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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.

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[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 

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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. ESSAR STEEL country further diversify the local economy from the energy sector. community. and ALUTRINT (From right to left): Wilfred de Gannes presents a cheque to Mrs Linda Kelshall • Linkages with local Training and of the Chaguaramas Military, History and R&D Institutes, e.g. UTT, UWI and Aviation Museum, with Mr Michael Burke, SRDC Director Caribbean Fisheries Training and Vision Development Institute To be a globally recognised shipbuilding and repair hub, a hemispheric • Achieving our Vision 2020 goals leader driven by cutting-edge technology and world-class human resources; committed to the development and sustainability of the environment and the national community. Mission ‘T&T has the benefit of being geographically We are local shipbuilding and repair entrepreneurs dedicated well-placed. When we to the growth and development of the industry, by providing the compare ourselves highest quality of professional, technical and logistical solutions to Singapore, for to our customers; and by promoting and sustaining globally example, which is recognised human resource competencies, technology and physical a world leader in infrastructure, while achieving operational profitably and surpassing ship repair and ship established global standards. conversion, they have Contact some 87 licensed shipyards, but they T&T Shipbuilding & Repair Cluster are a little off the beaten track of the shipping lanes where the ships move ‘Shipbuilding and repair is of strategic importance P.O. Box 2853, Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago their cargo. T&T is fortunate we have in many respects. lt develops advanced Tel: +1 868 753 6057 ships numbering 31,000 voyages technologies that offer considerable spin-offs Fax: +1 868 662 6326 within 25 nautical miles per annum. to other sectors; it provides essential means of Skype: TT SHIPBUILDING AND REPAIR That describes the market. We are transport for regional and international trade; and looking to get a small piece of it.’ it supplies maritime companies and Governments E-mail: [email protected] with advanced vessels.’ www.tts-r.com Wilfred de Gannes, Chairman and CEO

Global_Ad.indd 36 10/01/2013 08:01 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. ESSAR STEEL country further diversify the local economy from the energy sector. community. and ALUTRINT (From right to left): Wilfred de Gannes presents a cheque to Mrs Linda Kelshall • Linkages with local Training and of the Chaguaramas Military, History and R&D Institutes, e.g. UTT, UWI and Aviation Museum, with Mr Michael Burke, SRDC Director Caribbean Fisheries Training and Vision Development Institute To be a globally recognised shipbuilding and repair hub, a hemispheric • Achieving our Vision 2020 goals leader driven by cutting-edge technology and world-class human resources; committed to the development and sustainability of the environment and the national community. Mission ‘T&T has the benefit of being geographically We are local shipbuilding and repair entrepreneurs dedicated well-placed. When we to the growth and development of the industry, by providing the compare ourselves highest quality of professional, technical and logistical solutions to Singapore, for to our customers; and by promoting and sustaining globally example, which is recognised human resource competencies, technology and physical a world leader in infrastructure, while achieving operational profitably and surpassing ship repair and ship established global standards. conversion, they have Contact some 87 licensed shipyards, but they T&T Shipbuilding & Repair Cluster are a little off the beaten track of the shipping lanes where the ships move ‘Shipbuilding and repair is of strategic importance P.O. Box 2853, Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago their cargo. T&T is fortunate we have in many respects. lt develops advanced Tel: +1 868 753 6057 ships numbering 31,000 voyages technologies that offer considerable spin-offs Fax: +1 868 662 6326 within 25 nautical miles per annum. to other sectors; it provides essential means of Skype: TT SHIPBUILDING AND REPAIR That describes the market. We are transport for regional and international trade; and looking to get a small piece of it.’ it supplies maritime companies and Governments E-mail: [email protected] with advanced vessels.’ www.tts-r.com Wilfred de Gannes, Chairman and CEO

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Spotlight Trinidad and Tobago

 Planning and Sustainable Development, the tering secondary school, as well as to their government has identified six business clus- teachers, underscoring the government’s ters – Energy, Food Sustainability, Maritime, commitment to learning and to bridging the Tourism, Creative Industries and Financial digital divide. Services – to drive its diversification targets. In Trinidad and Tobago, one of the main The government is also actively pursuing the challenges of the education system is not the operationalisation of a National Innovation exclusion or marginalisation of young girls, System of Trinidad and Tobago (NISTT) but that our young women are significantly and National Innovation Policy, which we outperforming their male counterparts. The anticipate will act as a catalyst for increased problem is rather the underachievement of innovation to be the driving force behind our boys and young men. Therefore, we have economic sustainability. sought to target young males in mentorship Economic diversification is not a quick and skills-building programmes.

fix solution but has to be sustained in the Economic Forum/Photo Bel Pedrosa © World Credit: Our thrust to bridge the digital divide has medium and long term. It would require Kamla Persad-Bissessar speaking at the 2011 World resulted in greater access to online tertiary political will and fortitude to water and Economic Forum on Latin America in Rio de Janeiro education programmes, thereby opening nurture the seeds of diversification, through the window of opportunity for both young the economic ups and downs, to take deep The vision for the Commonwealth has al- men and women to learn at their own pace roots and bear fruits many years from now. ways been multifaceted, as it has evolved and achieve their own academic goals My administration has the diversification over the years to cater to the political, social while they pursue their careers. of the economy as a top priority and is com- and economic development of its member mitted to the long-term process. states. In doing so, the vision for the Com- As Commonwealth Chair, you had project- monwealth is that of a network of col- ed an increase in women’s representation Caricom continues to fail to meet projected laborative organisations and partnerships, in parliament and cabinet to 30 percent objectives in relation to the establish- which can be a force for the greater good of minimum, 50 percent where the first has ment and operation of the Single Market its membership and for the world. been reached. Was that a successful pro- Economy. Several deadlines have been jection? Has it been achieved in your own missed. Has the economic and trade group- government? ing run its course? In Trinidad and Tobago, The government of Trinidad and Tobago is I do not believe so. Economic integration for committed to establishing mechanisms to countries all over the world has always been one of the main challenges accelerate the achievement of gender equal- a challenge. Caricom is the second major ity in political participation and representa- market for Trinidad and Tobago [and] pro- of the education system tion at all levels of the electoral process. It vides an avenue for sharpening our domes- is not the exclusion or is also dedicated to ensuring women’s full tic competitiveness since we are the leading participation on the basis of equality with exporter in Caricom, generating in excess marginalisation of young men in all areas of public life, including of 80 percent of intra-Caricom merchandise girls, but that our young governmental bodies, the judiciary, trade exports. Therefore, Trinidad and Tobago’s unions, the private sector, political parties, further integration with the Caricom region women are significantly employers’ organisations, research and aca- must, by necessity, remain a priority. demic institutions, and national corpora- Trinidad and Tobago, as a member of outperforming their tions. Caricom, is fully committed to the realisa- male counterparts My government intends to support these tion of a Caricom Single Market and Econ- objectives by providing gender awareness omy (CSME) since the main objectives training for recruiting bodies, including po- of the CSME are: full use of labour (full litical parties, to ensure that women partici- employment); full exploitation of the other One area envisioned for further develop- pate equally; and by implementing mecha- factors of production (natural resources and ment is the strengthening of the Common- nisms to evaluate and monitor progress. capital); and competitive production lead- wealth’s role in education, in particular, I am pleased to report that there have ing to greater variety and quantity of prod- the issue of the education of young girls. been increases in women’s overall partici- ucts and services to trade with other coun- This is particularly important to me, as in pation in national leadership and decision- tries extra-regionally. many parts of the world there is systemic making in Trinidad and Tobago. Participa- It is therefore expected that these objec- discrimination, which denies them access tion of women has increased in the Lower tives will in turn provide improved stand- to education, therefore shackling them and House from 11.1 percent in 2001 to 28.6 ards of living and sustained economic de- relegating them to a life of marginalisation percent in 2010, and that figure has been velopment throughout the region. and poverty. maintained up to 2012. In Trinidad and Tobago, education re- We are currently preparing for local gov- You were Chair-in-Office of the Common- mains one of the largest expenditure items ernment elections in 2013 and it is my hope wealth up to October 2012 and you are now in the annual budget. We maintain free and that we will see increased women’s partici- part of its leadership, ‘Troika’. What is your compulsory education for all children up to pation in the local government arena. As of vision of the Commonwealth’s role in the the age of 16. My government’s eConnect April 2012, there were 40 female council- future, and how is your government pursu- and Learn (eCAL) programme distributes lors, accounting for 30 percent of persons ing that vision? computers annually to girls and boys en- in local government. ●

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Spotlight Trinidad and Tobago Time to ease off the gas With its booming oil and gas industry, Trinidad and Tobago fared well in the global economic downturn, but the government must act now to move beyond the country’s dependency on its finite resources and focus on diversifying the economy – only then will it sustain growth and stability, increase employment opportunities and reduce its worryingly high crime rate

Trinidad and Tobago is the most industrial- shi and involving a local company, Neal and gas industry while developing the pro- ised nation in the Caribbean, and its eco- and Massy, for a methanol complex. ductive and competitive capacity of its man- nomic performance is the envy of its part- That is the credit side of the balance ufacturing, agricultural and service sectors. ners in the 15-nation Caribbean Community sheet. On the debit side, the country suffers These are challenges to which its present (CARICOM). There is good cause for envy. from high crime; it is highly dependent on government is alert and that it has set about At the end of 2011, with a high-income GNI exports of its hydrocarbon resources, which tackling. Trinidad and Tobago’s future per capita of TTD15,040, the 1.3 million will face new competition in the coming growth and development will rest on how people of the twin-island Caribbean state en- years; its manufacturing and agricultural successful the government is in overcom- joyed a low unemployment rate of 5.8 per- sectors are in urgent need of an overhaul ing the challenges. cent, a low debt to GDP ratio of 33 percent, to make them competitive; and its services The country’s positive economic perform- and high gross official reserves of US$9.8 sector, particularly its financial services, are ance is directly due to exports of its hydro- billion (over 13 months of imports). limited to Caribbean markets because of carbon resources, particularly gas, oil and Additionally, the British company, BP, increased pressure on financial centres by petrochemicals, which, in 2011, accounted just unearthed 1 trillion cubic feet of new extra-territorial laws of the USA and costly for 45.3 percent of GDP and 82.3 percent gas; the state-owned company, Petrotrin, regulatory requirements, initiated the Or- of export receipts. But, while the oil and gas recently discovered 48 million barrels of ganisation for Economic Co-operation and industry brings in massive revenues, it em- oil; in December the most successful bid Development (OECD) and enforced by the ploys only 4 percent of the country’s work- round in the country’s history was held with International Monetary Fund (IMF). force. Income is, therefore, unevenly distrib- BHP Billiton of Australia winning rights to Trinidad and Tobago is, therefore, at a uted. Traditional sectors of agriculture and explore in four deepwater blocks; and the pivotal point in its economic development manufacturing have declined, and progress government just signed an agreement with strategy. It has to find ways of maximising has been slow in the development of other a joint venture consortium led by Mitsubi- the benefits of the remaining years of its oil industries that can contribute to sustained 

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Spotlight Trinidad and Tobago

 growth. High incidents of violent crime have the brink, pushed there by high instances of ings and spreading the resulting economic also scarred the country, discomfiting its lo- violent crime fuelled by drug trafficking. benefits across the population in a fashion cal population, but, interestingly, have not The entire Caribbean region is a tranship- that is more equitable than has been ob- damaged foreign investment, which doubled ment area between the supply countries in tained in the 50 years since independence. in 2011–12 compared to 2010–11. South America and the demand countries in Recognising this, the present govern- The present People’s Partnership (PP) Europe and the USA. Trinidad and Tobago ment has been unique in the Caribbean by government, led by the country’s first wom- is especially vulnerable because of its prox- launching a Medium Term Policy Frame- an prime minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, imity to the South American coast. work (MTPF) for the period 2011–14. The came to office almost three years ago in May To its credit, on coming into office, the MTPF is designed to foster a sustainable 2010 deeply conscious that to achieve a sta- government set about tackling both the eco- and stable economy in the future. It is the ble and sustainable economy in the future it nomic priorities and the crime imperatives brainchild of the country’s Planning Min- had to get the most out of oil and gas assets simultaneously. In August 2011, it imposed ister, Dr Bhoe Tewarie, a former principal and create new opportunities in agriculture, a state of emergency (SoE) after a spike in of the Trinidad campus of the University of manufacturing and services, especially be- crime. A recent US State Department re- the West Indies. Tewarie was also the chief cause energy assets are inevitably finite. port confirmed that during the SoE, which architect of the PP’s election manifesto. Reports indicate that the country’s proved expired in December 2011, the number of Therefore, the MTPF is, unusually, a mix oil reserves now stand at approximately murders was greatly reduced – down to 354 of political objectives with rigorous crite- 728.3 million barrels, and its gas reserves in 2011 from 480 in 2010, 508 in 2009 and ria for measuring whether or not objectives at 408.2 billion cubic metres. The new gov- 550 in 2008. have been met. ernment was also acutely conscious that the At the root of Trinidad and Tobago’s so- According to the MTPF, the government social stability of the country – as much as cial challenges, including crime, is main- has embarked on a number of strategies to its appeal for investment – was teetering on taining and improving the country’s earn- ensure sustained macro-economic stability Credit: BP p.l.c. Credit: The Savonette gas field is located off the shore of Trinidad and has a production capacity of one billion cubic feet per day

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and growth. It has targeted seven clusters Trinidad and Tobago’s gas export destinations to diversify the economy. These are: down- 70% 70 streaming energy and energy services; food n 2011 sustainability; tourism; finance; ICT-driven 60% n 2007 industries; dry dock/ship repair/ship build- ing; and creative industries. 50% Trinidad and Tobago currently ranks 69th out of 185 nations for ease of doing busi- 40% ness, as measured by the World Bank. To be really competitive outside the oil and 30% gas industry, where it has a natural resource (%) Percentage 20 advantage, the country has to do much bet- 20% 16 ter to attract investment. In response to that 1213 12

summons, the government has taken some 10% 6 7 4 4 4 4 2 3 3 3 3 bold steps, among them measures to ease 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 delays in customs and to fast-track action 0% UK UEA on investment. For instance, a ‘one stop’ fa- Italy India Chile Brazil Spain China Japan France Mexico Canada cility, invesTT, has been created to support Belgium Argentina Puerto Rico Puerto investment. Further, unlike any other Carib- Korea South United States United

bean country, a ‘Performance Framework’ Rep. Dominican Region with targets has been established to assess Source: BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2008 and 2012 respectively progress on the MTPF. The framework has laid down requirements to strengthen the USA for the sale of gas in the global on the resources of its Heritage and Stabi- competiveness, toughen standards, raise market. lization Fund (HSF), which was created in productivity and increase the country’s at- Sensibly, Trinidad and Tobago’s gas pro- 2007 to save and invest surplus petroleum tractiveness to investors. ducers have been diversifying their export revenues derived from production business. The journey will be arduous, but Trinidad destinations successfully to other higher As of September 2011, the HSF had assets and Tobago has put its feet on the ladder, price markets. By 2011, the US market, of TTD$4.1 billion. The government has and, in doing so, has started a climb that which accounted for 70 percent of Trinidad run small budget deficits over the past three many other developing countries are failing and Tobago’s gas in 2007, had already been years and has not drawn down on the HSF. to acknowledge as important and necessary. reduced to 20 percent. Further, the HSF is invested prudently in In this effort, the government has gained low risk assets outside Trinidad and Tobago the confidence and support of the Inter- and unconnected to the energy sector. American Development Bank (IDB), which The journey will be It is a matter for the Trinidad and To- approved a new Country Strategy with arduous, but Trinidad bago government to decide – and it would Trinidad and Tobago in November 2011. be hotly debated in the country’s parlia- Specifically, the strategy aims to help the and Tobago has put its feet ment – on whether more of the proceeds of country to transition its economy from one on the ladder, and has the HSF should be used for development that is dependent on the oil and gas indus- projects now or savings increased to cater try. Implementation of the strategy envisag- started a climb that for revenue downturns in the future, as well es funding of around TTD$1.6 billion over as to enlarge the fund from which future the period 2011–15. The IDB has identified many other developing generations could derive an income. the main areas of its involvement as: trade, countries are failing to The IMF, in a June 2012 discussion of public sector modernisation, education, the country, favoured “a clearer focus on housing and citizen security. In 2011, it ap- acknowledge as important savings together with more constraints on proved loans of TTD$290 million, and it withdrawals”. But the government seems says that the current loan portfolio consists and necessary to prefer a separation of the ‘savings’ and of eight loans for a total of US$205 million, ‘stabilisation’ aspects of the HSF obviously of which 93 percent is undisbursed. There The two good things with regard to the to give it room to utilise the country’s own is clearly, therefore, a gap in the govern- oil and gas industry is first, competition savings to finance the improvement of the ment’s take-up of the IDB’s support, and from the USA is not immediate; and sec- manufacturing, agriculture and services this would suggest the need to accelerate ond, there is time both to increase the pro- sector and diversify its markets. implementation of the strategic plan. duction of existing known reserves of oil However that discussion turns out, Trini- Such acceleration is made urgent because and gas, and to lay a new economic founda- dad and Tobago is in the enviable position of the market threat posed by the produc- tion in manufacturing, agriculture, tourism of being able to make a choice at a time tion of shale gas in the USA. It is anticipat- and services, including financial services. when it is universally agreed that its econo- ed that within the next decade, the USA will This is why implementation of the country my is once again set to grow. ● not only be self-sufficient in gas because of strategy in cooperation with the IDB as- shale gas production, but it will also be an sumes very great importance. Sir Ronald Sanders is a Visiting Fellow at exporter. This means that, in addition to Apart from the support of international fi- London University, a consultant and former losing its market for gas in the USA, Trini- nancial institutions, such as the IDB, Trini- Caribbean diplomat dad and Tobago will have to compete with dad and Tobago is fortunate that it can call

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Global13_Spotlight_Tri&Tob.indd 43 10/01/2013 23:31 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement

Trinidad & Tobago Trinidad & Tobago Trinidad & Tobago Shipbuilding & Repair Cluster: Shipbuilding & Repair Cluster: Shipbuilding & Repair Cluster: Diversifying our economy, one ship at a Diversifyingtime ... our economy, one Diversifyingship at a time our ... economy, one ship at a time ... rinidad and Tobago is an ideal place for the rinidad and Tobago is an ideal place for the rinidad and Tobago is an ideal place for the Tdevelopment of a viable and competitive Tdevelopment of a viable and competitive Tdevelopment of a viable and competitive maritime cluster. maritime cluster. maritime cluster. The Shipbuilding & Repair Development The Shipbuilding & Repair Development The Shipbuilding & Repair Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited is the Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited is the Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited is the commercial entity of the Shipbuilding and Repair commercial entity of the Shipbuilding and Repair commercial entity of the Shipbuilding and Repair Cluster, which started as an initiative of the Cluster, which started as an initiative of the Cluster, which started as an initiative of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investments (MTI) Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investments (MTI) Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investments (MTI) and was conceived in 2007 to plan and carefully and was conceived in 2007 to plan and carefully and was conceived in 2007 to plan and carefully develop this ‘new’ area of maritime activity within develop this ‘new’ area of maritime activity within develop this ‘new’ area of maritime activity within the twin island country as part of the greater the twin island country as part of the greater the twin island country as part of the greater move for economic diversifi cation away from the move for economic diversifi cation away from the move for economic diversifi cation away from the energy sector. energy sector. energy sector. With an established maritime history and With an established maritime history and With an established maritime history and the benefi t of a favourable geographic location, the benefi t of a favourable geographic location, the benefi t of a favourable geographic location, Trinidad and Tobago is strategically located on Trinidad and Tobago is strategically located on Trinidad and Tobago is strategically located on key trade routes connecting the North and South key trade routes connecting the North and South key trade routes connecting the North and South American continents. The domestic commercial American continents. The domestic commercial American continents. The domestic commercial maritime sector evolved as an off shoot of a maritime sector evolved as an off shoot of a maritime sector evolved as an off shoot of a rapidly expanding energy sector, which required rapidly expanding energy sector, which required rapidly expanding energy sector, which required a strong maritime presence to support off shore exploration The current local ship repair facilities fora strong servicing maritime smaller presence to support off shore exploration The current locala shipstrong repair maritime facilities presence for servicing to support smaller off shore exploration The current local ship repair facilities for servicing smaller activity. The sector also benefi ted from a growing cargo and vessels, mainly fi shing boats, oil and gas activity.supply vesselsThe sector and also benefi ted from a growing cargo and vessels, mainly fi shingactivity. boats, The oilsector and alsogas supplybenefi ted vessels from anda growing cargo and vessels, mainly fi shing boats, oil and gas supply vessels and transhipment trade, as the country developed into a major tugs should be expanded to include ta nkers,transhipment LNG vessels trade, and as the country developed into a major tugs should be expandedtranshipment to include trade, tankers, as the LNGcountry vessels developed and into a major tugs should be expanded to include tankers, LNG vessels and hub to facilitate trade between the smaller Caribbean islands. container ships. hub to facilitate trade between the smaller Caribbean islands. container ships. hub to facilitate trade between the smaller Caribbean islands. container ships. Trinidad and Tobago has three major cargo ports with Global shipbuilding has suff ered in the recent Trinidad economic and Tobago has three major cargo ports with Global shipbuilding Trinidad has suff and ered Tobago in the recent has three economic major cargo ports with Global shipbuilding has suff ered in the recent economic a further deep-water port planned for La Brea. With the downturn, especially with the low demanda further for larger deep-water ships port planned for La Brea. With the downturn, especiallya further with the deep-water low demand port for planned larger forships La Brea. With the downturn, especially with the low demand for larger ships increase in trade agreements and technological advances, decimating that side of the industry. Thisincrease has created in trade a new agreements and technological advances, decimating that sideincrease of the in industry. trade agreements This has created and technological a new advances, decimating that side of the industry. This has created a new the global shipping industry has gained even greater market for the Shipbuilding and Repair Clusterthe global as thousands shipping industry has gained even greater market for the Shipbuildingthe global and shipping Repair Cluster industry as thousands has gained even greater market for the Shipbuilding and Repair Cluster as thousands importance. The Panama Canal expansion due to be of these ships which were ordered in importance. 2007 and recently The Panama Canal expansion due to be of these ships whichimportance. were ordered The Panama in 2007 Canal and recently expansion due to be of these ships which were ordered in 2007 and recently completed in 2014 will see more trade passing through our launched by shipyards in South Korea,completed Japan andin 2014 the will see more trade passing through our launched by shipyardscompleted in Southin 2014 Korea,will see Japan more trade and thepassing through our launched by shipyards in South Korea, Japan and the People’s Republic of China have to be ‘laid-up’, People’s Republic of China have to be ‘laid-up’, People’s Republic of China have to be ‘laid-up’, Shipbuilding and repair is of strategic some without ever having transportedShipbuilding a single and repair is of strategic some Shipbuilding without ever having and transported repair ais single of strategic some without ever having transported a single importance in many respects. It develops shipment of cargo. In light of ourimportance focus on smaller in many respects. It develops shipmentimportance of cargo. In light in of many our focus respects. on smaller It develops shipment of cargo. In light of our focus on smaller advanced technologies that offer considerable and more fl exible vessels this advancedhas proved to betechnologies an that offer considerable and moreadvanced fl exible vessels technologies this has proved thatto be anoffer considerable and more fl exible vessels this has proved to be an opportunity for us, and we have defi ed economic opportunity for us, and we have defi ed economic opportunity for us, and we have defi ed economic spin-offs to other sectors; it provides essential stagnation by making the sectorspin-offs a key FDI earner. to other sectors; it provides essential stagnationspin-offs by making to the other sector sectors;a key FDI earner. it provides essential stagnation by making the sector a key FDI earner. means of transport for regional and international We are proud to be spearheadingmeans the of nation’s transport for regional and international We aremeans proud toof be transport spearheading for the regional nation’s and international We are proud to be spearheading the nation’s trade; and it supplies maritime companies and drive for diversifi cation. trade; and it supplies maritime companies and drive fortrade; diversifi and cation. it supplies maritime companies and drive for diversifi cation. Our country can look to become the Singapore Our country can look to become the Singapore Our country can look to become the Singapore governments with advanced vessels. of the west, which at presentgovernments has 20 per cent of with advanced vessels. of the governmentswest, which at present with has advanced 20 per cent of vessels. of the west, which at present has 20 per cent of the global repair and conversion market share for the global repair and conversion market share for the global repair and conversion market share for region, requiring more transhipment hubs and ports adapted ocean-going vessels because of their strategicregion, requiring geographic more transhipment hubs and ports adapted ocean-going vesselsregion, because requiring of their more strategic transhipment geographic hubs and ports adapted ocean-going vessels because of their strategic geographic to the new size of vessel. This country could see over 300 location. With a total of 80 licensed to shipyards the new andsize theof vessel. This country could see over 300 location. With a to total the ofnew 80 size licensed of vessel. shipyards This country and thecould see over 300 location. With a total of 80 licensed shipyards and the additional ships needing port services and Port of Spain and employment of some 141,000 maritime workers,additional Singapore’s ships needing port services and Port of Spain and employment of someadditional 141,000 ships maritime needing workers, port services Singapore’s and Port of Spain and employment of some 141,000 maritime workers, Singapore’s Point Lisas will not be able to carry that load. We need to put shipyard and off shore sector today contributesPoint Lisas will around not be able to carry that load. We need to put shipyard and off Pointshore Lisas sector will not today be able contributes to carry that around load. We need to put shipyard and off shore sector today contributes around the infrastructure in place or risk becoming a secondary port. US$9.4 billion to their economy. the infrastructure in place or risk becoming a secondary port. US$9.4 billion to theirthe infrastructure economy. in place or risk becoming a secondary port. US$9.4 billion to their economy. In addition to port expansion, our government is seeking What better diversifi cation of our economy In addition could to weport expansion, our government is seeking What better diversifi In addition cation to of port our expansion, economy couldour government we is seeking What better diversifi cation of our economy could we to enhance growth in the shipbuilding and repairs sector as hope for at this time? Our country has to substantial enhance growth foreign in the shipbuilding and repairs sector as hope for at this time?to enhance Our country growth in has the substantial shipbuilding foreign and repairs sector as hope for at this time? Our country has substantial foreign our geographical position is favourable for ship and yacht exchange earning capacity. our geographical position is favourable for ship and yacht exchange earningour capacity. geographical position is favourable for ship and yacht exchange earning capacity. repairs. Trinidad is also blessed with having one of the In the dynamic maritime industry thererepairs. is an Trinidadold saying: is also blessed with having one of the In the dynamicrepairs. maritime Trinidad industry is there also blessedis an old withsaying: having one of the In the dynamic maritime industry there is an old saying: largest natural sheltered harbours in the world, the Gulf of ‘if you stop moving, you’re dead’ – and welargest do not natural intend sheltered to harbours in the world, the Gulf of ‘if you stop moving,largest you’re natural dead’ sheltered– and we do harbours not intend in the to world, the Gulf of ‘if you stop moving, you’re dead’ – and we do not intend to Paria, which is outside the hurricane belt. With our highly stop moving! Paria, which is outside the hurricane belt. With our highly stop moving! Paria, which is outside the hurricane belt. With our highly stop moving! developed yachting industry, several hundred yachts visit developed yachting industry, several hundred yachts visit developed yachting industry, several hundred yachts visit the islands each year to repair, maintain and store yachts. www.tts-r.comthe islands each year to repair, maintain and store yachts. the islands eachwww.tts-r.com year to repair, maintain and store yachts. www.tts-r.com

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Advertisement Spotlight Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad & Tobago Shipbuilding & Repair Cluster: Overcoming political Diversifying our economy, one ship at a time ... barriers to economic revival rinidad and Tobago is an ideal place for the Tdevelopment of a viable and competitive maritime cluster. Trinidad and Tobago’s energy-driven economy has survived the international recession without suffering too badly; The Shipbuilding & Repair Development but to make the most of economic possibilities for growth, the four-party coalition People’s Partnership government Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited is the of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has to overcome several political and electoral hurdles commercial entity of the Shipbuilding and Repair Cluster, which started as an initiative of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investments (MTI) Although positive about her government’s government ministers and financiers of the and was conceived in 2007 to plan and carefully ability to move the economy forward, Prime ruling party. develop this ‘new’ area of maritime activity within Minister Persad-Bissessar and her govern- Section 34 was quickly repealed and the the twin island country as part of the greater ment face serious political and industrial Justice Minister fired after an almighty- fu move for economic diversifi cation away from the relations challenges, including two local rore broke out. But large segments of the energy sector. government elections and a general election national community across all political alle- With an established maritime history and required by the constitution in 2015. giances have targeted the prime minister, her the benefi t of a favourable geographic location, Not least of the problems facing Persad- Attorney-General and the entire cabinet for Trinidad and Tobago is strategically located on Bissessar is keeping the coalition govern- allegedly implementing legislation to free its key trade routes connecting the North and South ment, originally composed of five parties, financiers and former ministerial colleagues. American continents. The domestic commercial now reduced to four, intact. In June 2012, Two huge public demonstrations organ- maritime sector evolved as an off shoot of a two years after being part of the People’s ised by the opposition People’s National rapidly expanding energy sector, which required Partnership that won the general elections, Movement, the majority of the labour move- a strong maritime presence to support off shore exploration The current local ship repair facilities for servicing smaller the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ), ment, and supported by several civic groups activity. The sector also benefi ted from a growing cargo and vessels, mainly fi shing boats, oil and gas supply vessels and which comprises the trade union move- put pressure on the government. A no confi- transhipment trade, as the country developed into a major tugs should be expanded to include ta nkers, LNG vessels and ment, left the PP coalition, accusing it of Local elections will be held later this year in Trinidad dence vote against the prime minister in par- hub to facilitate trade between the smaller Caribbean islands. container ships. going back on its manifesto promises and liament followed (which could not be passed Trinidad and Tobago has three major cargo ports with Global shipbuilding has suff ered in the recent economic being overrun with corrupt activity. “It is with Kublalsingh and the protesting villagers. given the government’s built-in majority in a further deep-water port planned for La Brea. With the downturn, especially with the low demand for larger ships in this context that the National executive Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar frowned the parliament) and has seriously damaged increase in trade agreements and technological advances, decimating that side of the industry. This has created a new and Activists Council of the Movement for on “such individuals and groups who are the credibility of the government. the global shipping industry has gained even greater market for the Shipbuilding and Repair Cluster as thousands Social Justice have decided that our party seen to be betraying the trust that has been Widespread negative public comment will remove itself from the People’s Part- placed in the Partnership”, and accused them importance. The Panama Canal expansion due to be of these ships which were ordered in 2007 and recently carried in the print and electronic media nership coalition of political parties,” said of engaging “in what amounts to blackmail against the government for its handling of completed in 2014 will see more trade passing through our launched by shipyards in South Korea, Japan and the MSJ leader, David Abdulah. of my leadership”. the Section 34 fiasco continues. With its People’s Republic of China have to be ‘laid-up’, Internal conflict has not ended with the de- One of the major political challenges back against the proverbial wall, the prime Shipbuilding and repair is of strategic some without ever having transported a single parture of the MSJ. The second largest party faced by Persad-Bissessar and her govern- minister and her inner (UNC) cabinet have shipment of cargo. In light of our focus on smaller importance in many respects. It develops in the coalition, the Congress of the Peo- ment came from the appointment in January taken to attacking the media, charging them and more fl exible vessels this has proved to be an advanced technologies that offer considerable ple (COP), has often taken public positions 2011 of a low-level technician head of the with bias. The government is also facing se- opportunity for us, and we have defi ed economic spin-offs to other sectors; it provides essential against government and cabinet decisions country’s major secret service, the Security vere criticism and demonstrations from sig- stagnation by making the sector a key FDI earner. and actions that have been instigated by the Intelligence Agency. After steadfastly de- nificant sections of the trade union move- means of transport for regional and international We are proud to be spearheading the nation’s major coalition partner, the United National fending the appointment for two weeks and ment that are demanding long-delayed trade; and it supplies maritime companies and drive for diversifi cation. Congress, the party of the prime minister. demanding that the media “move on” from wage negotiations in the public sector. Our country can look to become the Singapore governments with advanced vessels. Notably, COP leader, Prakash Maharaj, has the subject, the prime minister admitted the In this hostile political environment, the of the west, which at present has 20 per cent of called on Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar appointment had been an error, apologised, government faces a poll in January to elect the global repair and conversion market share for to suspend Jack Warner from her cabinet. A labelled it “my biggest mistake” and vowed the Tobago House of Assembly, which con- region, requiring more transhipment hubs and ports adapted ocean-going vessels because of their strategic geographic senior minister, Warner is facing allegations that it would not happen again. trols the domestic affairs of Tobago, and local to the new size of vessel. This country could see over 300 location. With a total of 80 licensed shipyards and the of corruption while he was vice-president Undoubtedly, though, the biggest po- government elections later this year in Trini- additional ships needing port services and Port of Spain and employment of some 141,000 maritime workers, Singapore’s of Fifa, the world football body. In Decem- litical fallout occurred in August 2012 and dad. In these elections, the People’s Partner- Point Lisas will not be able to carry that load. We need to put shipyard and off shore sector today contributes around ber 2012, while facing a serious challenge has come to be known as the ‘Section 34 ship – fractured and disunited within and be- the infrastructure in place or risk becoming a secondary port. US$9.4 billion to their economy. from hunger-striker Dr Wayne Kublalsingh fiasco’. Having promised parliament to de- ing confronted by a revived People’s National In addition to port expansion, our government is seeking What better diversifi cation of our economy could we who was protesting the passage of a portion lay for two to three years any legislation Movement – faces what amounts to referenda to enhance growth in the shipbuilding and repairs sector as hope for at this time? Our country has substantial foreign of a major highway through a series of 13 allowing judges to dismiss criminal cases on its government. There is no question that our geographical position is favourable for ship and yacht exchange earning capacity. communities, former COP leader, Winston which have been awaiting trial for more the political and industrial obstacles to over- repairs. Trinidad is also blessed with having one of the In the dynamic maritime industry there is an old saying: Dookeran, came out publicly against the ag- than ten years, the government quietly pro- come are many as the government seeks to largest natural sheltered harbours in the world, the Gulf of ‘if you stop moving, you’re dead’ – and we do not intend to gressive and non-yielding position of Persad- claimed law Section 34 of the Administra- resuscitate economic revival. ● Paria, which is outside the hurricane belt. With our highly stop moving! Bissessar and a few of her UNC ministers. tion of Justice Act. The move could have Tony Fraser is a freelance journalist based in developed yachting industry, several hundred yachts visit He called on the prime minister to exercise resulted in billion-dollar corruption charg- Trinidad and Tobago the islands each year to repair, maintain and store yachts. www.tts-r.com “compassion and compromise” in dealing es being dropped against several former

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Spotlight Trinidad and Tobago “In the Trinidad of my childhood, there was a respect for and delight in language well used”

Interview Vahni Capildeo, poet, teacher and lexicographer

Vahni Capildeo, based in Oxford, was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, in 1973. After reading English at Oxford University, she took up a Research Fellowship at Girton College, Cambridge, and published her first poetry collection, No Traveller Returns, in 2003. Four further books of poetry and prose followed, and her next collection, Utter, will be published with Peepal Tree Press later this year. She currently teaches at Glasgow University

The daughter of a politician and cosmo- where except at Oxford, because I wanted personality could be eased and quietened. politan mother, Trinidadian author and poet to learn Old English, to get to the roots of The best things about Oxford life were Vahni Capildeo comes from a large extend- my language and its literature. I knew that the workload, the tutorial system and the ed family that includes author V S Naipaul. that might involve hard labour. It has paid friendships. Here, she talks to Global about her earli- off, as the Anglo-Saxon metre and way of est childhood memories, her undergradu- writing about the sea and exile can pierce When, and why, did you decide to become a ate life in Oxford, her love of language – me with heat and cold, untranslated, as writer? Were you writing poetry from your from Old English to Chinese – and which true poetry does. We didn’t own any cold- teens, or earlier? authors’ work have inspired her. Though a weather clothing, so in those pre-Internet I always intended to become a writer. By great admirer of contemporary Caribbean days, determined to settle things better than the time I was six I was very serious about writers, with their activist stance and ability provisioning myself and flying expensively doing ‘poems’ in pencil in copybooks. In to connect with real issues, Capildeo shuns near Christmas time to a winter Oxford in- the Trinidad of my childhood, there was the idea that her poetry and prose have been terview, I wrote letters to various colleges, a respect for and delight in language well shaped by her Caribbean background. This asking if tutors in Modern Languages, used; also, an awareness of sunken lan- becomes clear as she offers us an insight guages, still spoken by some of Trinidad’s into her own unique works, as diverse in The rest of the world is people: Romance languages, African lan- their form as in their themes. guages, North and South Indian languag- already in, or passing es, Chinese. Global: What are your most vivid early memories and images of Trinidad? through, Trinidad. It is As a writer, are you to a greater or lesser Vahni Capildeo: My parents moved to time for the rest of the extent influenced by your Caribbean back- what is still my mother’s house two years ground? Does this sense of ‘influence’ before I was born. This house is in Port of world to come to terms matter? What about politics? Spain. There was always a feeling that the The greatest influence on my writing life island was a cosmopolitan, travellers’ place. with this archipelagic is less my Caribbean childhood than my A great strength of the island mentality is sensability, where criss- relationships with contemporary Carib- that ability to cross cultures, cross space. bean writers, especially those based in the My great-grandfather once came stalking crossing and fluidity are a region, such as Nicholas Laughlin, An- up the driveway, and he was Indian, an dre Bagoo and Vladimir Lucien. Talented upright Rajput in white, incomprehensibly way of life writers in Trinidad are less likely to be ancient, bringing a young banana tree as a beached in the academy than they are in gift and helping us plant it. He had not met Music or English would give me a serious the UK. Trinidad’s a small place. my brother and me before, but blessed us pre-interview interview in the summer. The Nicholas Laughlin, for example, co- kindly on the head. Christ Church English tutors gave me a directs Alice Yard, a public art space, is thorough grilling, which I enjoyed. programme director for the [Trinidad and How did you get to study English at Oxford? Something, too, about the openness of Tobago’s annual] Bocas Lit Fest and edits What were the best things about Oxford un- Christ Church Meadow and the college’s two significant magazines. Andre Bagoo dergraduate life for you? great uncloistered quadrangle appealed as is an investigative journalist, trained as a I never seriously considered studying any- somewhere to live, where the sense of mere lawyer. They are in touch with live issues

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Spotlight Trinidad and Tobago

more directly than at the level of protest: organising responses to floods exacerbated by climate change or dedicating hours to understanding government process.

Which classic writers do you love, and why? ‘Love’ is perhaps not quite the word. From childhood, I love E Nesbit for her way of not talking down to the reader and sense of social comedy; Paul Keens-Douglas for his wit and perfect ear for monologue; and Robert Louis Stevenson, who writes the childhood feelings children can’t articulate. Later, sometimes it was the writers I didn’t love who stuck with me. For example, I am not sure that I love Henry James, yet I re- turn to the astonishing vividness of some of his descriptions of objects and of wildflow- ers in Portrait of a Lady.

Your five books areNo Traveller Returns (2003), One Scattered Skeleton, Person Ani- mal Figure (2005), Undraining Sea (2009) and Dark & Unaccustomed Words (2012). Can you say something about each? No Traveller Returns was conceived as a book, beginning in the Caribbean and rang- ing outwards via England and Iceland into the country of death. There are dialogues, lyrics, imaginary drama, some prose po- ems, even short fiction. One Scattered Skeleton is a prose mem- oir, dealing with topics such as attitudes to mental illness, femininity and homosexu- ality in Trinidad. Each chapter explores a different form, a different way of exploring truth – personal letters, a diary, a commen- tary on others’ texts. Excerpts have been published in anthologies and journals and You have worked in academia in Britain. bering a time when it was less accessible. on websites, but not the whole book. The What views do you have about the UK They know first hand that education, like Guardian journalist Ann Morgan picked it system as compared to (say) the system in health, is not a profit-making business, un- up as her Trinidad choice in her ‘Year of Trinidad? less it is run at a loss in terms of human Reading the World’ project. I have no direct professional experience of capital. As for the UK, since my Fellowship Person Animal Figure is a series of dra- the academic system in Trinidad, other than in Cambridge, I have spent very little time matic monologues. Undraining Sea and giving the occasional talk or workshop. working in academia per se, and always Dark & Unaccustomed Words are the sec- There seems to be very good uptake of the in fixed-term creative writing posts rather ond and third parts of the project begun Trinidad government’s free tertiary edu- than in, say, manuscript research. with No Traveller Returns, moving through cation, with a number of mature students the endless play of cities and situations re- qualifying or requalifying in areas that How do you think Trinidad faces, culturally, flecting one another to the exploration of would otherwise be too costly, such as law. the rest of the world? the possibilities of form. If Amartya Sen’s Development as Freedom The rest of the world is already in, or pass- My fourth full poetry collection, Utter, is right, this investment in education might ing through, Trinidad. The island is at a due out shortly, is my favourite book to well pay off in a generation or so. strategic point, a flight path for humans as date, and the end of that style of dramatic Quality of student life there is character- well as many species of bird. People are monologues and palimpsestic poetry, at ised by closeness of Trinidadian youngsters very much hooked into new communica- least for now. to their parents and families, similar to that tions technologies; and the population is I have also co-authored All Your Houses in Latin countries. University life in Trini- multi-ethnic and migratory to a degree that with Andre Bagoo. The prose poems and dad is not as much part of a rite of break- makes London look simple. It is time for photographs show abandoned or decaying ing with origins as it is in the UK. There the rest of the world to come to terms with urban spaces in Port of Spain still explod- continues to be at least something of the this archipelagic sensibility, where criss- ing with life: greenery, clutter, staircases interweaving of generations. The older crossing and fluidity are not jargon terms into the sky. generation truly values education, remem- but a way of life. ●

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