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AN60 Spotlight Trinidad and Tobago “Our progressive economy is consistently bolstered by our international reputation as a peaceful and stable democratic nation” IntervIew The Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago’s prime minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, talks to Global about her plans for strengthening and di- versifying the economy away from its de- pendency on oil and gas reserves. She has high hopes of enhancing competitiveness through legislative and institutional re- forms, and strongly believes that expanding trade relations with Latin America and the new emerging economies is the way for- ward. Persad-Bissessar also touches on the rise of women’s participation in parliament, and reveals planned measures to tackle the big challenge in the country’s education system – that of boys’ underachievement. Global: For 2013, the World Bank has ranked Trinidad and Tobago at 69 of 185 countries for doing business. This is one step up from 2012, but still an uncom- petitive ranking for a country seeking to attract new foreign investment and encour- age local investors. What concrete steps are your government taking to improve the conditions for doing business? Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bisses- sar: Improving the ease of doing business in Trinidad and Tobago is a priority for the government of Trinidad and Tobago. In this regard, a series of reforms are be- ing aggressively pursued. [For example,] implementation of a Single Electronic Window for Trade and Business Facili- tation. This IT platform, which became operational in February 2012, links over ten government departments in delivering key business-related e-services (such as e- fiscal incentives, e-import/export licences and permits, e-company registration, e- work permits and e-certificates of origin for exporters) in real time to the business community. 34 l www.global-briefing.org first quarter 2013 global Global13_Spotlight_Tri&Tob.indd 34 10/01/2013 23:30 AN60 Spotlight Trinidad and Tobago [In addition,] several pieces of legislation Tobago – such as the Companies Act, Fiscal Incen- Scarborough Key data tives Act, Value Added Tax etc – are being • Population: 1,341,000 (2010) amended so as to remove burdensome pro- Ethnic groups: Indian (40%), African cedures and regulations which adversely (37.5%) and others affect the business community. In January 2012, the Electronic Transactions Act was Literacy: 98.8% Life expectancy: 70 years proclaimed into law, which now allows the • Port of Spain state to transact business in the electronic Capital: Port of Spain (pop: 57,000) realm. Trinidad Land area: 5,128 km2 Earlier this year [2012], there were over GDP: US$26.49 billion (2011 est.) 13 state agencies across various ministries • San Fernando GNI per capita: US$15,380 (2010 est.) in Trinidad and Tobago in which potential investors had to interact with. The cabinet Main exports: petroleum and petroleum products, liquefi ed natural gas, in August 2012 streamlined the portfolios methanol, ammonia, steel products, of each of these agencies, and assigned Venezuela beverages, cereal, sugar, cocoa InvesTT – a subsidiary of Evolving Tec- Knologies and Enterprise Development Company Limited (eTecK) – as the offi cial tion to expand and strengthen trade rela- a peaceful and stable democratic nation. Investment Promotion Agency. This will al- tions with Latin American countries, given Additionally, considering the chang- low for a smoother and better coordinated the geographic proximity and increasing ing patterns in world trade and investment investment facilitation process in Trinidad purchasing power of its citizenry. We have fl ows, such countries as Brazil, China, and Tobago. commenced initiatives with such countries South Africa and India also emerge as [We are also] strengthening entrepreneur- as Panama, Guatemala and El Salvador. We candidates for future engagement. We are ship. Under the Ministry of Labour [and] consider these to be important markets, es- therefore actively seeking to enhance our Small and Micro Enterprise Development, pecially for the exports of goods and serv- relationships with these countries. the National Integrated Business Incubator ices from the non-energy sector. programme focuses on pre-incubator train- Our traditional sector, energy, requires Economic diversifi cation from oil and ing and incubator services and fi nancing in us to engage other economies whose eco- natural gas is proving to be a diffi cult goal community-based centres. nomic activities are aligned to this industry. to achieve by successive governments in Here we envisage trade and economic rela- Trinidad and Tobago, including yours. What With which countries or regions does your tions with a number of African and Asian are the special diffi culties being faced by government see its future trade and eco- countries. your government in this regard? nomic relationships, and why? Economic diversifi cation for countries Trinidad and Tobago continues to value its Economic diversi cation blessed with an endowment of natural re- existing trade and economic relationships. sources has been a challenge for many gov- However, it is absolutely essential that it is not a quick- x solution, ernments worldwide, including Trinidad deepens its existing relationships and ex- it has to be sustained in and Tobago. pands with other countries as we promote The special diffi culties faced by my ad- the growth and diversifi cation of our econo- the medium and long ministration are not new but are issues that my. In the area of trade, Trinidad and Toba- have posed challenges to previous admin- go envisages consolidation of relationships term. It requires political istrations as well. The special diffi culties with its traditional trading partners, such as will and fortitude to water are: vulnerability of Trinidad and Tobago to the United States, Canada, Europe and our international economic environment; risk neighbours within the Caricom region. and nurture the seeds of aversions of local businessmen; very lim- The USA is our main trading partner. diversi cation, through ited value added to products and lack of ca- In 2011, total trade with the USA was ap- pacity and ability to adapt technology and proximately US$7 billion. It is also the the economic ups and to innovate; outdated legal/regulatory and highest source of inward investment for institutional/administrative frameworks for energy and non-energy products and serv- downs, to take deep roots private sector activities; productivity lev- ices sectors (66 percent in 2010). Europe and bear fruit els; [and] very limited foreign investment is our second largest partner through the in the non-energy sector. CARIFORUM-EC Economic Partnership However, my administration remains Agreement. We are assiduously working towards committed to broadening the role played by Caricom is our third largest trading part- making Trinidad and Tobago the gateway the non-energy sector of the economy. In- ner, and that market is critical as the region to the Americas, as it is ideally positioned deed, in 2012, the growth in the non-petro- seeks to deepen the integration process. geographically. We have also signifi cantly leum industry (estimated at approximately Canada is our sixth major export market integrated Spanish into our society, in or- 1.9 percent) is expected to outperform the for energy and non-energy products, espe- der to facilitate more robust trade with our petroleum industry and will also be the fi rst cially for the large diaspora community in South American partners. time since 2009 that this sector of the econ- Toronto and Ottawa. Our progressive economy is consistently omy has achieved positive growth. My administration has stated its inten- bolstered by our international reputation as Under the auspices of the Ministry of global first quarter 2013 www.global-briefing.org l 35 Global13_Spotlight_Tri&Tob.indd 35 10/01/2013 23:30 Trinidad & Tobago Wilfred de Gannes (2nd right) with his students after their Senator the Hon. Emmanuel George, Minister of Works and Infrastructure successful presentation on ‘Superhydrophobic Coatings & welcomed to SRDC’s stall at the Trade and Investment Convention by Shipbuilding & Repair Cluster Nano-technology’ at the Lok Jack GSB Open Day Chairman and CEO Wilfred de Gannes Diversifying our economy, one ship at a time … rinidad and Tobago has become known for its well- It shall be our policy ‘ The Government in its last two established, energy-based economy, and the country derives to promote sound POSITIVE OUTCOMES budget statements has committed Tmost of its revenue from the energy sector. However, the safety, health and Earner and conserver of Foreign to an industry of ship building government recognises that energy resources are finite and in • environmental Currency (US$, £, ¥, ¤) and repair as both a parallel and order to achieve long-term, sustainable growth and development, practices. Safety, alternative industry to the oil and gas the country must aggressively diversify its economy. • Employment of unskilled, semi- health, and skilled and certified nationals industry. Trade and Industry Minister The objective of the development strategy of the Government Vasant Bharath is positive about the environmental of Trinidad and Tobago is to generate economic growth through Acquisition of advanced technology Government’s plans to begin a local performance are • diversification and the development of business in non-energy core values of and production processes shipbuilding and repair industry by sectors. The Trinidad & Tobago Shipbuilding & Repair Cluster Keeping pace with current year’s end and confirmed that the is a key element of this drive for diversification. It has the task the organisation. • worldwide maritime expansion shipping industry is one earmarked of identifying lines of action, aiming to enhance the industry’s These values will by Government for aggressive vibrancy, dynamism and world-wide competitiveness and with it benefi t the industry, • Integration with local expansion in its diversification thrust.’ securing sustainable growth, with the intention of also helping the employees and the manufacturing, e.g.
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