued emergence of new and innovative services, driven by current challenges and even designed to be “pandemic proof” in the new normal!

REDUNTANT SKILLS

■ Analytical thinking and innovation

■ Manual dexterity, endurance and precision

■ Complex problem-solving

■ Active learning and learning strategies

■ Memory, verbal, auditory and spatial abilities

■ Critical thinking and analysis

■ Creativity, originality and initiative

■ Management of financial, material resources

■ Active learning and learning strategies

■ Technology design and programming

■ Technology installation and maintenance

■ Creativity, originality and initiative

■ Critical thinking and analysis

■ Reading, writing, math and active listening

■ Attention to detail, trustworthiness ■ Emotional intelligence ■ Reasoning, problem-solving and ideation

■ Complex problem-solving ■ Leadership and social influence ■ Emotional intelligence

■ Leadership and social influence

■ Reasoning, problem-solving and ideation

■ Co-ordination and time management

■ Systems analysis and evaluation

Source: Future of Jobs Survey, 2018, World Economic Forum

■ Management of personnel ■ Quality control and safety awareness ■ Co-ordination and time management ■ Visual, auditory and speech abilities ■ Technology use, monitoring and control

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DIRECTORS

Our Team Dr. Steve J. Rajpatty

Ph.D., M.Sc., MBA,FRICS,FCIOB,FAPM, FQSi,ACIArb,MISTT

MANAGING PRINCIPAL

Lenore Sooknarine Real Estate Consultant

Dr. Ritesh S. Rajpatty

MSc MSc MB BCh BAO Medical Doctor, Healthcare Management Consultant

Dr. Jaishri S. Rajpatty MB BCh BAO LRCPI & SI Medical Doctor, Healthcare Consultant

PROJECT EXECUTION TEAM

EXECCUTIVE MANAGEMENT

Chartered Quantity Surveyor, Chartered Construction Manager, Property Appraiser, Certified Project Manager Dr. Steve J Rajpatty is an experienced Chartered Quantity Surveyor and Contracts Administrator with over 20 years of practice in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management & Management Principles & Practices. As the Founder and Managing Principal of APCL, Dr. Rajpatty strives for excellence in project implementation from design conception to project execution.

Mikhail O. Ramnarine Davindra Ramessar

Nalini Balwant

Dr. Myron W. Chin

Aditi Rajpatty

Reisa Dookeeram

Shanta Ramnarine

Jared Gouveia

Anthony Basdeo

Nicole Daniel

Diana Tiron

Enrique Mata

Satesh Maharaj

Alvin C Daniell

Marlene Agge

MSc, BSc, R. Eng., MAPETT Chief Operating Officer

MSc, BSc Lead Project Manager

MArch OAA RAIC Senior Architect & Head of the Design Team

MCMI ACIArb CHBA Chief Financial Manager

MSc, BSc Senior Project Controls Manager

BSc Architecture Senior Architect

Anthony Montrichard HSE Officer

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BSc., LLB Attorney At Law, Legal Officer

BSc Construction Manager

B.Sc. Surveying, M.Sc Construction Engineering & Management, PMP Project Manager

B.Sc., Ph.D., C.Eng., FICE, FIStructE, FAPETT, LifeMASCE Chief Engineer

BSc Senior Project Manager

Company Secretary/ Director

BSc., A.D. Senior Quantity Surveyor

MSc, BSc, Registered APS DipSurv., MISTT, Chartered Valuation Engineer (BOETT), MAPETT Surveyor, RICS Registered Valuer Lead Design Services Engineer Lead Valuation Surveyor

Shanta N. Boodoo Office Administrator

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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANISATIONS

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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANISATIONS

THE SUPERMARKET ASSOCIATION OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO (SATT) Corner Connector Road and Chaguanas Main Raod, Chaguanas. Tel: (868) 689-2037 or (868) 762-9702 Email: info@satthq.com; satt.president@gmail.com Website: www.satthq.com; Facebook: fb.me/supermarketassociationTT The Supermarket Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SATT) is a non-profit organization that represents the interests of the largest crosssection of retailers including supermarket chains, independent supermarkets and retail food outlets nationwide. We facilitate collaborative efforts for the sector through advocacy and vibrant representation aimed at strengthening trade for our stakeholders and improving the value that these stakeholders offer to consumers nationally. Rajiv Diptee President

Our objectives are: • To offer support that empowers our stakeholders to improve their efficiencies and productivity and to offer guidance in areas such as compliance, standards and regulatory requirements. We also offer insights into international trends and changes in market conditions globally. • To provide training opportunities for our members to ensure that they have knowledge of and access to the latest technologies and systems to maintain competitiveness in a landscape of dynamic trends and innovation.

Ms Joann Legall Vice President

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• To ensure that the public receives the most affordable pricing in retail outlets that meet the highest standards of health and safety.

Sandra Welch-Farrell & Company Nasha Khan

Mary Esdelle

Chief Executive Officer

ith over a quarter-century of experience and hundreds of satisfied clients, SWF&Co. is the leading public relations company in the Caribbean. OUR TEAM

The company, which is a Preferred Agency of the global Porter Novelli public relations network, celebrated its 25th Anniversary in July 2017. The dedicated and talented team of SWF&Co. makes us the most effective Public Relations Company in the region. Clients come to us for our sound strategy, compelling creativity, and measurable results. OUR SERVICES

Our agency provides a range of public relations services, from helping companies

Alixander Paz

Melissa Farfan

Project Management Team

set up businesses, to publicity campaigns, to crisis management. Our unparalleled knowledge and understanding of the Caribbean marketplace and the political landscape ensure that new businesses are established smoothly and quickly. Our network within the media and social landscape guarantee that company messages reach a wide or targeted audience effectively. When it comes to crises, SWF&Co has assisted local and international corporations to navigate all types of PR challenges, ensuring that brands and reputations remain intact. Our tried and tested strategies enable organizations to retain credibility, restore confidence, and safeguard their prospects.

WHERE WE ARE

SWF&Co. provides a full range of Public Relations Services in Antigua, the Bahamas, Barbados, Curacao, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Croix, St. Lucia and St. Thomas. WHO WE HELP

Our client list includes some of the major multinational corporations, one of the world’s largest airlines, international agencies and blue chip companies within the energy, transportation, communications, and financial services sectors. Sandra Welch-Farrell & Company 11A Gray Street, St. Clair, Trinidad & Tobago W.I. Tel: (868)622-0046 Mob: (868)374-5438 Email: swfco.pr@gmail.com Find us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/SWFCo. www.swfandco.com

THE WORST OF TIMES, THE BEST OF US T

he COVID-19 pandemic is bringing out the best of us and the best in us.

At first blush, this assertion might seem utterly divorced from reality. After all, aren’t we treated every week to media reports about people not social distancing, not wearing masks, and otherwise behaving in irresponsible and even reckless ways? But media by its very nature highlights what is not the norm. There is no reason to report on the vast majority of individuals who, in the midst of the ongoing pandemic, are ensuring that their loved ones are safe and protected. There is little reason to report how both individuals and companies are adapting to the so-called “new normal” while trying to ensure that their lives and the lives of their employees remain as normal as possible. My biggest executive challenge has been keeping SWF&CO afloat, while at the same time helping our team feel supported and engaged. In so doing, it has become clear that we – by which I mean everyone on the planet – are going to need

new ideas, new institutions, and blueprints to navigate this storm. But this is exactly why I am encouraged. Already, we have begun to see a period of massive innovation like no other time in humankind’s modern history. Changes that normally take years, if not decades, have been instituted within weeks. In developed countries, we have seen deregulation of business strictures which has facilitated economic activity even during lockdowns. The shift to online services has accelerated to unprecedented levels, cutting long-term costs for companies and improving customer service. If I have a caveat, it is only that Trinidad and Tobago has not yet got on board with these necessary transformations to the extent demanded in this new era. The fact is, T&T should be planning for three years of tough economic times – at least. This is nothing we haven’t faced before, albeit in a different context, thanks to the boom-and-bust nature of our economy. But we need to make difficult decisions earlier rather than later, while keeping our focus on our desired outcomes.

We have to narrow the band of inequalities in T&T, especially as it affects the poor and disadvantaged (and I know that many individuals and companies have already been doing exactly this). We have got to have insight and galvanize our teams to power through the coronavirus constraints. I have been amazed at the resilience and creativity which have come to the fore over the past few months. This pandemic, defined by social distancing and mask-wearing, could in a very real sense destroy souls: that sense of togetherness and camaraderie that defines human existence. And this is exactly why the optimists and the implementers are even more important in this new world. We are undergoing a national and global metamorphosis. Fear and uncertainty will define the transition but, once we remain steadfast, I believe we will emerge stronger and better prepared for the challenges of a new world economy. Written by: Sandra Welch-Farrell – CEO, SWF&Co.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANISATIONS

Sandra Welch-Farrell

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THE ENACTMENT OF THE REAL ESTATES AGENTS ACT NO. 12 OF 2020 IS EXPECTED TO SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT THE REAL ESTATE AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT SECTOR.

KEITH SPENCER

REAL ESTATE, PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT AND FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

rior to the onset of COVID-19, real estate activities contributed 1.9 % to GDP (TT$3.037Bn) in 2019 (Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago Economic Bulletin January 2020 Vol XXII No. 1). The uptick in real estate activities was buoyed by a 1.5% growth in real estate mortgage lending, fuelled largely by lower interest rates. Growth in mortgage transactions was evident in all three areas of the residential lending market. In 2020, the outlook for residential mortgages does not seem to be encouraging due to the global impact of the COVID-19 contagion. In the opinion of some real estate professionals, a significant fall-off in the demand for mortgages is anticipated due to expected increases in the level of unemployment and contraction in business activities, which is likely to continue well into 2021. Industry practitioners have pointed to an increase in the demand for residential rentals because of the drop in the demand for residential purchases. The slowdown in the commercial property development sector experienced in 2019 is expected

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to worsen in 2020 and completions will inevitably experience delays as a result of the suspension of construction activities, disruptions in the building materials supply chain, and implementation of physical distancing and additional health and safety requirements on construction sites. Increases in commercial rental rates are expected to be curtailed, as corporate tenants exert pressure on landlords for reductions in rent. Occupancy levels are expected to decrease as businesses fold or scale back operations. The increase in the frequency in working from home is also expected to contribute to the reduction in the demand for corporate office accommodation. The enactment of the Real Estates Agents Act No. 12 of 2020 is expected to significantly impact the real estate and property development sector. The Act provides for the registration and regulation of real estate agents in order to promote transparency, accountability, and integrity in the real estate profession. The legislation aims to protect and assist persons engaged in transactions with real estate agents and to assist in

REGULATED PERSONS

REGULATED SERVICES

Auctioneers and Negotiators

Sale, Exchange, Purchase, Lease, Licensing of Real Property

Individuals Advertising Sale, Exchange, as Auctioneers Purchase, Lease, and Negotiators Licensing of Real Property Consultants or Agents

Property Management Services

Individuals Facilitating Transactions by Bringing Parties to the Table

Vendors, Lessors, Lessees, Landlords, Tenants of Real Property

Property Developers

Erecting for Sale Buildings, Structures, Infrastructure, or Subdivision of Large Parcels of Land into Smaller Lots for Sale

Individuals Directing or Assisting in Negotiations or Closing Transactions

Sale, Exchange, Purchase, Lease, Licensing of Real Property

REAL ESTATE, PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT AND FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

the detection and prevention of money laundering, the financing of terrorism, and other related matters. The Act covers a wide range of persons and activities involved in real estate transactions. Developers will also be required to register in the Register of Developers prior to undertaking projects. The Act will come into force on a date to be fixed by presidential proclamation, and upon commencement, practising sales associates will have a grace period of 12 months within which to submit applications for registration to the Registrar General. Real estate brokers, on the other hand, have a grace period of up to 18 months to become registered or to secure a licence to practise.

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT TIPS FOR NAVIGATING COVID-19 Facilities managers, as custodians of their organisation’s facilities, will need to make their facilities ready for reoccupation within the limits set by physical distancing guidelines and assist their organisations to adjust to a new set of operating norms. Implementing change programmes to minimise the spread of COVID-19 requires professional leadership and represents a great opportunity for facilities managers to demonstrate the added value they offer in bringing together the place, people and processes into a workplace strategy which can enable organisations and individuals to remain productive. The following tips for responding to COVID-19 have been adapted from the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM). Determine How Many Employees Can Return to Work Facilities managers should conduct risk assessments to determine the workspace capacity for people returning and how best to keep people safe. This risk assessment should be done in consultation with workers and their trade unions, and should identify the mitigation measures required. Physical distancing requirements will likely mean that the number

who can return to the workplace is dramatically reduced. Therefore, to determine what the operational space is, the facilities manager will have to consider not just the volume of space, but also factors such as access points and lifts, optimising flows, and minimising bottlenecks. Determine the Workplace Strategy – Who Needs to Be There and What This Means for the Space Once it is determined how many people the facility can accommodate, the organisation needs to consider who needs to be physically in the workplace and who does not. This will help to prioritise and organise the space into a functional environment so that it can accommodate the right activities. Remote workers will need to be supported to create workspaces at home that are conducive to productive working, including supporting them with the right hardware and IT solutions, as well as navigating a new working dynamic, including breaks and concentration techniques. Undertake Essential Engagement and Communications with Employees Employee engagement is a fundamental part of any workplace strategy, including two-way communication and transparency about the implementation of practical measures, such as cleaning and distancing regimes, which will be top of mind for people returning to the office. Along with employee engagement, open and transparent communications about what the organisation is doing will be important in maintaining trust in the organisation – internally and externally. Lead the Response to the New Workplace Strategy Analysis of space utilisation and general building use should inform the post-COVID-19 occupancy footprint and other approaches, including cleaning protocols, as the biggest concerns for people around returning to the workplace are maintaining physical distancing and hygiene.

EMPLOYERS HAVE A LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY TO DO EVERYTHING REASONABLY PRACTICABLE TO MINIMISE HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS TO THEIR WORKERS

Measures such as placing sufficient sanitisation stations throughout the workplace, clear displays of health and safety information, and regular communication on measures being taken throughout the building. Be Flexible and Lead the Ongoing Change Programme for the Next Phase and Beyond The initial return to work is only the first phase in a long transition to a ‘new normal’. It is therefore important for facilities managers to remain flexible in their planning so that they can adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. Facilities managers should ensure solid business continuity and pandemic response plans remain up to date in the event of a surge or a second wave of transmission.

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RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE / SALES AND RENTALS OfямБce: +1 (868) 729-9278 Mobile: +1 (868) 497-4863 Email: wendy@1on1realtors.com admin@1on1realtors.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/1on1realtors

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REAL ESTATE, PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT AND FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

TRUE ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION CAN TAKE PLACE THROUGH TRANSFORMING THE MARITIME INDUSTRY BY FOCUSING ON KEY EXPANSION AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

Shipping Association of Trinidad and Tobago

TRAVEL, PORTS, SHIPPING AND COURIER SERVICES

he COVID-19 pandemic has presented an opportunity to reflect on the significant implications that the region is facing, and those issues we will need to manage innovatively and decisively to mitigate to secure the future of regional shipping. The effect of the pandemic on global shipping is echoed to varying degrees in the Caribbean. However, given our position in the supply and demand of global trade and services, there is tremendous opportunity for professionals in all spheres of the region’s maritime sector to assess the impact of COVID-19 on our shipping industry, and to work to influence a strategic agenda and environment of recovery and sustainability. In Trinidad and Tobago, since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the imposition of restrictions placed on the movement of nonessential players in business and consumer services, the shipping community has seen a significant reduction in the inefficiencies (and associated costs) related to vessel and cargo clearance operations at the nation’s ports. With the (forced) restrictions bought on by the need for physical

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distancing and the like, hitherto long-advocated-for automated clearances could suddenly be facilitated, more than doubling the efficiency associated with moving goods through the supply chain; from pre-clearance to delivery to the consignee. The benefits derived from going automated in a period of scaled-down clearances - due to reduced volumes being cleared, can only be multiplied from achieving full automation - moreover digitalisation, in a fully operational state. The crisis response has demonstrated that it is through sheer will, and deliberate willingness to relinquish long-held and outdated practices which add no value and merely render our trading across borders and shipping services highly uncompetitive, that we will be able to achieve a more efficient, and therefore, effective trade-facilitating and enabling environment.

recommendations for economic recovery, resilience and sustainability – even in the face of a persistent pandemic – from policy through to operation, which can serve to significantly elevate our performance as a trading nation. This includes but is not limited to: • Accelerated integration of all regulatory agencies across a single platform (TTBizLink, the nation’s Single Electronic Window), with the maximum adoption of digital technology; including capabilities for electronic signature and electronic payment; • Full deployment of container scanning with the simultaneous scaling down of the Container Examination Centre (CES); and

A NEW SENSE OF URGENCY – NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL

• The accelerated introduction of the Revenue Authority, whose structure is expected to (and must) strengthen governance and oversight – and therefore accountability – over the Customs reform agenda in respect of our trade facilitation obligations on the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.

The Shipping Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SATT) has put forward a series of

Scaling up the entire trading environment from policy to regulation

TRAVEL, PORTS, SHIPPING AND COURIER SERVICES

through to operations, could provide a much-needed boost to our overall economic well-being, particularly as we continue to experience a change in our economic fortunes. With the momentum and sense of urgency brought on by the pandemic, the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT) has the opportunity to finally make good on the promise to diversify the economy, away from oil and gas. The fragility of commodity prices; which is expected to be sustained for some time, makes it all the more critical to adopt urgent and aggressive diversification strategies.

A CALL FOR GREATER GORTT BUSINESS FACILITATION FOR VIABLE AND IMPACTFUL MARITIME INDUSTRY PROJECTS True economic diversification can take place through transforming the maritime industry by focusing on key expansion and investment opportunities. Opportunities exist for expansion of business/ investment in the areas of bunkering, ship-to-ship (STS) operations or transshipment, repurposing the abandoned Petrotrin fuel tanks, and the Sullivan Island Project. The Sullivan Island Project, in particular, will address most if not all of the needs for the establishment of an Inbound and Outbound Port and Logistics Hub.

EXPRESS COURIER SERVICES Passenger freighters account for a significant volume of air cargo capacity; in the form of belly capacity. Consequently, imposed travel restrictions and border closures would have caused significant capacity in the Express Courier Service segment to be withdrawn. Locally, there are two major air freighters; both have reduced their weekly carrying capacity by onethird since COVID-19 restrictions, which is consistent with figures reported by the International Air Cargo Association that suggests that globally, a 26%-35% decline in capacity has been registered as of mid-May, compared with the same period in 2019. Operating as an essential service alleviated some logistical challenges. Nevertheless, the lockdown and social distancing created its own challenges for deliveries, and as such, some courier companies suspended deliveries and implemented pick-up points. The drivers of consumer spending are for the time being down pressed, and recovery is expected to be slow. Online shopping and retail delivery will expand and play a part of the new normal, but things will only look up for those who are able to weather the initial storm.

SCALING UP THE ENTIRE TRADING ENVIRONMENT FROM POLICY TO REGULATION THROUGH TO OPERATIONS, COULD PROVIDE A MUCH-NEEDED BOOST TO OUR OVERALL ECONOMIC WELL-BEING

What these projects require from the GORTT is not capital, but rather they require a focused facilitating orientation, where the GORTTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role would be to ensure the necessary checks and balances are carried out expeditiously and cost-effectively, and in a manner which redounds to the benefit of the country while rewarding the risk-taking investors. Industry self-regulation can also be a valuable tool for accelerated capacity building. Uniform standards and practices are a central feature of all technological and other advancements and this will provide stakeholders with the platform to develop, adopt, and achieve the required standards and practices. Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago Photo: Stephen Broadbridge

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TRAVEL, PORTS, SHIPPING AND COURIER SERVICES

Caribbean Discovery Tours Limited 9B Fondes Amandes Rd., St. Anns, P.O.S. Trinidad Mobile: (868) 620-1989 Email: caribbeandiscoverytours@yahoo.com Website: www.caribbeandiscoverytours.com

Caribbean Discovery Tours, a pioneer of eco-tourism in Trinidad and Tobago, offers expertly guided kayaking, hiking, camping and scuba adventures, and services for academics and film-makers.

Stephen Broadbridge Managing Director

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On his travels, Stephen Broadbridge, Managing Director, has photographed wildlife, birds, wetlands, forests and urban landscapes, and his images have been widely published. Caribbean Discovery Tours co-produced the film Wild T&T, documenting the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flora and fauna, which won a Green Leaf Award in 2005. Stephen has held positions on several private and state boards including the EMBD as deputy chairman, Creative TT, Papa Bois Conservation, and was a director on state owned company TT Free Zone Company and is currently the vice president of the T&T Incoming Tour Operators Association.

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FAST FACTS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO HONORARY CONSULS ACCREDITED TO THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

INFORMATIONAL LISTS AND INDICES

EMBASSIES AND DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS THE GOVERNMENT OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO INDEX BY SURNAME INDEX BY COMPANY

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SPECIAL FEATURE

KIERAN ANDREW KHAN

CARPHA ANCHORS THE CARIBBEAN’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19

he Caribbean’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been a robust one and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) continues to play an integral role. The Agency leads the regional public health response to COVID-19, in keeping with its Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) mandate from CARICOM and recommendations from the COHSODHealth Working Group on regional coordination for response management. Established as the single regional public health agency for the Caribbean in 2011, created by integrating the roles of five regional health entities – namely, The Caribbean Environmental Health Institute (CEHI), The Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC), The Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI), The Caribbean Health Research Council (CHRC) and The Caribbean Regional Drug Testing Laboratory (CRDTL). Its primary roles were to present a united front to new and emerging public health threats, tackle the rising rates of non-communicable diseases in alignment with plans and policies of other global health institutions. Today, it faces a global pandemic that demands global and regional co-operation and co-ordination in order for the region to survive and recover. CARPHA is managing the response to COVID-19 as a health security issue working closely with CMS and Caribbean, CARICOM, regional and international

co-ordinating partners to prepare for and respond to the threat and to prevent further transmission of cases. In this regard, its multifaceted comprehensive response include: regional co-ordination with Heads of Government, agencies, sectors (tourism, health, security, education) and other stakeholders, production of regional guidelines for CARICOM, including health sector response, safer reopening of borders, repatriation, economic recovery and resuming travel; laboratory testing situation reports; technical guidelines (on response, testing, sector-specific opening measures), provision of essential supplies to CMS; resource mobilisation; research and risk communications In particular, the CARPHA Medical Microbiology Laboratory (CMML), as the regional reference laboratory, has been successfully delivering results for COVID-19 samples in under 48 hours for its Member States. As of August 2020, the CMML tested more than 13,000 samples for 18 of its 26 Member States. “CARPHA continues to adhere to good laboratory practices that produce accurate results. Our testing strategies and cadre of well-trained staff work to ensure that there is no backlog for tests or pending results. We know that timely reporting of laboratory results is important as it can make a difference to Member States,” said Dr. Gabriel M. Gonzalez-Escobar, Head of Laboratory Services and Networks at CARPHA. This ability to test and discern

results has been a key part of managing this century’s most urgent health crisis. To date, the number of samples with more than a 48-hour turnaround from reception at CARPHA to results delivered and pending remain at zero. To accommodate as many as 150 tests per day, CARPHA has had to work closely with the international community including the European Union (EU), World Bank (WB), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), and Agence Française de Développement (AFD). The Agency has a long-standing partnership with the Regional Security System (RSS), having collaborated to respond to public health emergencies such as hurricanes. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the RSS has worked with CARPHA to transport samples for suspected COVID-19 cases from Member States. In response to the severe impact on tourism, CARPHA’s tourism and health programme formed a novel COVID-19 Tourism Task Force with the regional tourism agencies – the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Commission (OECSC) and the Global Tourism Resiliency and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) – for a harmonised approach to the COVID-19 response in the tourism sector. A suite of proactive COVID-19 health measures was developed (inclusive of monitoring and response, standards, prevention measures, training, certification and recognition) to build travellers’ assurance, ensure tourism recovery and resilience and regional health security. Accommodation and other facilities using the proactive measures would display the Caribbean travellers’ health stamp for healthier safer tourism.

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CARPHA has developed safe reopening guidelines for sectors such as health, tourism, education, manufacturing and construction; faith-based organisations, restaurant and bars, visitors to prisons, domestic workers, sex workers to assist the region in managing and controlling the spread of COVID-19. CARPHA received key medical supplies on July 15th from the People’s Republic of China, on behalf of CARICOM. “I am elated to accept these medical supplies – 15,000 swab test kits and 30,000 medical face masks on behalf of the Member States,” Dr. Joy St John, CARPHA Executive Director responded. In July 2020, the agency through its Caribbean Regulatory System (CRS), which is a joint venture with the PAHO, issued the first-ever recommendation for a diagnostic test kit for COVID-19 to enter the CARICOM space. The kit is authorised for use on respiratory samples collected from individuals who are suspected of COVID-19 and is the same product granted emergency

authorisation by the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) and meets the standard ISO 13485 for medical devices. CARPHA Member States benefited from a considerable grant from the European Union (EU) which will be used to support a direct response to the outbreak of COVID-19 in the Caribbean including the purchase of PPEs, test kits, reagents/ consumables, as well as vaccines and other treatment when they become available. In the case of the World Bank, significant resources were earmarked for essential laboratory equipment as well as test kits, reagents/consumables to assist in the COVID-19 fight. Funds were also allocated by the World Bank in support of the risk-communications function of the Agency. Substantial funding was also received from the CDC, PAHO and the AFD for funding to the CMML for additional laboratory equipment, test kits, reagents/consumables, and personal protective equipment (PPE), in addition to supporting the Regional Coordinating Mechanism on Health Security.

The organisation also received a grant in June 2020 from the IDB to promote regional health security through the co-ordination of the regional health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Made available through the IDB Japan Special Fund, the grant is intended to strengthen the region’s resilience in the midst of a global pandemic. “The beneficiary countries will gain from CARPHA’s collective public health epidemiology and disease surveillance and prevention knowledge, convening capacity and project management expertise in coordinating their individual responses to the COVID-19 virus,” said Dr. St John. While the Caribbean continues to manage infection rates and control the spread of COVID-19, vigilance and co-operation among public and private enterprise and between CARICOM States remains our best chance of emerging from this pandemic with lives and livelihoods intact. More information about CARPHA and its response to COVID-19 can be found at www.carpha.org.

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:

1,359,193 (CSO: 2018 Mid-year population estimate)

ELECTRICITY:

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

TELEPHONE:

1 (868) + seven-digit local

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GEOGRAPHY AND LOCATION

TIME ZONE

Tucked below the hurricane belt, the country is located in a safe haven. It is bordered by the

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).

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. Trinidad has three mountain ranges — the Northern Range, the Central Range and the Southern Range. The highest point, El Cerro del Aripo, is 940 m (3,084 ft) above sea level. 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

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 year-round, about 30/32 °C (86/90 °F) during the day and somewhat cooler at night.

PEOPLE AND SOCIETY Ethnic Groups (2011 census) East Indian: 35.4% African: 34.2% Mixed: 15.1% Dougla (mixed African and Indian): 7.7% Other: 1.4% Life Expectancy: Male: 68.2 (2018 census) Female: 75.6 (2018 census) https://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/trinidadtobago-life-expectancy Population Growth Rate: 0.3 (2016) Birth Rate: 12.8/1,000 (2016) Total Median Age: 32.6 (2011 census)

FAST FACTS CONTINUED CULTURE The festivals, music, customs, cuisine, religions and races of Trinidad and Tobago reflect a rich and unique cultural diversity. The nation has a passionate and colourful history spanning five centuries. Festivals and religious and cultural observances include Divali (the Hindu festival of lights), Eid-ul-Fitr (Muslim festival marking the end of the fast of Ramadan), Emancipation Day (which commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people of African descent), Indian Arrival Day (which commemorates the arrival of the first Indian Indentured labourers from India to Trinidad) and Corpus Christi (Catholic festival in honour of the Eucharist). Trinidad Carnival is a world-famous event that brings together artists, musicians, masqueraders and revellers for a month-long celebration that culminates in a two-day parade. http://www.culture.gov.tt/

TELECOMMUNICATIONS State-owned Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) has traditionally been the major provider of landline and mobile telephone services. Providers of such services are now prevalent on both islands, and cable television and internet services are readily available. The more prominent agencies are Digicel (Trinidad and Tobago) Limited (Digicel) and Columbus Communications Trinidad Limited (Flow). Digicel provides fixed line and domestic wireless services while Flow offers cable television, internet and landline telephone services. With broad coverage throughout the islands, mobile phones are an easy and available option. Wireless internet services are commonplace at hotels, restaurants and many other establishments. International Access Code: 1 Country Code: 868 1. Fixed Internet Subscriptions 339,300 awaiting update* 2. Mobile Internet Subscriptions 641,400 awaiting update* 3. Mobile Voice Subscriptions 2,113,000 4. Penetration for Fixed Internet Subscriptions from Q1 2019 to Q1 2020 – 24. 4 5. Mobile Internet Penetration per 100 Inhabitants/ Penetration for Mobile Internet Subscriptions from Q1 2019 to Q1 2020 - 54.1 *Data estimates http://tatt.org.tt/

MEDIA

Gem Radio 5 Limited (Red 96.7, i95.5, the Word 107.1, Hott 93.5, Taj 92.3) Power 102, Boom Champions 94.1, Isaac 98.1, Street 91.9, Radio Jaagriti 102.7, Wack 90.1, Love 91.5 (Tobago), Radio Toco 106.7, 103.1, Radio Tambrin 92.7 (Tobago), 104.7, and Heritage 101.7.

GOVERNMENT Trinidad and Tobago’s government is a parliamentary democracy. 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 term. Executive power, however, is vested in the Prime Minister and Government, following elections every five years. General elections will become due in 2020. The local government body in Tobago is the Tobago House of Assembly and its seat is in the capital city, Scarborough. Parliament: Westminster system Tobago: Tobago House of Assembly Local Government Body Head of State: Non-Executive President http://www.ttconnect.gov.tt/gortt/portal/ ttconnect https://www.otp.tt http://www.opm.gov.tt/ http://www.tha.gov.tt/ https://www.ebctt.com

LEGAL SYSTEM The legal system is based on common law and statutes. The judicial system comprises magistrates’ courts and the Supreme Court, which is made up of the High Court and the Court of Appeal. There is a separate Industrial Court that deals with most labour matters. The Judicial and Legal Service Commission appoints judges of the Supreme Court. The Attorney General is responsible for the administration of the legal and judicial system. Final appeal from Trinidad and Tobago courts is to the Privy Council in England, but consideration is being given to replacing the Privy Council with the Caribbean Court of Justice, which was inaugurated in April 2005 and headquartered in Port of Spain. http://www.ttconnect.gov.tt/gortt/portal/ ttconnect https://www.otp.tt http://www.opm.gov.tt/ http://www.tha.gov.tt/ https://www.ebctt.com

Daily Newspapers: Trinidad Express, Trinidad Guardian and Newsday. Monday – Friday: Newsday Tobago Weekly Newspapers: Catholic News, Bomb, Trinidad and Tobago Sunshine and Tobago Today. Television Stations: CNC (Channel 3), CCN TV6 (Channels 5 and 18), Gayelle Television (Channel 7), IBN (Channel 8), CTV (Channel 6), IETV (Channel 1 and 16), Parliament (Channel 11), Synergy (Channel 15), TTT (Channel 11), Tobago Channel 5 (Tobago only). Top News and Media Websites • TrinidadExpress.com • Guardian.co.tt • Newsday.co.tt • TrinidadandTobagoNews.com • Power102fm.com • TriniView.com • Cnc3.co.tt FM Radio Stations TBC Network (95.1, Vibe CT 105, Sangeet 106.1, Aakash Vani 106.5, Slam 100.5, Sky 99.5) CL Communications (90.5, 104.1, 97.1) Caribbean New Media Group (Talk City 91.1, Next 99.1, Sweet 100.1) T&T Radio Network (Star 94.7, 96.1, 107.7)

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$6.79: US$1 (August 2020)

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/

ECONOMIC DATA GDP 2018 Current Prices (TT$ Million) = 161,200.20 Labour Force 2017 = 633,700 Unemployment Rate 2017 = 4.8% Inflation Rate as at March 2020 = 0.4% Major Exports: Natural gas and oil, ammonia, alcohol, fertilisers, iron and steel. Major Trading Partners: US, CARICOM, Spain, Mexico, France, UK, China, Venezuela, Japan, Nigeria, The Netherlands, Dominican Republic Before COVID-19, Trinidad and Tobago recorded an improvement in activity in the fourth quarter of 2019, led by the non-energy sector. Inflation remained contained and the country’s gross official reserves and import cover were trending above international benchmarks. The country’s Heritage and Stabilisation Fund (HSF) stood as a buffer during challenging economic times. In December 2019, the Central Bank announced the introduction of a new polymer $100 bill and the subsequent demonetisation of the paper $100 note. New polymer notes for the $50, $20, $10, $5 and $1 bills are to be released in the latter half of 2020. Fallouts from the pandemic have been harsh, severely impacting Caribbean growth prospects. Governmental measures to limit the spread of the virus, such as stay-at-home orders, travel restrictions and social distancing, have led to a scaling back of business and economic activities, widespread job losses, and disruptions to global supply chains and commodity and financial markets. Domestically, it is estimated that the energy sector underperformed in 2019, with spillovers on non-energy sector activity. However, the financial sector continued to grow driven by an expansion in the deposit base, which facilitated growth in consumer credit and real estate mortgages. Given the significant adverse impact on public revenues and expenditures, the fiscal deficit is projected to increase to $15.5 billion at the end of FY2019/20 from the initially forecast $5.3 billion. To help meet the shortfall, the Government will access financing from international financial institutions as well as draw down from the HSF. The fiscal measures adopted by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago were complemented by strong monetary policy action by the Central Bank. The domestic financial system as a whole is healthy, but uncertainties related to the pandemic have heightened risks. References: Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago: Monetary Policy Report May 2020; Financial Stability Report 201; and Summary Economic Indicators https://www.central-bank.org.tt/ Central Statistical Office, Trinidad and Tobago, Global Finance, www.tradingeconomics.com.

HEALTH Trinidad and Tobago’s health system received praise internationally for its robust handling of the COVID-19 pandemic when cases first emerged in the country. The sector consists of Government-funded and private hospitals. In 2020, two additional public hospitals were opened. There are well-qualified specialists, private medical practitioners

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FAST FACTS CONTINUED and clinics scattered throughout the islands. Specialists trained in ophthalmology/ optometry, gynaecology, paediatrics, radiology, physiotherapy, cardiology, gastrology, urology and orthopaedics work both in private practice and healthcare facilities. Medical services are free at Government-funded institutions and clinics, but a fee is charged at all others. Twenty-four-hour emergency services are available at several public and private medical facilities. There is also a 24-hour Emergency Air Ambulance Service. http://www.health.gov.tt/

EDUCATION The educational system is based on the British model and produces one of the highest standards of education in the Caribbean. Primary and secondary level education at most institutions are free, but private school options are available for a fee. Post-secondary and tertiary education providers include The University of the West Indies (The UWI), the College of Science, Technology & Applied Arts of Trinidad & Tobago (COSTAATT), distance learning tertiary-level institutions, vocational/technical training schools and colleges, the technology-based University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), and the National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST).

ECO-TOURISM Trinidad and Tobago, although relatively distinct ecologically, are both blessed with rich natural environments well suited for ecotourism. Once part of the South American mainland, Trinidad’s flora and fauna have comingled, leading to a great density of plant and animal types in a relatively small location. Trinidad and Tobago has more than 97 mammal species, 400 bird species, 90 reptile species, 30 amphibian species, 600 butterfly species and over 2,100 species of flowering plants. The island’s nature reserves attract major international traffic from naturalists and nature watchers. The terrain is just as diverse, with tropical rainforests, mangrove swamps, mountainous terrain and savannahs. Birdwatching is a major attraction in Tobago as well, with Little Tobago island recognised as one of the Caribbean’s top seabird sanctuaries. Tobago is also a hub of aquatic tourism. The waters off the island are a haven for wildlife, an attraction for both divers and boat tourists. Buccoo Reef (a large coral reef and protected marine park) is a popular destination. Tobago’s Main Ridge Forest is known to be the oldest protected rainforest. http://www.tourism.gov.tt/ www.insandoutstt.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, awardwinning spots like Coco Reef and the Magdalena Grand Beach Resort in Tobago are ideal for corporate meetings and team-building retreats.

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PUBLIC UTILITIES ELECTRICITY Trinidad and Tobago has a reliable supply of electricity with rates still among the lowest in the Caribbean. The domestic and commercial supply voltage is 110/220 volts, 60 cycles. The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) is the agency responsible for the country’s electrical supply. http://www.ttec.co.tt/

WATER The Water and Sewerage Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (WASA), a State enterprise, is the sole provider of water and wastewater services in Trinidad and Tobago. http://www.wasa.gov.tt/

POST/COURIER SERVICES Regular mail, express mail and courier delivery are reliable and available from local provider TTPost at excellent rates. International courier services are efficient and readily available. http://www.ttpost.net/

TRANSPORTATION AIRPORTS Piarco International Airport is located about 45 minutes from the capital city, Port of Spain. It plays an important role as a vital hub for international air traffic in the Caribbean. There are non-stop daily scheduled flights to and from major international cities. Trinidad and Tobago’s national airline, Caribbean Airlines, serves Toronto, New York, Miami, Jamaica, Saint Maarten, Antigua, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Suriname. 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

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 New York Miami Houston Toronto

– – – – –

8.2 hours 4.5 hours 3.3 hours 5.3 hours 5.5 hours

charter flight companies. 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. http://www.tntairports.com/

ROADS Trinidad and Tobago has an extensive transportation network of paved roads. Highways link the north and south of the island (Uriah Butler Highway, Solomon Hochoy Highway), and the east and west (Churchill-Roosevelt Highway). Traffic is extremely heavy at peak hours when a high number of vehicles head into and out of the capital city and environs. Driving is on the left-hand side. http://www.mowt.gov.tt/ http://www.ptsc.co.tt/

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. There are ferries travelling the inter-island route daily. 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 interisland 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 at 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 Visitors to Trinidad and Tobago must possess valid passports and return or ongoing tickets for successful entry. Most Commonwealth countries do not require visas for entry, except Australia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Cameroon, Fiji Islands, Mozambique, Uganda and South Africa. For business travel and vacations lasting 90 days or less (within 180-day period) European Union citizens do not need visas for entry. The same applies for nationals from non- European Union Schengen countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland). Holders of CARICOM passports, with the exception of Haiti, do not require visas. Visitors from several other countries are allowed to enter Trinidad and Tobago for periods of up to three months without a visa. http://www.immigration.gov.tt/ 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

HONORARY CONSULS ACCREDITED TO THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA Mr. Karl Pilstl  Honorary Consul Blue Haven, Bacolet Bay P.O. Box 8 Scarborough, Tobago Tel: (868) 660-7500 Fax: (868) 660-7900 Email: kpilstl@yahoo.com THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS Dr. E. Monica Davis  Honorary Consul c/o Faculty of Medical Sciences The University of the West Indies Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex Building 35, Room 101 Uriah Butler Highway Champs Fleurs, Trinidad Tel: (868) 663-8986 Email: thebahamasconsulatett@gmail.com BARBADOS Dr. Roosevelt S. Rock Honorary Consul for Barbados 16 Jackson Street Curepe, Trinidad Tel: (868) 636-8696 Email: rooseveltrock@yahoo.com PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF BANGLADESH Mr. 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 Mr. Paul Jay Williams  Honorary Consul #2 Sixth Avenue Barataria, Trinidad Tel: (868) 674-1500 Ext 1181 Fax: (868) 675-9831 Email: honoraryconsulbelgium@gmail.com BELIZE Mr. Thomas Chanona  Honorary Consul Corner Warren and Smart Streets St. Augustine, Trinidad Tel: (868) 645-4062 Fax: (868) 645-4064 Email: tchanona@kee-chanona.com BOTSWANA Mr. Rubindra Debideen Honorary Consul Ultra Cool Limited 96 Wrightson Road Port of Spain, Trinidad Tel: (868) 627-7770 / 2888 Fax : (868) 625-4875 Email: boss@ultracoolgroup.com KINGDOM OF DENMARK Mr. 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 Fax : (868) 627-8191 Email: rav@ravidolsingh.com REPUBLIC OF FINLAND Mr. Troy Garcia  Honorary Consul #153 Eastern Main Road Barataria, Trinidad Tel: (868) 638-1277 Ext 240 Fax: (868) 674-2644 Email: tgarcia6@hotmail.com

GERMANY Mr. Frank Wuenstel Honorary Consul LP #97 Milford Road Tobago Tel: (868) 313-1260 Email: Frank.wuenstel@gmx.de GRENADA Mr Michael Brizan Consular Officer 127 Henry Street Port of Spain, Trinidad Tel: (868) 625-9235 Fax: (868) 624-1257 Email: grenadaconsulate@gmail.com CO-OPERATIVE REPUBLIC OF GUYANA Mr. Bishwaishwar Ramsaroop-Maraj High Commission 12 Alexandra Street, St. Clair Port of Spain, Trinidad Tel/Fax: (868) 622-2913 Email: ghctt@mission.gov.gy REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA Mr. Ian Anthony  Honorary Consul Building 5, Christina Courts 33-35 Boissiere No. 1 Maraval, Trinidad Tel/Fax: (868) 628-4818 Email: iananthony@renavatio.net STATE OF ISRAEL Mrs. Barbara Malins-Smith Tel: (868) 785-3054 Email: malinssmith@yahoo.com ITALIAN REPUBLIC Ms. Shira Serena Mohammed  Honorary Consul 8 Hillcote, Scott Street St. Augustine, Trinidad Tel: (868) 756-3939 Email: italconstt@gmail.com REPUBLIC OF LATVIA Mr. Kirby Anthony Hosang Honorary Consul 112 Saddle Road Maraval, Trinidad Tel: (868) 657-9653 Fax: (868) 653-1331 Email: hosanganthony@gmail.com LEBANESE REPUBLIC Mr. Amer G. Haidar Honorary Consul (Dean) 22 Sweet Briar Road St. Clair, Trinidad Tel: (868) 782-4700 Email: aghaidar3@gmail.com MALTA Mr. John Hadad Honorary Consul Hadco Ltd. JRJ Warehousing Compound Bhagoutie Trace San Juan, Trinidad Tel: (868) 675-7628 Ext. 1201 Email: johnh@hadcoltd.com MOROCCO Mr. 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 Mr. Donald Kelshall Honorary Consul 31 Alberto Street, Woodbrook Port of Spain, Trinidad Tel: (868) 623-3829 Fax: (868) 624-6521 Email: dkelshall@savannahcomputing.com

NIGERIA Mr Akan Essien Consular 1 c/o Nigerian High Commission in Port of Spain 3 Maxwell-Phillip Street St. Clair, Trinidad Tel: (868) 628-4847 Email: nhc.nigtt@gmail.com

REPUBLIC OF SURINAME Mr. Jerome Khan  Honorary Consul 24 Fitzgerald Lane P.O. Box 437 Port of Spain, Trinidad Tel: (868) 627-4747 / 0102 Fax: (868) 627-1936 Email: jeromekhan.slm@gmail.com

KINGDOM OF NORWAY Mr. Staurt Jardine K.F.O  Honorary Consul 101 St. Anthony’s Drive, Westmoorings P.O. Box 13, Port of Spain, Trinidad Tel: (868) 633-7687 Fax: (868) 637-6203 Email: norkonpos@gmail.com

KINGDOM OF SWEDEN Mr. David O’ Brien  Honorary Consul c/o Massy Motors, Lady Young Road Morvant, Trinidad Tel: (868) 674-4200 Ext. 1103 Fax: (868) 674-7761; 675-6523 Email: david.obrien@massygroup.com

ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN Mr. Amjad Ali  Honorary Consul General LP#16 Orange Grove Estate Tacarigua, Trinidad Tel: (868) 640-7971 Fax: (868) 640-6594 Email: amjad@adfoam.com REPUBLIC OF PERU Mr. Patrick A. Ferreira  Honorary Consul Furness Court, 1 Richmond Street Port of Spain, Trinidad Tel: (868) 627-4959 Email: patrickaidenferreira@gmail.com REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Dr. Marie Magno Advani  Honorary Consul General B41 Ridgewood Towers Four Roads, Diego Martin c/o Caribbean Partnerships Co. Ltd. Port of Spain, Trinidad Tel: (868) 633-2988 Fax: (868) 633-6946 Email: philhoncongentt@gmail.com REPUBLIC OF POLAND Mr. David Lewis  Honorary Consul Lot 25 Frederick Settlement Industrial Estate Caroni, Trinidad Tel: (868) 645-5522 Fax: (868) 663-0897 Email: davidl@labelhouse.com REPUBLIC OF PORTUGAL Mr. Ignatius S. Ferreira  Honorary Consul 11-13 Milling Avenue, Sea Lots P.O. Box 283 Port of Spain, Trinidad Tel: (868) 625-1745 / 1131 Fax: (868) 625-1243 Email: furness@furnessgroup.com SLOVAK REPUBLIC (SLOVAKIA) Mr. 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

THE SWISS CONFEDERATION Mrs. Michele Khan  Honorary Consul General 70 Dundonald Street Port of Spain, Trinidad Tel: (868) 623-7816 Fax: (868) 624-8544 Email: portspain@honrep.ch SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC Mr. Marwan Yousef  Honorary Consul 15 Queen Street Arima, Trinidad Tel: (868) 667-3927 Fax: (868) 667-7019 Email: syrianconsolatect@gmail.com KINGDOM OF THAILAND Mrs. Joan Wilson  Honorary Consul 148 Belmont Circular Road, Belmont, Trinidad Tel: (868) 621-1574 Email: thaiconsulatett@gmail.com REPUBLIC OF TURKEY Ms. Bengü Yiğitgüden Honorary Consul Ambassador 37 Regent Point Regence Drive West Westmoornings Trinidad Tel: (868) 794-2465 Fax: (868) 622-6661 Email: byigitguden@mfa.gov.tr REPUBLIC OF UGANDA Dr. Dinesh Mor  Honorary Consul 70 Pembroke Street Port of Spain, Trinidad Tel: (868) 633-2215 Email: dinesh12mor@mail.tt ORIENTAL REPUBLIC OF URUGUAY Mr. Anthony Edwards  Honorary Consul D14 Ridgewood Towers Four Roads, Diego Martin Tel: (868) 623-6786 Fax: (868) 625-9538 Email: edwardsantony62@gmail.com

SLOVENIA Mr. Om Prakash Lalla  Honorary Consul c/o K R Lalla & Co. 41 Edward Street Port of Spain, Trinidad Tel: (868) 625-5074 Fax: (868) 625-6110 Email: omlalla@krlalla.com

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EMBASSIES AND DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS APOSTOLIC NUNCIATURE His Excellency Archbishop Apostolic Fortunatus Nwachukwu Titular Archbishop of Acquaviva Apostolic Nuncio 11 Mary Street, St. Clair Tel: (868) 622-5009/6359 Fax: (868) 222-9814 Email: apnuntt@googlemail.com EMBASSY OF THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC Minister Carlos Tagle Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. 4th Floor, Tatil Building 11 Maraval Road, Port of Spain 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 Tel: (868) 822-5450 Email: ahc.portofspain@dfat.gov.au Website: https://trinidadandtobago.embassy.gov.au/ EMBASSY OF THE FEDERATIVE REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL His Excellency Jose`Antonio Gomes Paris* Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary 18 Sweet Briar Road, St. Clair 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 3–3A Sweet Briar Road, St. Clair Tel: (868) 622-6232 Fax: (868) 628-2581 Email: pspan@international.gc.ca Website: https://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/ EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHILE His Excellency Juan Aníbal Barría García Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary 4 Alexandra Street, St. Clair Tel: (868) 628-0540/4763 Fax: (868) 622-9894 Email: echilett@minrel.gob.cl EMBASSY OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA His Excellency Song Yumin Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary 76 Long Circular Road, Maraval Tel: (868) 622-1832, 628-6417 Fax: (868) 622-7613 Email: chinaemb_tt@mfa.gov.cn Website: http://tt.china-embassy.org/eng/ EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA Her Excellency Martha Cecilia Pinilla-Perdomo Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary 4th Floor, Newtown Centre 30-36 Maraval Road, Port of Spain Tel: (868) 628-5656, 222-2275 Email: Cpuertoespana@cancilleria.gov.co EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA Her Excellency Tania Diego Olite Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary 74 Elm Avenue, Bayshore Westmoorings Tel: (868) 633-3268, 632-8691 Email: cubasec.tt@gmail.com or embajada@tt.embacuba.cu

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EMBASSY OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC His Excellency José A. Serulle Ramia Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary 10B Queen’s Park West Suite 101, Port of Spain Tel: (868) 624-7930, 627-2605 Fax: (868) 623-7779 Email: embajadard-tt@outlook.es

HIGH COMMISSION FOR THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA His Excellency Arun Kumar Sahu High Commissioner 6 Victoria Avenue, Port of Spain Tel: (868) 225-4340 Fax: (868) 225-4248 Email: hcipos.hc_ss@yahoo.com Website: https://www.hcipos.gov.in/

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF EL SALVADOR Ms. Maybelyn Yamilet Escalante ten Hoopen Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. 92 Columbus Circle, Westmoorings Tel: (868) 632-3716 Tel/Fax: (868) 633-1128 Email: embajadaelsalvador.tt@gmail.com

HIGH COMMISSION FOR JAMAICA His Excellency Arthur H.W. Williams High Commissioner 2 Newbold Street, St. Clair Tel: (868) 622-4995 Fax: (868) 622-9043 Email: jamaica@jhcpos.org

DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO His Excellency Arend Biesebroek Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Level 2, Sagicor Financial Centre 16 Queen’s Park West, Port of Spain Tel: (868) 622-6628 Fax: (868) 622-6355 Email: delegation-trinidad-and-tobago-hod@ eeas.europa.eu Website: https://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 Tel: (868) 232-4808 Fax: (868) 628-2632 Email: info@ambafrance-tt.org Website: https://tt.ambafrance.org/-EnglishEMBASSY OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY Her Excellency Ute König Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary 19 St. Clair Avenue, Port of Spain Tel: (868) 628-1630/1632 Fax: (868) 628-5278 Email: info@ports.diplo.de Website: https://port-of-spain.diplo.de/tt-en/ embassy GRENADA CONSULAR AND TRADE OFFICE Grenada Trade and Economic Commissioner Michael Brizan Grenada House #127 Henry Street, Port of Spain Tel: (868) 625-9235 Fax: (868) 624-1257 Email: grenadaconsular@gmail.com EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF GUATEMALA His Excellency Mario Estuardo Torres Townson Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Apt. 701, Regents Tower Westmoorings Tel: (868) 632-7629 Email: embtrintobago@minex.gob.gt HIGH COMMISSION FOR THE COOPERATIVE REPUBLIC OF GUYANA Ms. Maharine Deborah Yaw Acting High Commissioner 12 Alexandra Street, St. Clair Tel: (868) 628-2616, 622-2913 Fax: (868) 622-5158 Email: ghctt@mission.gov.gy

EMBASSY OF JAPAN His Excellency Tatsuo Hirayama Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary 5 Hayes Street, St. Clair Tel: (868) 628-5991/5993 Fax: (868) 622-0858 Email: embassyofjapan@po.mofa.go.jp Website: https://www.tt.emb-japan.go.jp/ itprtop_en/index.html EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA His Excellency Moon-Up Sung Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary 36 Elizabeth Street, St. Clair Tel: (868) 622-9081 / 1069 Fax: (868) 628+8745 Email: trinidad@mofa.go.kr http://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 Tel: (868) 625-1210 / 1722 / 2532 Fax: (868) 625-1704 Email: por@minbuza.nl Website: https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/ your-country-and-the-netherlands/trinidad-andtobago/about-us/embassy-in-port-of-spain HIGH COMMISSION FOR THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA His Excellency Jika Ardo Hassan High Commissioner 3 Maxwell-Phillip Street, St. Clair Tel: (868) 622-4002 Fax: (868) 622-7162 Email: nhc.nigtt@gmail.com EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA Mrs. Joyra Castillo Quintero Chargé d’Affaires 7 Ground Floor, Gray Street St. Clair Tel: (868) 628-9956 / 9957 Fax: (868) 622-8992 Email: embpanamatyt@mire.gob.pa EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF PERU Walter Andres Zumaran Davila Chargé d’Affaires a.i. 4 Trinidad Crescent Federation Park, Port of Spain Tel: (868) 221-8642 / 2939 Email: missiontt@embassyofperutt.net

HIGH COMMISSION FOR THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA Her Excellency Xoliswa Nomathamsanqa Ngwevela High Commissioner 4 Scott Street, St. Clair Tel: (868) 622-9869, 628-6997 Fax: (868) 622-7089 Email: sahctt.general@dirco.gov.za or sahctt.consular@dirco.gov.za Website https://www.gov.za/aboutgovernment/contact-directory/ representatives-rsa/ representatives-rsa/trinidad-and-tobago EMBASSY OF THE KINGDOM OF SPAIN His Excellency Javier María Carbajosa Sánchez Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary 7th Floor, Tatil Building 11 Maraval Road, Port of Spain Tel: (868) 625-7938, 628-2560, 622-1151 Ext. 237 Fax: (868) 622-3032 Email: emb.puertoespana@maec.es CONSULATE OF SURINAME Mr Jerome Khan Honorary Consul 24 Fitzgerald Lane, Port of Spain Tel: (868) 627-4747 Fax: (868) 628-0086 Email: jeromekhan.slm@gmail.com HIGH COMMISSION FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND His Excellency Tim Stew High Commissioner 19 St Clair Avenue, St. Clair Tel: (868) 350-0444 Fax: (868) 622-4555 Email: generalenquiries.ptofs@fco.gov.uk Website: https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/ british-high-commission-trinidad-and-tobago EMBASSY OF THE UNITED MEXICAN STATES Her Excellency Rosario Asela Molinero Molinero Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary 12 Hayes Street, St. Clair Tel: (868) 622-1422 Fax: (868) 628-8488 Email: info@mexico.tt EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA His Excellency Joseph N. Mondello Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary 15 Queen’s Park West, Port of Spain Tel: (868) 622-6371 / 6376 Fax: (868) 822-5905 Email: POSexecutiveoffice@state.gov https://tt.usembassy.gov/ THE EMBASSY OF THE BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA His Excellency Carlos Amador Perez Silva Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary 16 Victoria Avenue, Port of Spain Tel: (868) 627-9821 / 9823 / 9824 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 Tel: 790-2854, 794-2465 Email: melis.altuntas@mfa.gov.tr

REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS ASSOCIATION OF CARIBBEAN STATES (ACS) Dr. June Soomer Secretary-General 5-7 Sweet Briar Road St. Clair Tel: (868) 622-9575, 628-0936 / 6756 / 7222 Fax: (868) 622-1653 Email: mail@acs-aec.org http://www.acs-aec.org/

CARIBBEAN COURT OF JUSTICE TRUST FUND (CCJTF) 22 Cornelio Street Woodbrook Port of Spain Tel: (868) 625-8500 / 8501 Fax: (868) 625-5608 Email: trustee@ccjtrustfun.org Website: https://www.ccj.org/about-the-ccj/ ccj-trust-fund/

INTERNATIONAL REGIONAL CENTRE FOR THE CARIBBEAN (CABI) Mr. Naitram Ramnanan Regional Representative Gordon Street Curepe Tel: (868) 662-4173, 645-7628 Email: n.ramnanan@cabi.org Website: https://www.cabi.org/what-we-do/ cabi-centre/trinidad-and-tobago/

CARIBBEAN FINANCIAL ACTION TASK FORCE (CFATF) Ms. Dawne Spicer Executive Director Level 21, Nicholas Towers 63-65 Independence Square Port of Spain Tel: (868) 623-9667 Fax: (868) 624-1297 Email: cfatf@cfatf.org Website: https://www.cfatf-gafic.org/

DEVELOPMENT BANK OF LATIN AMERICA (CAF) Mr. Gianpiero Leoncini Director Representative 8th Floor Albion Plaza Energy Centre 22-24 Victoria Avenue Port of Spain Tel: (868) 222-1540/1541 Email: trinidadandtobago@caf.com Website: https://www.caf.com/en/ THE CARIBBEAN ASSOCIATION OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE (CAIC) Mr. Dav-Ernan Kowlessar PO Box 6541 TTPOST Maraval Tel: (868) 628-4478 Fax: (868) 222-7332 Email: administration@carib-commerce.org Website: http://www.carib-commerce.org/ CARIBBEAN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE (CARDI) Mr. Barton Astor Clarke Executive Director Frederic Hardy Building The University of the West Indies at St. Augustine Tel: (868) 645-1205-7 Fax: (868) 645-1208 Email: executive@cardi.org Website: http://www.cardi.org/ CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY IMPLEMENTATION AGENCY FOR CRIME AND SECURITY (CARICOM IMPACS) Lt. Col. Michael Jones Executive Director (Ag.) 19 Keate Street Port of Spain Tel: (868) 235-5511 Fax: (868) 627-3064 Email: secretariat@carimpacs.org Website: https://caricomimpacs.org/ CARIBBEAN COURT OF JUSTICE (CCJ) The Honourable Mr. Justice Adrian Saunders President 134 Henry Street Port of Spain Tel: (868) 623-2225 Fax: (868) 627-1193 Email: info@ccj.org Website: https://www.ccj.org/

INTER-AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR COOPERATION ON AGRICULTURE (IICA) Ms. Diana Francis Representative 16 Factory Road Building #3 Brechin Castle Couva Tel: (868) 645-4555 / 5020 / 8886 Email: lica.tt@iica.int Website: https://www.iica.int/en INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT SOCIETIES (IFRC) Mr. Ariel Kestens The Head, Country Cluster Support Team 110 Picton Street Port of Spain Tel: (868) 628-2439 / 7289

Fax: (868) 628-9715 Email: pos.ccst@ifrc.org CARIBBEAN FOOD CORPORATION (CFC) Website: https://media.ifrc.org/ifrc/ Mr. Barton Clarke INTERNATIONAL LABOUR Executive Director ORGANISATION (ILO) c/o Cardi Cardi Headquaters Mr. Lars Johansen P.O. Box 212 Director a.i. The University of the West Indies Campus Stanmore House St. Augustine 6 Stanmore Avenue Tel: (868) 645-1205 / 3573 Port of Spain Fax: (868) 645-1208 Tel: (868) 623-7704 / 7178 / 3359, Email: hresources@cardi.org 625-0524, 627-6304, 624-8751 Fax: (868) 627-8978 Email: ilocarib@ilo.org CARIBBEAN METEOROLOGICAL Website: https://www.ilo.org/caribbean ORGANISATION (CMO) Dr. Arlene G. Laing INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION FOR Co-ordinating Director MIGRATION (IOM) 27 O’Connor Street Woodbrook Ministry of National Security Port of Spain Temple Court 2, Tel: (868) 622-4711 / 0277 50-62 Abercromby Street Fax: (868) 622-4711 Port of Spain Email: cmohq@cmo.org.tt Tel: (868) 623-2441 Ext.13138/9, Website: http://www.cmo.org.tt/ Direct No: 627-6969 Fax: (868) 625-5009 Website: https://www.iom.int/ CARIBBEAN PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY (CARPHA) ORGANISATION OF AMERICAN STATES Dr. Joy St. John (OAS) TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO OFFICE Executive Director (OASTT) 16-18 Jamaica Boulevard Federation Park Ms. Marina Piper Port of Spain Officer-in-Charge Tel: (868) 622-4261, 299-0895 15 Wainwright Street Fax: (868) 622-2792 St. Clair Email: postmaster@carpha.org Tel: (868) 622-0019 / 9272 Website: https://carpha.org/ Email: oastrinidadandtobago@oas.org Website: http://www.oas.org/en/ CARIBBEAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS UNION (CTU) PAN AMERICAN HEALTH ORGANISATION (PAHO) Ms. Bernadette Lewis – Secretary General 4 Mary Street Dr. Erica Wheeler St. Clair Country Representative Port of Spain 1st Floor, Briar Place Tel: (868) 622-5871 10-12 Sweet Briar Road Fax: (868) 623-1523 St. Clair Email: info@ctu.int Tel: (868) 612-2000 Website: https://www.ctu.int/ Fax: (868) 628-4719 Email: e-mailtto@paho.org INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK Website: https://www.paho.org/en (IADB) UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT Ms. Rocio Medina-Bolivar PROGRAMME (UNDP) Country Representative 17 Alexander Street Trinidad and Tobago St. Clair Ms. Randi Davis Port of Spain UNDP Resident Representative a.i. Tel: (868) 822-6400 / 6421 UN House Fax: (868) 622-6047 / 5422 3 Chancery Lane Email: idbtrinidad@iadb.org Port of Spain Website: https://www.iadb.org/en/ Tel: (868) 623-7056 countries/trinidad-and-tobago/overview Fax: (868) 623-1658 Email: registryTT@undp.org Website: https://www.undp.org/content/ undp/en/home.html

REGIONAL JUDICIAL AND LEGAL SERVICES COMMISSION (RJLSC) The Honourable Mr. Justice Adrian Saunders Chairman 2nd Floor, 134 Henry Street Port of Spain Tel: (868) 623-2225 / 8376 Fax: (868) 625-4004 Email: rjlsc@rjlsc.org Website: https://www.ccj.org/about-the-ccj/ rjlsc-2/ NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANISATION (UNESCO) Ms. Debra Lalloo - Secretary General (Ag.) Ministry of Education Level 5, Education Towers Bld A 5 St. Vincent Street Port of Spain Email: tntnatcom@yahoo.com https://en.unesco.org/ UNITED NATIONS INFORMATION CENTRE (UNIC) Mr. Juan Miguel Diez Jiménez Bretton Hall - 2nd Floor 16 Victoria Avenue Port of Spain Tel: (868) 623-4813 / 8438 Fax: (868) 623-4332 Email: unic.portofspain@unic.org https://unic.un.org/

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THE GOVERNMENT OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT Circular Road St Ann’s, Port of Spain Tel: (868) 225-4687 Email: otp.mail@otp.gov.tt Website: https://otp.tt/ OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER Office of the Prime Minister White Hall Lot #29 Maraval Road St. Clair, Port of Spain Tel: (868) 622-0644 Website: https://www.opm.gov.tt/ MINISTRY OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND LEGAL AFFAIRS AGLA Tower The Government Campus Plaza Corner London & Richmond Streets Port of Spain Tel: (868) 223-2452 Fax: (868) 226-5145 Website: https://agla.gov.tt/ MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, LAND AND FISHERIES Corner Narsaloo Ramaya Marg Road & Soogrim Street Chaguanas Tel: (868) 220-6253 Website: https://agriculture.gov.tt/ MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Levels 8, 18 &20 Nicholas Towers 63-65 Independence Square Port of Spain Tel: (868) 624-0119, 625-3012/3112 Ext. 3003 Fax: (868) 627-1941 Email: minsecretariat_cdca@gov.tt Website: https://cdca.gov.tt/ MINISTRY OF EDUCATION Education Towers, Level 15 No. 5 St. Vincent Street Port of Spain Tel: (868) 622-2181 Fax: (868) 624-2035 Email: ngdolly@ttparliment.org Website: https://www.moe.gov.tt/ MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND ENERGY INDUSTRIES Levels 26, Tower C The Port of Spain International Waterfront Centre 1 Wrightson Road, Port of Spain Tel: (868) 225-5750 Ext. 2633 Fax: (868) 622-3635 Email: info@energy.gov.tt Website: https://www.energy.gov.tt/ MINISTRY OF FINANCE Eric Williams Finance Building Independence Square Port of Spain Tel: (868) 627-5633 Fax: (868) 625-8354 Email: comm.finance@gov.tt Website: https://www.finance.gov.tt/ MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AND CARICOM AFFAIRS St. Clair Circle St. Clair Port of Spain Tel: (868) 623-6894 Fax: (868) 623-5853 Email: website@foreign.gov.tt Website: https://foreign.gov.tt/

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MINISTRY OF HEALTH “CHIC” Building 63 Park Street Port of Spain Tel: (868) 623-2741 Fax: (868) 627-2139 Website: http://www.health.gov.tt/ MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT HDC Building 44-46 South Quay, Port of Spain Tel: (868) 624-5291 / 0595 PBX: (868) 623-4663 Ext. 2171 Fax: (868) 625-2793 Email: info@housing.gov.tt Email: ttministryofhousingandurbandev@gmail.com Website: http://www.housing.gov.tt/ MINISTRY OF LABOUR Level 5 & 6, Tower C International Waterfront Complex 1 Wrightson Road, Port of Spain Tel: (868) 627-8448 Ext. 1313 Fax: (868) 624-9126 Email: communicationsmolsmed@gov.tt Website: https://www.molsed.gov.tt/ MINISTRY OF NATIONAL SECURITY Temple Court 1 31-33 Abercromby Street Port of Spain Tel: (868) 623-7579 Fax: (868) 625-2820, 627-4930 Email: corpcomm@mns.gov.org Website: http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.tt/ MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT Level 14 Eric Williams Financial Complex Independence Square, Port of Spain Tel: (868) 612-3000 Ext. 2009, 2010, 1389 Wesbite: https://www.planning.gov.tt/ MINISTRY OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION Level 7, NALIS Building Corner Hart and Abercromby Streets Port of Spain Tel: (868) 623-9081 / 4724 Fax: (868) 624-4216 Email: maxiecuffie@ttparliament.org Wesbite: http://www.mpac.gov.tt/ MINISTRY OF PUBLIC UTILITIES One Alexandra Place 1 Alexander Street St. Clair, Port of Spain Tel: (868) 628-7307 / 9500 Fax: (868) 628-0105 Email: customerservices@mpu.gov.tt Website: http://www.mpu.gov.tt/home/ MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Kent House Long Circular Road Maraval, Port of Spain Tel: (868) 622-4713, 628-1323 Ext. 3102/3 Fax: (868) 622-8202 Email: rdlgcomms@gov.tt Website: https://rdlg.gov.tt/ MINISTRY OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SERVICES Colonial Life Building 39-43 St. Vincent Street Port of Spain Tel: (868) 623-2608 Ext.5607 Website: https://www.social.gov.tt/

MINISTRY OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND NATIONAL SERVICES 2 Elizabeth Street St. Clair, Port of Spain Tel: (868) 628-6792 Ext. 4008, 4010 Fax: (868) 623-5006 Email: info@msya.gov.tt Website: https://www.msya.gov.tt/ MINISTRY OF TOURISM, CULTURE AND THE ARTS Levels 8 & 9, Tower C International Waterfront Complex 1 Wrightson Road, Port of Spain Tel: 624-1403 Ext. 223 Fax: 624-6737 Email: mintourism@tourism.gov.tt Website: http://tourism.gov.tt/ MINISTRY OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY Levels 17, Nicholas Towers 63-65 Independence Square Port of Spain Tel: (868) 627-3300 Fax: (868) 627-8488 Email: mti-info@gov.tt Website: https://tradeind.gov.tt/ MINISTRY OF WORKS AND TRANSPORT Level 6, Main Administrative Building Corner Richmond and London Streets Port of Spain Tel: (868) 625-2643/624-3541 Fax: (868) 625-8070 Website: http://www.mowt.gov.tt/ OFFICE OF THE PARLIAMENT Parliamentary Complex Cabildo Building St. Vincent Street Port of Spain Tel: (868) 624-7275 Fax: (868) 624-4672 Email: webmaster@ttparliament.org Website: http://www.ttparliament.org/

EMERGENCY CONTACTS Police/Rapid Response..........................................99 Fire..................................................................... 990 Ambulance......................................................... 811 Global Medical Response............................653-4343 Coast Guard................................................634-4440 Port of Spain General Hospital.....................623-2951 San Fernando General Hospital....................652-3581 Scarborough General Hospital......... 660-4SGH (4744) Roxborough Health Centre and Hyperbaric Facility, Tobago..........................660-4392 The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM)...............800-ODPM (6376) - Trinidad..........................640-1285/8905/8653/6493 - Tobago......................................................660-7489 Crime Stoppers.................................800-TIPS (8477) Directory Services (Trinidad)...............................6411 Directory Services (Tobago)................................. 211

INDEX BY SURNAME A Abdulla Ali Taib, Alya........................................................... 86 Abraham, Nigel........................................................................ 47 Abraham, Wendy...................................................................116 Adams, Eric A...........................................................................30 Adams, Omaalade.................................................................. 29 Agard, Lisa................................................................................. 68 Agge, Marlene........................................................................ 106 Ahamad, Reyaz....................................................................7, 15 Alcazar, Alan.............................................................................84 Alexander, Liesel..................................................................... 29 Alexis, George........................................................................... 15 Ali, Amir...................................................................................... 56 Ali, Darren.............................................................................13, 31 Ali, Dexter..................................................................................48 Ali, Nazra.................................................................................... 85 Ali, Nikolaiski............................................................................. 72 Ali, Shazan................................................................................. 35 Allahar-Cape Nicole.............................................................. 26 Allick Solomon, Gayle........................................................... 68 Ammon, Ronald ...................................................................... 13 Amow, Edward........................................................................84 Anton, Sasha.............................................................................116 Archie Lewis, Kirlyn...............................................................20 Arneaud, Sarah........................................................................84 Attong, Maxine......................................................................... 13 Augustine, Janelle.................................................................. 87 Awai, Anthony.......................................................................... 24

B Baah, Emmanuel...................................................................... 16 Baboolal Sarah........................................................................ 28 Babwah, Visham...................................................................... 16 Bacchus, Hassel....................................................................... 68 Bailey, Marsha........................................................................... 47 Bajnath, Elisheba.................................................................... 59 Bajnath, Jochebed................................................................. 59 Baksh-Shubnaik, Shaliza................................................... 102 Balbirsingh, Valmiki...............................................................96 Baldeo, Annie........................................................................... 72 Balkissoon, Shelly............................................................13, 123 Ballah-Tull, Lindi......................................................................20 Balwah-Frontin, Dianne....................................................... 35 Balwant, Nalini....................................................................... 106 Baptiste, Candice.................................................................... 59 Baptiste, Nigel M..................................................................... 22 Baptiste, Pamela.....................................................................84 Baptiste Assee, Kathryna................................................... 98 Basdeo, Anthony.................................................................. 106 Battoo, Anthony.....................................................................40 Beckles, Beverly, Dr............................................................... 72 Beckles, Cecile.........................................................................40 Beckles, Donna.......................................................................123 Beharry, Wayne..................................................................... 120 Best, Thora................................................................................40 Birch, Alicia ............................................................................... 13 Bishop, Nicolyn........................................................................ 26 Blake, Septimus....................................................................... 26 Bobb-Semple, Charles...........................................................71 Bodden, Kalila Dr.................................................................. 109 Bones, John Paul....................................................................44 Boodhu, Kenneth..................................................................... 13 Boodhu, Sanjiv...........................................................................12 Boodoo, Russell....................................................................... 35 Boodoo, Shanta N................................................................ 106 Boodoosingh, Christopher.................................................. 81 Boodram, Winston................................................................. 24 Boopsingh, Robert M............................................................ 85 Bowrin, Ingrid...........................................................................84 Brijbassie, Arvind.................................................................... 24 Brinkmann, Guillermo........................................................... 77 Broadbridge Stephen..........................................................124 Brooks, Gerry........................................................................... 67 Bryan, Patricia.......................................................................... 85 Budhooram, Kathryn............................................................30 Bujun, Neil..................................................................................50 Bute-Seaton Kelly.............................................................. 12, 31 Byer, Sean.................................................................................. 89

C Cambridge, Sherwyn..............................................................71 Camillo-Castillo, Renee........................................................ 28 Campbell, Jonathan..............................................................101 Carmino, Kharis K.J...............................................................116 Cave, Christo.............................................................................40 Celestine, Gerard....................................................................101 Chamely, Anna......................................................................... 25 Chan, Jonathan........................................................................ 26 Chang, Robert.......................................................................... 74 Charles, Anthony....................................................................84 Charles Elbourne, Marcia....................................................121 Charran, Vishnu..................................................................10, 15 Chattergoon, Reval..................................................................12 Chin Quee, Karen...................................................................124 Chin, Myron W. Dr................................................................. 106 Chinpire-O’Reilly, Denise.......................................................12 Cipriani-Ortiz, Marisa............................................................116 Clarke, Adrian........................................................................... 28 Clarke, Peter..............................................................................84

Clarke, Tricia.............................................................................. 28 Clouston, John.........................................................................50 Collier, Jason...........................................................................100 Collins, Brian............................................................................. 68 Connelly, Clint.......................................................................... 28 Contant, Kimberley................................................................ 85 Cooper, Gerard........................................................................ 68 Copeland Brian Prof...................................................... 39, 54 Corbie, Collin...........................................................................124 Corbie, Ken ...............................................................................112 Costelloe, Franka.................................................................8, 13 Cowan, Rodney........................................................................ 13 Creese, Marli.............................................................................. 26

Dalla Costa, Garry ..........................................................13, 123 Dan, Dilip Prof........................................................................... 91 Daniel, Nicole.......................................................................... 106 Daniell, Alvin C....................................................................... 106 Daniell, K. Michael...................................................................30 Darbasie Karen........................................................... 12, 20, 31 Darsan, Samuel........................................................................ 24 Dasent, Karyn........................................................................... 88 Dass, Carlene............................................................................ 87 Dass, Nisa................................................................................... 85 Dass, Wayne.............................................................................30 Dass-Mungal, Riah.................................................................. 22 David, Carol............................................................................... 68 Davis, Kevin............................................................................... 88 Davis, Natasha M.................................................................... 27 de Boehmler, Allan.................................................................. 61 de Boehmler, Rodney............................................................ 61 De Meillac, Jean Paul............................................................116 de Silva, Chris...........................................................................101 De Silva, Eric.............................................................................116 Debysingh-Persad, Nirmalla............................................ 102 Decle, Paula...............................................................................117 Dennis, Ancil, The Hon............................................................7 Deonarine, Denise.................................................................. 89 Des-Vignes, Michelle............................................................. 29 Deyalsingh, Terrence............................................................. 52 Dhaniram, Danelle.................................................................. 35 Dhoray, Bobby......................................................................... 35 Diptee, Rajiv................................................................. 12, 13, 112 Dolsingh, Ravi...........................................................................116 Dookeeram, Reisa................................................................ 106 Dookeran, Navin......................................................................84 Dookran, Divatie Rhona ..................................................... 59 Douglas, Deneisha.................................................................99 Douglas, Karel.......................................................................... 72 Dove, Duane............................................................................... 81 Driver, Thackwray Dr......................................................... 9, 15 Drummond, Jason..................................................................99 Drysdale, Natalie.....................................................................116 Dukharan, Nirvana.................................................................. 26

Eastmond, Edson.....................................................................71 Edghill, Mark.......................................................................12, 116 Edwards, Andy........................................................................ 28 Edwards, E. Joanne..............................................................123 Edwards, Nigel ................................................................27, 67 Elcock, Oliver............................................................................ 72 Elder, Irwin.................................................................................116 Erriah-Ali Kimberly................................................................. 22 Esdelle, Mary.............................................................................113

Fagien, Zakiya Dr.................................................................. 102 Farah, Anthony D.................................................................... 92 Farfan, Melissa..........................................................................113 Faria, Gabriel..........................................................................7, 15 Farrell, Mark...............................................................................116 Farrow, S. Naz.......................................................................... 85 Ferreira, Christine.....................................................................71 Field, Owen............................................................................... 75 Figaro, Gail................................................................................. 75 Fingal, Stephanie......................................................................12 Forbes, Ian................................................................................. 98 Forde, B. Roxanne................................................................... 111 Fortune, Kriston......................................................................50 Fortuné, Stefan........................................................................30 Frankland, Steven................................................................... 56 Fraser, Peter..............................................................................40 Fraser-Lee Wen, Mekeisha................................................. 24 Frost, Sterling Prof.................................................................20 Fulchan-Lakhan, Amanda.................................................. 28 Fuller, Michelle.......................................................................... 85

Gabriel, Melesha......................................................................90 Gabriel, Troy..............................................................................90 Galindo, Mariana...................................................................... 13 Gall, Charlotte.......................................................................... 59 Gallardo, Daniel....................................................................... 77 Galt, Dylan.................................................................................44 Galt, Ian....................................................................................... 68 Ganteaume, Henry P............................................................. 89 García-Brooks, Anna-María................................................ 22 Ghany, Patricia..................................................................... 9, 15

Gibbons, E. Graham (Grant), Dr. The Hon................... 85 Gibbons, J. David.................................................................... 85 Gierbolini, Eduardo................................................................84 Gill Conlon, Trudy...................................................................121 Glaisher, Dawn.........................................................................116 Gomez, Aqiyla Dr.................................................................... 56 Gomez, Camie.......................................................................... 65 Gomez-Miller, Claire.............................................................. 47 Gonzales, Dexter....................................................................124 Gonzales, Ricardo..................................................................121 Gonzalez-Escobar, Gabriel M., Dr...................................125 Gooden, Samantha................................................................ 26 Gooden, Steven....................................................................... 26 Gooding, Arvind...................................................................... 79 Gopaul, Carolyn.......................................................................40 Gopee-Scoon, Paula, Senator The Hon...........................6 Gopeesingh, Anyl, Dr............................................................ 56 Gordon, Winston.................................................................... 25 Gordon-Bedeau, Anika........................................................ 28 Gosine, Reya.............................................................................116 Gouveia, Jared....................................................................... 106 Grant, Jerome..........................................................................40 Guy, Montgomery................................................................... 39 Guyadeen, Vashti G........................................................... 11, 13

H Hackett, Alan............................................................................ 87 Hackett, David.......................................................................... 85 Hadad, Diane.........................................................................8, 15 Hadeed, Christian................................................................... 85 Hadeed, Gerald........................................................................ 85 Hagley, Christopher............................................................... 47 Harrynanan, Kavita................................................................ 24 Hassanali, Karlene.................................................................. 65 Henderson, Anna.................................................................... 74 Henderson, Chris.................................................................... 79 Henry, Kirk.............................................................................14, 71 Henry, Terrence....................................................................... 72 Hepburn, Karrian..................................................................... 27 Hernandez, Jody..................................................................... 25 Hilton-Clarke, Jacqueline.................................................... 29 Hinds, Ronald...........................................................................66 Hoadley, Allison.......................................................................117 Hollingsworth, Linda............................................................. 89 Hosein, Kazim......................................................................... 102 Hosein, Neil.............................................................................. 102 Hosein, Rachael.......................................................................50 Hosein, Safiyya....................................................................... 102 Howell, Derwin M.................................................................... 22 Huggins, Chaz.......................................................................... 87

J Jackman, Kyle.......................................................................... 47 Jaglal, Errol................................................................................116 James Brian........................................................................38, 54 James, Christopher................................................................. 13 Jardine, Mary............................................................................116 Jardine, Yuri.............................................................................123 John Ian...................................................................................... 75 John, Marsha R...................................................................13, 31 John-Williams, Christopher............................................... 47 Johnson, Sandra...................................................................... 91 Joseph, Andre..........................................................................30 Joseph, Wendy........................................................................ 75 Joyeau-Flores, Arlene.......................................................... 26 Julien, Jason.............................................................................20

K Kabeera, Denish...................................................................... 26 Karamath, Raymond............................................................. 35 Kelshall, Richard Admiral.................................................. 120 Kenny, W. Martin..................................................................... 85 Khan, Feyaad............................................................................ 28 Khan, Franklin........................................................................... 42 Khan, Nasha..............................................................................113 Khan, Sade................................................................................. 35 Khan, Shabir..............................................................................84 King, Christine..........................................................................101 King, Dalia.................................................................................. 25 King, Keith M............................................................................. 25 King, Maxine.............................................................................. 25 King, St. Clair, Prof.................................................................. 72

L Lall, Brian.................................................................................... 89 Lalor, Dennis.............................................................................. 91 Lalor, Paul.................................................................................... 91 Lambie, Ginelle........................................................................ 98 Lazzari, Robert........................................................................84 Lee Loy, Angela....................................................................... 29 Lee Wo-Mollenthiel, Anouk............................................... 85 Legall, Joann ......................................................................13, 112 Lewis, David..............................................................................96 Lewis, Louis................................................................................ 15 Lewis, Mark................................................................................96 Lewis, Richard..............................................................3, 85, 96 Lewis, Robin..............................................................................20 Lewis, Ryan........................................................................ 47, 96 Lewis, Shane.............................................................................96

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INDEX BY SURNAME CONTINUED Lewis Cockburn, Vilma.........................................................121 Lezama, Renato....................................................................... 85 Llanos, Stephaine................................................................... 56 Lloyd, Ashlee...........................................................................124 Lochan, Lakshman.................................................................. 15 Look Kin, Richard...................................................................20 Loquan, Mark............................................................ 42, 43, 49 Low Christian............................................................................ 89 Luces-Whiteman, Rene........................................................50 Lucien, Michael........................................................................ 72 Lungren, Lochinvar................................................................. 91

Quan, Greer............................................................................... 88 Quentrall-Thomas, Lara............................................11, 13, 65

Mahabirsingh, Glenn............................................................... 13 Mahabirsingh, Ramona......................................................... 61 Mahadeo, Ricardo.................................................................. 35 Maharaj, Kerri............................................................................ 27 Maharaj, Ravindranath......................................................... 35 Maharaj, Samidha................................................................. 109 Maharaj, Satesh..................................................................... 106 Maharaj, Surindra..................................................................... 15 Maharaj, Varun.......................................................................... 91 Maharaj-Racha, Neeala..........................................................71 Maingot, Anthony...................................................................84 Maingot, Kristi.......................................................................... 56 Maingot, Mark.........................................................................100 Mallalieu Kim, Dr...................................................................... 72 Manraj, Shiva.............................................................................20 Manson, Jamie......................................................................... 87 Maraj, Jewan.............................................................................50 Marcelle-Kennedy, Lois........................................................ 87 Marcus, Kriss............................................................................. 29 Mark, Sekou............................................................................... 27 Marks, Moreen........................................................................... 91 Marquez, Maxim...................................................................... 88 Marshall, Jayne........................................................................101 Martos, Clariss.......................................................................... 29 Mata, Enrique......................................................................... 106 Matthews, Swedaka............................................................... 47 Mc Clean, Kevin....................................................................... 65 Mc Leod Marshall, Marsha.................................................. 22 McCarthy, Marsha................................................................... 88 McClatchie-Olivieri Pauline................................................ 89 McMillan Sherry....................................................................... 72 McSood Amjad, Imran.......................................................... 87 Melville, Felicia.......................................................................... 41 Melville, Sharon........................................................................ 87 Mills, Gwenwyn.......................................................................123 Minors, Nigel............................................................................. 47 Mitchell, Brent..........................................................................84 Modeste-Clarke, Deborah Ann......................................... 85 Mohammed, Carisa................................................................ 29 Mohammed, Curtis................................................................49 Mohammed, Lisa..................................................................... 35 Mohammed, Nicholas........................................................... 25 Mohammed, Nicholas...........................................................101 Mohammed, Rahim............................................................... 98 Mohammed, Stefan..............................................................123 Mohammed, Waheeda......................................................... 89 Montrichard, Anthony........................................................ 106 Moonilal-Kissoon, Neela......................................................20 Morton, Gerard........................................................................ 24 Moses, Josann..........................................................................40 Moss, Jesse................................................................................40 Murphy Marcia.......................................................................... 41

Ragbir, Harold.........................................................................122 Ragbir, Rodney......................................................................... 41 Ragbir, Sana............................................................................... 41 Ragoonanan, Sherwin............................................................71 Ragoonath, Dave.................................................................... 35 Ragoonath, Robin.................................................................. 89 Rajbal Maraj, Ramchand ...............................................14, 15 Rajkumar, Ava.......................................................................... 47 Rajkumar, Gerard....................................................................60 Rajkumar, Navin...................................................................... 28 Rajnauth-Elliot, Heidi............................................................117 Rajpatty, Aditi......................................................................... 106 Rajpatty, Jaishri S. Dr.................................................106, 109 Rajpatty, Ritesh S. Dr.................................................106, 109 Rajpatty, Steve J. Dr............................................................ 106 Ramaya-Hingoo, Stephanie............................................... 58 Ramcharan, Ancil................................................................... 26 Ramdial, Sherene.................................................................... 87 Ramdial-Gooding, Nadine.................................................. 79 Ramessar, Davindra............................................................. 106 Ramgoolam, Aldrin................................................................ 22 Ramjattan, Aliah....................................................................... 41 Ramkissoon, Baldath............................................................ 22 Ramkissoon, Dave................................................................... 91 Ramlal, Arjay............................................................................. 87 Ramlochansingh, Carlana................................................... 29 Ramnarine, Denyse................................................................ 22 Ramnarine, Mikhail O.......................................................... 106 Ramnarine, Shanta............................................................... 106 Ramnarine, Shiva.................................................................... 68 Ramoutar-Razac, Kristal.....................................................50 Rampersad, Dominic............................................................49 Ramsingh, Surindranath....................................................... 51 Ramsingh, Yogendranath.................................................... 91 Ramsundar, Darryl................................................................. 89 Ranoo, Ria..................................................................................48 Raphael, Edison............................................................... 84, 86 Reddock-Downes, Cynthia................................................ 72 Resaulsingh, Partap............................................................... 35 Roberts, Debbie...................................................................... 56 Robinson, David...................................................................... 22 Robinson, Glenroy ................................................................99 Robinson, Joan M...................................................................99 Robinson, Reuel......................................................................99 Rocke, Sean, Dr..........................................................................71 Rodriguez-Greaves, Crystal............................................... 27 Romano, Nigel......................................................................... 93 Romany-Fournillier, Paulesca............................................ 86 Roop Persad, Shastri............................................................80 Roopnarine, Nerissa.............................................................124 Ryan, Robert.............................................................................99

Nancoo, Keston................................................................... 11, 12 Nedd, Nisha...............................................................................40 Nelson, Brendon..................................................................... 28 Nicol, Debbie............................................................................117 Norville, Yvonne......................................................................40

O Oliver, Marlon............................................................................ 87 Oliviere, Lenin...........................................................................121 Orman, Suze............................................................................. 93 Oumade Singh, Roopnarine.............................................. 22

P Paltoo, Vernon, Dr..................................................................49 Pantin, Averne.........................................................................122 Parasram, Roshan, Dr.....................................................52, 53 Parris, Nigel...............................................................................40 Parsanlal, Neil...........................................................................64 Patrick, Cole.............................................................................. 25 Patrick, Eleanor.......................................................................116 Patrick, Stuart........................................................................... 65 Paynter, Allison........................................................................ 74 Paz, Alixander..........................................................................113 Pereira, Camille ....................................................................... 85 Persad, Marlon......................................................................... 22 Persad, Prakash Prof............................................................. 39 Persad-Poliah, Niala.............................................................. 28 Persaud, Alesia........................................................................ 75 Persaud, Navin.........................................................................48 Peters, Janet...............................................................................71 Peterson, Gilbert..................................................................... 72

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Phillip, Michael A....................................................................122 Plimmer, Ann ...........................................................................117 Plimmer, Steve .......................................................................117 Pooran, Tamara....................................................................... 65 Pouchet, Lorraine.................................................................... 13 Pragnell, Matthew................................................................... 89 Primus, Brandon..................................................................... 88 Prince-Wilson, Kalana........................................................... 72 Pulchan, Melissa......................................................................40

Sahadeo, Indra........................................................................124 Sahai, Gina................................................................................124 Sahai, Jason.............................................................................. 75 Salick, Brenton....................................................................... 102 Salickram, Parasram.............................................................. 22 Sammerson, Joanne...............................................................71 Sammy, Richard...................................................................... 22 Samuda, Samantha................................................................. 91 SandstrĂśm, Peter.................................................................... 98 Sandy-Roper, Malika.............................................................84 Santiago, Alejandro............................................................... 98 Santos, Devin............................................................................ 56 Sawh, Vasudev Amrit Free................................................ 24 Schaechter, Roberto.............................................................. 91 Scoon-Moses, Donna............................................................40 Scott, Jevorn............................................................................. 74 Seale, Keith................................................................................ 75 Sealy, Lennox Dr......................................................................112 Seecharan, Wendell............................................................... 47 Seepersad, Dawn.................................................................... 27 Seeraj, Anthony....................................................................... 24 Semper, Carlton....................................................................... 15 Seudat, Carlene....................................................................... 22 Seuraj, Sandra.......................................................................... 89 Sherwood, Sueann................................................................. 29 Shim, Melissa............................................................................ 65 Sibblis, Christopher............................................................... 89 Sieuraj, Rampersad................................................................. 15 Simon, Davita............................................................................ 15 Sinanan, Rohan.................................................................32, 33 Sinanan, Juliet.......................................................................... 89 Singh, Krystal............................................................................. 41

Singh, Mark................................................................................ 25 Singh, Rishi................................................................................ 87 Singh, Sally................................................................................116 Singh, Stephen A....................................................................30 Sirju, Peter.................................................................................. 35 Small, David............................................................................... 85 Smith, Anthony........................................................................ 75 Sobion, Judith.......................................................................... 27 Sookdar, Warren..................................................................... 27 Sookdeo, Ravi.......................................................................... 35 Sooklal-Beharry, Natasha................................................... 35 Sooknarine, Lenore.............................................................. 106 Sookoo, Vishal.......................................................................... 24 Sookram, Julie.......................................................................... 26 Sookram, Kirk........................................................................... 72 Soverall, Robert....................................................................... 22 Spence, Joanne Dr.................................................................40 Spencer, Janelle.....................................................................123 Spiljard, Maarten...................................................................... 15 Squires, Adanna......................................................................64 St. Clair, Anthony...................................................................20 St. John, Joy, Dr......................................................................126 Stephen, Greta......................................................................... 28 Stevenson, Frances................................................................84 Stollmeyer, Scott..................................................................... 89 Stuart, Natasha........................................................................ 75 Subiah, Niegel.........................................................................122 Supersad, Sabrina.................................................................. 24 Sylvester, Carmen................................................................... 87 Sylvester-Antoine, Ayanna................................................. 47

T Taitt, Theresa............................................................................ 28 Tang Nian, Stephen............................................................... 72 Tang Yuk, Robert.................................................................... 29 Taylor, Eric..................................................................................40 Taylor, Ashley..........................................................................122 Teeluckchan-Maraj, Madhavi............................................. 28 Telesford-Pierre, Trudie....................................................... 29 Telfer, Derek.............................................................................124 Telfer, Kyle.................................................................................124 Tewarie, Nirad...................................................................... 9, 15 Thom, Hassel.......................................................................10, 13 Thomas, Debra........................................................................ 28 Thompson, Ayana.................................................................. 47 Thompson, Kieran.................................................................. 58 Thompson, Selina................................................................... 89 Tiah, Eugene......................................................................... 9, 15 Ticklal, Dinesh.......................................................................... 74 Tiron, Diana....................................................................106, 108 Titus, Heather........................................................................... 24 Tom Yew-Jardine, Karen..................................................... 22 Torres, Kelly-Ann...................................................................... 41 Traboulay, Paul....................................................................12, 14 Trestrail, Jeannette................................................................117 Trotman, Tessa......................................................................... 89

V Valley, Kerwyn.......................................................................... 29 Valley, Kevin.............................................................................. 29 Valley, Kieran............................................................................ 29 Valley, Kurt................................................................................. 29 Vieira, Andre........................................................................... 120 Villafana RaĂşl............................................................................ 88

W Walcott, Michael..................................................................... 22 Walcott, Ronald, Dr............................................................... 68 Walter, Kendal.......................................................................... 87 Warrick, Kerel........................................................................... 86 Watkins, L. Anthony.............................................................. 62 Weekes, Paula-Mae Her Excellency................................ 16 Welch-Farrell, Sandra ..........................................................113 White, Ann-Marina...........................................................38, 41 Wiggins, Roger........................................................................ 47 Wight, Jane...............................................................................101 Williams, Patrick....................................................................... 91 Williamson, Vennis................................................................. 75 Wilson, Kris................................................................................ 24 Woo Ling, Melissa.................................................................124 Woo, Brian.................................................................................20 Woodhams, Christopher..................................................... 85 Wooding, Camille...................................................................64 Wyke, Keith .............................................................................84

Y Yearwood, Anthony.............................................................. 75 Yearwood, Trevor................................................................... 29 Yip Chuck, Karen ................................................................... 22 Young, Angus P....................................................................... 26

Z Zanoni, William........................................................................ 89 Zilla, Wendy..............................................................................48

INDEX BY COMPANY 1 On 1 Realty................................................................................................................................116 Access Trinidad........................................................................................................................ 110 Acclaim Freight & Logistics Services Ltd..................................................................124 Advance Readymix Ltd........................................................................................................34 Agostini Insurance Brokers Ltd........................................................................................84 Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago............................................................... 16 Airports Strategy and Marketing (ASM)...................................................................... 16 Amaranth Business Solutions Limited......................................................................... 74 American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T).................................................................................................................... 9, 15 Analytical Testing Services Limited (ATSL)..............................................................59 Angostura....................................................................................................................................98 APCL Healthcare....................................................................................................................109 Arrive Alive.................................................................................................................................. 33 Arima Business Association................................................................................................ 12 ASCO Logistics Limited.......................................................................................................50 Aspire Fund Management..................................................................................................29 Association of Professional Engineering of Trinidad and Tobago (APETT) ................................................................................................................................ 31, 33 Association of Real Estate Agents (AREA)........................................................12, 116 Association of Trinidad and Tobago Insurance Companies (ATTIC).............................................................................................................................12, 14, 82 Atlantic Project Consultants Ltd. (APCL)............................................. 106, 107, 108 Bankers Association of Trinidad and Tobago (BATT).............................12, 18, 31 Beacon...........................................................................................................................................85 BHP..........................................................................................................................................42, 43 Biomedical Enterprises of Trinidad & Tobago Limited ......................................58 bmobile.........................................................................................................................68, 69, 70 BOSS.............................................................................................................................................. 101 BPTT............................................................................................................................... 39, 42, 43 Cardea Benefits Limited......................................................................................................86 Cargo Consolidators Agency Limited.........................................................................122 Caribbean Airlines Limited.................................................................................................. 16 Caribbean Discovey Tours Limited...............................................................................124 Caribbean Dockyard and Engineering Services Limited (CDESL)...................................................................................................................................... 120 Caribbean Housing Ltd (CHL).......................................................................................... 37 Caribbean Information & Credit Rating Services Limited (CariCRIS)....................................................................................................................................30 Caribbean Paradise Real Estate Co. Ltd.....................................................................116 Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA)........................................................... 52 Caribbean Tourism Publications......................................................................................80 Caribbean Traceability & Packaging Solutions Limited (CTPSL).........................................................................................................................................99 Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT)...................................18, 19, 94, 114 Chakra Enterprises Ltd.........................................................................................................80 CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank..................................................................... 24 Citibank (Trinidad & Tobago) Limited........................................ Inside Back Cover CL Marine Ltd (CLM)............................................................................................................ 120 Clarien Bank Ltd....................................................................................................................... 26 Clarien Group Ltd.................................................................................................................... 26 Cocoa Republic.......................................................................................................................... 81 Concepts and Services Ltd............................................................................................... 110 Corporate Professional Real Estate Consultants...................................................116 Couva/Point Lisas Chamber of Commerce........................................................ 14, 15 CPRC Realty...............................................................................................................................116 Crisp Clean Sanitizing Services........................................................................................59 CSA Ocean Sciences (Trinidad) Ltd..............................................................................60 Customs and Excise Division.............................................................................................94 Damus Limited..........................................................................................................................50 Digital Broadcast.....................................................................................................................80 DIY Place......................................................................................................................................64 DriveWise Interactive Learning Solutions (ILS)....................................................... 41 Dumore Enterprises Limited..............................................................................................44 Dynamic Real Estate Consultancy Ltd.........................................................................117 Ecosol Services Limited........................................................................................................ 61

Ele Patrick Real Estate..........................................................................................................116 Employersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Consultative Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ECA)................................................................................................................................11, 12, 104 Engineering Associates Ltd...............................................................................................99 ENVIROPAK Contractors..................................................................................................... 61 Errol Jaglal Real Estate.........................................................................................................116 European Business Chamber in Trinidad and Tobago......................................... 15 European Business Chamber of Industry and Commerce................................ 15 Export Import Bank of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (EXIMBANK)..............................................................................................................................94 Farah Insurance Brokers Ltd.............................................................................................. 92 Fircroft............................................................................................................................................ 51 First Citizens........................................................................................................................ 20, 21 Firstline Securities Limited................................................................................................. 25 Funds International Limited...............................................................................................30 G. A. Farrell & Associates Ltd............................................................................................116 Gallagher Group.......................................................................................................................89 Gas Strategies Group Limited...........................................................................................43 GENESIS Insurance Brokers & Benefits Consultants Limited.......................... 91 Goodhealth Medical Centre...............................................................................................58 Greater Tunapuna Chamber of Industry and Commerce................................... 15 Guardian Holdings Ltd.......................................................................................................... 26 HHSL Safety Systems Limited..........................................................................................45 Happi Products Ltd.............................................................................................................. 102 Housing Development Corporation (HDC)............................................................... 32 ICM Interiors Ltd.....................................................................................................................100 IKIGAI Consulting....................................................................................................................112 Institute of Banking and Finance of Trinidad and Tobago (IBF).........................................................................................................................13, 31 Institute of Chartered Accountants of Trinidad and Tobago (ICATT)........................................................................................................................................... 12 Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM)............................115 Insurance Company of the West Indies (ICWI)........................................................ 91 Interactive Learning Solutions (ILS)............................................................................... 41 International Organization for Standardization (ISO).........................................54 Jet Express Freight................................................................................................................124 KCL Capital Market Brokers Limited.............................................................................29 Ken Corbie Executive Coaching......................................................................................112 Key West Real Estate.............................................................................................................116 Label House Group.........................................................................................................96, 97 LH Group..............................................................................................................................96, 97 Lake Asphalt of Trinidad and Tobago (1978) Limited.........................................46 Locksol Ltd..................................................................................................................................36 Lennox H. Sealy & Associates Ltd. (LSA)...................................................................112 MaruEnergy Trinidad LLC.................................................................................................... 51 Massy Technologies............................................................................................................... 75 Medcorp Limited...............................................................................................................57, 58 Medical Associates Chaguanas Hospital.................................................................... 55 Medical Associates Hospital Ltd..................................................................................... 55 Metal X Engineering...............................................................................................................39 MIC Institute of Technology (MIC-IT)...................................................................38, 54 Ministry of Education.............................................................................................................39 Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI)..................................................43 Ministry of Health..................................................................................................... 52, 53, 54 Ministry of Trade and Industry............................................................................................6 Ministry of Works and Transport..................................................................................... 33 Modcomm Limited.................................................................................................................. 76 Moore Trinidad & Tobago Chartered Accountants...............................................93 NAGICO Group......................................................................................................................... 87 NAGICO Insurances................................................................................................................ 87 NALIS - National Library and Information System Authority...........................111 NEL Power Holdings Ltd...................................................................................................... 51 National Commercial Bank Jamaica Ltd.................................................................... 26 National Energy Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (National Energy)....................................................................................................................49 National Helicopter Services Limited (NHSL)............................................................17

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INDEX BY COMPANY CONTINUED National Information and Communication Technology Company Limited (iGovTT)......................................................................................... 14, 71 National Library and Information Systems Authority (NALIS).......................111 NCB Global Finance Limited (‘NCBGF’)..................................................................... 26 Nestlé..............................................................................................................................................39 NGC CNG Company Limited (NGC CNG)..................................................................49 ODYSSEY CONSULTinc Limited.............................................................................62, 64 Offshore Innovators............................................................................................................... 47 OJ’S Electrical and Instrumentation Services (OJ’S)..........................................36 Pan-American Life Insurance Group.............................................................................88 PAYQAL Mobile Wallet.......................................................................................................... 31 PEAPSL Consultancy Limited...........................................................................................64 Penal/Debe Chamber of Commerce............................................................................. 15 Personnel Management Services Limited (PMSL)................................................65 Phoenix Park Gas Processors Limited (PPGPL).....................................................49 Piranha International Limited............................................................................................60 Plimmer Real Estate...............................................................................................................117 PMSL...............................................................................................................................................65 Point Fortin South Western Chamber of Industry and Commerce....................................................................................................... 15 Point Lisas Industrial Port Development Corporation Limited (PLIPDECO)...............................................................................................................................122 Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago.......................................................................121 Port of Spain Infrastructure Company (POSINCO)..............................................121 Prestige Business Publications Limited/ Caribbean Tourism Publications Limited....................Inside Front Cover, 1, 3, 61 ProtoFabTT.................................................................................................................................54 Purivo Dialysis Centre Limited...................................................................... Back Cover Quality Consultants Limited..............................................................................................63 RBC Royal Bank......................................................................................................................... 19 Regency Recruitment & Resources Limited.............................................................65 Regional Compliance Consultants Limited................................................................111 RelyOn Nutec.............................................................................................................................48 Renew Star Serpentine Ltd................................................................................................56 Republic Bank Limited...................................................................................................22, 23 Republic Bank Trinidad and Tobago (Barbados) Ltd........................................... 19 Republic Financial Holdings Ltd....................................................................................... 19 Ric’s Real Estate.......................................................................................................................116 Risk Management Services Limited..............................................................................89 Sandra Welch-Farrell and Co (SWF&Co)...................................................................113 Sangre Grande Business Association............................................................................ 13 Sangre Grande Chamber of Commerce...................................................................... 15 SAP.................................................................................................................................................. 77 SCRIP-J........................................................................................................................................ 101 Scotiabank.................................................................................................................................... 19 SeaJade Investments............................................................................................................116 Shell.........................................................................................................................................42, 43 Shipping Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SATT)...................... 13, 118, 123 Shipping Solutions & Services Ltd................................................................................124 Si Media......................................................................................................................................... 78 SITAL College of Tertiary Education Ltd............................................................. 38, 41 Somasu Selective Sourcing.............................................................................................. 102 Spark Technologies Limited..............................................................................................58 St. Clair Medical Centre........................................................................................................ 57 Sygma Environmental...........................................................................................................60 T&T Automotive Dealers Association............................................................................ 16 T&TEC.............................................................................................................................................. 51 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)...............................39 Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT).....................................................................................................................................72, 73 Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT)............................................................................................................................68, 69, 70 Teleios............................................................................................................................................ 67 Terra Caribbean........................................................................................................................117 The Business Supply Group.............................................................................................. 101 The Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI)........................................54 The Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CCIC)................. 10, 15

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The Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago.................................................... 9, 15 The Environmental Management Authority (EMA).............................................. 53 The Government of Trinidad and Tobago.................................................................129 The Human Resource Management Association of Trinidad & Tobago (HRMATT)........................................................................................... 13 The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA).................................................119 The NAGICO Group................................................................................................................ 87 The National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO).............................................................................................. 102 The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited.................42, 49 The National Insurance Board of Trinidad and Tobago (NIBTT)................... 28 The NGC Group of Companies.........................................................................................49 The Paramount Transport & Trading Company Limited....................................34 The Port of Port of Spain (PPOS)...................................................................................121 The Pouch Company.....................................................................................................96, 97 The Power Generation Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (PowerGen)................................................................................................................ 51 The Professional Institute of Marketing & Business Studies Ltd (PIMBS).......................................................................................................................................... 41 The Supermarket Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SATT)...............................................................................................................................12, 13, 112 The Trinidad and Tobago Contractors Association (TTCA)............................ 32 The Trinidad and Tobago Incoming Tour Operators Association (T&TITOA)..................................................................................................................................... 13 The University of the West Indies (UWI)....................................................................38 Think Talent HR Consulting................................................................................................65 Tobago Cocoa Estate............................................................................................................. 81 Tobago Division of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce.................................................................................................. 8, 15 Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association (THTA)...................................................... 13 Tobago House of Assembly (THA)...................................................................................7 Tobago Tourism Agency Limited..................................................................................... 15 TOSL Engineering Limited.................................................................................................. 35 Total Convenience Management (TCM).......................................................................17 Touchstone Exploration...............................................................................................42, 43 Tradewey Enterprises............................................................................................................59 Trinidad and Tobago Association of Insurance and Financial Advisers (TTAIFA)............................................................................................... 13 Trinidad & Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS)...................................................54 Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce (TTCIC).......................................................................................................................................7, 15 Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries Limited (TTCSI)......................................................................................................................................11, 13 Trinidad and Tobago Contractors Association (TTCA)................................13, 32 Trinidad and Tobago Institute of Architects (TTIA).............................................. 13 Trinidad and Tobago Inter-island Transportation Company Limited (TTIT).....................................................................................................121 Trinidad and Tobago International Financial Centre............................................. 19 Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA)....................................................................................................................8, 13, 94, 103 Trinidad and Tobago NGL Limited (TTNGL)............................................................49 Trinidad and Tobago Unit Trust Corporation (UTC)......................................27, 67 Trinidad Hotels, Restaurants and Tourism Association (THRTA).................................................................................................................................. 10, 13 Trinidad Project Management Services Limited..................................................... 51 Tropical Express Couriers..................................................................................................123 Unified Networking Development Systems Limited (UNDSL)....................... 79 Universal Insurance Brokers Ltd......................................................................................90 University of Southern California..................................................................................... 81 University of Trinidad & Tobago (UTT)................................................................38, 54 USURANCE.................................................................................................................................90 Vantaggio Real Estate...........................................................................................................116 Vega Minerals Ltd....................................................................................................................34 Waste Disposals (2003) Ltd............................................................................................... 61 WilsonArts Designs & Construction Ltd..................................................................... 37 World Health Organization........................................................................................53, 54 Youth Training and Employment Partnership Programme (YTEPP) Limited............................................................................................................. 38, 40