INTERVIEW Indira Couch, Ph.D.CEO, ActionEDGE TT The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD’s) World Investment Report for 2021, revealed that Trinidad and Tobago experienced the worst Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in 2020 with negative FDI in the range of US$439M (approximately TT$3B). This leaves Trinidad and Tobago in a lurch where non-energy sector revenues become more necessary than […]
Read MoreJune 29th, 2023
INTERVIEW Niala Persad-PoliahExecutive Director, The National Insurance Board of Trinidad and Tobago (NIB) Entrusted with the task of protecting insured persons against economic difficulty due to loss of earnings emanating from work-related contingencies, the National Insurance Board of Trinidad & Tobago (NIBTT) is an entity of massive importance for the citizens of T&T. Specifically, 634,381 citizens, or as NIBTT sees […]
Read MoreMay 24th, 2023
INTERVIEW Ravi TewariCEO, Guardian Group Shared Services Battered by the pandemic like most sectors, but with sufficient strength in depth to navigate its way through the lockdown aftermath and the continuing effects of the global economic downturn. That is the synopsis for the insurance sector as it turns towards 2023. An industry that was directly impacted by the illness, medical […]
Read MoreMay 22nd, 2023
Diana Mahabir-Wyatt, Founder Colin Mitchell, Chairman Sherron Harford, Vice Chair Domestic violence is an endemic societal ill which creates a harrowing and often unseen reality for many women here in Trinidad and Tobago. It was in response to this dire problem that The Shelter, a charitable organisation which takes in and seeks to help victims of domestic abuse, was opened […]
Read MoreMay 17th, 2023
INTERVIEWMarcus TewariDirector of Broadview Surveillance Systems The impacts and costs of crime are seen and felt everywhere. But some approaches can begin to turn the tide. Director of Broadview Surveillance Systems Marcus Tewari sees the reality of our national insecurity daily. “The need for greater security and secure property development and management is evident daily here,” he points out. “The […]
Read MoreBy: Pro | May 17th, 2023
INTERVIEW Mark EdghillPresident, Association of Real Estate Agents (AREA) Is real estate an essential service? You may change your mind when you consider the point of view of Mark Edghill. He has served in the Association of Real Estate Agents (AREA) in various capacities for the past few years, including the last five as President. “We did lobby the Government […]
Read MoreMay 9th, 2023
INTERVIEW Nadra Nathai-GyanChairman, Environmental Management Authority (EMA) There is no doubt that our environment is rapidly changing but in the midst of these changes, many organisations and the Government are both putting things in place to help slow such changes. The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) noted the continued development of national projects toward environmental sustainability and conservation, many of which […]
Read MoreApril 25th, 2023
The complexity and interconnectedness across sectors and between groups requires that all stakeholders – public sector, business, academia and civil society – embrace a collective responsibility to chart the way forward. Bevil M. WoodingExecutive Director, Caribbean Agency for Justice Solutions, APEX It is almost impossible to ignore the indelible mark technology is making on the human civilisation. It is evident […]
Read MoreApril 11th, 2023
Easy Access: Patients expect easy access to the digital health service. This means the service should be accessible from multiple devices and platforms, and the registration process should be simple and user-friendly. Personalized Care: Patients expect personalized care from digital health services. The service should be tailored to the patient’s needs, medical history, and health goals. Real-Time Monitoring: Patients want […]
Read MoreApril 4th, 2023
To introduce technology and the IT required, we need to get a massive amount of training and the psychological adjustment in our human resource to ensure success. INTERVIEWDr. Kongsheik Achong LowExecutive Chairman, Medcorp Limited T&T’s health sector has seen the relaxation of many pandemic restrictions in the past year. Covid-19 PCR or lab acquired antigen test results are no longer […]
Read MoreApril 4th, 2023
Guided by section 13 (1) (b) of the Act, The Office of Procurement Regulation is empowered to “set training standards, competence levels, and certification requirements to promote best practice in procurement”. In setting this Standard the OPR’s goal is to support the development of public procurement capacity, training and dissemination of information, and ensuring the effective application of public procurement […]
Read MoreMarch 22nd, 2023
Like all sectors, engineering is striking that balance of pursuing its full reopening while embracing new methodologies and markets made necessary by the global impact of Covid-19 and the trickledown effects of war in Europe. INTERVIEWEng. Dr. Chris MaharajPresidentAssociation of Professional Engineers of Trinidad and Tobago (APETT) Like all sectors, engineering is striking that balance of pursuing its full reopening […]
Read MoreMarch 22nd, 2023
We see it as a big opportunity; supporting the capacity building in those countries that have not experienced the level of construction that we have experienced. INTERVIEWGlenn MahabirsinghPresidentTrinidad and Tobago Contractors Association (TTCA) The industry has not been immune to the ongoing effects of the pandemic and latterly, the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The difference, however, is that construction represents a critical […]
Read MoreMarch 21st, 2023
Many persons have heard of Rotary in one way or another. In most cases, that familiarity typically involves buying tickets to a fundraiser, sponsoring a project, or being asked to become a member. The support that is usually rendered by individuals, groups or companies is usually based on not much more than an intrinsic, albeit often limited understanding that Rotary […]
Read MoreMarch 16th, 2023
Access and deployment of technology is the way to level the playing field, gain customers and vendors globally and leapfrog other businesses in the economic landscape. INTERVIEWAngela Lee LoyChairmanAegis Business Solutions, Eve Anderson Recruitment,and Caribbean Resourcing Solutions The ease of doing business in Trinidad and Tobago continues to be a work in progress,” notes Angela Lee Loy, Chairman, Aegis Business […]
Read MoreMarch 7th, 2023
INTERVIEW Vashti GuyadeenChief Executive OfficerTrinidad and Tobago Coalition of Service Industries (TTCSI) The service industry’s contribution to national GDP has been steadily falling since 2016, and our global competitiveness has been in flux for much of the same time. Vashti Guyadeen, CEO, Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Service Industries (TTCSI), believes that stronger mechanisms need to be put in place […]
Read MoreMarch 7th, 2023
Nirmalla DebysinghTrinidad and Tobago Standard for Good Agricultural Practices What is the T&T Standard for Good Agricultural Practices – Fresh Produce Requirements (TTS 648:2020)? The Trinidad and Tobago Standard for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) – Fresh Produce Requirements (TTS 648:2020) establishes minimum requirements of good agricultural practices for fresh produce at production, harvesting, post-harvest handling, packaging, storage, or transportation stages. […]
Read MoreMarch 2nd, 2023
INTERVIEW Tricia CoosalPresident, Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step and last year 2021, Trinidad and Tobago took its first step on the road to pandemic recovery with its mass vaccination campaign, ‘Vaccinate to Operate.’ From that point to now, a few other obstacles have been tossed along the path. […]
Read MoreFebruary 27th, 2023
INTERVIEW Franka CostelloeChairman, InvesTT Trinidad and Tobago’s manufacturing sector is the largest in the English-speaking Caribbean, and the largest sector of the national economy based on its share of GDP. As Trinidad and Tobago’s Investment Promotion Agency (IPA) aligned to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, InvesTT focuses on key non-energy sectors such as Energy Intensive Manufacturing, Maritime Services, Logistics […]
Read MoreFebruary 23rd, 2023
INTERVIEW Navin DookeranChief Executive Officer, Export-Import Bank of Trinidad & Tobago Ltd. (EXIMBANK) In 2023, EXIMBANK CEO Navin Dookeran wants to see exporters exporting more… and importers becoming exporters. That is the economic vaccine the country needs, he told ‘Who’s Who’. The foreign exchange supply issue, while slightly improved from 2020, has not been resolved. For Dookeran, the solution is […]
Read MoreFebruary 23rd, 2023
INTERVIEW Dr Alvin HilaireGovernor, Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago From a Central Bank perspective, could you give a brief overview of the sector in 2021 and to date, highlighting any challenges and key developments as we move forward? Trinidad and Tobago’s financial sector continued to demonstrate health and resilience in 2021, despite the challenges associated with the pandemic. Credit, […]
Read MoreFebruary 9th, 2023
INTERVIEW Ian De SouzaPrincipal Adviser, Advice Financial Company Ltd. Veteran career banker, financial consultant and former Chamber CEO Ian De Souza has a rich perspective to share on the challenges and achievements the financial sector faced in 2021, the path forward in 2023, and the support needed by SMEs which would redound to the continued growth of the overall financial […]
Read MoreFebruary 7th, 2023
The Power Generation Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (PowerGen) is a reliable and socially responsible long-term energy partner, committed to a greener, more sustainable T&T. PowerGen is the largest and longest serving independent power producer in Trinidad and Tobago supplying about 825MW to the national grid, and has over 250 employees. It was formed when the Trinidad and Tobago […]
Read MoreJanuary 18th, 2023
In the past two years, we have seen the role of natural gas increase in importance, both in terms of global energy security and in the pursuit of a low carbon future. This places the need to secure our natural gas supplies high on the national agenda. The Energy Chamber recently released a six-point plan which we believe is critical […]
Read MoreJanuary 17th, 2023
INTERVIEW T&T’s automotive sector moves aheadChange is inevitable and this is evident in T&T’s automotive sector; the country is moving from Driver’s Permits to Driver’s Licences, deemed to be more secure, modern and internationally recognised. On the move also is the Licensing Division which launched a mobile service in late 2021. Citizens can access services from two fully outfitted buses […]
Read MoreJanuary 9th, 2023
From Recovery to the Future The theme of this year’s edition of the Who’s Who in Trinidad and Tobago Business magazine, ‘T&T Fast Forwarding into 2023’ appears to be a needed and natural extension of the national mandate that sought to put the country on the road to pandemic recovery over the course of 2021-22. While strides have been made […]
Read MoreJanuary 4th, 2023
Over the last two years, we have become hyper-aware of the value of resilience and the ability to respond to crisis events. We quickly learned that traditional models of work and business can sometimes hinder adaptability, and unless we embrace change, we risk being restricted in our ability to unlearn behaviours that no longer serve us. The shift towards remote […]
Read MoreDecember 15th, 2022
Trinidad and Tobago’s immense natural resources and the talent of our people have made us a welcoming and attractive place for doing business, particularly for trade and investment opportunities. While the pandemic has caused specific challenges, it has also ushered in a new era for potential growth and development opportunities. In the past two years, digital adoption has become the […]
Read MoreDecember 12th, 2022
The Risk of Standing Still Kickstarting an economy which has been shorn of the desired outputs and exports in various industries alongside an ever-ballooning food import bill, has created much tighter financial conditions for an ever-wearier citizen. Increasing food insecurity concerns linger and this has created the potential for social malaise, while ad hoc strategies are devised in the interest […]
Read MoreDecember 1st, 2022
For the last two and half years, businesses in Trinidad and Tobago and around the world had to combat and adapt to the culmination of the pandemic and the many problems that ensued from the war in Europe. Economic headwinds came in the form of supply chain disruptions, increasing inflationary pressure at the pump and the groceries, inefficient institutions, and […]
Read MoreNovember 28th, 2022
The Tobago Division of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce congratulates the publishers of Who’s Who in Trinidad and Tobago Business upon successful publication of another informative issue. The Division was established specifically to serve the needs of the Tobago business community and remains a vibrant and proactive arm of the T&T Chamber. Originally established as the […]
Read MoreNovember 21st, 2022
INTERVIEW In 2021, domestic tourism prevailed as a critical component of the local tourism industry, with a constant flow of visitors between Trinidad and Tobago, offsetting the impact of declining international arrivals during the pandemic. The daily inter-island ferry service between Port of Spain (Trinidad) and Scarborough (Tobago) which is a key infrastructural component of the domestic tourism offering, remained […]
Read MoreNovember 16th, 2022
Trinidad Hotels, Restaurants and Tourism Association (THRTA) The Trinidad Hotels, Restaurant and Tourism Association (THRTA), Trinidad’s largest private sector tourism body is honored to once again be part of this year’s ‘Who’s Who in Trinidad & Tobago Business’ publication. As the THRTA continues to advocate for industry stakeholders on matters that can both negatively and positively impact the tourism-centric trading […]
Read MoreNovember 16th, 2022
Tobago House of Assembly (THA) For many reasons, the two-year period of March 2020-March 2022 will remain an unforgettable part of history in Tobago, in Trinidad and Tobago and across the globe. The gradual lifting of health restrictions and the reopening of the economy has undoubtedly brought relief to many. There are few individuals who can say they were not […]
Read MoreNovember 16th, 2022
