The Report Trinidad and Tobago company the-report.com February 2nd 2016 Heeding the winds of change The dramatic downturn in oil and gas prices in an energy-exporting country such as Trinidad and Tobago would test the steeliest of spirits. But rather than being daunted by the tempest, the new government of this Caribbean nation sees the opportunity for a sea change in the ways the country goes about its business. www.the-report.com , who takes sole responsibility for its content. , who takes sole responsibility for The Report Company 03 OVERVIEW 04 CULTURE 05 FOCUS ON TOBAGO 06 TOURISM Prime Minister Keith Rowley Music, magic and mystery Tobago gears up for development The true Caribbean on behalf of Getting the economy back on an even keel Writer: Andrew Sim the Guardian OVERVIEW Facing the triple whammy of a plunge in oil and gas prices, falling output and fiscal imbal- ances, Trinidad and Tobago’s new government is striking a balance between belt-tightening and re- newed growth As a volcanologist, Keith Rowley is no stran- on top of a fall in output of over 10 percent Movement (PNM) government, restored to ger to shocks, seismic or otherwise, but when in the past five years. power in the September general elections af- Trinidad and Tobago’s new prime minister If that were not enough, his People’s National ter five years in opposition, also found itself took office he might well have had reason with the legacy of a blowout in government to be taken aback by the task of reviving the finances and a drain on foreign reserves in economy. With energy exports accounting “We are not daunted by an import-hungry country that has fuelled a for around 40 percent of GDP, the 70 percent balance of payments deficit. That has raised plunge in crude oil prices and 45 percent fall the challenges facing us” the spectre of the IMF being called in as it in natural gas prices over the past 18 months Keith Rowley was in the 1980s, evoking the nightmare of have hit the country hard, especially coming Prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago the painful conditions imposed in return for GLOBAL BUSINESS FEATURES: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS. INSIGHTFUL ANALYSIS. ANOTHER LOOK. An independent supplement distributed in 2 _TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO _ 3 Dr Keith Christopher Rowley: Cometh the hour, cometh the man Keith Rowley, Trinidad’s new prime minister, has been elected into office as the country is facing hard times. The people obviously feel that he is up for the challenge. He has pledged his government will deliver transparency and accountability in the arduous task of restoring prosperity. Whether he suc- ceeds or not will not be for want of effort nor competence Brought up in Tobago by dot- to overcome the challenges ing farming grandparents, the country is facing. “It is the 66-year-old prime min- times like these that good, ister still delights in nature, old-fashioned, honest lead- gardening and hiking as well ership is the best tool avail- as being an eager golfer and able to a nation,” he said. art collector. His wife Sharon says that his upbringing forged his personality. He himself says he was imbued BIO 2 by a sense of mission; of progress on a personal and 1981 communal basis. Rowley first ran for political Whilst not noted for his office in 1981, where he con- brilliant communication tested the Tobago West seat skills, this doctor of geology does have the well-earned 1991 reputation of being an able Elected member of the House administrator, perhaps of Representatives for Diego something Trinidad and Martin West in the national parliament Tobago is in most need of at the moment. He set out his stall in a speech to the 2010 Named head of the PNM and nation at the end of last year leader of the opposition in 1. The view over King’s Wharf in Port in which he invited everyone parliament of Spain. Photo: Lidian Neeleman | to pull together as a nation Shutterstock.com 2. Parlatuvier Bay in Tobago. Photo: Jorge Maraima 3. A family celebrates Emancipation Day, commemorating the abolition of slavery 1 3 in Port of Spain. Photo: Salim October | Shutterstock.com “It is times like these that good, a bailout, a fate Rowley has pledged to avoid. enabling it to act as a bridge for China into the economy and get the country’s fiscal house order to do so, the government needs to sector funds, with a view to boosting old-fashioned, “This administration will not take this coun- Latin America. That initiative would require back in order. Reducing the increase of public steer a path between the Charybdis of the labour market. try back to that kind of situation,” he said. the upgrading of the country’s broadband debt, which rose to an estimated 46.3 percent spending its way out of the crisis at the On the international front, after gain- honest Under those circumstances, it might “have network, which would further open up the of GDP by the end of September from 32.2 expense of future generations and the ing independence in 1962, Britain re- leadership is been better to have lost the general elections,” development of information and communica- percent at the end of 2010, is a key priority. In Scylla of over-zealous austerity. mains a key partner for Trinidad and the best tool the 66-year-old Rowley said in a sober address In his speech to the nation, Rowley Tobago. The United Kingdom is a to the nation on 29th December. But he has- made it very clear that he is aware of major tourist market for the Carib- available to a tened to add that he is “not daunted” by the the balancing act involved as his gov- bean nation, while UK companies nation” “The immediate task of Guatemala TRINIDAD challenge. Honduras AND TOBAGO ernment works to “steady the ship and such as BP are important play- Given the situation, Trinidad and Tobago stay the course.” While announcing ers in the energy sector, whose Keith Rowley the Rowley administration Costa Rica needs to diversify its sources of income in or- Panama Venezuela a seven-percent cut in operating ex- main markets are in North Prime minister of Trinidad Guyana and Tobago der to protect it from the fickle winds of the Colombia penses by all state bodies and warn- America. Events also suggest over the next two years is to Suriname energy markets, and progress is already being ing of “sacrifices” ahead, including there is room for closer ties with made. Eco-tourism is being developed on the stabilise the economy” Ecuador an effective five-percent cut in govern- Latin America: Rowley unveiled in his serene island of Tobago – the smaller of the two ment officials’ wages to reduce the speech that Trinidad and Tobago has making up this tropical Caribbean country, Brazil public deficit and plans to tap up to been holding talks with Venezuela Prime Minister Keith Rowley delivers a speech during located outside the hurricane belt. Meanwhile, $1.5 billion from the rainy day her- on the development of the Loran- his swearing-in ceremony in the country’s status as an international finan- tion technology-based activities. itage and stabilisation fund, he also Manatee gas field, which straddles the capital, Port of Spain, on cial centre leverages upon its strategic location But the immediate task of the Rowley admin- unveiled a housing-construction in- the maritime border between the close 9th September 2015. Trinidad and Tobago enjoys a privileged geographical position be- Photo: Gao Xing/Xinhua Press/ between North and South America, as well as istration over the next two years is to stabilise tween North and South America vestment drive that calls for private neighbours. Cordon Press Tim Stew sat in front of a group of 40 businessmen ability and transparency are very much Budget priorities ister, Colm Imbert, is the fact that previous administration by overall British high commissioner and we talked about prosperity, but the on people’s minds, as is a settling of the biggest allocation is for na- belt-tightening along with the to Trinidad and Tobago first thing they wanted to talk about was the crime situation. What I sense here Paying to ensure tional security, surpassing that set reform of the fuel subsidy regime, security, crime and justice. We offer sup- is optimism. The feeling so far is that crime doesn’t pay aside for education. This a clear which has been a drain on govern- Named high commissioner in July 2015, port to the government here in this area there is strong leadership in place, with indication that the administration ment coffers. At the same time, the the targeted fiscal Tim Stew aims to build on the two na- because it impacts citizens of both our a strategic vision. The first budget of the new govern- of Prime Minister Keith Rowley is personal income tax allowance is tions’ strong historic partnership 1.7%deficit as a propor- countries. ment seeks to address the deficit bent on cracking down on what being increased for those in the and criminal activity Rowley described as “the chronic low-income bracket. What role can the UK play in Trinidad tion of GDP for 2016, What would be your message to UK in- “My task is to develop a and rampant criminal conduct in Tobago is also to receive 4.4 and Tobago’s development path? vestors looking at Trinidad and Tobago? progressive partnership with One of the standout items in the Trinidad and Tobago.” percent of the national budget down from 4.2 per- We are looking out for UK interests of We have seen from the new government The budget also plans to trim the in recognition of the island’s devel- course, but in ways which are not exclu- a determination to deliver what the the country, its government 2016 interim budget presented in cent in 2015 sive with Trinidad’s interests.