2008/9 i ii From the editor “Things look different depending on “extraordinarily high energy costs and where you sit or stand.” That was a recessionary trends in the world’s largest favourite saying of the late Dr Herb economy, the Unites States of America, Addo, who was a lecturer which could affect industrial output in at the Institute of countries around the world.” International Relations, For Trinidad and , the University of the West soaring price of oil in 2008 is a double- Indies at St Augustine. edged sword, he said, driving up prices In Trinidad and for goods and services, while increasing Tobago, the adage seems national revenue. In June, inflation apt. Some see Trinidad crossed from single to double digits for and Tobago simply as the first time in 2008, as the price of a booming, prosperous food and other crucial products kept country, the tiger of the increasing. Caribbean. For others, Internally, the issue of crime is caution is the name of still a primary concern, especially for the game; they question the business community. Ian Collier, the sustainability of president of the the current economic Chamber of Commerce, warned situation, given the in June that business leaders were volatile prices of oil migrating because of crime, despite the and gas and the the government’s determination to promote Ryder Scott audit the country as an international financial which puts proven gas centre. reserves at only 13 years It is against this backdrop that the at the present rate of 2008/9 issue of the Trinidad and Tobago extraction. Business Guide comes to you. Its The country is analysis of the state of the nation comes projecting an image of from contributors who are experts in wealth and economic success. In July, their fields. US president George W Bush removed This year, we have included overviews it from the Generalised System of of the film, media and maritime sectors, Preferences (GSP) programme on the which are developing into important grounds that Trinidad and Tobago is contributors to the economy. now a high-income country. The response to our inaugural A further indicator of economic and issue last year was phenomenal, and diplomatic strength is the hosting, in I would like to thank all the business 2009, of two significant conferences— organisations, embassies, trade the Summit of the Americas in April missions, conference organisers and and the Commonwealth Heads of advertisers who supported our efforts. Government in October. Your feedback on this second issue will On the other hand, there are a be warmly welcome. number of factors threatening to derail this success story. In an address to the Laura Dowrich-Phillips nation on April 2, Prime Minister Editor acknowledged the international pressures caused by [email protected]

2008/9 1 CREDITS Table of Editorial, sales and production

Editor: Laura Dowrich-Phillips Design & layout: Aisha Provoteaux Advertising sales: Helen Shair-Singh Contents Prepress and printing: Caribbean Paper and Printed Products (1993) Ltd.

Contributors

Asha Javeed Dr Bibi Ali Carla Herbert David Renwick eTecK James Fuller Jwala Rambarran Kristy Ramnarine Peter Campbell Dr Rae Furlonge Tracy Assing

Photography and courtesy images

Andrea De Silva Cara Suites Diefferent Films Earth TV Ltd HCL Jennifer Watson Mariamma Kambon Mirissa De Four 01 Welcome note National Flour Mills Petrotrin RBTT 04 Fast Facts Repsol YPF Tracy Assing 06 Economic Overview The Port of Trinidad and Tobago: An economic overview Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (Udecott) 10 Agriculture The Trinidad and Tobago Business Guide is published by Dealing with the food crisis Media and Editorial Projects (MEP) Ltd. 6 Prospect Avenue, Maraval, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago 16 Trade and Manufacturing T (868) 622-3821 New deals for local products F (868) 628-0639 E [email protected], 22 Banking and Finance sales: [email protected] www.meppublishers.com RBC returns to Trinidad and Tobago

Copyright © 2008 by Media and Editorial Projects Ltd. 28 Capital Markets All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be Stock market reproduced in any form whatsoever without the written consent of the publisher. 34 Maritime An industry under development

2 Table of

38 Transportation 72 Film Transportation governance in Trinidad and Tobago Creating local content

42 Energy 78 Telecom 100 years of oil production From cell wars to broadband battles

48 Environment 84 Tobago Environmental management in Trinidad and Tobago An island on the move

54 Tourism 92 Tobago Poised for growth Tourism: a proactive approach

62 Construction 96 Doing Business in Mega projects under scrutiny Trinidad and Tobago Trade and investment approvals and procedures 68 Media A growing industry 105 Directory

2008/9 3 TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO Fast Facts CURRENCY CAPITAL CITY TIME ZONE The currency of Trinidad and Tobago • Summer: EST (equivalent • Port of Spain, Trinidad, seat of the is the dollar (TT$) = 100 cents. Notes to GMT – 5 hours) national democratic government are in denominations of TT$100, • Winter: EST + 1 hour • Scarborough, Tobago, seat of 20, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in (GMT – 4 hours) the local government body, the denominations of 50, 25, 10, five and (THA). • No daylight savings time. one cent. In June 2008, the TT dollar was worth US$6.32, according to the Central Bank.

CLIMATE BUSINESS DRESS CODE

• Trinidad and Tobago has two EMERGENCY SERVICES • Trinidad is more formal with seasons: the dry season, from lightweight suits January to May, and the wet • Police: 999 • In Tobago jackets are optional or rainy season, from June to • Fire: 990 except on formal occasions. December • Ambulance: 811 • In the rainy season, mornings are • A Hyperbaric Medical Facility usually sunny, followed by rainy (Dive Chamber) available in afternoons and fair nights Roxborough, Tobago. • During this time, general rainfall BUSINESS HOURS pattern is interrupted by days of brilliant sunshine, known as Offices: Petit Carême, between mid- Monday to Friday 8 am to September and mid-October. 4:30 pm Banks: Monday to Thursday 9 am to POPULATION 2 pm, Friday 9 am to noon and 3 pm to 5 pm • Trinidad and Tobago’s estimated population is 1.3 million. • 40.3 per cent East Indian descent Government: • 39.5 per cent African Monday to Friday 8 am to • 18.4 per cent Mixed 4:30 pm • 0.6 per cent European • Chinese and Other 1.2 per cent Retail: • The average life expectancy is 70.3 years, with 68 per cent of the population Monday to Friday 8 am to between 15 and 64 years. The labour force is estimated at 558,700 4:30 pm • The most recent unemployment data for 2007, according to the Central Bank, indicates an unemployment rate of 5.54 per cent. OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

TELEPHONE • English (Spanish is being promoted as Trinidad and + 1 (868) + seven digit number. Tobago’s second language)

4 DRIVING DUTY FREE SHOPPING

Available at the Cruise Ship Complex, Piarco and Crown Point Airports, and some Driving is on the left side of the road. downtown Port of Spain stores.

ELECTRICITY FERRIES TAXES 115 volts/230 volts (+/- 6 per cent) and 60Hz. • The Trinidad and Tobago Port • Hotel Tax: 10 per cent Authority operates the domestic service charge and 10 ferry service providing transport per cent hotel room tax • Value Added Tax (VAT): for passengers, vehicles and BANKING cargo between Trinidad and 15 per cent on goods Tobago. Services include dining and services. • All banks have automatic banking and bars machines (ABMs), and major • Fast ferries: T&T Express and shopping malls contain either full T&T Spirit service branches or ABMs Duration: two hours. Fares: Adult • The ABM banking system $50 one-way; $100 return, features LINX which enables economy class clients to access accounts from • Conventional ferries: Panorama any ABM and Warrior Spirit • LINX can also be used to make Duration: five and a half hours. purchases at retail outlets Fares: (Economy) one-way TRAVELLER’S CHEQUES throughout the country • ABMs also offer access to $37.50; return $75. (Cabin) AND CREDIT CARDS one-way $80; return $160 advance cash withdrawals for VISA, MasterCard and VISA Plus Accepted in most establishments. clients.

AIRLINES AIRPORTS

International : • Piarco International Airport is • Piarco is serviced by scheduled flights operated by American Airlines, Continental, 17miles (27km) from Port of British Airways, Liat, , Surinam Airways, Aeropostal, Copa Spain. Airport code POS Airlines, Spirit Airlines and Delta Airlines, in addition to several charter operators • Crown Point International • Crown Point is serviced by scheduled flights operated by Liat, British Airways, Airport is 7miles (10km) from Virgin Atlantic out of London, Condor out of Germany, Excel Airways out of London Scarborough. Airport code TAB. and Delta Airlines out of Atlanta, USA.

Domestic airbridge • Caribbean Airlines operates the domestic airbridge, flying daily from 5.45 am till 9 Sources: Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, pm. The domestic fare is TT$150 single and TT$300 return. Central Statistical Office (CSO), Crown Point International Airport and the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago.

2008/9 5 Trinidad and Tobago AN ECONOMIC OVERVIEW

Over the past few years, Trinidad and energy sector activity has contributed to Tobago’s macroeconomic performance has a significant increase in job creation and a been remarkable, supported by several resultant sharp fall in the unemployment large energy-related investment projects, rate. At the end of December 2006, the and more recently, by record high unemployment rate fell to a historic low crude oil prices. The rapid expansion of of five per cent of the labour force. This the global economy, fuelled by strong was significantly lower than the previous demand in the United States and China, record low of 9.9 per cent registered in 1982 has also supported the domestic growth when the Trinidad and Tobago economy momentum. was experiencing boom conditions. In In 2006, real GDP in Trinidad and the first half of 2007, the unemployment Tobago increased by 12 per cent, led rate averaged 6.3 per cent of the labour by double-digit growth of nearly 21 per force compared with seven per cent in the cent in the energy sector with the coming first half of 2006. The construction sector on stream of Train IV of the Atlantic remains the largest source of job creation Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility and has experienced labour shortages and the M5000 methanol plant. With no that are forcing employers to source major additions to productive capacity in skilled construction workers regionally 2007 and a temporary and internationally. Some concerns have shortfall at one of been expressed about the sustainability the major energy of most of these employment gains when plants, economic several construction projects wind down. Several factors are growth slowed to The number of persons employed in about 5.5 per cent in manufacturing has remained constant responsible for rising 2007, partially easing while agriculture has shed jobs. concerns that the The industrial relations climate was consumer price economy might be fairly peaceful in 2007. Despite small reaching close to full pockets of industrial action labour inflation. Growth of capacity. By contrast, disturbances were not protracted enough output in the non- to seriously dent overall output and the non-energy fiscal energy sector grew at productivity. a respectable pace of High energy prices and growth in deficit, which the over 6.5 per cent in energy output continued to strengthen 2007. Construction the government’s balance sheet, but the Government finances continued to lead the underlying fiscal position is deteriorating way mainly due to the due to heavy public spending on stimulus from heavy infrastructure and social programmes. by drawing down on public spending on In FY 2005/6, the central government’s housing projects, budget surplus increased to seven per its deposits held at government office cent of Gross Domestic Product, its gross space and upgrade of debt fell to 18 per cent, and deposits the Central Bank, is infrastructure. The in the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund rapid increase in credit (HSF) reached eight per cent. However, the major source of to the private sector the non-energy deficit (total spending has also supported excluding energy revenue) widened to 15 liquidity pressures several projects in the per cent of GDP, raising concerns about non-energy sector. the sustainability of sharp increases in The robust transfers and subsidies (on utilities and expansion in non- fuels) and higher public investment.

6 economic overview

By Jwala Rambarran

Medium-term fiscal projections indicate The board decides investment objectives, peaked at ten per cent in October 2006, that the sustainable non-energy deficit sets the strategic asset allocation and driven mainly by significant increases in should be no greater than ten per cent of reviews Fund performance. The Central food prices. Inflation declined thereafter, current GDP. In FY 2006/7, the budget Bank is responsible for the day-to-day reaching 7.6 per cent at the end of 2007. surplus fell to four per cent of GDP, and management of the HSF. At the end of January 2008, however, the non-energy deficit widened further to Trinidad and Tobago’s external headline inflation rose to 9.9 per cent. 16 per cent. The expansion in the non- position is solid and net foreign assets Core inflation, which excludes food energy deficit has been a major source of continue to accumulate at a rapid pace. In prices, had stabilised at about 4.5 per cent liquidity injection in the economy. Fiscal 2006, rising export volumes of LNG and in 2007 before rising to 5.7 per cent in injections in FY 2007 were 24 per cent other petrochemicals together with higher January 2008. By June, inflation reached higher than in the previous fiscal year. energy prices pushed the current account 11.3 per cent, the highest in 14 years. The FY 2007/8 Budget was submitted surplus to 26 per cent of GDP, about twice Core inflation accelerated to 6.4 per cent. to Parliament on August 20, 2007. It the level of 2004 and three times that of Several factors are responsible for was based on projected revenue of $39.4 2003. In 2007, the current account surplus rising consumer price inflation. Growth billion and budgeted expenditure of $41.8 is expected to have narrowed reflecting of the non-energy fiscal deficit, which the billion, giving an overall deficit of TT$2.4 higher imports of capital goods related government finances by drawing down billion. (See box.) The Heritage and to large-scale energy projects financed on its deposits held at the Central Bank, Stabilisation Fund (HSF) Act came into by foreign direct investment (FDI) is the major source of liquidity pressures. force in March 2007. The HSF comprises flows. Portfolio outflows accelerated; Other factors include food shortages, stabilisation and savings components. It contributing to a deficit on the capital an expansion in bank credit, and wage is designed to insulate fiscal policy from account. This reflected investments in settlements exceeding productivity gains. volatility in world energy prices as well as bond issues by regional nations on the Higher prices also reflect global food price to save part of the energy wealth for future domestic capital market and further inflation and wider margins in the retail generations. The deposit rule stipulates portfolio diversification by the private distribution network. that 60 per cent of the difference between sector by holding assets abroad. Gross The authorities have implemented actual and budgeted revenue be placed international reserves, excluding balances a range of measures to combat inflation. In the period October 2006–April 2007, the central government issued $2.4 billion in special long-term bonds to absorb liquidity, the proceeds of which were sterilised by the Central Bank. The Central Bank also intensified its sales of open market securities and foreign exchange to the banking system to further absorb liquidity from the financial system. Through the net issue of open market treasury bills, the Central Bank removed TT$6.6 billion from the financial system during 2007 compared with net issues of TT$0.6 billion in the previous year. Sales of US$1.5 billion (TT$9.3 billion) in foreign exchange to banks also helped to keep liquidity conditions relatively tight in 2007. Subsequently, excess reserves, one of the key indicators of liquidity conditions in the financial system, fell to an average of TT$256 million in 2007 from an average of TT$406 million in the previous year. into the HSF. Withdrawals are permitted in the HSF, continued to accumulate In the face of excess liquidity the if annual tax revenue from oil and gas is at rapidly to reach US$6.7 billion at the Central Bank kept the repo rate unchanged least ten per cent below budget projection. end of 2007. This was equivalent to more at eight per cent in the seventeen months The withdrawal could be up to 60 per than eight months of prospective imports from September 2006 to January 2008. cent of the shortfall but not exceeding 25 of goods and services. In February 2008, it raised the repo rate per cent of the Fund. A board appointed Although inflation eased in most by 25 basis points to 8.25 per cent. It also by the President and reporting to the of 2007, there was a resurgence of price increased the cash reserve requirement Ministry of Finance manages the HSF. pressures in early 2008. Headline inflation applicable to commercial banks from

2008/9 7 TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: SELECTED ECONOMIC INDICATORS 2002–2007

2007 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 estimate Output and prices (per cent growth) Real GDP 7.9 14.4 8.8 8.0 12.0 5.5 Energy 13.5 31.4 8.2 8.4 20.6 4.0 Non-energy 4.8 6.8 7.9 8.7 6.5 6.5 Inflation rate 4.3 3.0 5.6 7.2 9.1 7.6

Public finances (per cent of GDP) Central government balance -0.6 1.4 2.0 5.3 6.5 3.8 Non-energy budget deficit 5.6 7.5 8.4 10.3 15.0 16.0 Public Debt 58.3 50.2 46.2 37.7 32.6 30.0

External sector Current account balance 0.8 8.9 13.4 23.7 25.5 20.0 Gross official reserves (US$ billion) 1.7 2.0 2.5 4.0 5.1 6.7

Source: Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago

11 per cent to 13 per cent of prescribed Marketing Development Company unaffected by the turbulence. A recession liabilities. (Namdevco) served to produce more or slowdown in the United States is not The overall tightening of liquidity competitive markets and to encourage likely to seriously erode demand for conditions has helped to push up short- comparison shopping. The removal of Trinidad and Tobago’s energy exports, term interest rates. The average yield on the Common External Tariff (CET) and which are shipped under guaranteed three–month treasury bills increased to VAT on selected food items led to a fall markets mainly to the eastern seaboard. nearly seven per cent at the end of 2007 in prices on a range of basic food items. However, Trinidad and Tobago could see from 6.74 per cent in December 2006. The introduction of a food importation a dampening of its non-energy exports, Mortgage interest rates also moved up program (the most recent being imports which are destined to its second largest in 2007 but were still below the prime of vegetables from Costa Rica under the market—Caricom. Except for Trinidad lending rate of commercial banks, which Caricom-Costa Rica Agreement) has also and Tobago, Caribbean countries are stood at 11.75 percent. Banks have boosted local supply and contributed unable to carry out counter-cyclical fiscal also made increased use of the inter- to a moderation in price increases in policies to stimulate economic growth in bank market and greater recourse to the selected vegetables and root crops. The the face of a US recession without further repurchase window at the Central Bank. government also plans to start up eight raising already high public debt ratios. Despite rising interest rates, bank large-scale commercial farms on state Growth prospects for Trinidad and credit continued to expand, exerting lands and has mandated the National Tobago over the next few years remain upward pressure on domestic demand Flour Mills (NFM) and Namdevco to strong. A large and persistent decline in an environment of tight capacity source and distribute imported food at in energy prices is the main risk facing constraints. Credit extended by banks to more competitive prices. the economy, but the high level of the private sector increased by 21 per cent The government has targeted an international reserves and low external on a year-on-year basis to September 2007 inflation rate of six per cent by the end debt provide a comfortable cushion with consumer credit rising even faster by of 2008. Meeting this target will require to weather such a shock. In addition, 28 per cent. continued tight monetary policy, greater the government is actively promoting The government has initiated several fiscal restraint, and rapid implementation economic diversification to reduce the measures to deal with high and rising food of agricultural supply policies. heavy dependence on energy resources, prices. These fiscal measures include the A key issue for Trinidad and Tobago while seeking to address infrastructure introduction of farmers’ markets to create concerns its economic outlook in the bottlenecks and improve the business a more direct link between producers and wake of recent global turmoil triggered environment. consumers. Increased dissemination of by the sub-prime meltdown in the information on prices of fresh produce United States. So far, local financial Jwala Rambarran is an economist and by the Ministry of Legal and Consumer institutions seem to have had little or no director of CAP-M Research Affairs and the National Agricultural exposure to the sub-prime market and are

8

AGRICULTURE Dealing with the food crisis

Like the rest of the world, the population human and animal consumption of Trinidad and Tobago continues to to the heavily subsidised bio-fuel reel under the rising cost of food. Our ethanol, resulting in a reduced supply very food security, our basic right to for an increasing demand in the agri- freely access safe and affordable food, food chain appears to be at risk even as • Soybean farmers, lured by higher government ministers state margins, are growing more corn, that the era of cheap food causing soybean supplies to shrink Yet, despite the promises is over. • Diseases causing loss of primary There is an international products and good intentions, fear that the Malthusian • Faltering global fisheries due to spectre of global food indiscriminate fishing, pollution and the economy of Trinidad shortages is being resurrected. other marine activity When Jacques Diouf, • The high cost of fuel, which adds and Tobago continues head of the UN Food and to rising costs of manufacturing, to be dominated by the Agriculture Organisation, packaging, transportation, food quotes frightening statistics processing, energy production and petrochemical and service of a rapidly dwindling general services. food supply, and issues dire To deal with this developing crisis, sectors, which contribute predictions of continued management experts and analysts are increases in food prices, taking Diouf’s advice to heart and are more than 95 per cent to which are soaring to historic revisiting their agricultural policies. levels, the world sits up and Across the Caribbean, governments the economy even as the notices. Economic gurus are gearing up to find mechanisms agree that terrestrial and which can stabilise prices and protect national agri-food sector aquatic food systems are the most vulnerable. The Jamaican under stress from factors government has already signalled its continues to decline that are here to stay and intent to intervene with a $500 million which will continue to fuel provision and go the route of subsidies rising food prices due to: while will implement a short- • Unfavourable weather to-medium-term plan of investment, conditions (droughts, floods storms) EC$20 million, in the agricultural in the main supplying countries such sector to purchase and distribute inputs, as Australia and Ukraine which limit rehabilitate the livestock industry, grain and dairy exports support production of selected crops • The redirection of an already tight and utilise new technologies such as food supply to huge, newly-opening greenhouses. markets like China and India where Quite apart from government available disposable income is strategies for food security, there is rising and agricultural land is being a growing movement of Caribbean converted by industrialisation agriculturists who aim “to grow what • A shift from corn cultivation for we eat and eat what we grow,” so that

10 agriculture

By Dr Bibi Ali

2008/9 11 citizens can have access to affordable countries which have the land and homegrown meat protein, staples, other resources for large–scale food vegetables and fruits. production, such as , and an Here in Trinidad and Tobago, in expansion of the inter-island sea bridge response to national dissatisfaction to include the southern Caribbean. with rising food prices, a two-day Earlier government strategies National Consultation on Food Prices to reduce food prices included a was conducted in August 2007, where government directive to the National the Prime Minister outlined the Flour Mills (NFM) and the National government’s plans for dealing with the Agricultural Marketing Development issue of food security. This included Company (Namdevco) to import food the establishment of 16 state-of-the- in bulk from non-traditional suppliers for distribution on the local market. Many of these promises were included in the 2007–2008 national budget. Other major programmes mentioned in the budget included the establishment of Boards and Commissions (a Prices Advisory Board, a Consumer Advisory Board, a Competition Commission, and an Agricultural Development Commission); injection of TT$75 million into the Agricultural Development Bank with access to an additional TT$25 million if more funds are needed; the expansion of the Youth Apprenticeship Programme in Agriculture (YAPA); and a proposal to partner with PCS Nitrogen Ltd. in establishing a Model Farm Resource Centre in Central Trinidad. In addition, discussion continues about the “bold Seedlings on display at the annual Trade and art 100-acre farms for production of and courageous” decision to restructure Investment Convention vegetables, root crops, rice, tree crops, an unviable Caroni (1975) Limited livestock and aquaculture. Additional with the result of creating 7,000 new support included the formation of a potential farmers from the former praedial larceny unit, and improvements workers each with two-acre plots to be in agricultural access roads, bridges, as used for food production. well as water management and supply, Yet, despite the promises and good retention dams and desalination plants. intentions, the economy of Trinidad Manning stated that the government and Tobago continues to be dominated would provide all the important systems by the petrochemical and service sectors, for the thousands of small farmers. which contribute more than 95 per cent Other strategies included a partnership to the economy even as the national with Caricom to produce food in those agri-food sector continues to decline.

12 A paper identifying the demographic family food bill continues to spiral features and changes in the agricultural out of the reach of the rural and urban sector indicated that primary agriculture poor. At the supermarkets, consumers has been in decline for several decades. complain about spending more on food Agricultural contributions to GDP and having less disposable income to fell from 4.2 per cent to 1.02 per cent spend on other items, and distress over and the share of labour force 12.4 per the absence of any meaningful progress cent to five per cent between 1984 in the agricultural sector. and 2004. In fact, agricultural output In addition to widespread complaints, declined in 2003 and 2004 by 15.3 per questions are brewing about budget cent and 25.4 per cent respectively, and promises. For example, how much was while production data showed somewhat spent last year by the ADB to warrant mixed results in 2006, the sector an available TT$100 continues to slide. It is described in million capital injection the 2020 Vision Report for Agriculture along with a suggestion in Trinidad and Tobago as being in that there should have “almost perpetual stagnation or in some been a prior review and cases absolute decline.” This includes restructuring. With respect the fishing industry whose contribution to the YAPA programme, to GDP has been declining steadily over has the programme been the past few years. Despite incomplete validated, and can a data, coastal marine resources are clearly farmer really be created over-exploited with minimal support in six-weeks? Where is from an under-performing inland the support system for the fishing industry. young person who leaves There has not been a history of timely the training centre? deliverables with respect to agricultural These questions are planning. This can be seen by simply relevant for graduates taking a drive through lands formerly from other agricultural occupied by Caroni (1975) Limited. output programmes and These formerly active and productive institutions including the sugar lands, show very little restructuring University of Trinidad for agricultural development, other than and Tobago (UTT) and the very recent efforts at improving the University of the access roads and irrigation channels. West Indies (UWI). The Very visible however, are mushrooming question also arises as housing estates across the landscape and to why there is such an large tracts of completely abandoned urgent need for another lands even five years after the closure of massive demonstration the company. These lands, coupled with farm when there are our more than adequate human resources already established and in all aspects of agricultural production operational decentralised and processing, research and business demonstration units in development, are more than able, given county agricultural offices, which can Consumers are being encouraged to grow their proper management and support at be upgraded with the most modern own food in grow boxes as demonstrated above policy level, to make a significant dent technology. And finally, with respect to in our annual food import expenditure, the mega–farms whose stated output which reached TT$2 billion for the first will be to focus mainly on those time in 2004. commodities that have export value, So, almost a year after government how does this translate into increased directives were issued for bulk food national food security, and will there be importation, more than six months similar incentives for the small farmers? after promises at the food consultation In fact, the former Caroni (1975) and almost four months since the Limited employees, who were deemed installation of a new government team to be the main potential new farmers, after the 2007 general elections, the complain bitterly, along with traditional

2008/9 13 Produce on sale at a local supermarket farmers, about the prohibitive costs profitably produced. of land preparation and agricultural So what’s in store for Trinidad and inputs, especially fertilisers; the acute Tobago since fundamental changes shortage and resulting unrealistically in international trade policies have high cost of labour, given that farming rendered traditional agriculture based is not a 40-hour work week job; the on production of estate crops like complete heartbreak of praedial larceny sugar cane, bananas, cocoa, coffee and (and subsequent inability to make coconuts unprofitable? There is still loan payments); a lack of basic but great potential in these historical crops critical infrastructural support (access for non-traditional, novel uses and niche roads, reliable irrigation and drainage markets such as liquid sugar, banana systems); and the absence of a national chips, rum chocolates, coffee toffees market information system which can and organic coconut oil. This changing provide guidance on what crops can be face of agriculture is now predicated

14 on the agri-food chain concept and approved TT$170 million to be spent offers exciting opportunities in the new over five years, with an emphasis on and rapidly developing areas of agro- agro-processing. tourism, agro-energy, herbal products Apart from the vision of local and animal feeds. entrepreneurs, there are several other There are new and developing mechanisms to take us forward to face opportunities in feed milling, edible oils the new challenges in agriculture as and flour processing, food and beverages, a country and as a region. One major milk and dairy products, meat and meat instrument is the unanimously endorsed products, fish and seafood, fruits and Jagdeo Initiative and its successor, the vegetables, wines, snacks and comfort Caribbean Community Agriculture foods, soy and coconut-based products, Policy, which has identified ten key fresh and frozen juices, convenience binding constraints to the region’s agri- foods, processed and packaged foods, food sector development and is putting breakfast cereals, nutraceuticals, mechanisms in place to ensure tangible confectionery, honey, soups and salads, progress for the Regional Transformation pet supplies, animal feeds, etc. Programme for Agriculture (RTP). This In fact, Trinidad and Tobago has programme is an initiative designed recently taken steps to become part of to help the region proactively face the the new agriculture experience. The growing trade-related and economic Trinidad and Tobago Agri-Business challenges impacting the traditional Association (TTABA) has taken agriculture sector. advantage of an expanded value-added As a country, we need more market for pawpaw, and has contracted agricultural success stories so that the local farmers to supply 15–30 tons sector can be seen as a “big, broad and per month for sale as fresh fruit for booming business with opportunities the local and export market, puree which are expanding beyond traditional for food and beverage manufacturers, boundaries and which can offer and a pawpaw—based ketchup as unprecedented potential to achieve a replacement for imported tomato developmental goals.” Interestingly, ketchup. TTABA is also in the process Diouf, as part of the recovery plan for of setting up additional contract the international food crisis, suggested farming and value-added projects for international food aid policies be hot peppers, pumpkin, coconut water, changed from simply sending food to dwarf pommecythere and herbs, as well countries in need, to helping farmers to as an introductory animal project with grow food locally. Trinidad and Tobago, rabbits. Farmers registered with TTABA as a nation facing a developing food would be adequately compensated for crisis, must devise a strategic approach crops destroyed by floods under a new to agriculture, grounded in science and agricultural programme. technology and supported by a business This innovative group is made up vision with the understanding that it of private sector members including has now gone way beyond the food and representatives of the Supermarkets fibre context and is integrally linked to Association, the Hotel and Restaurants a value-added approach. Association, the Fresh Produce Exporters To succeed however, the planners Association and Namdevco. It became must recognise the urgency of the active with a mandate to implement the situation and the primary importance National Agri-Business Development of food security as a basic right of every Programme (NAPD) when government citizen. At the level of the householder, we must also focus on our own food security and not only cultivate our own backyard gardens but also pressure the Dr Bibi Ali holds a PhD in crop protection and is an agricultural consultant planners to ensure that food security remains a high priority in the nation’s agenda.

2008/9 15 An aerial view of the port of Port of Spain

TRADE AND MANUFACTURING New deals for local products

16 trade & manufacturing

By Laura Dowrich-Phillips

In 2008, two issues occupied Trinidad while an estimated 53 per cent entered and Tobago’s trade discussions: the under the normal tariff rate (NPR). removal of this country from the While opposition politicians United States’s Generalised System of accused the government of trivialising Preferences (GSP) and the continued the effects of the GSP removal and debate on the pros and cons of the cited negative impacts on the domestic European Partnership Agreement economy including a further escalation (EPA). in the cost of goods and In a letter dated June 30, 2008, services, higher cost of outgoing US President George W Bush doing business and the removed Trinidad and Tobago from the possible closure of small “I have determined that GSP programme. and struggling export The GSP is a programme designed operators, the Trinidad and Trinidad and Tobago to promote economic growth in Tobago Manufacturer’s the developing world and provides Association (TTMA) was has become a high preferential duty-free entry for less pessimistic. more than 4,700 products from 132 In a release, the income country, and I designated beneficiary countries and organisation said that territories. at present, Trinidad and am terminating the It is designed to improve the Tobago does not utilise economic development of those the GSP scheme to any designation of that countries. extent, since less than one “I have determined that Trinidad per cent of this country’s country as a beneficiary and Tobago has become a high income exports enter the US country, and I am terminating the under that scheme. developing country for designation of that country as a However, it noted beneficiary developing country for that “without GSP purposes of the GSP, purposes of the GSP, effective January opportunities, goods 1, 2010,” Bush said. entering the US would effective January 1, 2010,” Putting a positive spin on Bush’s be made to trade under announcement, Finance Minister the most favoured nation Bush said Karen Nunez-Tesheira said this was basis, which means such demonstrative of the strength of the goods would face the local economy. same duty other more developed and “The reasoning behind it is that developing countries adhere to. Trinidad and Tobago is considered to be “This would render Trinidad and a high level economy. All Trinidad and Tobago’s goods uncompetitive, since Tobago’s macro-economic indicators are this country would not be able to excellent compete with those countries which “So what it’s really saying to you is benefit from economies of scale as well that Trinidad’s economy is not just the as fair and unfair trading practices,” the fact that we have oil and gas. There are release said. other countries that have oil and gas The TTMA advocated the that are not in the position that our consideration of a free trade agreement economy is in. It’s not a punch or a between Trinidad and Tobago and the blow. I don’t even know if it is a dent,” US since other agreements under which she is quoted as saying. the country exports goods to the US, As reported in the Trinidad Express such as the Caribbean Basin Initiative newspaper on July 9, data from the (CBI), may also be under threat. Central Statistical Office (CSO) showed The CBI, which currently provides that the country exported approximately 19 beneficiary countries with duty-free TT$84.3 billion worth of goods to the access to the US market for most goods, United States. About one per cent of was launched in 1983 through the that entered under the GSP programme, Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery

2008/9 17 Act (CBERA), and was expanded access to the European Market will be in 2000 through the US-Caribbean preserved, and other countries will not Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBPTA). be able to challenge the ACP’s privileged Together these two acts form the CBI, access. but with the CBERA waiver having The EPA was finalised in December expired in 2005, and the CBTA 2007 between the EU and Cariforum extended until 2010, the future of the states (the Caribbean and Dominican CBI is uncertain. Republic). The official signing was to The TTMA said unless Trinidad take place in June but was pushed back and Tobago locks in preferences enjoyed to September 2 amidst uncertainties under the CBI or signs a free trade about the number of Cariforum states agreement, the loss of preferential access ready to sign. would have dire consequences for local Trinidad and Tobago, , exporters. , St Lucia and St Vincent Goods exported to the US under and the Grenadines signalled their the CBI include apparel, agricultural readiness. Guyana’s President Bharath products, electronics, handicrafts and Jagdeo, a staunch opponent, said he ornamental horticulture. would exercise his right to delay signing because to do so would “forfeit our European Partnership economic sovereignty.” Agreement (EPA) Professor Norman Girvan, senior fellow at the University of the West The homepage of the Ministry of Indies, is one of the academics leading Trade and Investment’s website features the charge against the EPA. In a column a section on the EPA, with answers published in the Jamaica Gleaner he to frequently asked questions and a pointed out that the EPA embraces synopsis of what it entails. subjects that have been mainly or This is part of government’s drive solely within national and regional to educate the population about the jurisdiction. controversial agreement. “It will, inevitably, condition the Trinidad and Tobago is a firm scope and content of future agreements supporter of the EPA, which has been made between Caricom and other at the centre of debate and discussion major trading partners and the region’s throughout the region. stance in World Trade Organisation What is the EPA? It is a reciprocal negotiations,” he said. trade agreement between the Caribbean In his column, The View from group of states of the African, Caribbean Europe, David Jessop, director of the and Pacific countries (ACP) and the Caribbean Council, said “attached to European Union. It was designed the EPA are hundreds of pages of tariff to replace the trade component of reduction schedules that make clear on the Cotonou Agreement which was a country by country basis that most reciprocity. The Cotonou Agreement imports from Europe will gradually was signed in 2000 and is the successor cease to be subject to tariffs over the to the Lome Convention. It will expire next fifteen years and that Caribbean in 2020. manufacturers and importers will either The benefits of the EPA, as outlined have to become competitive or suffer the by the Caribbean Regional Negotiating consequences of external competition.” Machinery (CRNM), Caricom’s Adding to the concern by the negotiating body, includes scope to region’s academics, technocrats, labour export a “wider and more bouyant unions and Parliamentary oppositions range of products and services, thereby is a report commissioned by French increasing employment, labour skills, President Nicholas Sarkozy in his current rate of economic growth and sustainable capacity as chairman of the EU. development.” Points of contention in the 191- The CRNM also states that by page report include provisions dealing joining a World Trade Organisation- with the More Favoured Nation (MFN) compatible EPA, most of the remaining treatment, the development dimension

18 of the accord, and procedural issues assistance programme that provides In July, Prime Minister Patrick relating to approval of travel visas that duty free access to the Canadian market Manning travelled to Brazil where he could negatively impact on the free for most Caricom exports. It excludes signed a Memorandum of Understanding movement of non-Europeans in EU textiles, apparels, leather garments, (MoU) with the government there member states. methanol and lubricating oils, however. for co-operation in energy between In his address to Parliament, former Under World Trade Organisation the national oil companies of the two trade minister said while (WTO) rules, such non-reciprocal countries. government was aware of the anxieties preferential agreements require a waiver. The MoU opens the the possibility surrounding the EPA, where the trade of Caribcan’s waiver has been extended to for Brazil to import liquified natural gas goods was concerned this country would 2011. from Trinidad and Tobago. have been faced with a Generalised Caricom has signalled its intention System of Preferences from January 1, to include non-traditional skills Manufacturing 2008, without such an agreement. categories in the services agreement, “Our exporters would have faced meant to safeguard arrangements like The manufacturing sector in increased competition from other the Overseas Employment Programme, Trinidad and Tobago is considered the developing countries in accessing the when negotiations begin. strongest within Caricom. EU market. Our major exports into With its other preferential trade The Central Bank’s Annual the EU (methanol, ammonia, aerated arrangements still in place—Venezuela Economic Survey 2007, shows that the beverages, juices, sweet biscuits) would (1993), Colombia (1994), the sector grew by eight per cent in 2007, have faced the prospect of immediately Dominican Republic (1998), Cuba fuelled by a higher production of goods higher EU tariffs (ie between two per (2000) and Costa Rica (2004)—Trinidad in the food, drink, and tobacco industry, cent and 30.1 per cent). Over TT$735 and Tobago continued to look for new in chemicals and non-metallic products, million worth of exports would have trade opportunities in 2008. and in miscellaneous manufacturing. been affected with the imposition of Through organisations such as In his address to the manufacturing these duties.” the American Chamber of Commerce sector at the opening of the TTMA’s The TTMA, which was involved in (Amcham), the Trinidad and annual Trade and Investment the negotiating process and supports the Tobago Chamber of Commerce, the Conference (TIC), Prime Minister EPA said, in a release, that their analysis TTMA, and state agencies such as Patrick Manning said there have been shows that “for 2006, Trinidad and Evolving TecKnologies and Enterprise many government initiatives which are Tobago exported well over TT$2 billion Development Company Ltd (eTecK), responsible today for the growth and worth of goods to the EU market; this missions have been organised to, and success of the sector. represented approximately 200 tariff hosted from, Central America, Africa, the “During the period 1991-95, whilst lines traded with this market.” Middle East, Asia, and Europe to foster we started to dismantle the protectionist Without the EPA, it said, duties trade and investment opportunities. barriers, with tariff reduction for under the GSP would have been as high Finding new markets has become example, we, among other measures, as “30 per cent for orange juices; 29 per crucial to local manufacturers as the simultaneously reduced duties on the cent for mixed juices; 20 per cent for jam economic downturn in the US spells imports of manufacturing inputs and and jelly; 18 per cent for other juices; a potential reduction in trade with started the lowering of corporation tax seven per cent for tomato ketchup; six that country, and rising food and which is now at 25 per cent, the lowest per cent for other bread and cakes; 13 energy prices impact on the Caricom in the history of Trinidad and Tobago per cent for other food preparations; countries. for non-oil companies, a level attained nine per cent for other vegetables; and Trinidad and Tobago is in the during our last administration.” ten per cent for male shirts of cotton, early stages of a new arrangment with He said the government has made among others.” Uganda, while inroads are being made business conditions better by providing a with Cuba, with the setting up of a “greater efficiency in regulatory agencies New partnerships Trade Facilitation Office (TFO) there like the Customs and Excise Division; in September 2007. recapitalisation of the EXIM Bank to While Trinidad and Tobago continues Prior to the establishment of the provide exporters with favourable credit to enjoy trade preferences with the TFO, trade between Trinidad and Cuba terms and information on new market Canadian Programs for Commonwealth averaged around TT$100 million in opportunities; establishment of new Caribbean Trade Investment and 2004 and TT$90 million in 2005, industrial estates; and the leasing of Industrial Cooperation (Caribcan), that reported the Trinidad Express in a lands for the purpose of stimulating and too, will become a thing of the past. January 2008 article on the unit. facilitating new business activity.” Discussions for a new trade arrangement Energy continues to top the list of Still, he said, more needs to be done were expected to begin in September. exports, and efforts have been made to in the sector. Caribcan is a non-reciprocal find new arrangements, particularly for “In the light of the present economic and trade development natural gas. international scenario, including the

2008/9 19 Some of the products manufactured by inevitability of reciprocity in emerging has identified for development. National Flour Mills trading arrangements, now more than Opportunities for the manufacturing ever do we need the spirit of innovation sector will also present themselves in and inventiveness to permeate our government’s plans for the downstream entrepreneurial thinking. This is the key industry from natural gas. to expansion, improved competitiveness Government plans to establish a and sustainable viability. plastics industry through complexes for “We need to create more value- the production of ethylene, polyethylene, added, new and unique products propylene and polypropylene; and intends utilising indigenous materials to a to produce Melamine, Urea Ammonium greater degree, in manufacturing, agro- Nitrate, and is setting up a Malaeic industry, culture and entertainment, to Anhydride Processing Facility and an name some of the sectors that readily Acetic Acid plant. come to mind. Therefore there must These industries would present now be greater emphasis on research and opportunities for the manufacturing development which need much more of carpets, toys, cups, pharmaceuticals, resources than are presently allocated at domestic products, wood adhesives, resins both the public and private levels,” he and aluminium products such as foil, said. ladders, doors and windows. He said government is creating In its sectoral analysis of the 2007/8 several opportunities for investment in Budget presentation, PriceWaterhouse areas such as agriculture and in food and Coopers said while the budget included beverages and fish and fish processing, initiatives to boost dynamism in the two of the seven sectors government sector, the focus was mainly on those

20 in the energy industry, which did not point to true PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED IN diversification. TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO “The true diversified economy includes the other manufacturers such as the large Food products: meat preparations, seafood, dairy clothing manufacturers, food products, cereal preparations, sugar preparations, and drinks manufacturers, etc. spices “The honourable Prime Minister has alluded to a multi-pronged industrial strategy to accelerate economic diversification,” Non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages such as bottled the report said. water, energy drinks, beer, rum, soft drinks and juices “One aspect of this strategy is the provision of assistance and incentives to allow manufacturers to Paper and packaging expand and introduce new innovative technologies to be able to compete in the global market place.” Textiles and garments The sector faces many challenges, said the report, among them increasing Steel, directly reduced iron (DRI) billets and wire rods labour costs in the form of an increased minimum wage, which now stands at nine Aluminium and steel windows, vinyl windows, doors, dollars per hour, National Insurance contributions and clays blocks and tiles (roof and floor) the increasing cost of raw materials. “Financial costs of expansions Household kitchen products including glassware and and improvements are add-ons to Trinidad and Tobago’s manufacturing costs cleaners and at times can be the most significant costs. The risk of the devaluation of the Trinidad and Tobago dollar is a very real Bedding, mattresses and mattress support risk especially for imported raw materials. This is an area where government should consider providing some form of Cosmetics and toiletries protection for manufacturers.” Another challenge, according to TTMA president Karen de Montbrun is a Medical products and pharmaceuticals shortage of labour, which is impacting every aspect of business in Trinidad and Tobago. There are also day-to-day problems that affect the efficiency of Flags and other novelty items the manufacturing sector, including Source: The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturer’s Association (TTMA) the country’s ports, the escalating crime situation, inflation, and traffic concerns.

Laura Dowrich-Phillips is the editor of the Trinidad and Tobago Business Guide

2008/9 21 BANKING AND FINANCE RBC returns to Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago’s financial sector life business. the overall performance of the financial continues to demonstrate remarkable The entrance of foreign competitors sector. growth and structural change, playing via a commercial presence has been slow The securities market has shown a pivotal role as the Pan-Caribbean despite the liberalised market but it is signs of increasing sophistication. There financial centre. still changing the face of ownership. has been a steady increase in the number This is attributed to prudent In August 2007, the Bank of of market actors registered with the regulatory practices, an open market Baroda, the fifth largest bank in India, Securities and Exchange Commission and good macroeconomic management. established a subsidiary in Trinidad and (SEC). In 2007, the number of market At the end of 2006, total assets of the Tobago, bringing to eight the number actors and other registrants totalled 216, financial system (excluding the Central of banks operating in the country. In substantially up from 151 participants Bank) amounted to TT$154.2 billion, October 2007, Royal Bank of Canada in 2004. up from an asset base of TT$90.7 billion (RBC) indicated its intentions to Since 1997, cross-listings of Caricom in 2002. By total assets relative to GDP takeover the operations of the RBTT companies have accounted for around (135 per cent), the financial system is Financial Group (RBTT), and in 20 per cent of new equity issues on the large compared to other countries at June 2008, formally completed the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange similar levels of development. acquisition, injecting TT$4.7 billion (TTSE). The financial system consists of into the system. As a result, six of the Growth of regional investments commercial banks and non-banks. eight banks are completely foreign- through collective investment schemes The latter segment comprises finance owned, one is state-owned and the has been rapid. Local agents representing companies and merchant banks, trust remaining bank is partly locally owned. foreign issuers account for almost one- and mortgage finance companies, By contrast, most of the banking sector third of collective investment schemes insurance companies, private pension was indigenous just five years ago. registered in the Trinidad and Tobago funds, the Unit Trust Corporation A few banks and insurance market. Several regional governments (UTC), the largest mutual fund companies within Trinidad and Tobago continue to access the Trinidad and provider, and the National Insurance have aggressively expanded throughout Tobago bond market to help meet their Board (NIB), which oversees the public the Caribbean region, performing a financing requirements. Governments pension system. variety of functions as lenders, investors, of Belize, St Kitts, , Dominica Over the past decade or so, the underwriters of regional securities, and and St Lucia have floated bonds in banking sector has lost significant asset managers. Caricom countries now Trinidad and Tobago, with maturities market share to the rapidly evolving account for 85 per cent of loans and ranging from three to 20 years. The non-banks, particularly the contractual investments made abroad by banks in bond market has spawned a number of savings sector. At the end of 2006, the Trinidad and Tobago. derivative-type products—specifically, combined assets of the commercial This exposure is even higher if one strips and certificates of participation. banks accounted for 44 per cent of total includes the cross-border investments of In 2007, the government moved assets of the financial system, down domestic insurance companies, pension ahead with its plans to establish from 55 per cent in 1995. funds and mutual funds. While the Trinidad and Tobago as an international A small number of conglomerates direct exposure of financial institutions financial centre, drawing on the dominate the financial system. The two to Caricom is low in relation to their expertise of a high-level advisory group largest commercial banks are responsible capital base, economic stress in a few of senior professionals from the public for up to 60 per cent of total assets countries within the region arising from and private sector. The work included while the two largest insurers write at a protracted recession in the United an evaluation of other international least 85 per cent of all new general and States could pose a moderate risk to financial centres to draw conclusions

22 banking & finance

By Jwala Rambarran

from their experiences and identification supervisory frameworks. This legislation has passed the Proceeds of Crime Act and assessment of attractive financial is essential to achieve the objective of 2000 and the Anti-Terrorism Act 2005. services opportunities for Trinidad and becoming an international financial In addition, the Central Bank has Tobago. These comprised New York, centre. issued guidelines for regulated financial London and Ireland, as well as emerging At present, the regulatory structure institutions (which currently cover financial centres such as Dubai and for mutual funds is not well defined. only the banks, the non-banks and Bahrain. The Central Bank and the SEC share in the insurance companies). However, As financial activities tend to be the supervision of mutual funds, with there is need to broaden the AML/ attracted to international financial the Central Bank having responsibility CFT strategy and intensify surveillance. centres with a low regulatory burden, for funds operated by banks, while the Three immediate imperatives are: the authorities would have to strike primary jurisdiction for the regulation • To fast-track parliamentary the appropriate balance between of mutual funds as securities lies with approval of the draft regulations maintaining financial stability and the SEC. The draft Securities Industry to give effect to the AML/CFT credibility without overly constraining Act (SIA), when enacted, will provide legislation financial innovation and market for regulation of all mutual funds by the • Quickly roll out an appropriate development. SEC. regime for the supervision of Good progress has also been The Central Bank has also designated non-financial businesses made in implementing many of the developed a revised policy proposal and professionals recommendations in the 2004 White document for the credit union sector • Broaden the definition of money Paper, although capacity constraints after consultations with credit unions laundering to cover all illicit in drafting laws and an extensive and other stakeholders. The policy activity—in addition to drug competing legislative agenda have document will inform the preparation trafficking. delayed Parliamentary consideration of of the Credit Union Bill later in 2008. With respect to the payments system, major financial sector legislation. Trinidad and Tobago has taken the Central Bank has implemented In 2008, the authorities intend some important initiatives to develop a number of reforms involving the to attach priority to submitting to a robust framework for anti-money introduction of a Real Time Gross Parliament draft legislation to strengthen laundering and combating the financing Settlement (RTGS) system, automation the financial sector regulatory and of terrorism (AML/CFT). Parliament of the government securities settlement

The Caribbean Money Market Brokers (CMMB) building in Port of Spain

2008/9 23 system, and establishment of an cent). However, some weaknesses were system is that of a substantial fall in automated clearing house (in partnership observed, particularly with regard to the energy prices. Stress tests indicated that with local commercial banks). Revised settlement transactions of multilateral the banking system should be able to payments legislation has also been netting systems such as the local withstand such a shock, although banks drafted and a Payment Systems Council cheque clearings. Other general areas with large exposures to real estate and established for ongoing dialogue on for improvement relate to the existing construction could be severely affected. payment system issues. As a result of legislative framework to support the The FSAP also found that the local these efforts, Trinidad and Tobago now RTGS, and documentation of the financial system faces contagion risk has in place a modern payment system financial risks to participants and their associated with the region. In addition, architecture, at the core of which is the implications. some undercapitalised, general insurance RTGS system. In 2005, the authorities conducted companies pose another source of risk In September 2007, the Central Bank a Financial System Assessment Program to the financial system. This prompted conducted an assessment of the RTGS (FSAP) with the assistance of the the Central Bank in 2006 to intervene system based on the Core Principles International Monetary Fund (IMF) in two insurance companies, which for Systemically Important Payments and the World Bank. The 2005 FSAP were subsequently placed under judicial Systems (SIPS). The results indicated assessed the stability of the financial management. that the RTGS has an overall assessment system and helped to identify weaknesses Available data suggests that the of broadly observed compliance in in the financial sector structure. It found banking sector in Trinidad and Tobago most aspects (75 per cent to 89 per that the major shock facing the financial remains well capitalised. In 2006, the regulatory capital of banks stood at over 18 per cent of risk-weighted assets, well above the minimum ten per cent regulatory requirement. Regulatory Tier 1 capital was also sufficient at just over 16 per cent of total risk- weighted assets. Although loans to the private sector constitute over 40 per cent of total banking systems assets, non-performing loans are low. In 2006, non- performing loans accounted for around 1.5 per cent of gross loans, down from four per cent in 2004. Unofficial dollarisation is high but has been fairly stable for some time. Foreign current deposits account for 35 per cent of total deposits and one-third of international reserves. Most banks maintain their short open foreign exchange position within prudential limits. Perhaps the most important news on the mergers and acquisition front related to the takeover by RBC of RBTT. On October 2, 2007, RBC and RBTT jointly announced an agreement to combine RBC’s Caribbean retail banking RBTT’s headquarters on Park Street, Port of Spain

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TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: SELECTED BANKING INDICATORS, 2001–2006

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Capital adequacy (per cent of risk-weighted assets)

Regulatory capital 20.6 20.3 19.3 18.2 18.0

Regulatory Tier 1 capital 17.3 18.2 17.4 16.4 16.2

Regulatory Tier 2 capital 3.3 2.2 1.9 1.7 1.9

Asset quality

Non performing loans/gross loans 3.6 2.0 3.9 1.7 1.4

Specific provisions to impaired assets 70.8 117.5 40.3 67.7 60.9

Earnings and profitability

Return on equity 20.0 16.9 27.5 20.2 17.3

Return on assets 2.4 2.1 3.7 2.5 2.2

Interest rate spread 9.1 8.7 7.4 7.1 7.4

Source: Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago

operations with RBTT’s through the headquartered in Trinidad and Tobago. of bonds on the secondary market. acquisition of RBTT for a total purchase The acquisition marks RBC’s return As more bond issuers seek credit price of TT$13.8 billion or about to Trinidad and Tobago, where it ran ratings, investors in these bonds can US$2.2 billion. Under the agreement, operations from 1902 to 1987. With make more informed views on the RBTT shareholders will receive per this acquisition, RBC will explore the risk they are undertaking and the share consideration of TT$40 or possibility of issuing depositary receipts appropriateness of this risk to their approximately US$6.33 payable in a backed by RBC common shares on the overall tolerance level. Recent initiatives combination of cash (60 per cent) and Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange. in the primary bond auctions have made RBC common shares (40 per cent). The Another key development in the investment in government bonds more RBTT board of directors approved the financial system was the bond rating accessible to individual investors. The deal and unanimously recommended for Republic Bank Limited (RBL), last three auctions of government bonds that RBTT shareholders vote in favour the second largest bank by asset size to mop up liquidity allowed individuals of the transaction, which was done in in the Caribbean. In February 2008, to purchase these bonds in amounts as early 2008. CariCRIS, the Caribbean regional small as TT$1,000. The transaction creates one of the credit rating agency, assigned the ratings In January 2008, the Central most expansive banking networks in of CariAA+ (Foreign Currency Rating) Bank launched the secondary market the Caribbean, with a presence in 18 and CariAA+ (Local Currency Rating) for government securities. With the countries and territories across the to the TT$1 billion debt issue of RBL. establishment of bond trading on the region. With more than US$13.7 billion The high ratings reflected the strong secondary market, the small investor in assets, the combined operations will market position of RBL in Trinidad can now approach any government have 130 branches across the Caribbean, and Tobago, Barbados, Grenada and securities intermediary (GSI) to buy with more than 6,900 employees Guyana, and its good diversity in and sell bonds, at any time, and have serving more than 1.6 million clients. earnings, assets and resource base. The confidence in the transparency of the RBC’s expanded Caribbean retail bond rating augurs well for improving pricing process. banking operations will ultimately be overall market transparency and trading

26

CAPITAL MARKETS Stock Market

In 2007, the Trinidad and Tobago stock an orderly correction since May 2005, market showed welcome signs of an following a bull run that generated incipient recovery influenced mainly cumulative returns of nearly 100 per by speculation about mergers and cent over 2003–2004. acquisitions, business confidence and the Market activity remained weak in overall pace of economic growth. After 2007, reflecting low investor sentiment a mild first half, the intensification of a and absence of institutional players. A bidding war between Neal and Massy and total volume of 119.3 million shares ANSA McAL for Barbados Shipping and changed hands, down a significant 45.5 Trading Ltd (BS&T), as well as growing per cent on volumes traded in 2006. rumours surrounding a takeover of the The total market value of shares traded RBTT Financial Group contributed to amounted to TT$2.1 billion in 2007, a surge of market activity in the second some 13.3 per cent less than in 2006 and half of the year. almost 45 per cent lower than in 2005. Nevertheless, monetary tightening National Commercial Bank Jamaica on the part of the Central Bank to reduce Limited (NCBJ) was the volume leader inflation saw interest rates gradually in 2007 with 19.7 million shares crossing edging upwards. This helped to dampen the floor or 16.5 per cent of the total demand for equities market. National Flour Mills Limited relative to money (NFM) was the second volume leader, market instruments. commanding 10.7 per cent of the market In addition, with some 12.7 million shares crossing institutional investors the floor. Sagicor Financial Corporation Looking ahead, several continued to stay out (SFC) was the third volume leader and of the stock market saw 10.2 million shares change hands or factors suggest even though passage 8.6 per cent of all trades. of the Insurance Advances outnumbered declines in a relatively more (Amendment) Bill in 2007 with 16 stocks advancing while July 2007 increased 13 declined. Not surprisingly, BS&T the limit of local was the top advancing stock for the optimistic outlook for equity investments up year, rising a staggering 75.6 per cent or to 70 per cent of the TT$12.03 to close at TT$27.93. In May the Trinidad and Tobago accepted value of the 2007, Neal and Massy announced plans assets of pension plans, to merge with BS&T in order to create equity market in 2008 subject to certain one of the largest and most diversified specified criteria. indigenous companies in the Caribbean. As a result, the BS&T is the largest conglomerate in Trinidad and Tobago Barbados and some market players were Stock Exchange uncomfortable with it being taken over (TTSE) Composite Index closed 2007 by a foreign entity. This triggered a three- at 1.3 per cent higher than its opening way bidding war with the ANSA McAL position of 969.2, while the All T&T Group and a Barbadian consortium also Index was down a marginal 0.4 per cent seeking to gain control of BS&T. At the to end the period at 1200.7. By contrast, time of closing its offer in December both the TTSE Composite Index and 2007, total support for the Neal and the Composite Index had contracted 9.2 Massy offer amounted to 84.6 per cent per cent and 8.9 per cent respectively, in of the issued and outstanding shares of 2006. Indeed, the Trinidad and Tobago BS&T. stock market has been experiencing Readymix (West Indies) Limited

28

has instituted a restructuring strategy. It is looking to the expansion of its product offerings to provide support to the interest income stream while broadening and deepening the creation of non-proprietary income flows. The group also expects its new banking technology to drive internal efficiency through more streamlined processing, improved risk management capabilities and enhanced use of its human resources. CCMB was followed closely by Jamaica Money Market Brokers Limited (JMMB), which fell by 51.4 per cent or TT$0.95 to end 2007 at TT$0.90. NFM experienced the third major price decline, after falling by a significant 44.4 per cent or TT$0.71 cents to TT$0.89. NFM is expected to report a substantial after tax loss for its 2007 financial year, as the company has been absorbing the increasing price of wheat and continues to face intense competition for flour on the local market. Speculation surrounding the unexpected resignation of its CEO appeared to have affected shareholder Nicholas Towers, Port of Spain, home of the Trini- (RML) was second ranked in terms of confidence in the company. dad and Tobago Stock Exchange price appreciation in 2007. The share Looking ahead, several factors suggest price increased by a significant 66.1 a relatively more optimistic outlook for per cent or TT$2.79 to end the year at the Trinidad and Tobago equity market TT$7.01. This was followed by Ansa in 2008. Perhaps the most important of Merchant Bank Limited (AMBL), which these factors relate to the completion of a gained 24.3 per cent or TT$4.55 to end few outstanding M&A deals. The M&A at TT$23.25. pipeline include the following: Two of the major share price • Neal & Massy Holdings Limited decliners for 2007 were cross-listings out (NML) takeover offer for Barbados of Jamaica. Capital and Credit Merchant Shipping & Trading Company Limited Bank Limited (CCMB) led the declines, (BS&T) dropping 52.1 per cent or TT$0.86 to • Sagicor Financial Corporation close at TT$0.79. For the half year ending takeover offer for Barbados Farms June 2007, CCMB reported earnings per Limited (BFL) share (EPS) of TT$0.44 cents, down a • Angostura Holdings Limited takeover significant 41.3 per cent or 31 cents on offer for Lascelles de Mercado and the corresponding EPS of TT$0.75 in Company Limited. the same period in 2006. While some of these deals will result The group has been affected by in loss of market capitalisation on the spread compression and a fall-off in TTSE, they may however generate securities trading and commission, and increased trading activity as portfolios

30 2008/9 31 will require rebalancing. The recent growth funds nearly 13 per cent, and decision to increase the threshold on US dollar income and growth funds equity investments by local pension two per cent. The strong performance funds should make about TT$1.5 of the mutual fund industry places its billion from pension fund plans available funds under management closely on par for equity investment. Higher trading with the size of deposits in the banking activity at the institutional level should system. help to generate some positive investor The performance of the income sentiment in the market. and growth funds reflects the changes Another factor expected to help in value of the underlying equity- the equity market is the expectations based portfolio, while interest rates of improved financial results from are the critical factors influencing the some key players who delivered weaker performance of the money market earnings performances in the previous funds. The slight upswing in stock year. These players are undertaking market activity has helped to improve significant restructuring exercises, which the performance of the equity-based should improve operational efficiency funds. Funds under management in and drive better earnings results. In the equity-based segment of the market addition, the TTSE plans to introduce increased by 5.3 per cent over the margin trading in 2008 as well as to 12-month period ending September actively seek new listings. 2007, a significant recovery from the The Trinidad and Tobago equity 17.5 per cent decline experienced in the market has unveiled numerous buying corresponding period of 2006. Demand opportunities with some companies for money market funds remained trading at very attractive valuations. strong, increasing by 7.5 per cent over The weighted market price/earnings the period. (P/E) multiple has fallen to a current Returns on money market valuation of around 13 times from instruments have averaged about around 17 times in 2005. 6.5 per cent. Trinidad and Tobago dollar denominated funds provided Mutual funds marginally higher returns than US dollar denominated funds. Yields Over the past decade, the mutual were generally weaker in the income funds industry in Trinidad and Tobago and growth segment with some funds has experienced very strong growth reporting negative total returns. and is now a preferred investment In 2007, the UTC launched an destination. Currently, there are over 65 energy fund and followed this up with mutual funds schemes registered with several funds targeting Latin America the SEC covering equity funds, money and Asia. Several proposals for the market funds, bond funds, balanced issue of new funds are currently under funds, family funds and sector (property consideration. and energy) funds. Most of these funds are distributed and managed by local Bond market financial institutions, especially the Unit Trust Corporation (UTC), which is the The primary bond market was quite largest mutual funds provider. active in the first nine months of 2007. At the end of September 2007, Ten bond placements were recorded on total funds under management in the market with a total face value of the mutual funds industry increased TT$3.3 billion compared with eleven to TT$33.2 billion, more than three bond issues valued at TT$1.9 billion times the TT$10 billion in funds under in the corresponding nine months of management at the end of 2001. When 2006. Bond placements in 2007 were it comes to the type of funds, local evenly distributed between foreign money market funds accounted for currency issues and local currency over 70 per cent of the funds under denominated issues. The five foreign management, US dollar denominated denominated issues had an aggregate money market funds accounted for face value of US$141 million. Of about 15 per cent, local income and these US dollar placements, four were

32 PERFORMANCE OF GLOBAL EQUITY MARKETS IN 2007

Japan

United Kingdom

United States

Latin American percent

Emerging Asia

Jamaica

equity returns Trinidad

-30-25 -20-15 -10-50510152025 regional bond issues, including an issue lack of an ample supply of bonds as well as Real estate mortgage market by the government of St Vincent and the regulatory requirements for institutional Grenadines, while a local private sector investors. Several institutional investors The strong performance of the real corporation issued the fifth. Coupon such as insurance companies, pension estate mortgage market continued into rates on these US dollar denominated funds and the public social security the first nine months of 2007 reflecting placements ranged between 6.96 per provider are encouraged to hold a an upsurge in the number and size of new cent and 8.55 per cent compared with stipulated proportion of their assets in real estate mortgage approvals. Real estate interest rates ranging between 5.95 per government bonds and this fosters a buy mortgage loans extended by commercial cent and 9.50 per cent in the first nine and hold strategy, which places a high banks and trust and mortgage companies months of 2006. premium on government bonds. grew by 16.9 per cent to TT$6.8 billion Of the remaining five bonds The Central Bank has been in the twelve months to September 2007. denominated in local currency, the appointed as the registrar and paying In the corresponding period of 2006, real government of Trinidad and Tobago agent for all issues of government and estate mortgage loans had increased by issued two for the purpose of liquidity state enterprise bonds issued under the 13.6 per cent. Mortgage interest rates of absorption and the proceeds were Government Securities Auction System. the commercial banks edged up slightly sterilised by the Central Bank. Rising The centralisation of this function will in response to the tighter monetary policy inflationary expectations helped to drive facilitate a quick transfer of ownership stance. Available data indicate that 21 up bond yields. Coupon rates on the of traded securities. All government per cent of all new mortgages granted by TT dollar denominated bonds ranged securities will be in dematerialised form commercial banks for the period April- between 6.38 per cent and 11 per cent in and recorded in the securities depository June 2007 were priced between 9.10 the first nine months of 2007, up from a managed by the Central Bank. This per cent–10.00 per cent compared with range of 6.75 per cent–8.25 per cent in will improve the efficiency of secondary 6.1 per cent of all new mortgages in the the first nine months of 2006. markets by allowing transactions to take quarter ending June 2006. Nevertheless, Over the past year, the Central Bank, place quickly and cheaply. Government the majority of new real estate mortgage in collaboration with the Trinidad and securities intermediaries (GSIs) have loans remained in the 8.1–9 per cent Tobago Stock Exchange (TTSE), has been licenced to trade in government range. taken a number of steps to set the basis for securities. The platform of the TTSE secondary market trading in government has been modified to accommodate securities. The secondary bond market secondary market trading in government Jwala Rambarran is an economist and is relatively thin and trading in bonds securities. Government securities trading managing director of CAP-M Research occurs infrequently. This is due to the rules have been approved by the SEC.

2008/9 33 MARITIME An industry under development

Trinidad and Tobago is poised to become the next maritime industry hub, “a one-stop Yachts in Chaguaramas shop in shipping services at competitive prices, offering Trinidad and Tobago offers Tobago also has an advantageous economic advantages for the location, below and out of the way of combined offshore and maritime and leisure marine the hurricane belt, making it a particular industry. safe place to store boats and a natural onshore services including Among the advantages is drop off point for end of season storage bunkering, ship building highly favourable investment and repairs. climate for foreign companies- As a result of these factors and and repair, free zones for including low energy and labour others, Trinidad and Tobago delivers a costs, an educated workforce, a vital merchant marine sector that has transshipment training and stable and growing economy, grown nearly 75 per cent over the past legal services” and a central location. seven years and it is projected to double The country boasts the best its traffic by 2015. haul-in and off-season storage According to eTecK, Trinidad and services in the Caribbean and Tobago is poised to become the next operates the largest travel lift in the maritime industry hub, “a one-stop region with a capability to heft from 15 shop in shipping services at competitive to 220 tonnes and six boatyards that can prices, offering combined offshore and accommodate up to 600 vessels. onshore services including bunkering, The investment promotion ship building and repair, free zones department of Evolving Technologies for transshipment training and legal and Enterprise Development Company services.” Ltd (eTecK) notes that Trinidad and Pushing this objective forward is

34 maritime

By Laura Dowrich-Phillips

a strategic plan for the merchant and While it cited positives for Trinidad the growing number of business marine industry, developed in 2004. and Tobago such as increased security opportunities available in the sector. It is worth noting that this plan and competitive advantage, the report The energy industry is the main does not include the leisure marine said the country would suffer many driver of the country’s maritime sector. industry, which is one of the seven negatives as a result of those trends. More than 90 per cent of the exports sectors the government has identified Increased costs, as a result of the new can be attributed to products from the for development. security measures to be implemented, energy sector including crude oil, refined The plan instead concentrates on and the possibility of lower rates of trade products from crude oil, ammonia, commercial maritime activities, and and economic growth for countries methanol and liquefied natural gas looked at, among other things, recent whose ports cannot meet new security (LNG). Since the first shipment of trends in the global maritime industry requirements or upgrade technology LNG in April 1999, there have been and the impact on Trinidad and with international levels of efficiency, more than 700 shipments of LNG at Tobago. are among the negatives listed. an average of a shipment every two to Trends included changes in the size, In a general scan of the industry, the three days depth and structure of international report said between 1997 and 2001, the fleet; growth in the maritime industry; sector grew by 67 per cent, according Challenges rapid advancement in infrastructure, to estimates from the Central Statistical technology and efficiency levels in Office (CSO), with employment According to the strategic plan, the international ports; new security increasing by 5.3 per cent in the same sector faces three main challenges. In measures; increasing freight and period. the first instance, a need for qualified insurance costs; and Trinidad and Also demonstrating the growth of workers to service the offshore and Tobago’s entry into trade negotiations the sector, according the report, was the onshore subsectors in the maritime which would ultimately erode number of firms operating in the sector industry. The shortage of workers, said preferential status, liberalised movement during that period. Estimates indicated the report, is compounded by a lack of of people and goods, and increasing use an average annual increase of 10.6 per awareness of career opportunities in the of non-tariff measures. cent, which, said the report, reflected sector.

2008/9 35 36 Left: This ship to shore crane, the fifth for the port of Port of Spain, was commissioned on June 4, 2008 to improve efficiency and productivity

Another challenge the report • No bunkering facilities for ships, He said a governing body, the identified is a lack of training facilities and even if there are, they are not Port Governing Unit (PGU), is being locally, particularly in specialised functional formed to oversee issues such as ship administrative areas. The cost for • Berthing facilities in the current registry and safety in the ports, among training overseas in countries such as scarborough port need to be other things. Jamaica and the United Kingdom are upgraded; although at present work The foundation is also being laid, extremely prohibitive, the report said, is being done in the harbour he said, for the formation of a national with few full scholarships available. To • Dredging work is required in the ports council to act as a rationalising address this issue, a Centre for Maritime turning basin body for the ports. Industry Studies was established at the • Another jetty for berthing is There has also been restructuring at University of Trinidad and Tobago required in the Scarborough the country’s two main ports, the Port (UTT). Prime Minister Patrick harbour of Port of Spain and Port Point Lisas. Manning officially inaugurated it in • Increased cargo handling space is The second largest port in Trinidad, September 2007. required Port Point Lisas covers a total area of The centre currently offers a diploma • Other ports should be developed, 19.51 hectares. It caters to containerised in maritime operations with options because the long hauls of goods cargo from the United States, Europe, in engineering and navigation. In from the main port at Scarborough United Kingdom and the Far East. Over September 2008, a BSc will be offered. are affecting the longevity of the the last year, it has been expanding to Major investments have been made roads in Tobago create additional container storage, in the centre, which provides world- • Lack of facilities to handle effluent among other things, implementing class training facilities, including new from ships and yachts machinery and new technology such as simulator facilities, to ensure Trinidad • No facilities for the berthing of closed circuit television (CCTV). and Tobago becomes the major centre yachts The Port of Port of Spain has also in the region for advanced maritime • No facilities for repairs and been undergoing massive restructuring training. maintenance of yachts and minor costing over TT$500 million under the The third challenge facing the problems of ships guidance of a British company called maritime sector is the quality of human • No training facilities to assist the Portia, which has a three-year contract resources employed in the industry. maritime industry from the government. Drugs, indiscipline and strained • No proper cargo handling facilities In August, the company was in relations between management and the exist, with respect to storage— the process of subdividing the Port representing labour union, the Seamen warehouse etc. into three entities: the Port of Port of and Waterfront Workers Trade Union Spain, which would focus on cargo and (SWWTU), were all cited as issues. Improvements vessels; the Port of Spain Infrastructure More specifically, the report looked Company, which would act as landlord at key challenges facing major ports Since the strategic report was of the premises; and the Trinidad and such as the Port of Port of Spain and the produced, there have been significant Tobago Inter-island Transport to oversee Point Lisas port facilities. improvements in the industry. Captain the ferry terminal and operation of the Space constraints for berthing and Verne Badaloo who spearheaded the ferries between Trinidad and Tobago. A storage, obsolete equipment, congestion committee that produced the report, said representative of the PGU would sit on on the roads which lead to delays of since it was submitted, consultants have the boards of the three units. shipments, and other institutional been in Trinidad and Tobago working In 2005, transport minister Colm arrangements such as bureaucracy and on new legislation, which he said would Imbert announced that the Port of Port a dwindling number of customs officers tremendously impact the industry. of Spain would be relocated to Sea Lots, were all cited. The latter resulted in a “Right now that is being addressed, at the entrance to the city, at a cost backlog of containers in July, they are finishing off everything before TT$1.5 billion. In Tobago, the key issues were as it goes for parliamentary analysis.” In 2007, the date was moved to follows: He said once new legislation 2011, but one of the major challenges, comes into effect, major changes will which threatens to further delay the be noticed in the way the maritime project, is the relocation of the residents industry functions. Then, he said, of the Sea Lots community. Laura Dowrich-Phillips is the editor of the Trinidad and Tobago Business Guide government will have to update other pieces of legislation such as immigration and customs laws.

2008/9 37 TRANSPORT TRANSPORTATION GOVERNANCE in Trinidad and Tobago

There are a number of public sector has been proposed that responsibility organisations involved in transport for maintaining local access roads should management and regulations, including rest with the local government bodies separate ministerial arrangements. although the highways division should recommend the minimum standards to Roads sector which these should be built. However, in order for these bodies to function The agencies within the roads sector effectively at these tasks, there is need area are: for significant improvement of both the • The Highways Division: responsible physical and human resources of the local for the design, construction and government agencies as well as clearer maintenance of the major road administrative arrangements between network, including bridges and them and the central government roadside drainage agencies. Currently, no local government • The Transport Division: responsible body can adequately deal with the for the registration and licensing maintenance of local roads. of motor vehicles, the licensing The PTSC Act allows for the PTSC of drivers and the enforcement to be responsible for the administration of regulations under the Motor of all public transportation including Vehicles and Road Traffic Act private suppliers. It has been recognised, • The Traffic Management Branch however, that the current management, (TMB): responsible for traffic organisational structure and corporate planning and control, the design culture of the PTSC are geared towards and implementation of traffic bus operations only. As such, it might management schemes and road be necessary to develop a separate public safety education (about two years transportation administration. One ago, the TMB was placed under the mechanism for this could be to co- Highways Division) ordinate the activities of the PTSC, TMB • The Public Transport Service and the Transport Division which affect Corporation (PTSC): responsible the public transport subsector. for the transportation of passengers. Overlapping functions still exist Marine sector among some of these divisions, as well as between different ministries. For The agencies within this sector are: example, the legal control for traffic signs • The Port Authority of Trinidad and traffic lights lies with the transport and Tobago: responsible for the division whereas actual implementation development and administration and administration is done by the TMB. of the ports of Port of Spain, Another area of concern is the Scarborough and Chaguaramas, and confusion concerning the role and currently agent for the Government function of local government bodies as Shipping Service opposed to the central government. It • The port department of the Point

38 economic overview

By Dr Rae Furlonge Traffic leaving Port of Spain at night

Lisas Industrial Port Development responsible for the administering sector. Corporation Ltd (Plipdeco) and regulating of Civil Aviation There is currently no agency or group • The Pilotage Authority: to in accordance with standards, of agencies responsible for strategic establish, operate, maintain and recommended practices and transportation planning. In fact, the administer, in the interest of safety, procedures established under the closest organisation to a strategic planning an efficient pilotage service within Convention on International Civil agency is the Trinidad Transport Board. the designated waters of the Gulf of Aviation The board’s functions are wide ranging, Paria, and Atlantic • The Airports Authority: responsible including the mandate to advise the Ocean regions, and includes for the planning, development and president on all aspects of transportation, responsibility for qualifications, administration of the nation’s public and to act as an appeal board against the governance and licensing of pilots airport decisions of the transport commissioner. • Maritime Services Division: • The Air Transport Licensing A transport policy committee of the responsible for the administration of Authority: responsible for licensing Ministry of Works and Transport has the Shipping Act, the maintenance the operation of scheduled air already suggested that the Transport of shipping to international services on specific routes. Board is an anachronism, whose standards, and the maintenance of regulatory and advisory functions dates waterways, pilotage and safety; and Strategic planning back to the pre-independence era when the Maritime and Fisheries Institute the then Governor would have a select of Trinidad and Tobago. The main function of strategic group of advisors. It was one of many transportation planning is to plan the such boards. Air sector transportation development of the With the post-independence Cabinet country on a system-wide basis and thus system and the creation of civil service The agencies within this sector are: to determine the appropriate distribution machinery to deal with all administrative • The Civil Aviation Division: of resources within the transportation and regulatory functions and reporting

2008/9 39 to a responsible minister, there was no • The Churchill Roosevelt/Uriah continues to assist the MOWT need for such bodies and most were Butler Highway Interchange with implementing road paving disbanded. The appeal function of construction and rehabilitation works under the the transport board can be dealt with • Implementation of the proposed Programme for Upgrading Roads by either the minister directly or by a water-taxi transit between Port Of Efficiency (PURE). committee appointed by him, comprising Spain and San Fernando The Urban Development Corporation stakeholders. • The proposed rapid rail transit of Trinidad and Tobago (Udecott) was There are also several state-owned planning and engineering. client and project manager on behalf companies involved in transport projects. • The National Insurance Property of the MOWT for the construction of The National Infrastructure Development Development Company (Nipdec) Edinburgh Boulevard in Chaguanas, a one Company (Nidco) was formed in March has applied its project management km four-lane divided carriageway, which 2005 to help the Ministry of Works and skills, since the late 1990s, to the was completed in 2006. Implementation Transport (MOWT) execute its key provision of infrastructure facilities of the San Fernando Transit Hub and Public Sector Investment Programme on behalf of the MOWT. One of the Scarborough Transit Hub was also (PSIP) projects. these projects was the construction assigned to Udecott. The known primary projects currently of a new terminal building for the According to the website of being undertaken by Nidco are: Piarco International Airport. Nipdec GENIVAR, development manager

Traffic on the Churchill Roosevelt Highway

40 for the TT$2 billion Port of Spain According to the Act “main road” • Nearly 50 per cent of all road fatalities Waterfront Development Project, they means a highway that: (1) in the opinion are male victims between the age were additionally contracted by Udecott of the Minister is of prime importance group 20-49, with about 60 per cent to prepare a master plan for the greater by reason of being a main channel of of this figure in the age group 20–34 Port of Spain area, and this included communication throughout Trinidad • Over 80 per cent of all road fatalities traffic and transportation planning. and Tobago; and (2) is classified as such are males Presumably this activity is being by Order made under the Act. Secondary • Just over 34 per cent of road fatality undertaken on behalf of the MOWT. roads are considered of “secondary victims are drivers, over 27 per cent The Rural Development Company importance”. Special roads are main are passengers, and 33 per cent are (RDC) is involved in primarily roads reserved for special classes of traffic pedestrians. constructing sidewalks and footpaths and development roads are traces or trails • Nearly 15 per cent of all fatal and their associated drainage works. constructed for agricultural or other accidents occur on the Churchill- development. Streets are not defined Roosevelt Highway (CRH), about Road classification by function, design or usage but are just ten per cent on the Solomon Hochoy “classified as such” and “local roads” are Highway (SHH), and almost ten The road network is the lifeline of the defined as none of the above. per cent on the Eastern Main Road nation. In order to adequately serve this The definitions are clearly inadequate (EMR). Lately, several fatal accidents function, it is necessary and cumbersome. The emphasis each with multiple fatalities have that both the users and in classification should be whether been occurring on the South Trunk those responsible for the road is to be used primarily for Road. the maintenance and movement of vehicles or for access to administration of the premises. One obvious flaw is that only Rapid rail transit network understand main and development roads are really the relative importance defined by their function. Also, there In February 2008, the Minister of and functions of various is nothing within the definitions which Works and Transport, Colm Imbert, roads. The allocation would indicate the level of jurisdiction disclosed that negotiations to kick off of resources in annual or the level of design and construction the rapid rail project were completed, maintenance, as well of the roads. One result of this is that and the contract would be executed as land development the highways division is responsible within the next couple of weeks. Phase control decisions and for some roads which mainly serve an one of the detailed planning and design decisions about the access function, while conversely, local of the system would take 18 months and level and kinds of access government bodies are responsible for cost US$67 million (TT$406 million). and roadside activities, roads which serve mainly a movement According to plans, the first train would should all be based on function. not start running until year 2011 or 2012. the class to which a road Construction should begin towards the belongs. Road safety statistics end of 2009. The country’s The hope is to have all segments of tourism drive makes it Road safety is critical to transportation the railway started at the same time, the even more important policy. A study of fatal traffic accidents, Minister said. The segment from Port of that the roads are that is, a traffic accident where at least Spain to Chaguanas starts towards the classified in a manner one person dies within 30 days of the end of 2009, as well as complementary that is intuitive and occurrence, between 2001 and the first work on segments going east to Arima easily understood by half of 2005, as reported by the Central and Sangre Grande, south to San those unfamiliar with Statistical Office (CSO) revealed the Fernando and west to Diego Martin. particular regions. following: To further alleviate the traffic problems, The current road • One-third of all fatal traffic accidents water taxis were due to begin functioning hierarchy is defined occur between 6pm and 12am. from the end of July. Three high-speed in the Highways Act Approximately 60 per cent of all fatal catamarans were bought to begin the chapter 48:01. Six traffic accidents occur between 6pm TT$252 million service between South categories of roads are and 6am and North Trinidad. defined. These are: • Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays main roads, special together account for 55 per cent of Dr Rae Furlonge is a traffic and roads, secondary roads, all fatal traffic accidents, with 20 per transport engineer and director of local roads, streets and cent of that figure on a Saturday as APDSL Consultants development roads. well as on a Sunday

2008/9 41 ENERGY 100 years of oil production

An aerial view of a portion of the Point Lisas Indus- This year marks the 100th anniversary In the first century of oil (or trial Estate of the start of commercial oil production petroleum, the word used by the in Trinidad and Tobago (Tobago has industry to mean both oil and gas), been included because it’s part of the a total of 3.4 billion barrels of crude unitary state but it has never produced, were produced, according to Andrew nor is it likely to produce, any oil—its Jupiter, former permanent secretary geology is against it). in the energy ministry. (The figure is Because record keeping in the based on production up to 2006, but industry was rudimentary in those days, two additional years at current rates there is some dispute over whether of output doesn’t make all that much the wells that “commercialised” oil difference.) production were the ones drilled in In the same period, 3.1 billion barrels Point Fortin by the Trinidad Petroleum of oil equivalent (boe) of commercial Company (TPC) or in La Brea, by the natural gas was produced, almost as New Trinidad Lake Asphalt Company much as oil itself. (NTLAC).It probably doesn’t matter. What is significant in this Even the Ministry of Energy, which comparison, however, is the time frame: has access to all the data, accepts that commercial natural gas production marketable production commenced in commenced in 1953, when the Trinidad 1908 and that 40 barrels were traded in and Tobago Electricity Commission’s that year. This rose to 50,000 barrels the (T&TEC) power station in Penal, south following year and by 1917, had crossed Trinidad, began using gas to power its the one million barrel a year mark. turbines.

42 energy

By David Renwick

So, 100 (or 98) years us, however, that we should not write for 3.4 billion barrels of off oil just yet, despite disappointments oil, 53 years for almost the such as that of the BHP Billiton–led same amount of energy- consortium in block 2c off Trinidad’s value in the form of gas. north coast. The conclusion is clear: Here the Kairi and Canteen oil Trinidad and Tobago discoveries in 2001 were hailed as the started out the century as “saviour” of the industry. An astonishing an oil economy and ended one billion barrels were excitedly it as a gas economy. predicted. One is moved to What happened? Recoverable thank nature for yielding reserves were eventually downgraded to up energy riches in the 160 million barrels and further revised form of natural gas at the to 90 million barrels. same time as those in the BHP Billiton’s contribution to form of crude oil went oil production did succeed in raising into decline. Otherwise, output to 145,111 b/d in 2005, but as the standard of living of Enill notes, it has now fallen back to Trinidad and Tobago’s 123,000 b/d. 1.3 million people would As if to rub salt in the wound, have plummeted in two new discoveries of gas reserves, by line with the fall in the Canadian Superior in block 5c offshore availability of oil. Trinidad’s southeast coast and Petro- The new energy Canada in block 22, north of Tobago, minister, Senator Conrad were announced at the end of 2007, Enill, tells us that crude which will only further enhance the oil production in 2007 already dominant role of gas. There was was estimated at around a small oil discovery (Ruby) in 2006 123,000 b/d, while that in block 3a, again by BHP Billiton, of natural gas was about but that is so modest there is doubt 681,000 boe a day. over whether the company will find it Eighty-five per cent of worthwhile to monetise. Trinidad and Tobago’s The comforting news, however, is precious hydrocarbon that there is no shortage of exploration production is now activity, which could conceivably lead to attributable to natural gas. an oil find of some kind in the coming Of course, the revenues generated years (current proven oil reserves are 621 by the two types of fossil fuels are not million barrels and proven gas reserves comparable. It takes 6,000 standard 17.05 trillion cubic feet (tcf)). cubic feet (scf) of gas to equal one barrel Petro-Canada may confirm some of oil in energy terms (which is what the oil in Block 1b in the northern Gulf of consumer is paying for, though gas can Paria, where a small pool was discovered also be processed into product). in the past and Anadarko (Kerr McGee) Six thousand scf of gas is priced may have better luck with its second at around US$30 (or US$5 per 1,000 well in block 3b off the north east coast cf). One barrel of Trinidad and Tobago of Trinidad in 2008. oil (taking the price used in the 2007– When the shallow and deep horizon 2008 budget as a guide) fetches about Guayaguayare and Central Range US$50. blocks are signed-off in due course However, if you produce as much during 2008, as well as the nearshore natural gas as Trinidad and Tobago 2ab block, there may well be an oil now does, public sector income from discovery, particularly as a result of deep gas can exceed that from oil, which is drilling, which has not been attempted exactly what has been happening since very often on land in the past. 2000. The split is now around 60-40 As petroleum veteran, Trevor per cent. Boopsingh, former permanent secretary in All the experts are careful to warn the energy ministry, points out: “We

2008/9 43 A night view of the catcracker at the Petrotrin oil refinery, Pointe-a-Pierre

44 have 12,000 wells on land in Trinidad, will make it easier for further volumes eleven of them have exceeded 12,000 to be contracted, at least for domestic feet, less than one-thousandth. I say this consumption. merely to point out that we still have a New industries under construction to lot of work to do.” which this gas will be provided include Geologist Dr Laurent de Verteuil is Methanol Holdings Trinidad Ltd reasonably confident that the shallow (MHTL), ammonia/urea ammonium water deep horizon region on the nitrate/melamine (AUM) complex, the continental shelf stands a good chance Essar iron and steel complex and First of becoming an oil production area in UAN’s ammonia/urea ammonium due course, despite bpTT’s failure to nitrate (UAN) plants. The first two will find commercial hydrocarbons with be sited at the Point Lisas industrial its Ibis Deep well in 2006. Even the estate, the third at the new Union estate, continental slope, where eight wells La Brea. were drilled in the late 1990s and early What of gas destined for export, 2000s by the likes of ExxonMobil, Shell as liquefied natural gas (LNG) or even and BP, should not be written off for compressed natural gas (CNG)? oil, he suggests. Enill has confirmed government The energy ministry used to make policy to be that of meeting all domestic a point of including what it considered “gas prone” blocks in offerings to companies in the past, with the expectation that more gas would be found. In the next bid round in 2008, The comforting news, however, it will almost certainly be offering some “oil prone” blocks, on the chance that is that there is no shortage of the balance of discoveries can once more tilt back towards oil. While new oil finds are pursued, the exploration activity, which could gas discoveries of the past are being busily commercialised by converting them into conceivably lead to an oil find of products, as noted above, particularly petrochemicals, and using the energy some kind in the coming years generated by gas to produce steel, and soon, aluminium goods. (current proven oil reserves are The process of gas monetisation does not seem to have been hampered 621 million barrels and proven by the downgrading in 2007 of proven and probable gas reserves, from 18.77 gas reserves 17.05 trillion cubic tcf to 17.05 tcf and 9.02 tcf to 7.76 tcf, respectively. Within those estimates, companies feet (tcf) seem to have enough “free reserves” to be able to keep the marketing intermediary, the National Gas Company (NGC), supplied with enough gas to ensure the requirements for gas reserves first, industrial programme continues to tick before a fifth LNG train in Trinidad over. and Tobago can be contemplated. In 2007, NGC signed up with LNG demand already accounts for 59 BGTT, EOG Resources and BHP per cent of all the gas used on a daily Billiton—the latter a first-time gas basis in Trinidad and Tobago or 2,176 trader—for an incremental 550 million mmcfd. The other 1,545 mmcfd goes cubic feet a day (mmcfd) of gas from to domestic industry (petrochemicals, 2009 onwards. power generation, steel, etc). No doubt, the recently announced The government’s desire is that all new gas discoveries mentioned above of the latter’s needs should get priority

2008/9 45 and only then—consistent with the in due course. volumes of additional gas discovered, The extension of course—should gas be diverted to of the existing Point export activities. Lisas estate to the The export of gas by pipeline to south and east is also Barbados has been exempted from this underway. This will restriction, because it is so small (25 be more than twice as mmcfd in the first instance). big as Point Lisas itself But another LNG plant is a different and is earmarked for ball game, since it is likely to require gas the US$1,700 million of the order of 800 mmcfd. Essar steel complex, Since last year’s edition of the Trinidad the US$1,500 million and Tobago Business Guide, the energy Westlake ethylene ministry and the BG Group have agreed complex, the US$100 to undertake a joint study of a fifth million Carisal LNG train or Train X, as it is called. The calcium chloride exercise has special significance, in that plant, and the US$75 it will lead to the Trinidad and Tobago million isegen maleic government’s involvement in the LNG anhydride plant, value chain beyond liquefaction for the among others. first time, probably through the proposed A 1,400-hectare integrated state energy company. industrial estate is Clearly, the government is prepared, to be built 3.5 km perhaps eager, to sign off on an additional offshore Oropouche LNG train eventually, since it has more in the Gulf of Paria than the usual revenue interest in it but on land reclaimed even the government can’t wave a magic from the sea, at a cost wand and command enough gas reserves of TT$1,430 million. to be identified. Designs are expected Enill expects the LNG expansion to be completed in feasibility study to be ready in the 2008 and reclamation second quarter of 2008. to start in 2009. As far as ports to Ports and industrial estates service these estates are concerned, two With continuing gas monetisation docks have to be comes the need for industrial estates in built at Brighton, which to house the gas-based plants and adjoining the associated ports through which products existing pier, for can be exported. alumina imports The National Energy Corporation and aluminium (NEC), a 100 per cent-owned NGC exports (Alutrint) subsidiary, is the implementing agency and petrochemical here and it is proceeding in 2008 with exports (First UAN). its TT$3,798 million (about US$633 The two plants are million) estate and port development sited at Union estate, programme. not too far away. First off the mark was the 600- While the petrochemical berth has not and started in mid-2008. acre Union estate near the Pitch Lake yet begun, construction started on the NEC has also been mandated to at La Brea in southwest Trinidad, Alutrint facility in early 2008. establish a new six-berth port at Galeota, the infrastructure for which has been For tenants at the Point Lisas South southeast Trinidad. This is not for gas- completed. This will house the US$800 and East estate, a new three-berth port based heavy industry but to serve the million Alutrint aluminium smelter, a is to be built in the first instance, two maritime needs of the oil companies 720MW power station, First UAN’s urea/ dedicated to Essar steel. Construction of operating off the east coast. ammonium/nitrate (UAN) complex, and the berths, access channel and turning Work was due to commence in mid- one or two other petrochemical facilities basin has been costed at US$100 million 2008.

46 A Repsol YPF rig

David Renwick is an energy journalist and writer of the ENERGY Caribbean magazine and ENERGY Caribbean Yearbook

2008/9 47 ENVIRONMENT Environmental management in Trinidad and Tobago

December 1995. As conditionality for a loan of US $12 million from the World Bank, the government passed the Environmental Management Act 1995 on December 16, 1995. This Act, in addition to specifying the philosophy of environmental management in its preamble, established the appropriate institutions to further the objects of the Act. It also emphasised the importance of public education programmes and the need to integrate environmental concerns into all private and public decision making processes, for effective environmental management. However, prior to the 1995 Act, there was, and still is, a host of other laws and international conventions that affect the use of natural resources and toxic materials which need The Asa Wright Nature Centre is to be taken into account popular with birdwatchers Environmental management, by when considering a comprehensive definition, encompasses the management legal and regulatory framework for of land, air, and marine resources, as environmental management in Trinidad well as the urban landscape. and Tobago. For example, the country Trinidad and Tobago has had in place is party to 21 international conventions a specific legal and regulatory framework pertaining to environmental and for environmental management since species management, ranging from

48 environment

By Carla Herbert

the protection of wetlands (the Nariva economic growth in accordance with Swamp) and species (the leatherback sound environmental practices turtle) to the Kyoto Protocol and the • Government’s international United Nations Framework Convention obligations particularly with respect on Climate Change (UNFCCC). to pollution, marine environments, The current law, the Environmental management of toxic wastes, Management Act 2000 (EM Act 2000), protection of fauna and flora and largely replicates the Environmental habitat of those on the endangered Management Act 1995. The principles, species list (CITES Convention), the institutions and strategies, including climate control and organic compliance mechanisms ranging from pollutants, to mention a few. mediation to imprisonment and public The prime institutions responsible interest litigation for the management for environmental management are the of the environment established by the Environmental Management Authority 1995 Act, are continued by the EM Act (EMA) and the Environmental 2000. Commission. The EMA was established This includes the prescription of a under the 1995 Act and continued by five-year action plan and mechanisms the EM Act, 2000. The EMA for accounting to the people of Trinidad was designed not so much to and Tobago, not only for the operation regulate but to complement of the Act but also with respect to and support those agencies the management of the environment already involved in national through the annual State of the resources management, such as Nearly eight years Environment Report. The last report is the Ministries of Agriculture, dated 2004. The strategic direction of Energy, Planning, and Public later, despite the fact environmental management is, by law, Utilities, to mention a few. to be found in a national environmental The EMA was expected to “co- that corporate bodies policy. The latest draft policy, prepared in ordinate,” and in this regard, 2005, is yet to be tabled in Parliament. was and is expected to provide have been paying The EM Act 2000 is briefly, the the overarching policy direction principal legal vehicle, which facilitates as well as develop national a co-coordinated and integrated total environmental standards. the levy, the Green quality environmental management The instrument for co- system. This includes a rationalisation ordination is a memorandum Fund Agency is yet and harmonisation of the various of understanding. The EMA existing laws. The intent of the Act has the power to make rules to disburse funds in is to provide an overarching policy for environmental assessment, umbrella and legal framework so that protection of certain areas and accordance with its all the natural resource and legal and species; air, water and noise regulatory institutions are driven by the pollution, waste management, legal mandate principles of sustainable development. and in particular, the The operational aspect of environmental management of hazardous waste, management is to partner with all public so as to supplement the statute bodies that are obliged to comply with book pending the completion government policy, particularly the of the legal harmonisation national environmental policy. exercise. It was also contemplated that A major object of the Act is to a national codification of the law would develop and effectively implement take place. written laws, policies, and programmes Apart from its management for and in relation to: function requiring collaboration with • The conservation and wise use of other agencies and its strategic policy the environment so as to provide setting function, the EMA also has a adequately for the needs of present compliance function. It can undertake and future generation emergency response to rectify or to • The Government’s commitment to restore environmentally degraded

2008/9 49 sites and take such other measures • The Certificate of Environmental as appropriate to prevent or mitigate Clearance Rules 2001 adverse effects. This includes suing for • The Certificate of Environmental recovery of costs incurred from the Clearance (Designated Activities) perpetrators. The EMA can initiate Order 2001 public interest litigation in the High • The Certificate of Environmental Court and seek compliance with its Clearance (Fees and Charges) orders through the Environmental Regulations 2001 Commission. • The Noise Pollution Control Rules The major difference between 2001 the EM Act 1995 and the EM Act • The Noise Pollution Control 2000 is that the latter removed the (Fees) Regulations 2001 constitutional concerns surrounding the • The Environmentally Protected Environmental Commission established Species Rules 2001 by the EM Act 1995. • The Environmentally Sensitive The EM 2000 Act also establishes Areas Rules 2001 the Environmental Commission. This • The Environmental Commission is a court of superior record which Rules of Practice and Procedure operates as an appeal tribunal for a 2001 person or a group, natural or corporate, • Water Pollution Control Rules aggrieved by decisions of the EMA. 2001. The Environmental Commission has produced its Rules of Procedure and is Environmental clearance rules forging an identity on the legal landscape of Trinidad and Tobago through cases The EM Act 2000 prohibits any such as Talisman vs The EMA No EA3 designated activity without a Certificate of 2002. This case involved a successful of Environmental Clearance (CEC) challenge by Talisman (Trinidad) issued by the minister responsible Petroleum Ltd to a refusal of the EMA for the environment. The range of to grant a Certificate of Environmental designated activities is found in the Clearance to the company to do a three- Certificate of Environmental Clearance dimensional seismic survey, a precursor Rules (Designated Activities) Order, to the winning of oil in the Nariva Legal Notice 203 of 2001. Swamp. This is an area designated for CECs are required for 44 diverse inclusion in the Ramsar List of Wetlands classes of activities ranging from the of International Importance, and a establishment or dis-establishment of protected area under local law. The a poultry farm; rearing or farming of judgement of Karan Ramlal vs Simon animal livestock over a certain number; Macoon and Indira Ramsanahe HCA agricultural cultivation or vegetable 2812 of 2004 confirms the paramountcy farming in excess of two hectares; of the Environmental Commission as paving works in excess of 4,500 the specialist court for matters arising square metres; building of schools and process to obtain a CEC is prescribed out of the EM Act 2000. hospitals catering for more than 50 and involves public consultation. This persons; land reclamation; dredging; reflects the principle that all citizens have The rules and the establishment of infrastructure a vested interest in the management of for pumps, oils and gas facilities, air the environment. The EM Act 2000 (as did its 1995 transport, land transport and water predecessor) provides for the making of waste distribution systems, to mention The noise pollution rules to supplement other laws in the a few. Because of the quantum ceilings control rules 2001 management of the environment so as to in the identification of designated enable a current and legally comprehensive activities, only activities of a certain The Noise Pollution Control Rules, regime. scale appear to require CECs. 2001, enables the regulation of the In 2001, legislative activity, the drafting It is interesting to note however, contentious issue of noise, particularly of which began in 1996, came to fruition in that the EM Act 2000 binds the State, at Carnival time. These rules purport the following statutory instruments made all public authorities, and persons in the to establish a balance. Thus, certain under the Environmental Management private sector. All are obliged to seek activities are exempt from the prescribed Act, 2000 viz: a CEC for designated activities. The standard of acceptable noise levels. These

50 activities include the use of agricultural particularly those with respect to areas View of Northern Range from machinery, use of lawnmowers between and species, such as the RAMSAR and Asa Wright Nature Centre 7am and 7 pm; construction activity CITES Conventions, respectively. The between 7 am and 7pm, and the use full potential, however, is yet to be of sirens by police, fire and medical explored. For example, given the fragile services, to mention a few. bio-system of the island of Tobago, the whole island could have been declared Environmentally sensitive an environmentally sensitive area and areas (ESA) rules, 2001, and an appropriate management plan put in environmentally protected place. species (ESP) rules 2001 Water pollution rules, legal These rules are made under notice 230 of 2001 section 41 of the Environmental Management Act 2000 and enable the These rules establish a register of implementation of international treaties, water pollutants and a permit system

2008/9 51 to authorise any process releasing EMA and its programmes. This Fund water pollutants subject to terms is not in operation. Funding for the and conditions. Given the degree EMA comes out of the Consolidated of industrialisation in Trinidad and Fund. However, an amendment to the Tobago and the demands made upon Miscellaneous Taxes Act was passed in water use and allocation, these rules 2000 and again in 2004, establishing are of considerable interest to those the Green Fund. The amendment in the manufacturing, agricultural imposed a levy on the gross receipts on and production sectors. The second all corporate bodies to be payable to the schedule indicates the permissible levels Board of Inland Revenue for the Green of pollutants according to whether the Fund. Money from this Fund was to be receiving environment is inland surface used for remediation, reforestation, and water, coastal near shore, or marine off conservation of the environment. The shore. amendment also purportedly established a Green Fund Agency to administer the Other rules fund. Nearly eight years later, despite the Currently, draft rules with respect to fact that corporate bodies have been air pollution are being considered. paying the levy, the Green Fund Agency is yet to disburse funds in accordance Funding with its legal mandate. Now that the Green Fund Regulations 2007 are in The EM Act 2000 establishes an place, it is legally possible for persons Environmental Trust Fund (as did and community groups needing funds its 1995 predecessor) to finance the for the “remediation, reforestation, and conservation of the environment” to apply to the Green Fund Executing Unit for funding for their projects. The Green Fund now has a balance of approximately one billion dollars. Given the size of the Green Fund and the possibility of funding projects on the basis of the interest earned only, it may be opportune to revisit the continued need for the levy, and to thank the business and corporate world for being so patient. It appears, however, that there is an overlap in function between the Green Fund and the Environmental Trust Fund—two institutions established for the same purpose, one which has a billion dollars, the other without a cent. The fund was and is intended to promote investment opportunities within the framework of the National Environmental A bird feeding at Asa Wright Nature Centre

52 Policy under the aegis of the EM Act can envisage outlets of production in 2000. other islands providing employment and However, as a matter of conjecture, trading opportunities. Not surprisingly, had the fund under the EM Act been it was government’s endorsement of the operational so as to fund research technology as a feature in government and development and innovative housing that assisted the development technological advances promoting green of the production and export of solar industry, it might have been revenue water heaters from Barbados. generating. The revenues might have While the local and regional law been earned as a consequence of patents, accommodates creative thinking of a and may have caused a paradigm shift model of trade linked to the production of industry and business to a total of innovative environmentally friendly endorsement of green industry. processes and products, the baton is The fund could have been used to now in the hands of the private sector. promote incentives to homeowners to It is for the private sector to ensure be completely self sufficient in their opportunities are developed and domestic needs for water and energy exploited consistent with the principle thereby effecting long-term savings on of sound environmental management. the public purse with respect to physical The high cost of oil and gas may well infrastructure by the production of provide the incentive for a new way of retooled water catchment systems. doing business. However, this was a case of opportunity lost. Challenges

Investment opportunities The EM Act 2000 is likely to be the major vehicle for resolving legal Companies that have endorsed green battles arising out of the current policies and processes acknowledge that government’s industrialisation thrust. being a good corporate citizen is good The current debate surrounding the business, if not an issue of survival. The proposed construction and operation debate concerning global warming and of three aluminium smelters illustrates global food shortages is throwing these this point. Other foreseeable challenges issues into sharp relief. Going green facing the EMA are those arising out of is not only politically sound but also global warming and related effects such makes good financial sense. as rising sea levels and food shortages. The challenge is for an integrated Other issues of impending national private/public sector approach to concern are the dwindling local land implement the policy, and in the supply for purposes other than human process discuss incentives that do not settlement, local water management, attract the categorisation of subsidy and air quality. while promoting the principles of The ultimate solution for good sustainable development embedded in environmental decisions and thus the EM Act 2000. This point illustrates good governance decisions may be the recognition by the World Trade that all decisions, private and public, Organisation (WTO) of the link should be tested for their impact on between trade and environment. the quality of life, inextricably linked It is also timely to note that trade as it is, to the environment of future and environment are linked in the generations. Such a proposition can be Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas as a accommodated in the current legal and regional concern. With the treaty, one regulatory framework for environmental management. All that is required is the capacity for innovative business thinking Carla Herbert is a legal consultant based on the principles of sustainable development spelt out in the preamble of the EM Act 2000.

2008/9 53 TOURISM Poised for growth

The government is positioning

the country as the meeting A view of the Gulf of Paria from the Cara Suites hotel

and conference centre, as With an annual input abroad by residents increased to US$180 of less than one percent, million. well as the events capital tourism is one of the Research undertaken by the World smallest contributors to Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Trinidad and Tobago forecasts that over the next ten years, travel of the Caribbean Gross Domestic Product and tourism in Trinidad and Tobago is to (GOP). achieve annualised real growth of 5.4 per But that may soon cent in terms of GDP, and 6.5 per cent in change as the sector has been identified terms of travel and tourism employment. by government as a means of creating “This would take the share of GDP sustainable employment and economic and employment to 16.5 and 19.2 per growth over the next 20 years. cent respectively by 2015,” the report Based on the Central Bank’s Balance stated. of Payments Transactions Report for “Moreover, the impact could be even 2005, net earnings from travel services greater than forecast if the underlying increased by 11.2 per cent to US$273 national policy framework is conducive million in 2005, as expenditures by to growth, ie if underlying conditions visitors to Trinidad and Tobago attained for investor confidence, dynamism and its highest level on record. This amounted sustainability are created. However, this to US$453 million while expenditure depends on government recognising and

54 cara suites 1/2 PAGE

DISCOVER HOUSE AD 1/2 PAGE supporting travel and tourism as a the country moves towards taking added. high priority industry and employer, advantage of previously untapped “While the TDC has no direct control factoring it into all policies and decision- areas over the level of service that businesses making.” • Reduction in seasonality—by and sole operators mete out to visitors, we Coincidentally, Dr Clifford Griffin, encouraging year round activities at have implemented strategic programmes, lead consultant of the Tourist Safety and hotels and guesthouses. like the Small Tourism Enterprises Security Network: Policy Dialogue and Phase one of the campaign Project (STEP) and the Trinidad and Action Planning Project, said the country encouraged the population to get away for Tobago Tourism Industry Certification stands out among its regional affiliates the weekend at local hotels with specials Programme (TTTIC), which seek to assist as the only one poised to achieve a high offers and rates. tourism and hospitality-based businesses level of growth in tourism this year. The second phase focused on with improving their quality standards. His comments were centered on the increasing community tourism and visits “STEP addresses performance and findings of a study commissioned by the to local sites and attractions, including profitability in the small tourism enterprise Association of Caribbean States (ACS) the Caroni Bird Sanctuary, Asa Wright sector by providing technical support and the Caribbean Hotel Association Nature Centre, and the Hanuman Murti. and training for small tourism operators. (CHA) on the issue of tourist safety. The TDC is working with the Trinidad TTTIC is an industry standard, which Dr Griffin believes that tourism and Tobago Incoming Tour Operators seeks to motivate tourism operators to will contribute 16.5 per cent to the Association (TTITOA) on the second adopt standards that are internationally Caribbean’s GDP by 2014. phase. competitive, so that consumers have a “Expecting tourism to maintain this To develop other aspects of tourism, level of assurance that services provided leading position into the 21st century, the TDC has, for the past three years, by certified tourism operators will meet the World Travel and Tourism Council hosted the annual Taste T&T Culinary expectations.” (WTTC) and the Oxford Economic Festival. In July, the TDC began running Forecasting (OEF) predict a 4.0 per This year the festival was expanded to a series of advertisements aimed at cent average annual growth in demand three days, instead of two. encouraging locals to be courteous to for travel and tourism,” he added. The festival attracted thousands of foreigners. As tourism experts forecast growth food lovers and, to accommodate the The WTTC believes there is a need for this country’s tourism sector, the growing crowd, the venue for the festival now to focus on increasing income Tourism Development Company was changed to the Jean Pierre Complex, through a quality and diversified tourism (TDC)—the implementation arm of instead of the Hasely Crawford Stadium product, rather than simply increasing the Ministry of Tourism—is mandated used last year. arrivals. to develop and market Trinidad and The objectives of the festival are: “Past efforts, including the Tourism Tobago’s tourism product and improve • To increase the number of patrons to Master Plan of 1994 and the work of the sector. 12,000 the Vision 2020 Tourism Subcommittee, The TDC’s objective is to establish • To continue to provide exposure for have helped to put travel and tourism the country’s tourism industry as a local chefs and cooks firmly on Trinidad and Tobago’s political significant economic sector, contributing • To increase awareness and participation and development agenda,” according to strongly to the nation’s GDP, through both regionally and internationally. the report. job creation (indirect and direct) and Ernest Littles, president of TDC, “The main challenge that lies ahead is increased revenues to the treasury. The said every destination has the challenge to gain support for the industry from all organisation replaced the Tourism and of ensuring that it can meet visitor levels of the public and private sectors, as Industrial Development Company demands. well as from the population at large, and (Tidco) of Trinidad and Tobago in “The number of visitors to Trinidad then to ensure that recommendations 2004. and Tobago continues to increase steadily, are followed up by legislation and Apart from its international and as a result we have the challenge of implementation.” marketing efforts the TDC is focusing ensuring that as these numbers increase, Another is the introduction of the on raising local tourism awareness. In there is sufficient accommodation and Caribbean Single Market and Economy 2007 the TDC invested TT $1 million airlift to cater for this,” he said. (CSME). into a domestic tourism campaign called “This is why additional flights from “Travel and tourism in Trinidad and “Stay to Get Away”. airlift providers like Delta Airlines, Tobago will face increased competition, The overall objectives of the and new hotels like the Hyatt Regency particularly in terms of employment, programme are: Trinidad and the upcoming Carlton from neigbouring Caribbean countries,” • GD Savannah are indicators that the tourism said the WWTC. • Job creation—as a result of the industry can in fact handle the growth “A highly trained workforce, and increased demand for services that we are experiencing.” an industry that offers employment • Transformation of the sector—as Customer service is also an issue he opportunities to match, will be critical to

56 2008/9 57 encouraging and safeguarding sustainable Cruise and Yacht Sectors according to the Cruise Line International employment created by travel and Association (CLIA). tourism.” The Caribbean region is the most As part of efforts to be a leading, cruise preferred destination for cruising port destination worldwide with a high rate of stay-over visitors, Trinidad and Tobago will be hosting the 15th annual Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association’s (FCCA) Caribbean Cruise Conference and Trade Show in October 2008. With nearly 1,200 cruise industry partners; including approximately 100 cruise executives attending the FCCA conference each year, the event is one of the most popular conventions in the international, tourism market. Last year, from January to July, Trinidad received 41 cruise calls with a total of 49, 630 passengers. Cruise ships usually dock for one day with many passengers coming from Europe said the TDC. “At least 75 per cent of them disembark. They usually go on national tours, visit malls and downtown Port of Spain.” The largest cruise ship to visit Trinidad was the Golden Princess on January 12, Fig 1 2007 carrying 2,600 passengers. Charles Carvalho, president and CEO Visitor arrivals to Trinidad and Tobago have a steady growth pattern from the year 1995 to 2006 with slight declines between the years 1995 to 1996, 2000 to 2001 and 2005 to 2006. of Trinidad and Tobago Sightseeing Tours and CEO of Carvalho’s Agencies, said the narrow channel at the Port of Port of Spain is a major challenge for the industry. Trinidad and Tobago has also experienced a significant growth in its yachting industry since the 1990s, emerging as the repair center and hurricane shelter of the Caribbean. As such there has been direct employment of some 1,100-1,400 people and revenues of US$23.3 million were recorded in the year 2001. However, the Yacht Services Association of Trinidad and Tobago (YSATT) is very concerned since in 2007 there was a 24 per cent decline in the local yachting industry. Gina Carvalho, administrator of the YSATT, believes the crime situation is turning yachtees away. “There were 1,407 yacht arrivals to the country from January to December 2007, while for the same period last year Figure 2 there were 1,784. The crime situation is

Visitor arrivals to Trinidad are consistent with a slight decline in numbers in 2002, 2003 and 2006. The year of not helping because people hear things recorded peak performance was 2005, with a figure of 376,725 visitors. and it turns them away,” she said.

58 Training The TDC and the Trinidad and Cruise Conference in October. Tobago Bureau of Stands (TTBS) Trinidad and Tobago is also scheduled With the continued growth of in October last year relaunched the to host the 34-country Summit of Trinidad and Tobago’s tourism sector Trinidad and Tobago Tourism Industry the Americas in April 2009, and the there is a demand for training. Certification Programme (TTTIC). 54-country Commonwealth Heads of According to Pat Butcher, executive Targeting tour guides, tour operators and Government in October that year. director of the Trinidad and Tobago vehicle rental operators, the programme To meet the demands, the available Hotel and Tourism Institute (TTHTI), the was initially launched in 2001 by Tidco, room stock and meeting space on the school was established to provide quality TTBS and the Department of Tourism, island are being increased. In April last competencies for the hospitality and Tobago House of Assembly (THA). year, the 80-room Holiday Inn Express tourism industry. The TDC also relaunched the STEP, was opened, while the 428-room Hyatt “There is planned expansion of which was initially created under the Regency Trinidad opened for business in TTHTI because of the demand which Organisation of American States (OAS) January 2008. will start later this year. We already have the in 1998. With approximately 43,000 square land approved and the design,” she said. The regionally recognised project, feet of flexible meeting space, the Hyatt “The academy has come a long way which exists in 13 Caribbean islands, hotel accommodates both large and small since the newly restructured institute presents a comprehensive approach gatherings. Included in the function space are began in September 1996. We offer to addressing the problems of poor a 16,000 square foot grand ballroom, a two year associate degree programs performance and profitability within the 10,000 square foot multipurpose facility, and specialised diploma and certificate small tourism enterprise sector. a full service restaurant, a lobby bar courses, both full time and part time, Co-ordinated by Shakila Medina, and lounge, a rooftop bar, and a 6,000 to short in-house courses on demand STEP began in Trinidad in 1999 under square foot spa and fitness centre. The from private sector firms, public sector Tidco and in late 2006 was adopted by hotel’s serene rooftop pool and terrace ministries and state agencies.” the TDC. also provides an escape for business The TTHTI provides modular The Ministry of Science, Technology travellers after long workdays. education and training with an academic and Tertiary Education’s (STTE), Multi- Longstanding meeting and and practical foundation. Certificates Sector Skills Training Programme (MuST) conference centres have also upgraded are also awarded for the completion provides training in construction, hospitality their facilities. The Trinidad Hilton and of modules within the diploma and and tourism for eligible citizens of Trinidad Conference Centre has been expanded associate degree programmes. and Tobago. with an additional 40,000 square A core part of the associate degree Hospitality and tourism sector (Level feet that includes 31 meeting rooms. and diploma programmes is the industry I) trainees are trained at hospitality The Cascadia Hotel also undertook placement of a student for four to eight and tourism establishments as general significant upgrades, and the Courtyard weeks, enabling the student to acquire hospitality workers in food and beverage by Marriott continues to meet event hands-on skills within the industry in service, food preparation, property up- demands. Additionally, boutique hotels, their chosen field. keep, house keeping and front desk such as the Chancellor and Coblentz TTHTI will soon introduce a BSc operations. Inn, have their own niche markets. in Culinary Management and will All trainees are certified to national Non-traditional conference venues be deepening its exchange programs occupational standards through the can also be found at the National and guest lecture series with visiting Trinidad and Tobago National Vocational Library, which has flexible meeting professorships. This will serve to enrich Qualification (TTNVQ) Framework, the rooms and an amphitheatre. the student experience. new national accreditation system for The Carnival Centre, the new home “We hope to use that at the start vocational education, which enables them of Trinidad’s Carnival, will provide of the 2008 academic year. All of the to pursue further education and training. similar meeting space. ground work has been done already,” In terms of room stock, 530 added Butcher. Hotels additional rooms will come on stream in The institute also has the distinction of 2008 with the opening of the Cara Suites being commissioned as the first training The government is positioning the Piarco Hotel, the Piarco International provider for the Royal Caribbean country as the meeting and conference Hotel, the Carlton Savannah Hotel International Cruise line. centre, as well as the events capital of the in St Ann’s and the refurbishment of Through its affiliation with TTHTI, Caribbean. the Trinidad Hilton and Conference the University of the West Indies (UWI) The state won bids to host two major Centre. now offers a two-year programme, tourism conferences at the Hyatt in Prime Minister Patrick Manning a continuation of those offered by 2008: the Caribbean Hotels Investment noted in the 2007/8 Budget presentation the Institute, which results in a BSc Conference in May where 400 participants that other hotel investments are under hospitality and tourism management. took part, and the Florida-Caribbean active consideration in Port of Spain,

2008/9 59 Chaguanas, South Trinidad and • Production of fortnightly and • Roles of agencies—At present, several Tobago. quarterly newsletters, membership agencies seem to be promoting the “We are currently reviewing our directory destination–TDC, THA and EtecK, tourism legislation with a view to • World Tourism Day activities in with an apparent disconnect with facilitating even further investment conjunction with the Ministry of regard to how funds are spent. There in the accommodation and ancillary Tourism and the TDC needs to be a central plan with a services subsectors,” he added. • Marketing activities in conjunction proper structure in place with the TDC—Caribbean Road • Incentives / Investment—It takes THRTA Show, Caribbean advertising, co-op more than five years to get approvals brochure for large projects, over two years for The Trinidad Hotels, Restaurants • Organising local culinary competition smaller ones. There is a need for a one- and Tourism Association (THRTA) is and administration of the national stop shop for investment. Incentives the main private sector representational culinary team for regional offered are not competitive body for the industry performing competition • Tourism Development Act—In a pivotal role between the policy • Position papers on incentives, sale of 2000, the Tourism Development Act makers (Ministry of Tourism), policy land in Tobago and labour was passed in Parliament replacing implementers (TDC), and the private • Customer satisfaction survey in the Hotel Development Act. Due sector. conjunction with the Ministry of to flaws in the language of the The association is governed by a Tourism Tourism Development Act, hoteliers board comprising ten directors—six • Managing two projects funded by Pro were unable to access the benefits, hoteliers and four allied members with Invest—Euro funding—hotel ICT which were contained in the interim the executive director of the TTHTI as and visitor safety and security approval. In 2006, amendments to the an ex officio member of the Board. • Quarterly meetings with the Tobago Act were finally passed in Parliament. Membership in the association Hotel Association Some hoteliers have not received their consists of 35 active members (hotels) • Hotel Spend Study benefits to date and the revised orders and 73 allied members (suppliers of The THRTA believes its challenges are: have to be signed by the Minister of goods and services to the industry)—a • Crime—This issue affects us all in our Tourism after which the Board of total of 108 members. The association daily lives and also has a very negative Inland Revenue has to process the is administered by a secretariat with impact on tourism. Travel advisories applications. The Tourism Act is now a staff of three persons. Funding for are very damaging to the destination outdated and uncompetitive. the administration of the secretariat • Labour issue—Serious labour shortage is derived from membership dues and is facing the industry Airlift fund raising activities. • Infrastructure —Maintenance of sites, The mission statement of the safety and security, toilet facilities, Trinidad and Tobago continues to THRTA is “to provide benefits and signage. There are no new attractions attract visitors from all over the world, services to members by creating a in Trinidad or Tobago with numerous airlines providing reliable business environment conducive to • Lack of information on statistics—For service and several others indicating tourism development by influencing years, the THRTA has been lobbying considerable interest in developing new government policies and legislation for up-to-date information on flights to both Trinidad and Tobago. which stimulate investment, profitability visitor arrivals. This can be achieved At present, service providers include and a competitive rate of return”. by collating information from the Caribbean Airlines, American Airlines, The following core services comprise immigration forms US Airways, British Airways, Delta THRTA’s primary deliverables to its • Steering Committee for Tourism— Airlines, Copa Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, members: Need for the establishment of a and Spirit Airlines. • Advocacy steering committee for tourism State-owned Caribbean Airlines was • Research and knowledge • Tourism Policy—Need for a tourism launched on January 1 last year. The • Networking policy company replaced 66-year-old national • Training and education • Funding—Adequate funding for carrier BWIA, which shut down • Destination marketing the TDC. We are at a critical stage operations on December 31, 2006. • Community awareness. of development with the increase of The Caracas, Venezuela, service was The THRTA is responsible for hotel stock in Trinidad by 60 per cent the first new international destination managing the assets of the TTHTI. over the next two years. We need to to be added to the network since the Activities of the THRTA for 2007 market aggressively to ensure that started its operations. included the following: occupancy remains at a satisfactory In mid-2008, Fort Lauderdale • Training for the industry level became the latest international

60 ANALYSIS OF VISITOR ARRIVALS BY AIR, 1995-2007

Trinidad & Tobago

Year Arrivals

1995 259,783

1996 255,900

1997 324,234

1998 334,037 Trinidad Tobago

1999 358,220 Year Arrivals Year Arrivals

2000 398,559 2000 349,365 2000 49,194

2001 383,101 2001 352,149 2001 30,952

2002 384,212 2002 344,857 2002 39,355

2003 409,069 2003 340,914 2003 68,155

2004 442,596 2004 363,867 2004 78,729

2005 463,191 2005 376,725 2005 86,466

2006 457,434 2006 401,665 2006 55,769

2007* 80,771 2007* 64,220 2007* 16,551

*Figures from January – February 2007 Data Source: Central Statistical Office

destination to be added, while the had a three-year business plan which airline increased flights to Toronto, as saw it making a profit by 2009. Air Canada announced plans to cancel He said the airline had been able its service from Toronto to Port of Spain to fend off the effects of rising crude at the end August. and fuel prices because it has a hedge While international carriers were arrangement which allows the carrier cutting flights and laying off staff amid to buy jet fuel at a beneficial price until rising fuel prices, among other factors, 2011. Caribbean Airlines seemed optimistic From October 1, 2007 Caribbean about its future. Airlines began operational management Philip Saunders, CEO, said in July, of Tobago Express under its code. that the airline hoped to break even in “Under new management the 2008. air bridge will maintain the present Addressing businessmen at the schedule with the current fleet and the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of ongoing support of Caribbean Airlines’ Commerce and Industry’s annual Boeing 737-800 aircraft at times of high general meeting, he said the company demand. The air bridge will continue to be regulated by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago,” the carrier said. Kristy Ramnarine is an award-winning tourism writer with the Trinidad In the future the airline plans to hold Express discussions with regional governments in a bid to extend its network.

2008/9 61 CONSTRUCTION Mega projects under scrutiny

Chinese contractors have worked on the Prime A graphic illustration of the National Academy of the Performing Arts currently under construction Minister’s new residence

and diplomatic centre, This country’s construction This represented the creation of 33,100 sector continues to boom with new jobs since 2000. the academy of the unprecedented spending in Even from the infrastructure infrastructure over the last few development fund, $2.3 billion was performing arts, currently years. allocated to public sector works in the under construction, and During the 2000-2005 fiscal year 2005–2006, increasing to period, real economic activity TT$2.6 billon in 2006. the education ministry on in the construction sector This was based on the Vision 2020 grew by an average of 10.7 per principle that: “An investment in sound St Vincent Street cent per annum. infrastructure and the environment is an This heightened activity investment in the future of our nation. was driven by new investment Without good, quality infrastructure projects in the energy sector, government’s and a well preserved environment, our major infrastructure development economic and social progress will be programmes and housing initiatives, limited.” as well as increased private sector Significant projects that have been construction. completed to date include the Hyatt Employment levels in the construction Regency hotel, which opened its doors sector also rose significantly during on the new Port of Spain waterfront the period with approximately 95,000 in January 2008, and the government persons employed in the sector in 2005. campus plaza parkade in downtown Port

62 construction

By Peter Campbell

One Woodbrook Place under construction of Spain. Both were constructed under the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (Udecott). Special Purpose Companies such as eTecK and the National Insurance Property Development Company (Nipdec) are also overseeing other government projects such as the development of the state-of-the-art University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) campus in Tamana and the construction of several police buildings, community centres and health facilities, respectively. The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) oversees most of the construction of government housing projects all over the country, as well as the redevelopment of East Port of Spain called the Eastbridge Development Project. (See complete list in sidebar.) Many of government’s mega projects have been, and are being, undertaken by foreign contractors, namely the Chinese. In 2007, the TT$1.8 billion UTT campus project at Tamana was awarded to the China Jiang Su International Corporation, and, in April, it was announced that the China Railway Construction Corporation Limited was given the contract to restart construction of the beleaguered Scarborough General Hospital in Tobago from June 1. Chinese contractors have worked on the Prime Minister’s new residence and diplomatic centre, the Academy of the Performing Arts, currently under construction, and the education ministry offices on St Vincent Street. Other foreign contractors have also been selected for major projects. Vinci Construction, a France- based company is the contractor for the highway interchange project. In April, Government announced that the Trinitrain consortium of Bouygues Construction, Alstom Transport and RATP Développement won the bid to design, build, operate and maintain a rapid rail system. Trinitrain will work on the project along with Covec subsidiary of China Railways Engineering Corp, locally-based construction company, Daynco, and Canadian engineering consultancy Dessau. The increasing dependence on foreign labour and Udecott’s practices

2008/9 63 made a joint call for a forensic audit into Udecott and the removal of its chairman Calder Hart. This followed the Prime Minister’s dismissal of trade minister Dr Keith Rowley who claimed the action was taken because he questioned Udecott’s practices. The group called for an investigation into bid-rigging and the manipulation of tender evaluation; statements made to the integrity commission which were shown to be false; the lack of transparency in the company’s operations; the handing out of a series of projects by sole selective tender, in breach of the standard procurement procedures for state enterprises and statutory bodies; and an apparent bias against the local construction industry. The JCC also wanted an enquiry into all projects led by Udecott during the period January 2002 to May 2008, and into the procurement procedures of the company, to determine its conformity to best practices, Central Tenders Board ordinance and the application of the said procedures into practice. It also wanted to find out the basis for cost and time overruns, acceleration incentives, change orders and/ or claim settlements, and to Construction on the Churchill Roosevelt/Uriah combined to create a major controversy determine whether projects undertaken Butler interchange in the construction industry in 2008. by the company had prior approvals In March, representatives of the from statutory agencies responsible for Trinidad and Tobago Contractor’s development. Association, the Joint Consultative In July, works minister Colm Imbert Council (JCC) for the Construction announced that Professor John Uff, Industry, the Trinidad and Tobago CBE, QC, an eminent British engineer Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA), and barrister would head the inquiry T&T Transparency International, the which would begin sitting by October Institute of Surveyors, the Association or November 2008. An official report is of Professional Engineers of Trinidad expected to be handed in by September and Tobago, the Board of Architecture, 2009. the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber When he first announced the of Industry and Commerce, and the Commission of Inquiry, Prime Minister Federation of Independent Trade Unions Manning said the terms of reference

64 would be to examine: • The procurement practices in the COMPLETED PROJECTS: public construction sector • The effect of the use of provisional Hyatt Hotel, Wrightson Road, POS—part of the International POS Waterfront landmark sums, prime cost sums, nominated in downtown POS suppliers and nominated contractors in construction contracts in the Government Campus Plaza Parkade public sector Siparia administrative complex • The effect of incomplete designs, design changes, variations, poor Official Residence of the PM and Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s supervision and poor management on the cost and delivery of construction Reclamation of land at Invaders Bay, which includes 75.3671 acres of prime coastal real estate for future development projects in the public sector • The performance of local and foreign Refurbishment of President’s cottage contractors and consultants on public sector projects Roadwork: completion of Edinburgh 500 dual-carriageway roadway in Chaguanas • The effectiveness of the turnkey The New Breakfast Shed approach, also called the design build approach, for the delivery of Demolition of Old Salvatori Building (phase 1) public sector construction projects Housing (completed and handed over to HDC): as compared to the traditional design and tender approach Green Street housing development, El Dorado • The reasons for and the effect of Victory Gardens, Arima cost overruns, delays and defective workmanship in public sector Carib Gardens, Arima construction projects Oropune Gardens, Oropune • The existence of price gouging and profiteering in the public construction Olera Heights, San Fernando sector Lady Young Road Apartments, Morvant • The procurement practices and Upper Mendez Drive, Champs Fleurs

A graphic illustration of the Carnival Centre to be built in the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain

2008/9 65 methods of operation of Udecott • To make such recommendations construction industry, the Occupational • The delivery of projects, the highest and observations arising out of these Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) has standard of workmanship, quality, deliberations as the commission may increased its inspection visits to all sites, safety, the provision of quality of deem appropriate to ensure that with run by both government and foreign provision and practice are achieved respect to public sector construction companies, without prior notice. and maintained projects and the procurement practices OSHA’s communications specialist, • To ensure there is free and fair and methods of operation of Udecott Alicia Charles, said there were several competition, full participation and taxpayers get value for money. contributing factors for the high fatality access for all citizens in the public Another issue which has become vital rate in the construction industry, which procurement process in the sector in recent times is that of accounted for 24 per cent of all industrial • The integrity and transparency in safety. fatalities occurring in 2005, according the public procurement practice is With the rising number of on- to the Central Bank data centre. assured site accidents and fatalities within the “Transient workers in this industry are less likely to be properly trained. Additionally, the skill levels in this industry are lower to comparable Some of the high-profile government projects in progress: categories in the manufacturing sector and this factor is not unrelated to the number of accidents experienced by Government Campus Plaza construction workers. Ministry of Education Tower “There is also a low rate of unionisation and a high degree of subcontracting, Chancery Lane Complex, San Fernando and unfortunately, health and safety is Housing: Real Spring housing development, Valsayn frequently compromised during this type of commercial bargaining.” Blenheim, Castara and Roxborough Developments, Tobago She added that there were also several Scarborough Financial Complex self-employed workers who are poorly trained and not inclined to keep abreast Scarborough Library of legal requirements or technological Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba developments in safety and health. Although the OSHA Act 2004 POS Academy for the Performing Arts allowed for more effective monitoring, MPAI building, St Clair a limited number of inspectors means a systematic approach to visits will be Red House restoration adopted. Mille Fleur Restoration “Certain construction sites are given priority based on established Refurbishment of Stollmeyer’s Castle criteria, which include, but not limited to, contractors with a track record of non-compliance and accidents,” said Charles, adding that a mandate will be given for the discontinuation of work Government projects to begin: on any site where it was found that the working arrangement or equipment were unsafe. Construction of 19 new police stations in communities, towns and boroughs across “Some of the critical areas of focus the country, including Arima, Matelot, Maloney, Belmont, Mayaro, Maracas Bay—just will be trench-related activities, work to name a few being done at heights and electrical San Fernando Academy for the Performing Arts work, since these areas caused the most fatalities on construction sites from Refurbishment of President’s House 2005 to 2007. Demolition of old Salvatori building (phase 2) and redesign of new, modern structure “Apart from existing regulations that on site have a direct bearing on the industry, specific construction related regulations Upgrade of Crown Point Airport, Tobago and codes of practice have been earmarked for development and several Source: Urban Development Enterprises Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (Udecott) standards impacting on the industry are

66 A graphic illustration of the Chancery Lane complex in San Fernando

in the pipeline.” When selling it on the retail market, he And not only has the construction said, just over a dollar profit could be boom caused an increased OSHA realised. surveillance, but also an increase in “We have been dealing with this for the prices of raw materials and skilled some time now. We cannot send up the labour due to shortages. price by too much because people would The most notable increase in price not buy. And when we get customers we is that of steel, which increased three have to offer free transport just to get times within the first three months of the sale,” he said, adding that the rise in the year, eliciting many complaints price was twice the international market from hardware dealers who stated that price. they were barely making a profit from Sand and gravel also skyrocketed the commodity. from TT$450 to TT$750 a load, A member of the Hardware and TT$1800 to TT$2500 a load Association said a tonne of steel was respectively. Even the labourers are increased by nearly TT$1000 and that cashing in with the skilled receiving Peter Campbell is a freelance writer the wholesale price of half inch steel approximately TT$200 a day and the and communications consultant bars was increased to TT$6600 a tonne. unskilled around TT$160 a day.

2008/9 67 MEDIA A growing industry

There was a time when television in increased to TT$144 million. Trinidad and Tobago was limited to The TTPBA has raised concerns state-run Trinidad and Tobago Television about whether the advertising dollar (TTT), when the newspaper war was is enough to sustain all media, and between the Trinidad Express and the points out that while no station has shut Trinidad Guardian, and AM was the down, there are stations with very little popular frequency to tune in to. advertising. Over the past decade, and particularly The biggest haul of stations belongs within the last two years, that has all to the Trinidad Broadcasting Company changed. Today, there are over 30 radio (TBC), which has five frequencies— The stations, with the majority on the FM Best Mix (95.1), Vibe CT (105), Sangeet band, eight television stations with over (106.1 FM), Aakash Vani (106.5 FM) and ten channels, and three daily newspapers. Radio Trinidad (730 AM). Then there is The liberalisation of the Caribbean New Media Group (CNMG) telecommunications and broadcast sectors with three radio frequencies— Talk City is partly responsible for (91.1), Next (99.1) and Sweet (100.1), the dynamic growth and CL Communications, also with of the media. Spurring three frequencies—Ebony (104), Music The Trinidad and Tobago the growth too, is the Radio (97.1) and 90.5 FM. According increase in advertising. to the TBC, a survey by Market Facts Publishers and Broadcasters Between the advertising and Opinions (MFO) showed that in war that occurred May 2007, it was the leading network Association noted that in the early days of in Trinidad and Tobago, based on overall mobile liberalisation, station ratings. TBC launched 106.5 in when Digicel entered 2007, and upgraded 95.1 and 105 to in 2005, the advertising the market, offering digital frequency. Two other stations, consumers an alternative 106.1 and 106.5, were to be upgraded expenditure was TT$441,054 to the incumbent in 2008. Telecommunication The BBC station, 98.7 FM launched million. Radio’s advertising Services of Trinidad in 2007. “This is our third 24-hour and Tobago (TSTT), BBC radio station in the Caribbean and and the pre-election our first in Trinidad and Tobago. I am market grew proportionally advertising, the media delighted that more of our listeners can industry has been hear, for the first time, the full range by 24 per cent over 2005. reaping the benefits. of BBC programmes in FM quality,” The Trinidad and said Debbie Ransome, head of BBC The figure in 2006 was Tobago Publishers Caribbean. and Broadcasters In 2007, the Sanatan Dharma Maha Association (TTPBA) Sabha, an organisation representing the TT$578,785 million noted that in 2005, the Hindu faith, won a Privy Council legal advertising spend across battle with the government to establish all media was TT$441 its own station, Jaagriti. million. In 2006 it was TT$579 million, A draft of the revised broadcast and in 2007, TT$651 million. code was published for public comment on August 4. The code, which was Radio introduced in 2005, met with media backlash when it was first proposed, but In 2005, radio attracted TT$102 two years later has been redrafted and million in advertising. By 2006 it was should take effect once it meets Cabinet TT$126 million and in 2007, that figure approval.

68 media

By Asha Javeed

In the first instance, the code aims to the development and promulgation of a per cent local content. regulate broadcast content, among them Broadcasting Code to ensure broadcasters Established in 2004, received talk shows. operate as public trustees of the nation’s a country licence in 2006. Chief Executive “I am certain that you will recognise airwaves. Officer Christopher Laird said the that any discussion surrounding content TATT is responsible for the planning, community licence Gayelle once held was will have proponents of both sides of the supervising, regulating and managing based on the power of the transmission but argument—on the one hand the argument the use of the radio frequency spectrum being on Columbus’s cable line up meant of the freedom of speech as guaranteed including: it was not able to define a community. under our Constitution and on the other • the licensing and registration of radio Laird, also head of Banyan Ltd., owns hand, the argument of the responsibility frequencies and call signs to be used 50 per cent of Gayelle with Errol Fabien which must be exercised that goes with by all stations operating in Trinidad and Valmiki Kempadoo as the other that freedom, said Telecommunications and Tobago or on any ship, aircraft principal shareholders. There have been Authority (TATT) chairman,” Khalid or other vessel or satellite registered visible signs of the station’s growth: it Hassanali at a seminar titled “Balance on in Trinidad and Tobago expanded to occupy the building where it the Airwaves” which was a precursor to • the allocation, assignment and first planted roots, its staff grew to over 80 the launch of the redraft. reallocation or reassignment of people, and it runs 14 hours of original “It is worth noting that in 2007, the frequency bands where necessary programming a day with 20 original Telecommunications Authority received • Investigating and resolving all television series. a total of 60 complaints, 50 of which allegations of harmful interference. Gayelle’s programmes are featured on

Trinidad and Tobago’s three daily newspapers: The Trinidad Guardian, Trinidad Express and Newsday were for radio station programmes and Television JumpTV.com, a Web site that features ten for television programmes. The shows from around the world. This majority of the radio station complaints While local and original content has facility targets locals residing abroad were directed at just a handful of always been a part of television in Trinidad and allows them viewership of CNC3’s stations,” he said. and Tobago, some stations, notably local programmes, via the Internet. The Hassanali noted that the Gayelle, The Channel and Synergy service is free in Trinidad and Tobago Telecommunications Act 2001 prescribes Television, are attempting to provide 100 and the United States, and is available by

2008/9 69 With more stations getting free-to- state-owned TTT, TV6, which is part RADIO STATIONS air permits, putting additional pressure of the One Caribbean Media (OCM) on the small advertising pool, Gayelle group, has consistently topped 15 is looking beyond Trinidad and Tobago surveys in four years, according to the AM: NBS Radio (610AM) and Radio to the Caribbean (the station is aired in company. Trinidad (730AM) Grenada) and the diaspora. TV6’s content is varied with In January, TATT granted local and foreign dramas, news and FM: WACK (90.1); Radio 90.5; Radio permission to provide free-to-air talk shows and entertainment. The ICN (91.1); Bashment Radio (91.9); television broadcasting services for ten TV6 news, the company boasts on its Sidewalk Radio (92.3); Radio Tambrin years to Trinidad Publishing Company website, is the most-watched television (92.7); Hott 93 (93.1/93.5); Rhythm City (94.1); Radio Trinbago (94.7); Ltd (CNC3) and Synergy Entertainment programme, local and foreign, and The Best Mix (95.1); i95.5; WEFM Network Ltd. CNC3 was due to go has enjoyed unrivalled ratings with its (96.1); Red (96.7); Music Radio (97.1); national on September 1. viewership dominating the full array of Isaac (98.1); BBC (98.7); NEXT (99.1); TPC managing director Grenfell demographics. CNC’s impact on these 99.5; Sweet (100); WMJX (100.5); Kissoon said when the company was first ratings remains to be seen. Heritage (101.7); Power 102 (102.5); launched, it was always the intention to Radio Jaagriti (102.7); WABC (103.1); go national. Print: newspaper and magazines Radio for Women (103.5); Radio Kissoon said that in making its 104 (104); Ebony (104.1); MOREFM application, the company had to satisfy The most significant change on (104.7); Radio Tempo (105); Classic Radio (106); CT Vibe (105); Sangeet TATT that the equipment and its the newspaper landscape in 2008 was (106.1); Radio Toco (107.7); Inner City configuration were able to reach 95 per the launch of the new-look Trinidad Broadcasting (107.1); Music for Life cent of the population. Guardian. (107.7) The plans have already been Flagging sales, an ageing readership made and he estimated it would take and increasingly competitive approximately three to six months for environment, were the driving forces subscription to the rest of the world. its implementation. behind the new look, which is more However, the biggest challenge the “We have to set up transmitter compact, with colour-coded sections station faces is getting advertisers on locations on the Central and Northern and shorter stories to appeal to a more board with its content. Ranges and in Tobago,” he added. youthful readership. “Trying to sell the local programming CNC3 claims to be the first The Guardian also began printing is the biggest challenge. Advertisers are television station to adopt digital off its new press in 2008. accustomed to Hollywood shows that technology, and Kissoon said it would The Chaguanas-based press, bought have big stars, big directors and big continue to enhance its quality of signal in Germany, is capable of doing 5,000 budgets. When you toss up something and programming output. high quality impressions per hour. locally made then they have to choose He said the vision had always “The investments,” said Grenfell which way to put their money. There’s been for CNC3 to be the CNN of the Kissoon, TPCL’s managing director, been a lot of pressure for us to get our Caribbean. “are all in keeping with our vision for product to look like that but we have For this reason, Kissoon said very fully modernised operations.” been trying to resist. Our content little in the current programming He said a substantial part of TPCL’s gives people things they can aspire to format, which is primarily talk-based, operations are expected to be shifted in realistically,” said Fabien. would change. CNC3 maintained a due course to the busy Central borough. After almost five years of operations, wide viewership even without free-to- The project represents an investment in Fabien said, getting advertisers is still air status by also utilising JumpTV also. excess of $50 million. very difficult. CNC3’s Week in Review, anchored by The Trinidad Express has made “We fight and try to devise all Roger Sant, is available in the tri-state innovations where its online presence kinds of means to get them to commit area in the US (New York, New Jersey is concerned. In 2007, it combined its to long-term contracts. We even offer and Connecticut), where it can be seen print stories with an interactive newscast lower rates than other media houses.” on Channels 25 and 27.The Sporting on its website. Called Trinidad Express The economics makes it difficult Week in Review was also expected to TV, it is expected to deliver up-to-the- to hold on to or attract skilled labour. be launched in the same tri-state area in minute news stories in Trinidad and Fabien said because they cannot compete early 2008. Tobago, creating the region’s first online with the salaries offered by other media When CNC3 goes national, it will newscast. houses, they have basically become an be hoping to bite into TV6’s viewing The Express website, first published incubator for talent. “We accept it and and advertising market share. Launched in 1997, has grown to attract a monthly do what we can.” in 1981, the only alternative then to the audience of 140,000 unique visitors

70 LOCAL MAGAZINES SUBSCRIPTION TELEVSION

Energy Caribbean, Energy Caribbean Yearbook, Caribbean Beat, The Caribbean Review of Books, Discover Trinidad and Tobago, the Trinidad and Tobago Business Guide (Media and National: Editorial Projects) • Columbus Communications Business Trinidad and Tobago, Who’s Who, In’s and Out’s (Prestige Publications) Trinidad Limited (Flow) Maco Caribbean Living, Maco Destinations (Toute Bagai) • Direc TV Trinidad Limited Basia, Basia Sports (Basia) • Independent Cable Network of Cré Ole (Maverick Marketing Ltd) Trinidad and Tobago Caribbean Belle (Safari Publications) • Telecommunications Services of Ocean Style (Blue Wolf Media Inc) Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) Caribbean Gourmet (Wendy Rahamut) Scorch (Trinibwoy Publishing Ltd) Niche providers: Caribbean Parenting Now (Printimate Ltd) • Computer Technologies and Abstract Magazine Services Limited (Mayaro/ U, A Caribbean Health Digest (Eidetic) Guayagauare only) • RVR International Limited (Rio Claro/ Princes Town/ New Grant) from all over the globe. Every day more globally. The Express circulates 75,000 • TRICO Industries Limited than 10,000 people log in for an update newspapers a day, the Newsday about (Tobago) on the news and events, according to a 65,000, and the Guardian, 45,000. company profile. Advertising continues to grow Free to Air Television The Express is now part of OCM. In too, with TT$253 million worth of Broadcasting Service: March 2006, an agreement was reached advertising in 2005 and TT$330 • Advance Community Television between Caribbean Communications million in 2006. Network Limited (ACTS) Network Ltd (CCN) and The Nation However, print has its challenges. In • Caribbean New Media Group Corporation (Nation) of Barbados the last two years, television and radio (CNMG) to combine in order to create a stations have mushroomed with special • CCN Television Limited (CCN publicly owned and regionally focused emphasis on their news departments. As TV6) media company, quoted on the stock a result, there has been a loss of senior • Gayelle Limited exchanges of Trinidad and Tobago and personnel from print media. • Government of the Republic of of Barbados. The growth in the advertising has Trinidad and Tobago (NCC TV) Chairman of OCM, Sir Fred also placed pressure on priority space • Mohan Jaikaran (WIN TV) Gollop, attributed the company’s 11.3 primarily devoted to news. • Trinidad Publishing Company per cent (TT$202M) per cent increase The new area of growth is clearly in Limited (CNC3) in sales and other revenue as a result of magazines. • Synergy Entertainment Network the outstanding performance at CCN Magazine publishing is growing in Limited together with the impact of the merger Trinidad and Tobago with a number of with the Nation Group. local titles now demanding their own Television Broadcasting Services via “The Express maintained its shelf space in bookstores. They run Cable TV: dominance both in copy sales and the gamut of interests from beauty and • IETV Limited newspaper readership on all publishing lifestyle to sports and parenting, and are • Parliament of the Republic of days. In addition it exceeded targets mainly printed locally. Trinidad and Tobago for the period. The Nation newspapers Like all fledgling industries, the • Islamic Broadcasting Network remained the market leader and achieved magazine industry faces many challenges. their half-year targets.” They have to jostle with traditional Print journalism is still held in media for the advertising dollar, and high regard and newspaper circulation compete with foreign magazines for continues to grow compared to attention on the magazine racks, among circulation decline of newspapers other things.

Asha Javeed is an award-winning journalist with the Trinidad Guardian.

2008/9 71 FILM Creating local content

The Trinidad and Tobago government local movie production; convince local outlined its plans for film in its Vision financial institutions to make capital 2020 manifesto. Film was among the available to the industry; create a pool seven sectors targeted for “development” of qualified motion picture production by the government’s Standing and distribution personnel; promote Committee on Business Development Trinidad and Tobago as a location (SCBD), as it was thought the film for filming; persuade local free-to-air industry had the potential to make television stations to commit to airing significant contributions to the Gross locally produced programs; and develop National Product and employment. a national consciousness, which will The SCBD was be supportive of the motion picture established in 2003 and production industry. “We have no end of chaired by Prime Minister Later that year, the Trinidad and Patrick Manning. A Tobago Film Company (TTFC) ideas. We have no end of film industry team was was formed and Foderingham was set up, chaired by Fred appointed CEO. The TTFC’s major talent. We have no end of Thornhill. Members responsibilities are to: facilitate the included Derek Chin, development of the local film industry people’s stories. We have managing director of (there are over 50 production houses in MovieTowne Shopping Trinidad and Tobago); generate revenue no end of everything else and Entertainment and employment within the sector; Complex; Bruce and promote of Trinidad and Tobago that is required to put it Paddington, university as a premier location for international lecturer; Anthony motion picture productions. together but we don’t have Maharaj, managing Foderingham can talk about the director of Video mandate and achievements of the TTFC the money. The funding Associates, Tommy with her eyes closed. As the CEO, she is Mora, chief executive also the company’s main spokesperson. isn’t there for us to keep officer of Visual Art and “We act as the network, the Production Ltd.; and conduit, the facilitator for the industry’s doing it.” Carla Foderingham, then expansion,” she explained. “There is the manager of the Film and recognition that because of the history Entertainment Unit of of this country we have not really Danielle Diffenthaller, film producer the former Tourism and independently taken up the challenge Industrial Development of creating local productions. Most Company of Trinidad often, local productions in Trinidad are and Tobago (Tidco). kind of one-on-one interviews and we The team presented its findings in are talking about a different quality of January 2007 and concluded that in production. order to “create an international motion “We are speaking to the issue of feature picture production centre located films, short films, documentaries…and in Trinidad and Tobago it would be what we have decided to do is find a way necessary to: stimulate the local motion to support our producers by creating picture production sector; persuade grant programmes, equity investment investors to buy into international and type programmes to allow them to

72 film

By Tracy Assing

easily access seed funding, to be able to hand corner there’s an advertisement get a start and to get their productions highlighting the fact that foreign made. filmmakers get a 30 per cent rebate “We have also been seeking new through the Production Expenditure marketing and distribution avenues to Rebate Programme for making their allow the work to be sold and promoted work in Trinidad and Tobago. The in the international marketplace.” programme allows producers to recoup The TTFC knows that training is up to 30 per cent of all expenses accrued also critical to making their plans work. while shooting in the country. “If we really want to be competitive, Between 2006 and 2007, about 27 we really have to be operating within a film crews shot on location in Trinidad globalised environment and operating and Tobago, contributing over TT$10 totally efficiently,” says Foderingham. million dollars to the economy. Among “So training is at the core. We have them was Dulha Mil Gaya, which offered training in script writing [in featured the former Miss Universe 2007, over 100 people attended], and a Sushmita Sen and Bollywood star Shah training workshop for feature films.” Rukh Khan, and Contract Killers, The TTFC also supports the produced by Trinidadian, G Anthony Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival and Joseph. the Secondary Schools Short Film Festival, and take local films, which are often not seen on television or at the cinema, on tour throughout Trinidad and Tobago, hosting screenings in community centres or in the open air. “We recognised the need to sensitise people about the very existence of these films. So to support the filmmaker in marketing we are taking it out to these communities,” Foderingham explained. “So people can realise that we really do have that creative talent and the film company is going to take the film industry to the next level. “I think so far we’ve seen that the work that we are supporting, whether at the script level with seed funds or If your expenditure as a local Filming of The Reef at the production level will be able to filmmaker is between TT$200,000 and travel, will be able to go outside of the TT$500,000, you get a cash rebate of Caribbean region and do well on the 12.5 per cent. Between TT$500,000 international festival circuit and that is and one million, it is 15 per cent, and great encouragement for the industry.” over one million, it’s 30 per cent. Cruise the TTFC’s website at www. On TTFC’s On-Going Programmes trinidadandtobagofilm.com and you will page you can learn about the find the story there too. In the top right- programmes that have been changing

2008/9 73 of maniacal laughter, but she takes her work seriously. “Luckily we got the location at a hotel at a gross discount but we still had to build a set which cost about TT$10,000, which was about 80 per cent of our props budget. But we couldn’t skimp on props. We had to get the guns and we had to bring the man with the guns over, and he and the guns had their own security and their own car. “Of course I had also done a budget using Trinidad’s prices and inflation is higher in Tobago. Our budget for food doubled and we weren’t eating lobster. “We didn’t expect to pay for flights (to and from Trinidad and Tobago), we thought for sure we’d get Caribbean Airlines on board as sponsors but no. We were in talks with an international airline about bringing a couple of our foreign based actors back home to shoot: one was Local actors Richard Ragoobarsingh and Michelle the lives of filmmakers on the islands: the in Paris, one in LA, one in Toronto. All Khan in a scene from Westwood Park Production Assistance and Scriptwriting along they were saying yes, yes, yes we’re Developing Programme and the Feature interested and when we supplied them Film Programme. with the dates and information: no can Producer/director Danielle do. Dieffenthaller is one of Trinidad and “So in the end, a producer’s pay Tobago’s more successful filmmakers gets eaten up and you are all out to sea known for the local drama WestWood in debt. And when you say I’m never Park, and more recenty, The Reef. doing this again, you know you’re going “The hardest thing to come by is to have to because you have to get out money,” she said. “We have no end of of debt.” ideas. We have no end of talent. We Nadella Benjamin-Riley, founding have no end of people’s stories. We have member of the Independent Media no end of everything else that is required Producers Association of Trinidad and to put it together but we don’t have the Tobago, also has a long history in the money. The funding isn’t there for us to industry. She started doing student films keep doing it.” at the age of fifteen. A creative media The Reef seemed like a small miracle. dynamo with an extensive resume, she “We got TT$1.5 million [funding] for started Caribbean Media Arts (CMA) it. That was to shoot 15 half-hours, all in 2005, offering training workshops in on location, in Tobago, in nine weeks. It all areas of media, video, television and cost me actually $2.4 million to do it.” entertainment. There were 20 crewmembers and 83 “My personal journey in the actors in the cast. media led to the start of CMA. After Dieffenthaller recounts the trials of experiencing similar, hands on training, taking her work to air through bouts I felt the need for short, intense training

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options in our industry,” says Benjamin- real entertainment value and folks Riley. who can produce at high production “The model has changed—but values—so why just be a location for the concept and objective remain the foreigners to film and give the industry same—professional development for people who are doing good work right current media practitioners, hands-on here in Trinidad and Tobago chicken training for those trying to get into the feed?” industry and specialised workshops for To make it easier, she said, the key areas in the industry. Customised industry needs “a truly supportive workshops for corporate clients and film company—one that does not give broadcasters.” handouts to the masses but understands She added: “Many television the business and gives relevant support stations are struggling, fighting for to filmmakers. And a private sector that programming, advertising revenue has some balls to truly get involved in and loyal audiences. Broadcasters and the creative industries—not in terms of indie producers alike have to find new handouts—but through real corporate strategies to navigate these new waters. partnerships.” What’s more, all stations and production companies need skilled, trained folks to staff their organisations.” CMA has schooled university and secondary school students, people Production assistance who work in the media, and corporate and script developing communications specialists, among others. The results have already been programme seen on television and at film festivals and in their students’ attitude to work. Target group: nationals and As a filmmaker, Benjamin-Riley permanent residents feels not enough is being done to move An annual award scheme that the industry along. “The government offers financial assistance to film has put in place the (TTFC) to and television production and implement initiatives outlined in an scriptwriting projects to help the industry study. Trouble is, the market professional development of creative has changed drastically. The film talent and to stimulate employment company has a board of directors [who in the Trinidad and Tobago film and are]not necessarily up to speed on the television industry. current needs of the industry and are not engaging stakeholders to determine Feature film programme new strategies. Their funding programs are static and not very developmental. Target group: nationals and They need a little shaking up.” permanent residents She added that her own work hasn’t An equity fund catering to benefitted from any of the TTFC’s producers and/or directors who are initiatives “but we are engaging in nationals and residents of Trinidad discussions to get some current and and Tobago, interested in receiving relevant programmes and projects on assistance and support to produce a stream, so all is not lost.” feature film. She wishes the powers that be “get real and effective consultancy from people Source: who really know what they are doing, www.trinidadandtobagofilm.com periodical monitoring and evaluation, processing of new global policies and technological developments, and get recommendations/feedback from the Tracy Assing is a writer and industry and effective implementation. film producer. “We have so many stories to tell—

76

TELECOM From cell wars to broadband battles

After two years After two years of liberalisation, 40 cents between the mobile networks. Trinidad and Tobago’s In May, the two companies signed telecommunications landscape the agreement, which they said would has changed significantly: the allow customers of either network to of liberalisation, mobile market is saturated, enjoy better communication with each the cost of a phone call is other. The agreement also cleared the cheaper, the focus is now on way for text messaging between the two Trinidad and Tobago’s broadband services with fierce networks. The new services went into competition between the effect by the end of May. bigger providers, TSTT’s blink The panel agreed to a mobile telecommunications and Flow’s U-Click, and the termination rate of 40 cents a minute cable offering is monopolised to be charged by each party to the by Flow. other, that interconnect rates should be landscape has The Telecommunications applied on a per second basis, and that Services of Trinidad and interconnection charges be retroactive Tobago (TSTT) has already April 6, 2006. changed significantly celebrated its one millionth TATT’s first attempt at the customer while Digicel, which establishment of an arbitration marked two years of service panel ran into legal action after its on April 6, has been trending recommendation that interconnect upwards since it launched. rates should fall between TT$0.38 and After posting a TT$239.2 million TT$0.45. Both Digicel and TSTT have loss in 2007, TSTT declared an after- claimed victory over a 40 cents mobile tax profit for the financial year ending termination rate. March 31, 2008 of TT$159.9. The third mobile provider, Laqtel, a Chief financial officer Rakesh local start up, had its mobile concession Goswami attributed the profits to, revoked by TATT in March, after it among other factors, improved debt failed to launch, two years after the collection, reduced marketing costs concession was granted. as the mobile market levelled off and “What has happened is that we finalisation of an interconnection ended up with a duopoly, something agreement between his comapny and which we did not want,” said Chris Digicel. Seecheran, acting director of TATT. An agreement was finally resolved in Stephen Bereaux, TATT’s senior March 2008 after almost two years of manager, legal and regulatory affairs, wrangling between TSTT and Digicel. said the authority would have another Interconnection rates are the charges look at the market because Cabinet imposed by one telecom provider for had granted approval for three mobile providing services to another. providers. An arbitration panel established He noted that while the mobile by Telecommunications Authority market can be described as saturated, of Trinidada and Tobago (TATT ) there was still consideration given to mandated an interconnection rate of newer technologies.

78 telecom

By Asha Javeed

2008/9 79 “There are barriers to entry but “Now that we have the capacity, we it does not mean that people with are now looking to see how the benefits resources can’t enter,” he said. filter down. The rates are already going down because of the broadband wars,” he said. Broadband For the 16-plus per cent of the population which uses the Internet daily, Broadband is TATT’s key initiative dial-up just doesn’t cut it anymore. The area, and a price war is already on demand for bandwidth is increasing between TSTT’s blink and Flow’s as consumers seek faster service. U-Click. While TSTT still controls the bulk TATT has designed a frequency of the market with more than 60,000 allocation table—which presents the customers, Flow has been focusing on entire useable frequency band and the its “Click” option. types of services, which are likely to be The cable company is offering four made available with those bands—which broadband packages available in all was the cornerstone of the spectrum digital ready areas. It already has 500- policy. plus corporate customers, acquired “The plan will allow individuals/ through referrals. companies to be authorised to use Internet users now have a choice specified radio spectrum to provide of cheap bandwidth. Flow offers a 20- public services such as wireless cable hour, two megabits per second (mbps) television and broadband/high-speed package at TT$69.99. That’s TT$9 Internet access or private data services cheaper than TSTT’s blink offering, that use Wi-Fi technologies,” said which is TT$79, as both companies Seecheran. head to a price war. (See table at the The other bands available and end.) already in use are 400 MHz, upper Flow recently completed a TT$32 700 MHz, 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz and 3.5 million undersea fibre optic cable, which GHz. now connects Trinidad and Tobago to The authority has placed a Curacao and to the rest of the ARCOS moratorium on new and existing users undersea network, which provides on these bands and intends to consult connectivity to the United States and with existing users to determine an 18 other countries. equitable allocation of resources for The 1000-km high capacity the bands or reclaim some of the radio undersea fiber optic link is capable of spectrum in order to authorise new transporting almost two terabits of data users. per second. Green Dot was awarded the lower Flow boasts of a number of 700 MHz band and Telstar the 12 GHz advances: band. • it now offers 268 channels, 200 more “Providers have to take up the than was previously available mantle and start providing good service. • it has contracts with content providers We expect that there would be more for 258 of those channels, compared to companies like Greendot making service 68 channels when it acquired CCTT, available,” said Seecheran. 30 of which had no agreements “What has helped quite a bit is • it has 275 commercial customers. the opening up of the international Trevor Deane, TSTT’s vice-president segment.” of Broadband, said that the world was There are three systems in place that going through a telecommunications have facilitated this, Columbus’s Arcos convergence and Trinidad and Tobago Network, TSTT’s Americas 1 and II and was part of it. its Eastern Caribbean Fibre System, and “All of that is premised on a service Global Caribbean Network (GCN), the to be implemented so that the future of Southern Caribbean Fibre System. telecom, certainly in my view, is mobile

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and broadband. That’s really where the has been criticised for higher prices, poor world is going. TSTT intends to remain reception, and its programme offering a leader locally, in telecommunications, after moving some channels from its so it’s imperative that we not take a half basic package to subscription packages. step,” he stated. About 30 per cent of its network is now He highlighted one of the digital. technologies the company would be Two niche operators, RVR incorporating—the Metro Ethernet, International and Computer and which will allow businesses to get faster Technology Services Ltd (CTSL), speeds. provide cable services in Mayaro and What has prompted the change? Princes Town respectively. “Everything is the market situation. Telstar Cable System Ltd was also We could not do it before because we awarded a band by TATT to offer had no capacity, so that it was impossible wireless cable TV service. for us to go out and offer lower prices and then have customers unable to get ISPs: the future service. We’ve really been concentrating on making that service available, that Today, there’s more choice of the customer would want it and only accessing the internet. It’s just a matter then going to the market with a new of price and quality of service. offer,” he said. TSTT’s temperamental service “TSTT has spent about TT$400 resulted in a growth in internet service million of its own funds to upgrade its providers (ISPs). broadband infrastructure,” he said. The familiar faces are still around: Illuminat, Lisa Communications, Cable and TV Carib-Link, CableNett, and new entrant Green Dot, which began operations in TATT’s plan to liberalise the cable May 2004 in the already competitive market was short-lived after Flow market. purchased CCTT, thereby recreating a The increase in internet demand has monopoly. not translated into cheaper T1s, which They are the dominant subscription support 24 phone lines. An ISP would service provider with about 125,000 normally operate at a ratio of eight customers. customers to every phone line, hence But that is only because TSTT the need for additional T1s in order to and the Independent Cable Operators expand. (ICNTT) have yet to come on stream. In 2004, the Association of TSTT was granted its licence two years Independent Internet Service Providers ago, ICNTT a little over a year ago. (AIISP) called on the government to TSTT’s financial troubles have spin-off TSTT’s internet division into meant the delay of coming on stream of a separate business entity to guarantee subscription TV. It has already forfeited a level playing field for other internet TT$750,000 to TATT for its failure to providers. launch service. TSTT has maintained The AIISP said TSTT’s cross- that it is running trials on the service subsidy—through the use of a toll-free but would not launch it immediately. number and discriminatory practices— The TT$750,000 was part of a TT$1.5 meant unfair competition. million performance bond TATT asked The AIISP comprises Illuminat, TSTT to post when it did not meet its Lisa Communications, Caribbean deadline to start the service. Interactive Multimedia, Opus Network, Seecheran said that TSTT had WowNet and Carib-Link. requested an extension, but lamented that While the price of internet service the competition TATT envisioned for has remained relatively stable, enhanced the local market had not materialised. packages and improved customer Flow is upgrading from an analog to service feature highly in the competitive a digital system to improve service but environment with all the ISPs beefing

82 up operations to offer higher speed service within recent years. TSTT’S BLINK BROADBAND PRICES Cheaper prices, which are a result all prices in TT dollars monthly VAT inclusive of competition, could jeopardise the sustainability of ISPs unless they can Residential satisfy the niches they have created. 256kbps download/64kbps upload Promoting ICT (promotional offer)—$79 512kbps download /128kbps upload—$149 Prime Minister Patrick Manning, in his 2007–2008 Budget presentation, 1MB download/512kbps upload—$229 underscored the need for the development 2MB download/768kbps upload —$349 of a modern and competitive information and communication Up to 10MB download/768kbps upload—$699 technology (ICT) sector to ensure that Business all citizens have access to efficient and affordable telecommunications. 512kbps download/128kbps upload—$799 The establishment of the 1MB download/256kbps upload—$1,249 Telecommunications Authority in 2001 helped formalise this process, and a 1MB download (sync)—$1,799 FastForward document became the 2MB download/768kbps upload—$2,099 blueprint for the sector. Now, it is called 3MB download/768kbps upload—$2,399 ttconnect. “The government’s goal is to 4MB download/768kbps upload—$2,599 promote ICT acculturation among all citizens through: expanding the use of ICT to modernise the operations of the public sector; increasing the availability of online government information and FLOW’S BROADBAND PRICES services; promoting the development All prices in TT dollars monthly VAT inclusive of competitive ICT-based businesses; encouraging greater use of ICT in U-Click 20 (20 hours a month, 1 e-mail address business operations and market 2 Mbps download/256Kbps upload—$69.99) transactions and expanding high speed U-Click unlimited 1 (unlimited access, 1 e-mail address; Internet connectivity to all schools, 2Mbps download/256Kbps upload—$189.99) libraries and community centres,” the Prime Minister said. U-Click Unlimited 2 (unlimited hours; 3 e-mail addresses; The National Broadband Action 6 Mbps download/1Mbps upload—$349.99) Plan includes: U-Click Unlimited 3: (15Mbps download/2Mbps upload $689.99) • facilitating the establishment of international carrier shared landing stations and implementing a public sensitisation programme for broadband in Trinidad and Tobago • facilitating the implementation of an national internet exchange point (IXP) • facilitating the development of a domestic hosting industry.

Asha Javeed is an award-winning business journalist with the Trinidad Guardian

2008/9 83 TOBAGO An island on the move

The relationship between the city slicker zoning regulations. image of Trinidad and that of Tobago’s It consists of 12 elected assemblymen sleepy, Caribbean idyll has and four appointed councillors. Three often been marked by distrust. councillors are appointed on the advice It is the classic relationship on the Chief Secretary and one on the The ferries have between a big country and advice of the Minority Leader. The Chief its smaller neighbour but in Secretary is the leader of the majority reality, there are benefits for party in the assembly, currently Orville proved to be so both. London of the ruling People’s National For Tobago, which Movement (PNM). popular that the relies on an annual central government budgetary Economy main earners combined air and allocation, there is the not so inconsiderable matter Tourism dominates the economy, seabridge traveller of benefitting from vast oil with over 50 per cent of Tobago’s and gas wealth. This year’s working population either directly or budgetary allocation was indirectly engaged in it. This makes numbers topped 1.5 TT$2,238 billion. it one of the most tourism-intensive Few populations of economies in the world. The only other million in 2007 55,000 in the world can take employer of any significance is the civil advantage of services which service, which employs around 45 per —a 50 per cent include an international cent of workers. airport, seaport, sporting This dependence on tourism is both increase on 2006 stadium, western-standard a source of concern and optimism. shopping mall, hospital, The concern lies in the fragility of the schools, numerous hotels, industry and its reliance on third parties, fine restaurants and an efficient public such as airline operators. transport system. A number of the airlines that For Trinidad, and Trinidadians, there currently service Tobago—including is a cheaply-sourced, internationally- British Airways, Virgin, Excel, Delta acclaimed holiday destination on their and Condor—are looking to increase doorstep; a situation that has become their number of flights but there is a lack increasingly well utilised in recent of suitable room-stock to accommodate years. these extra visitors. “Demand is exceeding capacity,” says Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chris James MBE, vice president of the Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association (THTA). Established in 1980 and “The airlines need a variety of quality responsible for local governance in accommodation and we are currently Tobago, the THA handles many 700 rooms short. We don’t have any five- of the responsibilities of central star accommodation. government, but lacks the ability to “Carriers like Virgin want two flights collect taxes or impose local laws or a week and it’s the quality room stock

84 TOBAGO

By James Fuller

that sustains those flights and makes friendly projects in tourist destinations them more secure.” across the globe. In essence this means If demand continues to exceed ordinary people living in these locations capacity, the airline operators could benefit more directly from tourism. well focus their attention elsewhere in In Tobago, the schemes both the Caribbean. underway and projected include: an To begin addressing this situation adopt a farmer programme (hotels US$112 million is being invested in the adopt a farming co-operative and construction of two hotels: the five-star purchase its produce); school garden 200-suite Culloden Reef Hotel, and projects (children cultivate herbs and Indigo Bay Hotel, the three-star, 80 sell them to hotels); bee-keeping and A swimmer jumping into the water at Black Rock one-bedroom apartments facility. honey production; a vegetable seedling Beach in Tobago The pressure on room stock has been heightened recently by an increase in internal tourism but James says this has been a hugely positive development. “The THA and the government ran campaigns to encourage people to travel within Trinidad and Tobago rather than going abroad and they have been enormously successful,” he says. “It’s excellent because the money stays here and it’s healthier for the economy. It needs to continue. “The economy of Tobago is small and what the Chamber of Commerce is endeavouring to do is to grow that economy,” says James, who is chairman of the Chamber. “We accommodate approximately 100,000 tourists annually. That’s 2,000 per week, which is significant, but it can be grown still further and there is a big opportunity there.” The way in which the Tobago tourism industry can be grown in a sustainable and responsible manner is the focus of another one of James’s responsibilities; he is regional director of The Travel Foundation and chairman of the Tobago Travel Foundation.

The Travel Foundation

The Travel Foundation is a UK-based charity which creates economically sustainable, socially aware and environmentally

2008/9 85 Handicraft on display at a stall in Tobago nursery; composting; cheese making; which depends heavily on the tourist sustainable seafood harvesting; fish dollar. farming; and chocolate production. Those arrivals continue to have a big James is investing heavily in the impact on the economy as was shown by vision and has gifted 25 acres of his the delayed extension to Scarborough own land to supply the two new hotel jetty—undertaken principally to developments at Culloden Reef and facilitate large cruise ships. Indigo Bay. The donated land will A period of sustained growth support a fish farm, honeybee colony, in cruise ship arrivals from 2001 and a unit producing luxury organic spa culminated in a bumper year in 2005/6 treatments. when 53,000 passenger arrivals were “I’m trying to prove that on the experienced. However, during the three smallest piece of land possible you can years it took to complete the TT$17 actually supply a hotel. Responsible million Scarborough extension, many luxury, that’s the tagline,” says James. cruise ship operators chose not to call “If we can do this on one hotel site in conditions that they considered then we have a better chance of convincing risky. Consequently, arrivals slumped other hoteliers this is the way forward. If by nearly 75 per cent, with just 14,000 we succeed, it helps the region.” recorded in 2006/7. Following the project’s completion Cruise ships in December 2007, Tourism and Transportation Secretary Neil Wilson Any country which reports its cruise stated he was confident of a revival in ship arrivals in the local press is one fortunes.

86 2008/9 87 The ferries have proved to be so popular that the combined air and seabridge traveller numbers topped 1.5 million in 2007—a 50 per cent increase on 2006. Many of those visitors are attracted to Tobago’s numerous annual festivals, the biggest of which is the Plymouth Jazz festival. In 2007, that event attracted over 40,000 people, including 3,000 international visitors, who spent TT$65 million during the three-day musical extravaganza at the Fort James/ Plymouth Recreational Field.

Entrepreneurial development and diversification Tourism cannot remain the sole focus though and the development of entrepreneurial activity is essential to the growth of the Tobagonian economy. In support of this, the Chamber of Commerce is championing a Young Business Group. “Many people have the germ of an idea but they don’t know how to proceed with it,” says James. “The Chamber will hold meetings with them to find out any shortcomings and fill those gaps. “The Chamber also wants to get into the schools and teach youngsters about business so we can instil that entrepreneurial spirit early. Handcrafted bags on sale in Tobago Fast ferry and airbridge “We need to expand the economy. Diversification is just a word; The introduction of the fast ferry we are the ones that actually need to service between Tobago and Trinidad make it happen. To do that we need to has been one of the major successes of have people who can run with the ideas. recent years. “There are millions of business ideas The T&T Spirit and T&T Express but we are never going to compete with have revolutionised the twice daily large manufacture of anything. China crossings, cutting the journey time to and India can just produce things two-and-a-half hours and significantly in such enormous quantities and so increasing the comfort for passengers. A cheaply, so we have to go for the top- new ferry terminal at the Port of Spain end, niche markets and appeal to the port has also greatly eased the congestion right people. We have to get the quality previously experienced by travellers. right though.”

88 programme last year yielded several Roxborough Fishing Jetty upgrade in Cove Eco-Industrial and successes, with these most recent October 2007. Business Park discoveries among the more significant. In August 2007, Agriculture, Marine “This is an exciting result for us, Affairs, Marketing and the Environment The great hope for diversification because it is the first well in a four-well Secretary Hilton Sandy also announced of the Tobagonian economy is the programme on Block 22. The discovery that Charlotteville residents had Cove Eco-Industrial and Business Park validates our exploration model and approved plans for building a longer (CEIBP). further success on the block could lead jetty in Man-o-War Bay to cater for The sod was turned on Cove, a 140- to a material development.” both fishing and cruise ships. acre micro-entrepreneurial complex, in It was estimated that the discovery Tobago’s Lowlands district, in February could yield between 0.6 and 1.3 trillion Real estate 2007. CEIBP is aimed at encouraging cubic feet of natural gas. activity in business sectors such as A period of sustained growth in the agro-processing and food industries, Airport expansion, Scarborough real estate market was brought to an light manufacturing, and information hospital and fishing facilities abrupt stop in February 2007 when the technology. THA introduced regulations requiring Within the last 12 months the sod has Delays on two high profile foreigners to obtain a licence before also been turned on a TT$485 million projects, the expansion of the Crown investing in property. dual-fuel power plant at Cove, the first Point International Airport and the Many real estate agents have been of its kind in the region. It will run on Scarborough Regional Hospital, left frustrated, one year on, at what they clean-burning gas and light fuel, and is have caused the THA administration perceive as a lack of clarity surrounding projected to supply 64MW of power— embarrassment in recent years. the application procedure. They assert exceeding the current Tobagonian The 100-bed regional hospital that this amounts to a deterrent to demand of 40MW. As such, additional project at Signal Hill, which foreign investment. power will also be supplied to Trinidad commenced in April 2004, had been Consequently, the last 12 months via two existing submarine cables. in hiatus since the cessation of works have been marked by a sharp downturn Wartsila Corporation of Finland in September 2005. In April 2008, it in business (several brokers reporting was awarded the contract to construct was announced that the China Railway a 50 per cent fall in viewings) and the the plant by September 2009. Construction Corporation Limited cessation of works on a number of In a connected development, the (CRCC) was awarded the contract to projects. US-based firm Technip Inc was awarded restart construction of the from June 1. Paradoxically perhaps, given that the a US$72 million contract to install a The completion date for the project is legislation was introduced to level the 33-mile long, ten-inch pipeline from 2010. property price playing field for locals, the Angostura Field, off east Trinidad, A second project which has run valuations have remained high. to bring gas on shore at Cove to fuel the into major problems has been the proposed power plant. planned expansion of the Crown Point Environment, ecotourism and International Airport. UTT Tobago campus Oil and gas The first phase of the upgrade began in February 2004 but ran into difficulties Tobago’s greatest asset is its The existence of significant natural with wranglings over payments and environment. Its mix of beautiful gas reserves lying off Tobago’s coastline completion of contracted works. beaches, pristine coral reefs and lush had long been touted. In late January The full-scale operation may tropical rainforest support a wonderful 2008, this was confirmed when restart in 2008 but in the meantime an array of flora and fauna which attracts international oil and gas giant Petro- estimated TT$6 million has been spent thousands of visitors each year. Canada, drilling in Block 22, 14 miles on temporary measures to bring relief to Tobago is home to one of the world’s off Tobago’s northwest coast, reported a airport users. top ecotourism destinations, the Main major find. Fishing facilities in Tobago too Ridge rainforest—the oldest protected The Cassra -1 Well find in deepwater have been given a boost over the last rainforest in the western hemisphere. Block 22, in which Petro-Canada owns 12 months with a multimillion dollar This environmental richness is an a 90 per cent interest, was described by upgrade programme. asset which can be utilised but in a executive vice president of International Facilities at Culloden depot, sensitive way. and Offshore, Peter Kallos, as an Studley Park, Delaford, Belle Garden “We can build on ecotourism,” important natural gas discovery. and Scarborough are in varying stages says James. “Tobago has not been “Exploration is a key part of our of completion and work commenced overdeveloped and we can take advantage long-term growth strategy. Our drilling on the 12-month, TT$20 million of a trend towards ‘greener’ holidays.

2008/9 89 Swimming in Tobago’s famed Nylon Pool

“If you look at tourism around the and Tobago (UTT) Campus. world, especially in Europe, it is clear Construction was scheduled to that people like to be seen to be doing begin on the 7.5 acre site, at Battery the right thing environmentally. I think Point, Buccoo, in August 2008 and be it’s the right time for Tobago now to push completed by August 2010. The whole its natural product.” project will cost US$90 million. One major development, which will The campus will represent a centre help forge a new educational direction for marine sciences and courses such and monitor tourism’s environmental as marine engineering, environmental impact, is the new University of Trinidad engineering and marine ecology, as well

90 as all other UTT courses, investigate the effects of land-born will be available for up to pollution.” 600 students. Following a design Challenges, foreign labour and competition in Germany, foreign investment a spectacular translucent nautilus shell structure, There are a number of challenges featuring a steel frame with facing Tobago. membrane technology, was “We’ve got to get people back into chosen. agriculture for our own food security The environmentally reasons,” says James. “It’s a real issue sound project—wind and globally. This year there’s a shortage of solar energy will be utilised wheat and cheese and if we don’t start as well as desalinated looking after our own agriculture we are seawater for drinking—will going to be in serious trouble. be much more than an “There is an acute labour shortage educational facility. in Tobago and we simply cannot expand “There will be a visitor the economy with the labour we have. centre and people will be “We also have the small society’s able to go on tours of the problem of losing skilled labour. We building and laboratories,” need to retain intelligent people here by says Dave Bhajan, UTT satisfying them with the jobs they need, vice president of capital because at the moment they all leave.” projects and institutional Opportunities to attract foreign planning. “We envisage investment and companies exist and establishing ten different James feels these need to be taken. visitor attractions such as “Tobagonians are very good large, flat-panel screens to mathematically and also with computer- view images from different related technology generally, let’s utilise marine locations around that. Imagine the companies, such as Tobago.” Microsoft, that could come here to do The attractions will programme writing. That’s the sort of include a virtual aquarium, industry which would be great at Cove. virtual submarine, marine We could also establish call centres and heritage displays and a those sorts of things. virtual museum—featuring “We need to train local people and cameras located on give them different skill sets, advanced shipwrecks off Tobago. skill sets. We could do some wonderful “ E n v i r o n m e n t a l l y, things here.” we will also be able to And, James adds, the foreign tourists demonstrate what is could be sought out for their business happening to Buccoo skills and not only their money. Reef in real-time without “You’d be amazed how many people disturbing the reef itself. fall in love with Tobago and want to We can undertake research without the help. There’s tremendous goodwill and need to dive. there are many who would offer their “Research on Tobago’s waters expertise on a consultancy basis.” and reef systems will also be able to

James Fuller is an award-winning freelance writer

2008/9 91 TourismTOBAGO Tourism A proactive approach

The tourism industry in Tobago is the will increase to about two million.” island’s largest employer and contributor The WTTC report also commended to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) accounting for virtually all for its proactive approach to tourism: of the island’s exports. “It should be supported by central The 2005 World government to improve product Travel Tourism Council’s development and diversification and (WTTC) Tourism Satellite enhance education and training, so that Accounting (TSA) report valuable manpower is not lost. Most The statistics show said travel and tourism in importantly, perhaps, it should ensure Tobago was expected to that the air and sea links between the account for 46 per cent two islands are sufficient to meet tourist that Tobago is one of the island’s GDP and needs.” 56.8 per cent of total The tourism and transportation employment in that year. arm of the THA is charged with of the most tourism Furthermore, the the responsibility of establishing, report said travel and standardising and sustaining the island’s dependent countries tourism visitor exports tourism product in a manner consistent were projected to account with the repositioning strategy for for nearly 96 per cent of Tobago as a tourist destination. in the world. Tobago’s total exports and The division ensures that there for 15,000 or 56 per cent is an adequate supply of air and sea of Tobago’s work force of transportation to satisfy the needs of 22,000. both residents and visitors to Tobago. The statistics show that Where the functions of the Tourism Tobago is one of the most Development Company (TDC) relate tourism dependent countries in the to Tobago, all activities are planned and world. accomplished in consultation with the Neil Wilson, Tourism Secretary Tobago House of Assembly (THA). of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) said their estimates revealed the Airlift and seaport industry contributed TT$758 million or 47 per cent to the island’s GDP in Apart from the fast ferries—T&T 2005. He added that the contribution Spirit and T&T Express—more cruise will definitely be higher in 2008. ships are set to dock at the Scarborough “Since the introduction of the fast Harbour for the 2007/2008 Cruise ship ferries, which take a mere two-and-a- season. half hours to get to and from the islands, “We’re looking at a 40 per cent there has been a significant increase in increase for the next season,” added domestic tourism,” Wilson said. Wilson. “In 2007, 1.5 million persons “This can be credited to the extension travelled between Trinidad and Tobago. of the Scarborough jetty and the intense We hope by the end of 2008 the figure marketing campaign we undertook.

92 TOBAGO TOURISM

By Kristy Ramnarine

Tourists relax at Store Bay

View from Fort George

2008/9 93 We’ve done a lot of work ongoing support of Caribbean Airlines’ in terms of promoting the Boeing 737–800 aircraft at times of high destination.” demand. The air bridge will continue Princess Cruises, a to be regulated by the government of subsidiary of Carnival Trinidad and Tobago,” the carrier said. Cruise lines, has agreed to make 22 calls for the Room-stock 2007/8 and 2008/9 seasons, while the Ocean Village With an increase in arrival figures, line, also a subsidiary of Tobago’s tourism industry is facing the Carnival, will resume problem of available room-stock and a its calls with 13 visits to depreciating quality on the island. Scarborough in the 2008/9 Tobago presently has 5,500 rooms season. of all qualities, including large and As for the island’s luxurious hotels run by international other port of entry, the conglomerates, small hotel holdings, Crown Point Airport, a guesthouses, inns and other private temporary TT$6 million, properties. But there are only six-month expansion of approximately 1,000 high-end rooms the terminal facilities is on the island. taking place there. In April 2008, Government The expansion has announced its plans to spend TT$45 seen additional space million on renovations to the Tobago being created both at the Hilton Hotel, which includes the departure hall and the complete renovation of its roof and the immigration and customs building. arrival areas. The domestic But in May, Hilton announced plans operations have also to terminate its management of the hotel Colombian sensation Shakira performs at the been relocated and a new effective May 15. 2008 Plymouth Jazz Festival conveyor belt has been brought into Vanguard Hotels Limited, which operation. now runs the hotel, owns the property Tobago currently has ten weekly and state-owned eTecK inherited what international flights with a total capacity was Trinidad Industrial Development of some 3,050 seats. International Company’s (Tidco) share ownership in carriers operating the route are British Vanguard, which amounts to 47 per cent Airways (UK), Excel Airways (UK), ownership. Condor (Germany), Virgin Atlantic Carolann Birchwood-James, president (UK) and Delta Airlines (US). of the Tobago Hotel and Tourism Regional carrier Liat operates seven Association (THTA) agrees that a major regional flights with a total of 350 seats refurbishing project is needed on the per week. island. In 2007, more than 1.6 million “We need to have more quality passengers travelled into and out of rooms. Tobago with almost 800,000 passengers “The complaints we have been passing through Crown Point Airport, receiving are for the total plant. I’ve put the majority of them, 631,000, from forward a case for funding, grants and domestic traffic. incentives to assist in this area.” From October 1, 2007 Caribbean The THTA currently has over Airlines commenced operational 100 members. Its mission is to bring management of Tobago Express under tourism industry partners together in its code and now has 20 daily flights order to co-operatively shape the unique to the island. The flight is now called Tobago experience, and also to increase Caribbean Airlines Domestic. opportunities and remove barriers to “Under new management the business, ensuring sustainable growth air bridge will maintain the present and development of the industry and schedule with the current fleet and the economy as a whole.

94 The association’s vision is to: Blue Food Festival, the Muhtadi Drum • Increase revenues through non-dues Festival, the Culinary Festival and by 150 per cent by December 2009 Carnival. • Increase membership to 100 per cent But it is the Plymouth Jazz Festival, by 2009 recently voted the “third biggest event on • Lobby government to implement Planet Earth” by Forbes 500, which has a special fund for refurbishing and placed the country on the international upgrading the tourism plant by tourism map. September 2008 Held on the last weekend of April, • Co-operate with tourism partners the festival attracts tens of thousands in order to reposition Tobago as the of music lovers from around the world. Caribbean’s premier Eco-Tourism Past performers include Sir Elton John, destination by December 2009 Earth, Wind and Fire, Heather Headley, • Reform and modernise its constitution Mary J Blige, Sting, Stevie Wonder, and structure to become a world-class and local soca artistes such as Machel enterprise by December 2008 Montano, Shurwayne Winchester and • To boost professional standards and Destra Garcia. service quality in the industry, by This year’s event, which ran from putting in place training programmes April 25–27, featured stars such as Diana for frontline, supervisory and Ross, Shakira, Rod Stewart, Whitney management personnel by 2009. Houston and Smokey Robinson.

Tourism product

Leisure tourists, who account for the highest percentage of visitors to Tobago, flock to the island to enjoy its natural beauty. The southwestern part of the island is rife with white sandy beaches, exotic coral reefs, and large hotels and resorts. Eco-tourism is also extremely significant and much of it is focused on the protected rainforest in the main ridge, centre and northeastern areas of Tobago. From 2003 to 2006, Tobago received the Best Eco-Tourist Destination in the World award. The island also won the best Caribbean Tourism Destination in 2004, and in that same year the Blue Haven Hotel was awarded the Best Eco Resort. The Coco Reef Resort and Spa won the award for Best Luxury Resort. Tobagonians honour their African and European ancestry by participating in the annual Tobago Heritage Festival, which attracts many to the island. Other popular festivals include the

Kristy Ramnarine is an award-winning tourism writer with the Trinidad Express

Crooner Smokey Robinson at the 2008 Plymouth Jazz Festival

2008/9 95 Doing Business in Trinidad and Tobago Trade and investment approvals and procedures

Investing in Trinidad and Tobago • value of imports of raw materials the duties determined accordingly. and other goods Once the documents have been Investing in Trinidad and Tobago is • potential income arising from taxes stamped by Customs and the duties paid, governed by the Foreign Investment Act and duties imposed. an inspection is carried out at the port No.16 of 1990. of entry, before the goods are cleared. Import and export procedure Circumstances under which licences are required There are a few items that require an import licence in order to enter Duties and concessions • a foreign investor may acquire five Trinidad and Tobago. Importers wishing acres of land for the purpose of trade to import goods that require a licence and business; and may not exceed are required to apply for one from the • Raw materials for approved one acre for residential purposes Ministry of Trade and Industry and the industries are generally free of without a licence but must give Ministry of Tourism. customs duties. Refer to the notice to the minister of finance on It is advisable to do so prior to Customs Act. the prescribed form arranging for the goods to be shipped, in • The majority of capital plant • prior to incorporation of a private the event that an application for a licence and machinery is free of duty or company, a foreign investor must is denied. The list of items requiring an subject to a 2.5% rate of duty. provide the prescribed information import licence is continuously renewed, • Under the Caribbean Common to the minister of finance therefore persons requiring information Market (Caricom) trade • acquisition of more than 30 shares in on whether the item they with to import agreement, no duty is paid on a public company requires a licence requires a licence, should contact the goods coming from Caricom from the minister. Licensing Division of the Ministry member countries. For goods of Trade and Industry or Tourism. whose origin is outside of Applications for incentives Locally-based manufacturers are eligible Caricom, a Common External to be granted import duty concessions Tariff (CET) exists. Effective Applications for incentives under to assist with reducing their production July 1, 1998, duties ranged the Free Zones Act are made directly costs. from 0 per cent to 20 per cent. to the Trinidad and Tobago Free Zones A customs declaration form (Form • Under the various incentive Company. C-82) is prepared by a customs broker programmes for approved For the purpose of obtaining the on behalf of the importer. This form, projects, imports may be free of incentives, government is interested in accompanied by supporting documents, duty. factors such as: such as an invoice from the supplier, • environmental impact of the bill of lading, licence, if a licence project was required, and health certificates • proposed value of the investment among others, has to be lodged with Exporting • employment potential of the Customs, once the goods have arrived proposed project, for nationals in Trinidad. Exporters are required to make a • net foreign exchange cash flow The documents are scanned into a declaration to Customs on the goods to • local value added ASYCUDA system, for verification and be exported prior to their export, and to • potential export sales extraction of statistical information and have them examined before shipping.

96 doing business in trinidad and tobago

Courtesy eTecK

There is a system of priority for exports core activities are: • Commissioner of lands and survey to ensure that the minimum time is • developing and keeping under review spent in the declaration and verification a comprehensive policy framework, Buying an existing property process. a national physical development- The purpose of the declaration and planning framework,regional plans Apart from the legislation under the verification is to prevent smuggling and local area plans to guide decision Foreign Investment Act of 1990 for the and ensure that restricted goods making on the use and development purchase of land by a foreign investor, such as mining and fish products are of land there are no approvals required for accompanied by their appropriate • evaluating and determining, on buying property, providing the use of the licences or certificates. Customs also behalf of the minister, applications property remains the same. If it is going perform agency duties in respect of the for planning permission to develop to be used for a purpose other than the VAT Administration Office. land, in accordance with land use intended use when it was constructed, Here, they verify that goods on which policies and plans the investor will have to obtain the no VAT has been paid for the purpose • evaluating and determining services of a financial institution and of re-export, are being exported. Items applications for the display of valuation of the property. In addition, being sent abroad for repairs are also advertisements the conveyance of the property would subject to verification check, since the • enforcement of planning control have to be undertaken by an attorney, duties charged on their return would be • assisting in the preparation and as well as a search conducted to ensure only on the cost of the repairs. review of relevant planning that title is clear. Exporting goods out of Trinidad legislation and Tobago may involve contact with a • providing an up-to-date database Work permits, resident status, number of organisations: of land use planning data and visas and passports information for decision making on Obtaining commercial property land use and land development. Under the Immigration Act Chapter The current process for constructing 18:01 of Trinidad and Tobago, no person A wide range of office space is a building in Trinidad and Tobago is as other than a citizen or resident is allowed available for rent, both within the follows: to engage in any profession, trade or central business district of Port of • Designs and drafting of plan occupation whether for gain or not, or Spain, as well as in areas located around • Approvals by Town and Country be employed, unless a valid work permit the city. There are several real estate planning division of the Ministry of is in force in relation to that person. agencies with commercial divisions that Planning and Development Also included under the Immigration can assist a foreign investor in locating • Inspections by local health Act is the allowance for a person other office space. authorities than a citizen or resident to be employed The development approval process • Approval of chief designs engineer, in Trinidad and Tobago for a maximum for buildings involves a number of Ministry of Works and Transport of up to 30 days at any one time in a steps. It should be noted, however, that • inspections by Water and Sewerage 12-month period. the current legislation under which Authority (WASA) This means that this person will be these procedures are designed is being • Inspections by Fire Services allowed to enter the country to work revised and to be established in a new • Inspections by Factories Inspectorate without a work permit only under the Planning and Development Act. This division condition that he/she will be in the should streamline the process to make it • Approval by Highways Division, country for a period not exceeding 30 easier for investors. Ministry of Works and Transport days and will not be re-entering the The core functions of the Ministry • Inspections by Drainage Division, country within a 12 month period. of Planning and Development derive Ministry of Works and Transport from the mandate of the minister, • Inspections by Commissioner of Cost of the work permit under the provisions of the Act, to State Lands, Director of Surveys There is an application fee of secure consistency and continuity • Water connections, WASA TT$600.00 (approximately US$95), in the framing and execution of a • Electrical connection from Trinidad which is nonrefundable, and a fee for comprehensive policy with respect to and Tobago Electricity Commission the duration of the work permit, at the use and development of all land in (T&TEC) TT$450.00 (approximately US$71) per Trinidad and Tobago. This is affected by • Completion certificate month. The full amount for the duration carrying out functions of development • Quantity surveyor’s report is payable upon approval of the permit planning and development control. The • Valuation of the property and the duration.

2008/9 97 All persons require visas to enter Trinidad and Tobago. However, due to How to Apply for a Work Permit? historical ties and bilateral agreements, citizens of several countries are not Applications for work permits are made through the work permit secretariat required to have visas for entry as stated of the Ministry of National Security. An individual cannot apply for a work hereunder: permit on his own behalf. The application must be proposed by the company • Commonwealth countries with the with whom the individual will be employed in Trinidad and Tobago, the joint exceptions of: venture partner, or by an attorney. Australia Documents required: India • A completed application form plus 11 copies New Zealand • A covering letter from the company, the joint venture partner or the Cameroon attorneys applying on behalf of the individual, explaining the thrust of the Fiji operations to be conducted and the reason for the work permit Nigeria • In the case of a foreign investor, the letter should also include the venture Papua New Guinea capital to be put into the business operations in Trinidad and Tobago Sri Lanka • Three photographs of the individual for whom the work permit is required, Uganda one of which is attached to the original application form Guinea • Two character references, one of which must be from the last employer Tanzania • A police certificate of good character from the country where the individual Canada has been living over the last five years • EU Countries: • The individual on whose behalf the work permit is required must possess England some qualification that is unique and that a local resident does not possess. Greece Proof of the qualifications must also be presented wit the application France • An advertisement stating what the job entails must have run for at least one Spain to two weeks in two daily newspapers Ireland • A copy of the advertisement must also be presented with the application. Portugal Italy Germany Belgium Residence visas are issued to the In determining the suitability of an Netherlands spouse and children of someone holding applicant for residency, the minister shall Denmark a work permit. If the spouse wishes to be satisfied that the applicant: Luxembourg work, the same application procedure • Had entered the country legally • Countries having visa abolition for work permits is undertaken. • Is not in a prohibited class, and agreements with Trinidad and • Is of good character as evidenced by a Tobago Resident status police certificate of character. • The Government of Trinidad and Persons qualifying to apply for Should someone be granted residency Tobago has entered into reciprocal the status of residency are from the he/she automatically has the right to visa agreements with Brazil, Costa following categories: work. Rica, Columbia, Uruguay and South • Spouses of citizens or residents An application accompanied by three Korea • Parents of citizens/residents, photographs is submitted in duplicate to: • Citizens of USA on vacation for • Persons who have been working The Permanent Secretary three months or less in the country for a cumulative The Ministry of National Security • Citizens of Venezuela arriving continuous period of five years. 31-33 Abercromby Street from Venezuela on vacation for Such persons by reason of their Port of Spain fourteen days or less. Holders of education, occupational qualifications, Applicants may be required to show Venezuelan official and diplomatic employment record, training skills, or the marriage certificate and spouses’ or passports accredited to Trinidad and other special qualifications, must be parents’ birth certificate or passport, in Tobago are exempted from the visa established or are likely to establish the case of applicants whose spouses or requirements for the period of their themselves successfully in Trinidad parents are citizens or residents. Where assignment. Holders of Venezuelan and Tobago in a professional, trade, the applicant is a person who has been official and diplomatic passports not self operating business or agricultural working in the country for a cumulative accredited to Trinidad and Tobago enterprise, and have sufficient means continuous period of five years, they on official missions are exempted of support to maintain themselves and present the work permit. The applicant from visa requirements for one their immediate family in Trinidad and is also interviewed by the immigration month or less Tobago. department. • Citizens of , Martinique,

98 Guadeloupe, French Guiana, choreographic works, films, musical • The Copyright Act, 1997 (Act No. Netherlands Antilles (Curaçao, works, artistic works such as 8 of 1997) Aruba, Bonaire, St Eustatius, St works of mas, drawings, paintings, • The Protection Against Unfair Maarten and Saba) photographs and sculptures, and Competition Act, 1996 (Act No. 27 • All holders of Organisation of architectural designs. of 1996) American States (OAS) passports In 1994, Trinidad and Tobago • The Miscellaneous Amendments do not require visas for entry into signed the Uruguay Round Table Final Act 2000 (Act No. 18 of 2000). Trinidad and Tobago Act containing the agreement on Trade- Radical changes have also been • Holders of Diplomatic Passports are Related Aspects of Intellectual Property made to this country’s trademark law by not automatically exempted from Rights (TRIPS), as well as a bilateral the Trade Marks (Amendment) Acts of visas intellectual property rights agreement 1996 and 1997. • Holders of United Nations (UN) with the United States. In order to With the entry into force of the passports require visas (if necessary honour these two agreements, as well Patents Act 1996 on December 1, 1997, as a result of their nationality). If as several other intellectual property the new Intellectual Property Office on arrival at the port of entry, the conventions and treaties, this country was created, headed by a controller, person has no visa, the passport enacted several pieces of intellectual who is responsible for administering all may be lifted and forwarded to the property legislation, which are as intellectual property laws in Trinidad chief immigration officer for a visa follows: and Tobago. exemption to be requested. If there • The Patents Act, 1996 (Act No. 21 Trinidad and Tobago is party to the is not enough time, the passport may of 1996). The Patents Amendment following International Conventions/ be held, a receipt given and returned Act, 2000 (Act No. 54 of 2000) Agreements on Intellectual Property to the holder on departure. Enough • The Trademark Act (Chapter 82:81) [and Membership Date]: time could be seven days and Amendment (Act No 17 of • The Paris Convention for the • Citizens of South Africa are allowed 1994, No. 25 of 1996, No. 31 of Protection of Industrial Property entry into Trinidad and Tobago 1997) (1883). 1 August 1964 for religious, cultural, sporting, • The Geographical Indications Act, • The Patent Co-operation Treaty educational activities with visas 1996 (Act No. 20 of 1996) (PCT) (1970). 10 March 1994 issued without reference. For any • The Industrial Designs Act, 1996 • The Strasbourg Agreement other purpose applications for visas (Act No. 18 of 1996) concerning the International Patent must be referred • The Layout-Designs (Topographies) Classification (1971). 20 December • Visa waivers may be issued to persons of Integrated Circuits Act, 1996 1996 not listed in the second schedule. (Act No. 19 of 1996) • The Budapest Treaty of the However, persons from the Far East • The Protection of New Plant International Recognition of the or Middle East would only be given Varieties Act, 1997 (Act No. 7 of Deposit of Micro Organisms for this facility after consultation 1997) the Purposes of Patent Procedure

Passports are valid for the length of stay required for all arrivals. TYPE OF VISA REQUIREMENT Intellectual property

Definition Country Holiday Employment Residence Intellectual property is defined Austria NO YES YES [quoted by the Ministry of Legal Affairs] as “… the expressed creation of Brazil NO YES YES the mind. Eg Books, art, logos, shapes, Columbia NO YES YES images and inventions…” Intellectual property is subdivided Finland NO NO YES into two categories: Iceland NO NO YES • Industrial property, which includes inventions (patents), trademarks, Israel NO YES YES industrial designs, geographical Norway NO NO YES indications, plant varieties, lay-out designs of integrated circuits Sweden NO NO YES • Copyright, which includes computer Switzerland NO YES NO software; literary and artistic works such as books, poems and plays, Turkey NO YES NO

2008/9 99 (1977). 10 March 1994 someone else uses the same or a similar • Once the trademark meets the • The Nice Agreement concerning mark on the same or similar goods requirements for registration, it is the International Classification of and/or services for which the mark is advertised in a periodical, such as Goods and Services for the Purposes registered. the daily newspaper. Once there are of the Registration of Marks (1957). Registration of a trademark may be no objections within three months 20 March 1996 submitted either in person or through of the application, a certificate is • The Locarno Agreement establishing an agent. Where the applicant is not issued. an International Classification for resident or carrying on business in • The official fees for filing Industrial Designs (1968). 20 Trinidad and Tobago, the registry’s are TT$315.00 (US$50.00), March 1996 practice is to require the appointment advertisement charges of • The Berne Convention for the of an agent, usually an attorney-at-law, approximately US$50.00 depending Protection of Literary and Artistic whose address is used as the address for on the size of the advertisement Works (1886). 16 August 1988 service. If an agent is used, a formal, and a certificate fee of TT$157.00 • The Geneva Convention for written notification must be given to (US$25.00). For each additional class the Protection of Producers of the registry, indicating that an agent has filed in one application is TT$107.00 Phonograms against Unauthorised been appointed and that the agent has (approximately US$17.00). Once Duplication of their Phonograms been given the authority to act on the registered the term of a mark is valid (1971). 1 October 1988 applicant’s behalf. for ten years from the filing date. • Vienna Agreement establishing An application for the registration of The Trade Marks (Amendment) Act, an International Classification of a mark in Trinidad and Tobago may be 1996, which took effect on August 16 the Figurative Elements of Marks made by any person or corporation who 1996, extended the scope of protection (1973). 20 March 1996 is the owner of a trademark used within granted to registered marks, as well as • The Brussels Convention Relating the country. The key steps in registering introduced protection from well-known to the Distribution of Programme for a trademark are as follows: marks. The former fourteen year term Carrying Signals Transmitted by • An application must be made of protection was reduced to ten years Satellite (1974). 1 November 1996 in the prescribed format and and criminal prosecution can now be • Union for the Protection of New completed with a representation of brought in cases of unauthorised use of Plant Varieties (UPOV). 30 January the trademark, either a device or registered marks, including use of well- 1998 word. Six prints of the mark must known marks. • Trademark Law Treaty (TLT) accompany the application. If the The Trade Marks (Amendment) (1994). 16 April 1998. mark is filed in black and white, it Act, 1997 and Rules came into force is deemed remittable for all colours. on September 5, 1997, and introduced Trade Marks Multiclass applications can now be customs procedures with regard to filed. border measure. Customs authorities The Trade Mark Act, Chapter 82:81 • Anybody who is the owner of a will have the right to seize goods coming (Amendment) Act, No. 17 of 1994, and mark used or proposed to be used into Trinidad and Tobago, in order to the Trade Marks (Amendment) Rules can make an application for a prevent goods bearing infringing marks 1994 Legal Notice No. 198 provide for registration of a mark in Trinidad from being released into the channel of the registration of both goods and service and Tobago. Applications may be commerce. marks. The international classification of made by either the owner of the goods and services has been utilised since mark or his authorised agent, once Registration of a trademark is valid October 20, 1994, replacing the former residing in Trinidad and Tobago. for a period of ten years. However, it national classification (the old United • For foreign applicants, an address is renewable indefinitely for further Kingdom Schedule III). Trademarks are for service is required when the periods of ten years each on payment being renewed in this old classification, application is made; which is of a prescribed fee no more than six but applications filed after October 20, an address to which all local months before expiration. follow the international classification. correspondence from the Intellectual Trade and service marks are A trademark doesn’t necessarily Property Office can be sent. sovereign rights valid only within the always have to be registered. A • Documentation must first be countries in which they have been trademark’s use on or in association filled out via the application form registered; therefore, trademarks are with goods or services is used to obtain TM No. 2, completed and the fee only valid within Trinidad and Tobago, common law rights, but registration paid. All documents submitted if registered in Trinidad and Tobago. is always advisable. This is because for registration must be filled out Trinidad and Tobago is a party of registration of a trade or service mark duplicate and contain the original the following international treaties: gives the owner of the mark a monopoly. signature. No faxed or photocopied • The Nice Agreement concerning The owner of a registered mark can sue signatures will be accepted for the International Classification of for infringement of his registration if registration. Goods and Services for the Purposes

100

102 of the Registration of Marks (1957). In July 2007, due to the quicker hotel project: 20 March 1996 turnaround time for vessels, improved • import duty exemption on building • Vienna Agreement establishing efficiency and productivity, the Port materials and hotel equipment used an International Classification of of Port of Spain removed congestion in the construction of equipping the the Figurative Elements of Marks surcharge imposed by the WITASS project. Although value added tax (1973). 20 March 1996 Conference (WITASS Conference is a remains applicable • Trademark Law Treaty (TLT) Liner Conference operating under EU • business levy exemption (1994). 16 April 1998. Regulation). • income tax exemption on dividends accruing to the owner/or operator; Investment incentives Tax holiday where a dividend is paid to a non- resident the exemption is limited Investment incentives are co- The Fiscal Incentives Act allows for to the extent that the tax payable in ordinated through the Ministry of Trade the granting of a tax holiday (or partial Trinidad and Tobago exceeds the tax and Industry who will assist investors holiday) for periods up to ten years for payable in his country of residence in applying for approval of investment the manufacture of approved products • tax exemption to financial incentives. by approved enterprises. institutions on interest on approved There are many different investment Approved enterprises fall into loans for a period of ten years or for incentives: separate classifications including: the duration of the loan if less. • concessions from import duty • Highly capital intensive enterprises A person who makes an investment on raw materials, machinery and investing in excess of TT$50 million in a year of income in the equity capital equipment for approved industrial (US$8.3 million) of an approved hotel or tourism project projects • Export enclaves, where products are is allowed a deduction in ascertaining his • exemption from corporation tax on manufactured exclusively for export chargeable income such investment up profits, and from tax on dividends • Enterprises using a significant to a maximum of twenty five percent of (under the Fiscal Incentives Act and portion of local inputs. the investment. The deduction is spread Tourism Development Act) These concessions are discretionary equally over three years including the • loss write-off provisions and require applications to the Ministry year in which the investment is made. • training subsidies for developing of Trade and Industry via Tidco. Recent Tax concessions are granted on a new skills precedents include the grant of five-year discretionary basis by the Ministry of • provision of industrial sites tax holidays to major petrochemical Culture and Tourism based on the size and developed industrial plants in Point Lisas. Approved of the hotel and the capital expenditures accommodation enterprise will also be granted exemption involved. • export credit insurance from customs duties and VAT on the • double taxation relief construction of the approved project. Investment incentives – Free • exemption from VAT on inputs for These projects have usually been large- Zones Act companies exporting 80 per cent of scale manufacturing within one of the production three classifications, and are available The Free Zones Act 19 of 1988 • Free Zones under Act 19 of 1988 only to locally incorporated companies. allows for duties and tax exemptions over • Venture Capital Companies under The tax exemption can be extended to an indefinite period for manufacturing, Act 22 of 1994 dividends that may be tax exempt and international trading and service projects • incentives in some cases are available free of non-resident withholding tax on that are dedicated to export. only to locally incorporated any taxes in excess of the investor’s tax Enterprises are approved by the Free companies or locally owned rate on the dividend in his country of Zones Company to operate in areas companies. residence. designated as free zones. Recent precedents include the The criteria for approval include: Import Duty concessions grant of five-year tax holidays to major • a company incorporated or petrochemical plants in Point Lisas and registered in Trinidad and Tobago The Customs Act Section 56 a reduction in the rate of corporation • job creation allows for concessions to be granted tax by 15 per cent for seven years. • new investment to approved enterprises for approved Under the Tourism Development • development of skills industrial projects. Act the owner and/or operator of the • access to overseas markets The applications for approval are approved hotel is eligible for a tax Free Zone Enterprises are not subject made to the Ministry of Trade and exemption on profits for a period of to: Industry and are granted to a wide up to seven years in respect of newly • import and export licensing range of manufacturing companies that constructed and renovated hotels. • customs duties and taxes provide increased employment and use In addition, the following tax • corporation or withholding taxes local materials to add value. concessions are granted for an approved on profits or sales

2008/9 103 • land and building taxes • work permit fees Construction incentives Approved Enterprises can obtain approval to sell up to 20 per cent of total Local construction is provided with a range of tax incentives some of which exports into the domestic market, subject are discretionary and some of which are performance based. to applicable duties and taxes. Companies engaged in both urban and rural property development may Primary petroleum and natural apply to the Board of Inland Revenue to be “approved” as an urban and gas projects or production activities rural property development company. To be approved, companies must be in which petroleum, natural gas or locally owned and undertake construction in both rural and urban areas. Once petrochemicals are a major input and approved, they are entitled to an allowance against their taxable income of 15 projects involving investment in excess per cent of construction costs for commercial properties completed in the year of US$50 million would not qualify for of income. free zone approval. The Housing Act allows for the approval of the profits from construction The prescribed activities that may be of certain dwelling houses to be tax exempt. To be exempt the houses must carried on in a free zone include: have construction costs of less than TT$250,000. • Warehousing and storing An approved housing company will also be allowed to distribute tax-exempt • Manufacturing profits by way of tax-free dividends. • Transshipment Any houses constructed by an approved housing company may then • Loading and unloading be exempted from income tax on rentals for a period of ten years from the • Exporting construction date. • Importing The Income Tax Act also provides for construction incentives that are • Service operations including banking, performance based. Any taxpayer may now obtain a wear and tear allowance insurance and professional services on a newly constructed commercial property at the rate of 10 per cent per • Packaging and shipping annum on the declining balance. • Processing, refining, purifying and mixing • Constructing, altering, reconstructing, extending or repairing infrastructure or premises and equipping of premises in a free zone Special classes of company • Sale, lease, rental and management of free zone land, infrastructure, premises, plant, equipment, facilitating and The Income Tax Act provides for several special classes of company that services are entitled to a tax credit of 25 per cent of their chargeable income for seven • Merchandising, including international years. trading in products These special classes of company include: • Banking and insurance activities • Approved small companies carried on in a free zone are subject • Approved companies trading in a regional development area to the Financial Institutions and • An approved activity company. Insurance Acts respectively These special companies must be locally incorporated and owned and are The Trinidad and Tobago Free subject to a rigorous approval process to ensure criteria defined in the Income Zones Company Limited approves and Tax Act are complied with. The approval process is done via Tidco, except regulates companies in free zones and for approved small companies which are done via the Business Development makes recommendations to the ministry Company Limited. responsible for industry for designation of new free zones areas.

Source: A Guide to Investing in Trinidad and Tobago-2008 courtesy Evolving TecKnologies Company Ltd (eTecK). Information edited due to space constraints

104 PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANISATIONS

American Chamber of Commerce James Moss-Solomon, president; T: (868) 652-5613, F: (868) 653-4983 PO Bag 150, Newtown, Port of Spain Carol Ayoung, CEO W: www.southchamber.org T: (868) 622-0340, F: (868) 628-9428 Rampersad Motilal, president; E: [email protected], W: www.amchamtt.com Downtown Owners and Merchants Association Dr Thackeray Driver, CEO Eugene Tiah, president; 98 Henry Street, Port of Spain Desiree Gobin-Seecharan, executive director T: (868) 627-3662, F: (868) 627-6761 Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Commerce E: [email protected] PO Box 499, Chamber Building, Columbus Circle, Bankers’ Association of Trinidad and Tobago Gregory Aboud, president Westmoorings 3rd floor Guardian Building , T: (868) 637-6966, F: (868) 637-7425 Institute of Banking and Finance, PO Box 1259, Employers’ Consultative Association of T&T E: [email protected] 22-24 St Vincent Street, Port of Spain 23 Chacon Street, Port of Spain or W: www.chamber.org.tt T: (868) 627-2231/623-3601, F: (868) 627-2218 PO Box 911, Port of Spain Ian Collier, president E: [email protected], W: www.batt.org.tt T: (868) 623-6588/625-4723, F: (868) 625-4891 David Dulal-Whiteway, president; E: [email protected], W:www.ecatt.org Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Marilyn Aqui, corporate secretary Martin de Gannes, chairman; Association Linda Besson, executive director TTMA Building, 42 Tenth Avenue, Barataria Caribbean Association of Industry and T: (868) 675-8862, F: (868) 675-9000 Commerce South Trinidad Chamber of E: [email protected], W: www.ttma.com Ground Floor, 27A Saddle Road, Maraval Industry and Commerce Karen De Montbrun, president; T: (868) 628-9859, F: (868) 622-7810 Suite 313, Cross Crossing Shopping Centre, Natasha Mustapha, general manager E: [email protected], W: www.caic.org.tt Lady Hailes Avenue, San Fernando

REGIONAL BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS

Arima Business Association Greater Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and San Juan Business Association 14 Queen Street, Arima Commerce 7 Railway Road, San Juan F: (868) 667-0193 22 Eleanore Street, Chaguanas F: (868) 674-7985 E: [email protected] T: (868) 671-5754, F: (868) 671-5754 E: [email protected] George Hadeed, president; E: [email protected], W: www.chaguanaschamber.com Imtiaz Ali, president Harry Singh, vice president Rudy Maharaj, president Sangre Grande Chamber of Commerce Couva/Point Lisas Chamber of Commerce Greater Tunapuna Chamber of Industry and Sinanan Building, Eastern Main Road, Sangre Grande PO Box 5256, Atlantic Plaza, Point Lisas Commerce T: (868) 668-3038, F: (868) 668-2329 T/F: (868) 636-5017 57 El Dorado Road, Tunapuna E: [email protected] E: [email protected] T: (868) 662-6695, F: (868) 662-1092 Kenneth Charran, President Ashmeer Mohamed, president Rohan Roopnarine, president

Point Fortin Chamber of Commerce Penal/Debe Chamber of Commerce 1A Guapo, Cap-de-Ville Road, Point Fortin 18 Penal Rock Road, Penal T: (868) 648-4961, F (868) 648-0409 T/F: (868) 647-0452 E: [email protected] Rampersad Sieuraj, president Francis Bertrand, president

PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS

The Association of Female Executives (Afett) Association of Trinidad and Tobago The Human Resource Management Association T: (868) 628-8328, F: (868) 622-0433 Insurance Companies (ATTIC) of Trinidad and Tobago (Hrmatt) E: [email protected], W: www.afett.com 9A Stanmore Avenue, P.O. Box 311 or Unit 7, 58 Pembroke Street, Port of Spain Lisa-Maria Alexander, president 208, Port of Spain T: (868) 624-4519/624-9606 T: (868) 624 2817/625 2940, F: (868) 625 5132 E: [email protected] Association of Professional Engineers (Apett) E: [email protected], W: www.attic.org.tt W: www.hrmatt.com The Professional Centre, 11-13 Fitz Blackman Drive Rani Lakhan-Narace, president; Hyacinth Guy, president T: (868) 627-6697 Dain Baker, vice president E: [email protected], W: www.apett.org The International Association of Business Noreen Mitchell, secretary Employers’ Consultative Association of T&T Communicators, Trinidad (IABCTT) 23 Chacon Street, Port of Spain or E: [email protected], W: www.iabctt.com Association of Real Estate Agents (AREA) PO Box 911, Port of Spain Judette Coward-Puglisi, president Kencita Court, Picton Street, Newtown, Port of Spain T: (868) 623-6588/625-4723, F: (868) 625-4891 T: (868) 628-9048, F: (868) 628-9049 E: [email protected], W:www.ecatt.org The Public Relations Association E: [email protected], community.wow.net/area/ Martin de Gannes, chairman; of Trinidad and Tobago (Pratt) Richard Saunders, president; Linda Besson, executive director Suite 102, Maritime Centre, Barataria Mary Jardine, executive director T: (868) 674-2555 Roxanne Colthrust, president; Adrian Benjamin, vice president

2008/9 105 The Trinidad and Tobago Association of Trinidad and Tobago Contractors Association Trinidad and Tobago Group of Professional Insurance and Financial Advisors (TTAIFA) Valpark Shopping Plaza, Unit 2.17, Associations Limited (TTGPA) 29 Edward Street Port of Spain #1 Morequito Avenue, Valsayn Park, Valsayn The Professional Centre, T: (868) 624-2940, F: (868) 627-0208 T: (868) 662-6224, F: (868) 645-6345 2 Wrightson Road Extension, Port of Spain E: [email protected] E: [email protected], W: www.ttca.com T: (868) 627-1539, F: (868) 627-1539 W: www.ttaifa.com Mikey Joseph, president; Dave Aqui, vice president E: [email protected] Raziah Ahmed, president Hollis Charles, President; Knolly Skinner, Vice President Trinidad Hotels, Restaurants and Tourism The Shipping Association of Trinidad Association Trinidad & Tobago Stock Exchange and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute, 10th floor, Nicholas Tower, 15 Scott Bushe Street, Port of Spain Airway Road, Chaguaramas, PO Box 243, Port of Spain 63-65 Independence Square, Port of Spain T: (868) 623-3355, F: (868) 623-8570 T: (868) 634-1174, F: (868) 634-1176 T (868) 625-5107/9, W: www.stockex.co.tt W: www.shipping.co.tt E: [email protected], W: www.tnthotels.com Andrew McEachrane, Chairman; Subhas Ram Haydn Jones, president; Rhett Chee Ping, vice Barry Bidaisee, president; president; Joanna Edward Alleyne, general manager Nicol Khelawan, 1st vice president

GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES AND STATE AGENCIES

Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine E: [email protected], W: www.finance.gov.tt Ministry of National Security Resources Karen Nunez-Tesheira, minister, Mariano Brown, Temple Court, 31-33 Abercromby Street, Port of Spain PO Box 389, St Clair Circle, St Clair, Port of Spain minister in the ministry T: (868) 623-2441-5, F: (868) 627-8044 T: (868) 622-1221, F: (868) 622-8202 E: [email protected], W: www.nationalsecurity.gov.tt E: [email protected], W: www.agriculture.gov.tt Ministry of Works & Transport Martin Joseph, minister Arnold Piggott, minister Richmond and London Streets, Port of Spain T: (868) 625-1225, F: (868) 625-8070 Ministry of Community Development, Culture Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries W: www.mowt.gov.tt and Gender Affairs Riverside Plaza, 3 Besson Street, Port of Spain Colm Imbert, minister Algico Building, Jerningham Avenue, Belmont T: (868) 623-6708/6719, F: (868) 625-0306 T: (868) 623-6621, 623-7032 E: energy.gov.tt Ministry of Foreign Affairs Marlene McDonald, minister Conrad Enill, minister Knowsley 1 Queens Park West, Port of Spain, Trinidad Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs Ministry of Public Administration and T: (868) 623-4116-20, F: (868) 627-0571 12 Abercromby Street, Port of Spain Information W: www.foreign.gov.tt T: (868) 625-8874, 625-8875, F: (868) 623-5006 Level 7, National Library Building, Paula Gopee-Scoon, minister Gary Hunt, minister Hart & Abercromby Streets, Port of Spain T: (868) 623-8578, F: (868) 623-6027 Ministry of Labour and Small and Micro- Ministry of Social Development Kennedy Swaratsingh, minister Enterprise Development Office of the Prime Minister (Social Services Riverside Plaza, Besson Street, Port of Spain Delivery) Ministry of Planning, Housing T: (868) 623-4241, F: (868) 624-4091 St Vincent Court, 45A-C St Vincent Street, Port of Spain and the Environment E: [email protected] T: (868) 624-5319 16-18 Sackville Street, Port of Spain W: www.labour.gov.tts W: www.socialservices.gov.tt T: (868) 625-6083, F: (868) 627-7003 Rennie Dumas, minister Amery Brown, minister W: www.housing.gov.tt Emily Gaynor Dick-Forde, minister Ministry of Local Government Ministry of Tourism Kent House, Long Circular Road, Maraval Clarence House, 127-129 Duke Street, Port of Spain Ministry of Science, Technology T: (868) 622-1669, 628-1323, F: (868) 628-7283 T: (868) 624-1403, 624-3151, & Tertiary Education W: www.localgov.gov.tt F: (868) 625-1825, 625-3894 Corner, Agra and Patna Streets, Hazel Manning, minister E: [email protected], Nahous Building, St James [email protected], W: www.tourism.gov.tt, T: (868) 622-9922, F: (868) 628-6836 Ministry of Legal and Consumer Affairs Joseph Ross, minister E: [email protected] Registration House, 72-74 South Quay, Port of Spain W: www.stte.gov.tt T: (868) 624-1660 Ministry of Health Christine Kangaloo, minister E: [email protected] 63 Park Street, Port of Spain W: www.legalaffairs.gov.tt T: (868) 627-0010 Ministry of Trade and Industry Peter Taylor, minister W: www.health.gov.tt Levels 11-17, Nicholas Tower Jerry Narace, minister 63-65 Independence Square, Port of Spain Ministry of Education T: (868) 623-2931, F: (868) 627-8488/627-0082 18 Alexandra Street, St Clair, Port of Spain E: [email protected], W: www.tradeind.gov.tt T: (868) 628-7818, 622-5265 Dr Lenny Saith, minister W: www.moe.gov.tt Esther Le Gendre, minister Ministry of Finance Eric Williams Finance Building, Independence Square, Port of Spain, T: (868) 627-9700, F: (868) 627-6108

106 DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS

Embassy of the Argentine Republic Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Embassy of the Republic of Spain 4th floor Tatil Building,11 Maraval Road, Port of Spain 7-9 Marli Street, Newtown, Port of Spain 29 Long Circular Road, St James T: (868) 628-7557, F: (868) 628-7544 T: (868) 628-1630, F: (868) 628-5278 T: (868) 625-7938, F: (868) 624-4983 His Jose Luis Vignolo His Excellency Dr Ernst Martens His Excellency Fernando de la Serna

Australian High Commission Embassy of Guatemala Embassy of the United States of America 18 Herbert Street, St Clair Chargé d’Affaires, 15 Queen’s Park W, Port of Spain T: (868) 628-0959, F: (868) 622-0659 701 Regents Towers, Regency Park, Westmoorings T: (868) 622-6371, F: (868) 628-5462 His Excellency Mr Philip Kentwell T: (868) 632-7629, F: (868) 633-3809 His Excellency Professor Roy L Austin His Excellency Alejandro Vela Aquino Embassy of The Federative Republic of Brazil Embassy of the Republic of Venezuela 18 Sweet Briar Road, St Clair Delegation of the Commission of the European Chargé d’Affaires T: (868) 622-5779, F: (868) 622-5771 Union in Trinidad and Tobago 16 Victoria Ave, Port of Spain His Excellency Luiz Fernando de Athayde Netherlands Antilles and Aruba T: (868) 627-9821, F: (868) 624-2508 Chargé Affaires Her Excellency Christy Gonsalves British High Commission Sagicor Financial Centre, 16 Queen’s Park West, 19A St Clair Avenue, St Clair Port of Spain Honorary Consuls T: (868) 622-2748, F: (868) 628-4555 T: (868) 622-6628/0591, F: (868) 622-6355 His Excellency Mr Eric Jenkinson His Excellency Stelios Chriftopoulos Austria c/o Blue Haven Hotel, Bacolet High Commission for Canada The Holy See (Vatican) Scarborough, Tobago Maple House, 3 to 3a Sweet Briar Road, St Clair Apostolic Nunciature T: (868) 660-7400/7500, F: (868) 660-7900 T: (868) 622-6232, F: (868) 628-2581 11 Mary Street, St Clair E: [email protected] Her Excellency Caroline Gumond T: (868) 622-5009/6359, F: (868) 628-5457 Mr Karl Pilstl His Excellency Archbishop Thomas Gullickson Embassy of the Republic of Chile Bahamas 7th Floor, TATIL Building, 11 Maraval Road, High Commission for the Republic of India c/o Facility of Medical Sciences Port of Spain 6 Victoria Avenue, Port of Spain University of the West Indies T: (868) 628-0540/4763 T: (868) 627-7480/7481/4027, F: (868) 627-6985 Eric Williams Medical Science Complex F: (868) 622-9894 His Excellency Jagjit Singh Sapra Building 35 Room 105 His Excellency Gabriel Zepeda T: (868) 663-8986, F: (868) 645-1642 High Commission for Jamaica E: [email protected] Embassy of The People’s Republic of China 2 Newbold Street, St Clair Dr Monica Davis, Honorary Consul 39 Alexandra St, St Clair T: (868) 622-4995, F: (868) 628-9180/9403 T: (868) 622-6976, F: (868) 622-7613 His Excellency Peter Black Barbados His Excellency Huang Xing 12 Mayfair Gardens, Santa Cruz Embassy of Japan T: (868) 638-8431, F: (868) 675-1505 Embassy of the Republic of Costa Rica 5 Hayes Street, St Clair, Port of Spain E: [email protected] The Mutual Centre, Third Floor, 16 Queen’s Park West, T: (868) 628-5991, F: (868) 622-0858 Mr Audley Walker, Honorary Consul Port of Spain His Excellency Koichiro Seki T: (868) 628-0652/0653, F: (868) 622-4862 People’s Republic of Bangladesh Embassador Ricardo Thompson Embassy of the United Mexican States 1 Shafik Drive, Cross Crossing, San Fernando His Excellency Mr Sergio Mena 12 Hayes Street, St Clair, Port of Spain T: (868) 653-5534, 652-5738 or 657-9044/8425 T: (868) 622-1422, F: (868) 628-8488 F: (868) 652-7108 or 652-9377 Embassy of the Republic of Cuba His Excellency Ricardo Villanueva E: [email protected]; 92 Tragarete Road, Port of Spain [email protected] PO Box 1779, Port of Spain Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Mr Razai Azard Rahaman, Honorary Consul General T: (868) 622-6075; 622-9142, F: (868) 628-4186 3rd floor, Trinri Building, 69-71 Edward Street, Mr Imtaz Rahaman, Honorary Consul His Excellency Sergio Publio Oliva Guerra Port of Spain T: (868) 625-1210/1722/2532, F: (868) 625-1704 Belize Embassy of the Dominican Republic His Excellency Mr H.P.P.M. Horbach c/o Kee-Chanona Limited 1A Dere Street, Suite 8, Port of Spain Corner Warren and Smart Street, St Augustine T: (868) 624-7930/623-3642, F: (868) 623-7779 High Commission of The Federal Republic of T: (868) 645-4062-4 His Excellency Jose Manuel Castillo Nigeria F: (868) 645-4064 3 Maxwell-Philip Street, St Clair E: [email protected] Embassy of the Republic of El Salvador T: (868) 622-6834, F: (868) 622-7162 Mr Thomas Chanona, Honorary Consul 29 Long Circular Road, St James, Port of Spain His Excellency Mr Adesan Olatunde T: (868) 628-4454, F: (868) 622-8314 Denmark E: [email protected] Embassy of the Republic of Panama 21 Ferndale Terrace, St Ann’s His Excellency Mr Carlos M. Pineda Cruz Suite 6, 1A Dere St, Port of Spain T: (868) 624-3587, F: (868) 627-4480 T: (868) 623-3435/3436, F: (868) 623-3440 E: [email protected] Embassy of the French Republic His Excellency Gerardo Maloney Francis Mr Anthony Alcazar, Honorary Consul Chargé d’Affaires 6th Floor, Tatil Building, 11 Maraval Road, Port of Spain Embassy of the Republic of Suriname Finland T: (868) 622-7446/2388 or 628-8633, 5th Floor, TATIL Building, Maraval Road, P.O. Box 88, 1 Guardian Drive Westmoorings, F: (868) (868) 628-2632 Port of Spain, Trinidad Port of Spain His Excellency Mr Yves Drillet T: (868) 628-0704, F: (868) 628-0086 T: (868) 632-6855/5433, F: (868) 632-6867 Her Excellency Mrs Fidelia Graand-Galon E: [email protected] Mr Henry Peter Ganteaume, Honorary Consul

2008/9 107 Grenada Portugal 27 Coblentz Garden, St Ann’s 11-13 Milling Avenue, Sea Lots, T: (868) 624-1729 P.O. Box 283, Port Spain Dr Vernon Scoon, Honorary Consul T: (868) 625-1745/625-1131 E: [email protected] Guyana Mr Ignatius Ferreira, Honorary Consul 16 Gray Street, St Clair, Port of Spain Mr William Ferreira, Honorary Consul T: (868) 622-1967; 622-2913; 628-2616 F: (868) 628-5800 Senegal E: [email protected] 3 Rapsey Street, St Clair Mr Ernie Ross, Honorary Consul T: (868) 628-0813, F: (868) 622-2000 E: [email protected] Ireland Dr Ebrahim Kazim, Honorary Consul Suite A4 Kencita Court, 76 Picton Street, Newtown, Port of Spain Sri Lanka Or c/o Krishna Seegobin & Co., Corner Hugh and P.O. Box 3425, Maraval, Port of Spain Algernon Street, Montrose, Chaguanas T: (868) 628-2385, 676-7057 T/F: (868) 665-1237 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Mr Brian K. O’Farrell, Honorary Consul Mr Krishna Seegobin, Honorary Consul

Italy Sweden 8 Hillcote, Scott Street, St Augustine 63 Park Street, Port of Spain T: (868) 662-0861, 645-0960, 756-3929, T: (868) 625-0103, F: (868) 625-9061 F: (868) 662-0861 Mr David O’Brien, Honorary Consul E: [email protected] Mr Stephen C. Webster, Honorary Consul Switzerland 70 Dundonald Street, Port of Spain Korea T: (868) 623-7816, F: (868) 625-9729 or 623-7816 c/o Neal and Massy Holdings Limited E: [email protected] 63 Park Street, Port of Spain Mrs Michelle Khan, Honorary Consul T: (868) 625-3426 ext. 2100, F: (868) 627-9061 E: [email protected] Turkey Mr Bernard Dulal-Whiteway, Honorary Consul 30 Grove Road, Valsayn T: (868) 663-1533 or 662-1250, F: (868) 663-1533 Lebanon E: [email protected] / [email protected] 1 ICL Drive, Bhagowtie Trace, San Juan Mr Gopichan Ramsaran, Honorary Consul T: (868) 638-1697, F: (868) 638-4810 E: [email protected] Ukraine Mr Amer Haidar, Honorary Consul 30 Grove Road, Valsayn T: (868) 663-1533 or 662-1250, F: (868) 663-1533 Mauritius Mr Brett Steven Hobday 12 Wahid Circular Drive, Sumadh Gardens, San Fernando Uruguay T: (868) 657-6440, F: (868) 657-6440 2 Braemar Heights, 14 Braemar Road, Cascade E: [email protected] T: (868) 623-7713, F: (868) 625-9538 Dr V.R. Mooneeram, Honorary Consul E: [email protected] Mr Antony Edwards, Honorary Consul Norway 10 French Street, Woodbrook, Port of Spain or P.O. Box 13, Port of Spain T: (868) 625-4384, F: (868) 623-9318 E: [email protected] Mr Stuart Jardine, Honorary Consul General

Pakistan 38A Lopinot Housing Development, Lopinot T: (868) 642-3656, F: (868) 662-7533 E: [email protected] Dr Rakib Buckridan, Honorary Consul

Philippines B41 Ridgewood Towers, Fours Road, Diego Martin T: (868) 633-2988 or 684-7619, F: (868) 633-6946 E: [email protected] Dr Marie Magno Advani, Honorary Consul

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