T & T Facts

Climate

Trinidad and Tobago has a tropical climate with high relative humidity. There are two distinct seasons: dry, from January to May and wet, from June to December. There is a short dry period around mid-September called Petit Carême. The hurricane season runs from June to November, peaking between August and October but Trinidad’s geographical location, on the southern periphery of the North Atlantic hurricane basin means that the island is not affected directly by storms as frequently as the sister isle, Tobago. Tobago can experience inclement weather as a result of such weather systems.

Trinidad and Tobago’s southerly location keeps temperatures consistent year-round, about 30/32 °C (86/90 °F) during the day and somewhat cooler at night.

Culture

The festivals, music, customs, cuisine, religions and races of Trinidad and Tobago reflect a rich and unique cultural diversity.

The nation has a passionate and colourful history spanning five centuries. Festivals and religious and cultural observances include Divali (the Hindu Festival of Light), Eid-ul-Fitr (Muslim religious day), Emancipation Day, Indian Arrival Day and Corpus Christi (Catholic). Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is a world-famous event that brings together artists, musicians, masqueraders and revellers for a month-long celebration that culminates in a two-day parade.

Banking

The financial system consists of Commercial Banks, Trust and Mortgage Finance Companies, Finance Houses and Merchant Banks.

https://batt.org.tt/banking-industry/

Bank Hours of Operations

Other Facts

Major Exports:

Natural gas and oil, ammonia, alcohol, fertilizers, iron and steel

Major Trading Partners:

US, CARICOM, Spain, Mexico, France, UK, China, Venezuela, Japan, Nigeria, The Netherlands, Dominican Republic

References: Summary Economic Indicators, Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, Central Statistical Office, Trinidad and Tobago, Global Finance, www.tradingeconomics.com.

Economic Data

After two years of decline, economic data suggests that there was some turnaround in 2018. This was driven largely by the energy sector, especially, higher natural gas production in the first six months. While some spillovers from energy to other sectors were expected, the non-energy sector was quiet.

During the first half of fiscal year 2018-2019, Central Government’s deficit was much lower compared to the corresponding period one year earlier. Inflation continued to be low and stable in early 2019 owing to low international food prices and moderate domestic demand. Headline inflation stood at 1.2% as at May 2019.

Generally, the Government’s fiscal position improved as revenues were strengthened by higher energy earnings as well as the sale of assets. Last year, Government’s expenditure also shrank by 4.2% due to lower transfer and subsidies, wages, salaries and interest payments. The overall fiscal deficit was lessened to 3.4% of GDP.

The domestic financial system also benefited from higher inflow of foreign exchange based on the energy sector. While the demand for foreign exchange remained strong, the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago sold US$1.5 billion to authorised dealers to balance the supply and demand in the foreign exchange market.

Over the short term, Trinidad and Tobago is expected to benefit from higher energy sector production on account of new capacity from the Angelin field, which was brought online in February 2019.

References: Central Statistical Office; / Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago

Telecommunications

For many years, State-owned Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) has been the major provider of landline and mobile telephone services. In late 2018, TSTT undertook the massive deployment of its 5G-oriented Mimo technology to complement existing fibre-based solutions, particularly in rural areas. This latest innovation makes the company the only quintuple-play provider in the country, transforming digital life and services like surveillance, IoT and B2B, and enhancing connectivity for its consumers.

Other providers also offer mobile and cable television to both islands. Of these, the more prominent agencies are Digicel and Flow. Digicel provides fixed line and domestic wireless services while Flow offers cable television, internet and landline telephone services.

With broad coverage throughout the islands, mobile phones are an easy and available option. Wireless Internet services are readily available at hotels and many other establishments.

*Data estimates - http://tatt.org.tt

Media

Daily Newspapers: Trinidad Express, Trinidad Guardian and Newsday

Monday – Friday: Newsday Tobago

Weekly Newspapers: Catholic News, Bomb, Trinidad and Tobago Sunshine and Tobago Today.

Television Stations: CNC(Channel 3),CCN TV6(Channels 5 and 18),Gayelle Television(Channel 7),IBN(Channel 8),CTV(Channel 6),IETV(Channel 1 and 16),NCC(Channel 4), Parliament(Channel 11),Synergy(Channel 15), TTT (Channel 11), Tobago Channel 5 Tobago only).

FM Radio Stations:

TBC Network (95.1, Vibe CT 105, Sangeet 106.1, Aakash Vani 106.5, Slam 100.5, Sky 99.5)CL Communications (90.5, 104.1, 97.1) Caribbean New Media Group (Talk City 91.1, Next 99.1, Sweet 100.1) T&T Radio Network (Star 94.7, 96.1, 107.7)Gem Radio 5 Limited (Red 96.7, i95.5, the Word 107.1, Hott 93.5, Taj 92.3)Power 102, Boom Champions 94.1, Isaac 98.1, Street 91.9, Radio Jaagriti 102.7, Wack 90.1, Love 91.5 (Tobago), Radio Toco 106.7, 103.1, Radio Tambrin 92.7 (Tobago), 104.7, and Heritage 101.7.

Top News and Media - Websites

WebsitesTrinidadExpress.com | Guardian.co.tt | Newsday.co.tt| TrinidadandTobagoNews.com| Power102fm.com | TriniView.comCnc3.co.tt

Health

Trinidad and Tobago’s health system consists of government-funded and private hospitals, well-qualified specialists, private medical practitioners and clinics scattered throughout the islands. Specialists trained in ophthalmology/optometry, gynaecology, paediatrics, radiology, physiotherapy, cardiology, gastrology, urology and orthopaedics work both in private practice and healthcare facilities.

Medical services are free at Government-funded institutions and clinics, but a fee is charged at all others. Twenty-four-hour emergency services are available at several public and private medical facilities.

There is also a 24-hour Emergency Air Ambulance Service.

www.health.gov.tt

Education

The educational system is based on the British model and produces one of the highest standards of education in the Caribbean. Primary and secondary level education at most institutions are free, but private school options are available for a fee.

Post-secondary and tertiary education providers include The University of the West Indies (The UWI), the College of Science, Technology & Applied Arts of Trinidad & Tobago (COSTAATT), distance learning tertiary-level institutions, vocational/technical training schools and colleges, the technology-based University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), and the National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST).

Eco-Tourism

Trinidad and Tobago, although relatively distinct ecologically, are both blessed with rich natural environments well suited for ecotourism. Once part of the South American mainland, Trinidad’s flora and fauna have commingled, leading to a great density of plant and animal types in a relatively small location.

Trinidad and Tobago has more than 97 mammal species, 400 bird species, 90 reptile species, 30 amphibian species, 600 butterfly species and over 2,100 species of flowering plants. The island’s nature reserves attract major international traffic from naturalists and nature watchers. The terrain is just as diverse, with tropical rainforests, mangrove swamps, mountainous terrain and savannahs.

Birdwatching is a major attraction in Tobago as well, with Little Tobago island recognised as one of the Caribbean’s top seabird sanctuaries. Tobago is also a hub of aquatic tourism. The waters off the island are a haven for wildlife, an attraction for both divers and boat tourists. Buccoo Reef (a large coral reef and protected marine park) is a popular destination. Tobago’s Main Ridge Forest is known to be the oldest protected rainforest.

www.tourism.gov.tt | www.insandoutstt.com

Meeting Places and Conference Centres

Trinidad and Tobago is one of the top five Caribbean meeting and conference destinations. Many hotels have facilities for conferences, including international brands such as the Hyatt Regency Trinidad and the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre. In addition, the state-of-the-art National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), South Academy for the Performing Arts, award-winning spots like Coco Reef and the Magdalena Grand Beach Resort in Tobago are ideal for corporate meetings and team-building retreats.

Public Utilities

Electricity

Trinidad and Tobago has a reliable supply of electricity with rates still among the lowest in the Caribbean. The domestic and commercial supply voltage is 110/220 volts, 60 cycles. The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) is the agency responsible for the country’s electrical supply.

www.ttec.co.tt

Water

The Water and Sewerage Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (WASA), a state enterprise, is the sole provider of water and wastewater services in Trinidad and Tobago.

www.wasa.gov.tt/

Post/Courier Services

Regular mail, express mail and courier delivery are reliable and available from local provider TTPost at excellent rates. International courier services are efficient and readily available.

www.ttpost.net

Immigration, Work Permits and Visas

Visitors to Trinidad and Tobago must possess valid passports and return or ongoing tickets for successful entry. Most Commonwealth countries do not require visas for entry, except Australia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Cameroon, Fiji Islands, Mozambique, Uganda and South Africa. For business travel and vacations lasting 90 days or less (within a 180-day period) European Union citizens do not need visas for entry. The same applies for nationals from non-European Union Schengen countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland). Holders of CARICOM passports, with the exception of Haiti, do not require visas.

Visitors from several other countries are allowed to enter Trinidad and Tobago for periods of up to three months without a visa.

www.immigration.gov.tt

Immigration Office at 67 Frederick Street, Port of Spain, while work permits can be obtained from the Ministry of National Security: Temple Court II,
52-60 Abercromby Street,
Port of Spain.
www.nationalsecurity.gov.tt