AMCHAM T&T’s Statement on the Passing of Former U.S. Ambassador to T&T Joseph Mondello

MEDIA RELEASE
03/08/2022

AMCHAM T&T would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of former U.S. Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago Joseph Mondello.

Mr. Mondello, who passed away on Monday afternoon at the age of 84, served as U.S. Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago between October 2018 and January 2021. During this period, he also served in an ex-officio position on the Board of AMCHAM T&T, representing the U.S. Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago.

“We are very saddened by the passing of Ambassador Mondello,” said AMCHAM T&T CEO, Nirad Tewarie. “Mr. Mondello’s contributions to AMCHAM T&T helped strengthen our ties to the U.S. Embassy and the U.S. government through many positive and beneficial engagements around national security and peacekeeping issues, trade and investment opportunities, and access to influential U.S. policymakers, business leaders and U.S. based companies/firms. He was very open, accessible, and down-to-earth in his dealings with us. He served his government at a difficult time in T&T-US relations but always sought to build bridges and conducted himself in a gentle and dignified manner.”

As the U.S. Ambassador to T&T, Mr. Mondello’s coordination of the USNS Comfort mission to Trinidad and Tobago in 2019 provided free medical coverage for over 7,000 patients, 90 percent of whom were T&T nationals, including 119 surgeries. “AMCHAM T&T donated 50 pap smears, 1000 school kits, 200 first aid kits, bottled water, snacks, storage, and transportation services to this initiative which were sponsored by our members. AMCHAM T&T remains very grateful to Mr. Mondello and the U.S. Embassy for their support and coordination of activities around this initiative,” Tewarie said.

“With regard to his relationship with AMCHAM T&T, he spoke at our AGM, hosted the Ambassador’s reception for our members and held numerous smaller meetings with our Board. He really made a concerted effort to strengthen ties between T&T and the U.S. We are grateful for all that he did and are better off for having known and worked with him,” Tewarie said.

Mondello is survived by his wife, Linda Elizabeth Crabtree, and daughters Elizabeth Mondello and Lisa Ostuni. He was preceded in death by his son, Joseph Nestor Mondello, last year.

For further questions or comments please contact: Nirad Tewarie, CEO of AMCHAM T&T at niradtewarie@amchamtt.com.

END.

AMCHAM T&T CEO ADVOCATES FOR USING TECHNOLOGY TO TURN PROBLEMS INTO OPPORTUNITIES

MEDIA RELEASE
15/07/2022

The American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T) has been advocating for greater investments in technology to accelerate growth and economic development in Trinidad and Tobago and to build the local tech ecosystem.

For the past five years, AMCHAM T&T has been working with multi-stakeholders across the public and private sectors and with the local tech innovators and disruptors to create a tech sector that will increase the country’s economic diversification strategy. The goal of this is to develop a critical mass of local talent, connect established businesses with the young disruptors to increase collaboration on problem-solving facilitated by technology, and build a national tech ecosystem and marketplace that will allow local businesses to export tech services to international markets.

However, Nirad Tewarie, AMCHAM T&T CEO says the current system is creating major problems and overwhelming citizens and companies. “We are all nodes that make up that system. So how do we see ourselves?” Tewarie said on Day Two of AMCHAM T&T’s Tech Hub Islands Summit (THIS) at the Hyatt Regency on July 7th. “We often ask who should do something. Why not you? Why not me? Why should somebody else do it?”

Tewarie says the answer is to turn those problems into opportunities with the use of technology. “Why not talk about how tech is going to help us get better jobs and improve social justice and social mobility in Trinidad and Tobago, and the world. That should be our goal.”

The AMCHAM T&T CEO recommended using technology as an enabler and as an industry to create opportunities for the people who feel they have no opportunities in the traditional system and to also solve problems such as inequality and injustice around the world.

“If we define our problem and say we are going to be part of the solution as AMCHAM T&T is, then we can use some tools or create some new tools to solve our problems and to make our whole space better because that's what it should be about,” Tewarie said.

Talking about building a tech sector, Tewarie said the focus is not on the money but should be on business efficiency and improving the quality of life for employees and citizens. “You need the resources to be able to move things along, but it's how do we do this to achieve larger objectives that we have around how we want our society to develop, and the money will inevitably follow.”

Tewarie said the government should be seeking to increase collaboration and partnership with the private sector to achieve this. “If our government which has so much to do in their digital transformation journey sees itself as a developer of IP, where they invite the private sector and they put an open call to solve solutions and become co-owners of the IP that we can then resell on license, and that in itself, becomes a revenue stream.”

Ultimately, Tewarie believes that there’s no shortage of ideas and opportunities with the use of technology. “If we focus only on the problems, we will never create the Trinidad and Tobago that we want. We will never achieve the objectives that we want, and we will always be depressed and upset and angry because all we see is what we can't do or what somebody else should do.”

For these reasons, Tewarie said we need to create a Trinidad and Tobago that every citizen deserves. “We argue that let's do it in part through the development of a tech sector because ‘we can make it if we try, just a little harder’ in the words of the great poet, the Black Stalin.”

The Tech Hub Islands Summit (THIS) 2022 is now available on-demand for both registered and non-registered participants at techislands.net until July 27th, 2022. This year, THIS received corporate support from Title Sponsor: Republic Bank Limited; Platinum Sponsors: PwC, IDB, Digicel, Eximbank, SI Digital; Gold Sponsors: Guardian Group; NIO Digital; Proman; Silver Sponsor: Balroop Group; Session Sponsors: Visa and the TTIFC and Digital Media Partner: LoopTT and Transportation Partner: EuropCar.

For further questions or comments please contact: Nirad Tewarie, CEO of AMCHAM T&T at niradtewarie@amchamtt.com.

END.

AMCHAM T&T AND REPUBLIC BANK HOST 4th EDITION OF TECH HUB ISLANDS SUMMIT (THIS)

MEDIA RELEASE
01/07/2022

The American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T) and Republic Bank will be hosting the 4th Edition of the Tech Hub Islands Summit (THIS) from July 6th to July 8th at the Hyatt Regency in POS, Trinidad.

Global tech shapers Bernard Meyerson, Chief Innovation Officer Emeritus at IBM and David White, Global Technology Team Lead for Infrastructure Modernization at Google Cloud are headliners of the three-day summit. Also, scheduled on the agenda are:

• Senator the Honourable Allyson West – Minister of Public Administration
• Derwin Howell – Executive Director, Republic Bank Limited
• Navin Dookeran – CEO, EximBank
• Abraham Smith – CEO, Digicel Trinidad and Tobago
• Carina Cockbun – IDB Trinidad and Tobago Country Representative, IDB
• Zia Paton – Caribbean Digital Services Leader, PwC Trinidad and Tobago
• Miles Abraham – CEO, Si.digital

THIS is a platform that brings together organisations in the private and public sectors that share the mutual view of digital transformation being an accelerator for growth and economic development in Trinidad and Tobago as well as a key driver in the building of the local tech ecosystem.

Republic Bank’s support of THIS renews a commitment with AMCHAM T&T to host THIS for an additional three years. "We as a company have taken the initiative to commit to this conference as title sponsors, not only for this year's edition but also for the following three years, since we not only recognise the importance of digital transformation but are keen to be advocates for it,” said Derwin Howell, Executive Director of Republic Bank Limited.

"RBL believes that Digital Transformation is the key to keep moving forward not only as a bank but as a society."

AMCHAM T&T is very grateful for the continued partnership and commitment by the private sector towards promoting tech as an enabler for economic growth and development in T&T. “Investing in tech remains a top economic priority for our nation right now so that we can channel greater investor confidence in our businesses, institutions, and governance and build the digital economy to help realise new opportunities for economic development and reduce social inequalities,” said Nirad Tewarie, CEO of AMCHAM T&T.

“Through this partnership with Republic Bank and other corporate stakeholders, the private sector is proving their commitment towards building T&T as a major tech hub in the world that would leverage collaboration and the creation of various innovations to spur growth and investor confidence within our region.”

At the three-day event, AMCHAM T&T will be hosting important sessions with leading industry experts and players to help outline the potential opportunities in Tech for T&T to become one of the leading tech enablers in the world. The theme for this year’s event “Change in Action” will promote the adoption of technology and digital transformation through telling success stories and sharing important information related to the “how-to’s” for implementation.

Some of the topics to be featured at THIS 2022:

1. Change in Action – Learn from the success stories of tech adopters – the process, challenges, benefits, and pain points of implementing tech solutions to improve business operations. Most importantly, learn how and why you should do it too!

2. The New World – The major trends around Web3, the Metaverse, digital currencies and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). Why and how to get involved?

3. Can You Handle It? – Digital Intensity – Keeping up with or even leading technological advancements by having the best talent on your team to build your organisation's digital capabilities.

4. FinTech – Financial Inclusion – What lessons can we learn from the progress and successes in other countries that can propel T&T’s financial ecosystem and what are the benefits to you!?

5. Attractive Shores – The pandemic, and now the Invasion of Ukraine, have highlighted the importance of nearshoring and created opportunities for non-traditional players. Now is T&T’s chance to become a real player in the global tech supply chain.

6. Digital Transformation of Government – Addressing the practical tech solutions being employed by governments around the world that can be adopted by GoRTT as well as some of the local initiatives that are underway.

Since the event’s launch in 2019, THIS has grown in attendance and public interest resulting in increased corporate support and stakeholder engagement in digital transformation to build a tech ecosystem in T&T and fuel the digital economy. This year, THIS has received corporate support from Platinum Sponsors: PwC, IDB, Digicel, Eximbank, SI Digital; Gold Sponsor: Guardian Group; NIO Digital; Silver Sponsor: Balroop Group, Session Sponsors: Visa and the TTIFC and Digital Media Partner: LoopTT.

THIS 2022 will be a hybrid event from July 6th-8th, 2022 with the in-person component held at the Hyatt Regency and the virtual portion streamed through AMCHAM T&T’s virtual platform at techislands.net. AMCHAM T&T extends our gratitude to Republic Bank and all our sponsors for their continued support and partnership for this event which we believe will help increase the advocacy and investments needed to build the local tech ecosystem.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS2022

For further questions or comments please contact: Nirad Tewarie, CEO AMCHAM T&T at niradtewarie@amchamtt.com.

END.

Toni Sirju-Ramnarine Appointed For Second Term As President of AMCHAM T&T

MEDIA RELEASE
23/06/2022

The American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T) has re-elected Toni Sirju-Ramnarine, Vice President of Corporate Operations at Atlantic LNG to another term as President of the Chamber at its 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on June 22nd, 2022 at the Hilton Trinidad & Conference Center.

This was the first in-person event hosted by AMCHAM T&T since COVID-19 was identified within T&T’s borders. Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Brian Manning and CEO of IDB Invest James Scriven delivered the Keynote and Feature addresses respectively. The AMCHAM T&T AGM attracted Executives from several members with Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee Scoon and Opposition MP Rushton Paray, who shadows Trade and Industry as well as Permanent Secretaries and members of the diplomatic corps also attending, highlighting the ability of the organisation to create avenues for dialogue among different stakeholders.

“Thank you for the faith and confidence you have placed in me over this past year as President. I look forward to working and growing with you in the coming year,” Sirju-Ramnarine said in the President’s Remarks as she also commemorated the organisation’s 30th Anniversary with the members of AMCHAM T&T. “We are celebrating our organisation’s 30th Anniversary. AMCHAM T&T thanks each of you for your unwavering support and we look forward to another 30 years of more wins shared with you.”

Sirju-Ramnarine who spoke on the theme “Enabling Recovery, Growth, and Resilience in the context of Sustainable Development in our nation,” during her opening remarks mapped out four (4) high-level priority areas in which AMCHAM T&T intends to offer increased leadership and advocacy. These are: 1) Investing In Technology, 2) Developing a Nearshoring Strategy, 3) Promoting Environment, Social and Governance (ESG), and 4) Advocacy for the Rule of Law.

Investing in TECH

While challenges from the pandemic have accelerated digital adoption across many companies, Sirju-Ramnarine says we must now start leveraging new technologies and applying them across all sectors of the economy to equally benefit all companies and ensure that technology becomes a real enabler for innovation and development.

“Building a thriving tech sector requires greater investment in research and development, advancing education, bridging the digital divide, and creating an easier regulatory environment to enable our entrepreneurs to start businesses more easily,” Sirju Ramnarine said. “Both the private and public

sectors have to do this together, but we must make this a major priority within our operations and as part of our country’s economic agenda.”

Nearshoring Strategy

AMCHAM T&T is also working with the government, alongside other agencies to execute the strategies outlined in a Nearshoring Policy paper which was recently presented to the Minister of Trade & Industry and the Minister of Digital Transformation.

AMCHAM T&T’s investment in this strategy is linked to national digital transformation, and to diversify the economy and attract investment in T&T. “Developing a nearshoring sector amidst the instabilities shaping our world right now may work in our favour as companies seek to move operations closer to home because of ongoing conflicts, supply chain concerns, the issues highlighted by the pandemic and climate change,” Sirju-Ramnarine said. “The potential here for the development of this sector will result in viable export, foreign exchange earning opportunities, and increased jobs.”

Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) and Rule of Law Committees

To set the stage for recovery and growth towards sustainable development, AMCHAM T&T also launched two new committees during the AGM. The ESG Committee and Rule of Law Committee will feature leading experts and influential organisations offering best practice advice and information on current issues affecting the realms of ESG and providing additional resources, skills sharing, and knowledge transfer to maintain the Rule of Law in our nation.

Sirju-Ramnarine said key investors, stakeholders and policymakers are now looking at companies with built-in, measurable ESG policies as a prerequisite for investment which have been threatened by the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.

The AMCHAM T&T President also said the key to an attractive and welcoming business environment begins with the predictable application of laws, policies, and processes which are being eroded by corruption – both actual corruption and the perception of corruption – a painfully slow justice system, and violent crime.

“We cannot build a resilient and cohesive society or conduct business in the absence of citizen security, fairness, and access to justice,” Sirju-Ramnarine said. “We must all work together to create a society rooted in good governance and high levels of social mobility and equality so that our citizens are made to feel safe, our businesses can thrive, and the economy becomes more efficient and attractive to investment.”

Sirju-Ramnarine says these initiatives can be realized by more meaningful public-private partnerships geared towards national development initiatives, upgrading the existing infrastructure to develop a booming tech hub and drive economic growth derived from nearshoring opportunities, addressing concerns at the ports and with customs to improve the ease of doing business and attract greater investment, and strengthening our cybersecurity frameworks to create the necessary regulatory and legislative environment to facilitate these objectives.

2022-2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

At the 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM), AMCHAM T&T elected the following Board of Directors for the term 2022 – 2023:

• PRESIDENT – Toni Sirju-Ramnarine – VP Corporate Operations, Atlantic LNG Company Limited
• VICE PRESIDENT – Stuart Franco – Chief Executive Officer, The TSL
• VICE PRESIDENT – Angelique Parisot-Potter – Executive VP and General Counsel, MASSY
• SECRETARY – Glenn Hamel-Smith – Partner, Head - Banking and Finance, M. Hamel-Smith & Co.
• TREASURER – Tricia De La Rosa – VP, AML/ATF & Compliance, Scotiabank Trinidad & Tobago Limited
• Anna Henderson – Chief Executive Officer, AMARANTH Business Solutions
• Andrea Davis – Country Manager, DHL
• Gregory Hill – Managing Director, ANSA Merchant Bank Limited
• Dominic Rampersad – President, Phoenix Park Gas Processors Ltd.
• Giselle Thompson – VP, Corporate Operations, bpTT
• Patricia Ghany – Chief Financial Officer, Esau Oilfield Supplies Co. Ltd
• Simon Aqui – Business Development Executive, IBM Trinidad
• Greer Quan – Chief Executive Officer, Caribbean, Pan-American Life Insurance Group
• Mitchell De Silva – Citi Country Officer - T&T Hub, Citibank
• Jerome Dookie – Managing Director, Proman Limited
• Stéphane Picarle – General Manager Commercial, Shell Trinidad & Tobago Limited

Chargé d’Affaires, Shante Moore, U.S Embassy Trinidad & Tobago – Ex-Officio position

Nirad Tewarie, CEO AMCHAM T&T – Ex-Officio position

AMCHAM T&T’s 29th Annual General Meeting was sponsored by Platinum Sponsors: E-zone Logistics; EXIMBank of Trinidad and Tobago; Gold Sponsor: ANSA Merchant Bank; and Silver Sponsors: Atlantic LNG; and EOG Resources. Meanwhile, the Inter-American Development Bank was listed as a Corporate Partner.

For more information, interested persons can visit www.amchamtt.com.

For further questions or comments please contact: Nirad Tewarie, CEO AMCHAM T&T at niradtewarie@amchamtt.com.

END.

AMCHAM T&T CONTINUES SUPPORT FOR THE RUSSELL LATAPY SECONDARY SCHOOL

MEDIA RELEASE
13/06/2022

The American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T) continues its support for the Russell Latapy Secondary School with the donation of thirty (30) feminine care packages for vulnerable students and twenty-two (22) empty steel drums to enhance the school’s music department and to help the students prepare for CXC examinations.

The request for empty steel drums was made to the AMCHAM T&T Secretariat via the school’s administration and discussed with the AMCHAM T&T Security Committee. Peter Charles, Managing Director of Jian Enterprises and a member of the committee was able to procure the twenty-two (22) empty steel drums through his contacts at Carasol Ltd. and Hyline Label Company Ltd. Sixteen (16) of the drums were donated by Carasol Ltd. while an additional six (6) came from Hyline Label Company Ltd.

Meanwhile, the feminine care packages were part of a sponsored donation from Xtra Foods. Upon receipt of the packages, AMCHAM T&T decided to distribute the thirty (30) feminine care packages to the school to provide additional support and assistance to students in need.

“The students and staff at the Russell Latapy Secondary School have become a second family to AMCHAM T&T,” said Nirad Tewarie, CEO of AMCHAM T&T. “We are very proud of the students who continue to display resilience through the pandemic. While we have been working with RLSS over the past four years, school closures over the last two years have made interacting with the children more challenging. However, we intend to get back into the groove of things and are looking forward to supporting the football team, providing field trips, mentorship activities, and the development of the children generally.”

Meanwhile, the Principal of the RLSS, Mrs Alicia Lucien-Baptiste thanked AMCHAM T&T for the generous donations which offer much-needed assistance to the female student population and will provide additional resources for the school’s CVQ steelpan manufacturing programme. “At a time where the Ministry of Education has extended a call for corporate T&T to partner with schools to improve the quality of education being offered to our students, AMCHAM T&T continues to heed that call as they have been an active stakeholder at the RLSS for the past four years, and we can say without fear of contradiction that their engagements have improved the quality of learning for our students.”

Mrs Baptiste says she hopes to see more corporate entities have meaningful engagements with the school to ensure that student learning outcomes are achieved in a holistic sense within a community that is caring, nurturing and supportive. “Effective education systems and learning environments are created when all come together in a meaningful way through collaboration and connection," Baptiste said. "We are again thankful to AMCHAM T&T for the years of collaboration and connection, and we indeed invite more of corporate T&T to get onboard.”

        

As school fully re-opens after a two-year closure due to the pandemic, AMCHAM T&T will continue to mentor students and provide the necessary support and assistance wherever possible. The initiative started in 2018 when AMCHAM T&T adopted a Form 1 class through an orientation programme with a focus on building students’ capacity for leadership through mentorship engagements, field trips to tertiary institutions and other educational places of interest, and classroom discussions on important life skills and other areas of individual capacity building.

Since then, AMCHAM T&T’s corporate social responsibility has widened to include the adoption of a second Form 1 class by Mr. Jovan Abraham, a member of the AMCHAM T&T’s Security Committee. Meanwhile, the wider student population has also benefitted through students’ engagement at various Youth Symposiums and debates held by AMCHAM T&T and from the sponsorship of uniforms and coaching services for the school’s football team. A Professional Development Session was held for teachers in the area of “Teaching Strategies,” while the Principal, Mrs. Alicia Lucien Baptiste was recently featured as a speaker at AMCHAM T&T’s Women’s Leadership Conference 2022.

Also, forty-two (42) computers were donated by AMCHAM T&T to assist students with the transition to remote learning during the pandemic. Twenty-five (25) computers were utilized for the creation of the school’s tech club while an additional seventeen (17) students who entered Form 5 in the new academic year benefited from desktops to continue their studies at their homes. These seventeen (17) students were also part of the inaugural class of the RLSS Tech Camp in 2020. The tech camp was facilitated by AMCHAM T&T’s partner Restore a Sense of I Can (RSC) who provided the refurbished computers via a donation from Republic Bank which was outfitted with webcams and headsets by AMCHAM T&T through the local school board. Also, AMCHAM T&T outsourced the services of Smart Vibrations in 2020 to help establish the school’s DJ and Sound Engineering Club with the provision of DJ equipment and functions for thirty (30) students.

AMCHAM T&T will continue to host future engagements with both the school’s administration and the respective student population to enhance their skills and meet the needs of the students. Currently, the school is desirous of a total of sixty (60) empty steel drums to ensure the success of its music department. Companies that are willing to join AMCHAM T&T on this initiative and provide additional assistance to the school are asked to contact AMCHAM T&T at 295-4869.

AMCHAM T&T would like to convey our gratitude to companies that will be willing to assist with this initiative. We are also grateful to Xtra Foods, Peter Charles, Managing Director of Jian Enterprises and the kind folks at Carasol Ltd. and Hyline Label Company Ltd for their donations and overall support provided to the Russell Latapy Secondary School.

For further questions or comments please contact: Nirad Tewarie, CEO AMCHAM T&T at niradtewarie@amchamtt.com.

END.

AMCHAM T&T and Ministry of Trade & Industry Collaborate on Nearshoring Strategy For T&T

MEDIA RELEASE
14/05/2022

(l-r) Vitra Gopee (AMCHAM T&T Digital Transformation Committee Member & COO, Digital Era Group); Nirad Tewarie (CEO, AMCHAM T&T); The Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon (Minister of Trade & Industry); Toni Sirju-Ramnarine (President, AMCHAM T&T) Anna Henderson (Deputy Chair of AMCHAM T&T's Digital Transformation Committee & CEO, Amaranth Business Solutions) and Rey-Anne Paynter-Mendez (Tech Community and Projects Officer, AMCHAM T&T)

A delegation from AMCHAM T&T led by President, Toni Sirju-Ramnarine along with AMCHAM T&T CEO, Nirad Tewarie met with Honorable Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon, Permanent Secretary Frances Seignoret and a delegation from the Ministry of Trade and Industry on Friday, May 13, 2022, to present a policy paper “Nearshoring Framework & Rationale for The Government of Trinidad & Tobago”  which was compiled by AMCHAM T&T’s Digital Transformation Committee. Other members of the AMCHAM T&T team were Deputy Chair of the Digital Transformation Committee, Anna Henderson (CEO, Amaranth Business Solutions), Digital Transformation Committee Member, Vitra Gopee (COO, Digital Era Group) and Tech Community and Projects Officer, Rey-Anne Paynter-Mendez.

The discussion centered around the recommendations contained in the paper, and how a nearshoring strategy could result in more investments into T&T. AMCHAM T&T reiterated its commitment to working with the Government to design and execute a Nearshoring Strategy to accelerate efforts to diversify the economy, find new and sustainable ways to increase GDP, and mitigate the negative impact of the pandemic on citizens and businesses.

“The paper outlines several factors that make Trinidad and Tobago highly favourable for investment and the attraction of new business activity through a nearshoring strategy that should warrant the Government’s consideration. AMCHAM T&T is committed to this strategy as we believe its execution will provide major economic opportunities for T&T. Working collaboratively with the Government, we are confident that we can build new pillars of economic growth in T&T,” said Toni Sirju-Ramnarine, AMCHAM T&T President.

Meanwhile, Minister Gopee-Scoon commended the private sector’s efforts to collaborate with the government on initiatives to boost investment into T&T. “Much can be achieved when the government and private sector collaborate,” Gopee-Scoon said. “I look forward to continuing the engagement with AMCHAM T&T and the wider private sector to continue to build on recent success to attract more investment and create more jobs through a deliberate nearshoring strategy.”

“We were very encouraged by the discussions with Minister Gopee-Scoon and the team from the MTI. The benefits of public-private partnerships can’t be overstated and AMCHAM T&T appreciates the open relationship we have with the Hon Minister. Coming out of the meeting we agreed to focus on leveraging nearshoring opportunities in IT-enabled Services, Logistics and Distribution, and specialized manufacturing. Immediately, we will begin work to enhance capacity building to support the growth of these sectors and to define the elements of the strategy,” explained AMCHAM T&T CEO, Nirad Tewarie.

AMCHAM T&T will collaborate with the MTI and other agencies of the government as well as the business community to work together on the development and execution of the strategy. AMCHAM T&T believes Trinidad & Tobago has a unique opportunity given the current global landscape to attract Nearshoring business as a viable export and therefore foreign exchange-earning opportunity. In this regard, AMCHAM T&T wishes to thank the Minister and the Ministry of Trade and Industry and her team for the collaboration and support for this initiative. We look forward to continued engagement to generate the mutually desired results.

Click the link to read the Policy Paper: "Nearshoring Framework & Rationale For Trinidad and Tobago"

 

For further questions or comments please contact Nirad Tewarie, CEO AMCHAM T&T at niradtewarie@amchamtt.com.

 

END.

AMCHAM T&T PROMOTES TRADE AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRIVATE SECTOR GROWTH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

MEDIA RELEASE
14/04/2022

The American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T) remains committed to enhancing trade and export promotion opportunities to benefit local businesses and ensure T&T’s economic recovery and stability from the pandemic.

“T&T continues to be a prime investment destination for multinational companies to conduct business. It’s important that we seek out more opportunities to increase FDI, spur economic growth, and provide the additional goods and services to the local market,” said Nirad Tewarie, AMCHAM T&T CEO. “Through our participation in several trade events this week, AMCHAM T&T is reaffirming our commitment to ensuring greater opportunities for private sector growth and economic development in T&T.”

The first of these opportunities sought by AMCHAM T&T occurred at the U.S.-Caribbean Business Conference in Miami, Florida on April 12th-14th where Tewarie spoke at a panel discussion on the topic “Market Overview of Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Eastern Caribbean”. The event which was hosted by South Florida District Export Council in collaboration with Enterprise Florida and the U.S. Commercial Service is one of the largest events organised by the U.S. Government to promote trade with the Caribbean. It typically attracts over 500 participants from across the U.S., mainly small and medium-sized businesses.

The AMCHAM T&T CEO participated in a panel alongside Shante Moore, Chargé d'affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Port of Spain and Valerie Laboy, Economic and Commercial Officer of the Embassy. Participants are expected to benefit from the introduction to new products, current trends, international regulations, and other issues related to foreign trade and development. In addition, the event provided an excellent opportunity for the participating companies and countries to conduct vital business networking and one-on-one meetings with representatives of the U.S. Embassies in the region. Following the panel, several participants expressed interest in finding out more about the T&T market and held a number of one-on-one meetings to further their knowledge. “We’re hoping that some of this initial interest will be converted into exploratory missions to T&T and, eventually actual efforts to enter the T&T market in short order,” said Tewarie after the event.

AMCHAM T&T also participated in the Canada-Caribbean Trade Mission: Growing a Green Economic Recovery, on April 13th which was hosted by the Government of Canada, under Canada’s International Trade - Global Affairs Canada Department. The hybrid event was formally launched on April 13th by The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development of Canada where she met with

government and business officials from Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago & Barbados. The trade mission explored and promoted green business initiatives, SMEs, and diversity in trade in these four Caribbean markets.

The AMCHAM T&T CEO was featured in the "Straight Talk – Market Opportunities in Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago” panel session which provided a general overview of local markets and opportunities in the region for sustainable business opportunities in clean technology and green infrastructure in the Caribbean.

"There is considerable scope for Canadian businesses in clean energy, tech, agriculture and professional services in the T&T market,” Tewarie said. “We hope that this event has whet the appetite of more Canadian firms to come to T&T and we will continue to work closely with the Canadian High Commission to bring Canadian firms to our market and to take T&T firms to Canadian markets. This event follows a virtual trade mission that we held in collaboration with the Canadian High Commission in 2021, so we will keep at it.”

Finally, AMCHAM T&T officially launched the virtual Trade Mission to the U.S. State of Illinois on April 13th, 2022, in partnership with exporTT and the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Sixteen (16) local companies participated in the Trade Mission which will provide opportunities for export promotion and investment with the state of Illinois, U.S.A.

The virtual trade mission will offer many additional opportunities for these companies to promote and expand their products and services, gain valuable market insight, build their customer base, and widen their audience through informative and interesting conversations with potential buyers and partners via a unique virtual experience through new technologies available by the metaverse.

“Doing the trade mission in the metaverse offered local companies the opportunity to interact with potential partners and discuss their products,” said Melissa Pierre, Senior Trade and Policy Specialist at AMCHAM T&T. “Whilst, the metaverse will not replace the in-person mission, it really helps when you are on a budget to consider market penetration initiatives.”

With these initiatives, AMCHAM T&T is doing its part to seek out new and innovative opportunities to secure private sector growth and foreign direct investment in our local economy. We intend to continue pursuing opportunities that will maintain business competitiveness and advantage in our local economy for the benefit of our members and the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.

For further questions or comments please contact: Nirad Tewarie, CEO AMCHAM T&T at niradtewarie@amchamtt.com.

END.

AMCHAM T&T Takes Trade Mission To The Metaverse

MEDIA RELEASE
05/04/2022

The American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T) is taking the T&T business community to the metaverse by hosting a virtual Trade Mission to the U.S. State of Illinois on April 13^th, 2022, in partnership with exporTT and the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Sixteen (16) local companies are set to benefit from participating in the Trade Mission which will provide opportunities for export promotion and investment with the state of Illinois.

The trade mission will offer many additional opportunities for these companies to promote and expand their products and services, gain valuable market insight, build their customer base, and widen their audience through informative and interesting conversations with potential buyers and partners via a unique virtual experience through new technologies available by the metaverse.

“Digital tools are increasingly enabling our everyday activities. More of our lives are being spent in digital spaces with hybrid offices, video-based education, and online social communities forming the basis of most of our interactions and communications,” said Nirad Tewarie, CEO of AMCHAM T&T. “In our efforts to promote and build the local tech ecosystem, AMCHAM T&T is committed to utilizing new technologies available to increase business competitiveness and incentivize trade and other opportunities for growth and development in T&T. We’re very excited that this platform has been developed by one of our local members right here in T&T.”

“Through this technology, our companies will have direct and easy access to potential international investors and business opportunities with leading firms operating in Illinois, USA to expand their networks of buyers, suppliers, and contacts. While this is a first step and a basic foray into the metaverse, exploring future opportunities in the metaverse could create a large-scale industrial workspace for companies to enhance business operations and communications, drive investment, and advance interactions by using augmented reality devices that helps users interact with elements in a virtual reality space, in the same way, they would in the real world that is cheaper, faster, and less time-consuming,” Tewarie said.

AMCHAM T&T in its promotion of using local talent to advance digital transformation contracted local boutique, external development, and video game studio Coded Arts to build and design the virtual platform used for the Trade Mission. The platform will allow companies and participants to be able to watch live or on-demand presentations and communicate with investors through web chats. Meanwhile, state-of-the-art 3D designs and fully interactive virtual booths are provided to each company or vendor to showcase their products and services.

The Trade Mission has drawn attention from sectors with export potential in the food and beverage, auto industry, fintech, education and digital related products. Interested companies can register to participate in the Trade Mission via the official website at https://www.trinidadtobagotrademission.com.

AMCHAM T&T would like to thank our partners at exporTT and the Ministry of Trade and Investment for their support to host the Illinois Trade Mission. We would also like to thank the local companies and Illinois firms that will be participating as we continue to provide support and leadership in our continued advocacy towards facilitating trade and investment opportunities to maintain business competitiveness and advantage in our local economy.

 

For further questions or comments please contact: Nirad Tewarie, CEO AMCHAM T&T at niradtewarie@amchamtt.com.

 

END.

AMCHAM T&T Statement On National Tragedy

MEDIA RELEASE
09/03/2022

The American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T) has until now refrained from commenting on the tragedy in which four people - Yusuf Henry, Fyzal Kurban, Kazim Ali Jr, and Rishi Nagassar - died while conducting maintenance work on an underwater pipeline owned by Paria Fuel Trading Co Ltd in Pointe-a-Pierre on 25th February 2022. From the time the incident was reported until now, we noted a plethora of comments and did not think that another voice would be constructive.

As most in the business community know, AMCHAM T&T has been the leading private sector voice on Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) issues for almost three decades. Our HSSE Conference has been running annually, without interruption, for the past 25 years, even throughout the pandemic. We have been hosting the National Safety Awards for the past 11 years. We have always championed the position of People before Profits and this is the underlying philosophy that guides our training and advocacy around HSE matters.

We therefore cannot imagine the pain and distress that the families and friends of the deceased divers are experiencing. We offer our deepest condolences to them all. Indeed, AMCHAM T&T joins the national community in mourning.

While we understand the outrage being expressed, particularly on social media, we must also acknowledge that this is a moment to demonstrate greater leadership and reinstall public trust in our institutions. This can be achieved through identification of the lessons to be learnt to prevent further tragedies via a thorough and transparent investigation into the series of events that led to the deaths of the divers and the eventual recovery of their bodies.

Making this a priority for the country will not only help our nation to heal but will help us to understand how this accident occurred and more importantly, how we can learn from it.

Thus, we believe a thorough and transparent investigation into the series of incidents that occurred is critical to repairing public trust. Learnings from this tragedy can be applied by other companies to make the workplace a safer space for all employees and stakeholders here and around the world.

Such an investigation will, by necessity, have to be conducted by people. We are concerned that the manner of public discourse and attacks on those who have been willing to lend their expertise are, ultimately, counter-productive. In a country with a relatively small population such as ours, it is almost impossible to find persons to undertake major responsibilities who have not interacted significantly with decision-makers, past and present.

Specifically, we wish to place on record our gratitude to former AMCHAM T&T President, Eugene Tiah for being willing to lend his expertise to determine what caused such a tragedy and therefore assisting in preventing similar events in the future. Eugene has demonstrated tremendous safety leadership during his career and is widely regarded as a safety pioneer in T&T. His safety record, as the former President of Phoenix Park Gas Processors, was enviable by global standards. His safety leadership continued in his various roles thereafter including as Executive Chairman, Energy and Industrial Gases Business Unit, Massy Energy.

Eugene has always acted with utmost integrity and in a most statesmanlike manner. Indeed, even as he stepped off from the now-aborted Investigation Committee into the incident as announced by the Government, he did so to ensure that the work of the Committee was not impeded or clouded by commentary around him.

We understand that this is an emotionally charged matter and many, often-competing interests are involved. However, we appeal to all who can have an impact on national development – especially those who have specific and official responsibility in this regard – to consider the impact of their actions. If the willingness of capable professionals to serve continues to be compromised, we will all be the poorer for it

We look forward to the identification of the Commissioners to establish the Commission of Inquiry and to the execution of the Inquiry expeditiously. We trust that the full and final report will immediately be made public and that the recommendations made therein will be accepted and acted on by the relevant arms of the State.

For further questions or comments please contact: Nirad Tewarie, CEO AMCHAM T&T at niradtewarie@amchamtt.com.

END.

Business Chambers Call for Safe Zones at Business Places and Public Buildings

MEDIA RELEASE
13/12/2021

AMCHAM T&T, the Energy Chamber and the T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce continue to be concerned by the impact of the spread of COVID-19 on the society and economy. Over the almost two years that we have been dealing with the impact of the pandemic, the Joint Chambers have attempted to support the country’s response. As a collective and in partnership with other civic organisations, we have run vaccinations sites, developed and funded pro-vaccination campaigns and proposed various policy measures to assist in containing the spread of the virus while maintaining a reasonable level of economic activity.

Unfortunately, the virus continues to spread virtually unchecked throughout the population. Options for recreation and interaction are limited by public health measures, causing untold mental stress and the health services are under severe strain and in danger of being overwhelmed.

Despite the Government’s success in securing vaccines, vaccination rates remain low. The data from the Ministry of Health continues to show that nine of ten patients in hospital are unvaccinated. International data is showing that a third dose of the vaccine can reduce this number even further. Vaccination remains the single most effective tool we have in fighting the virus.

A few weeks ago, the Honourable Prime Minister outlined the approaches that the Government has taken over the past two years as well as additional measures taken by other countries. We also note with interest the Prime Minister’s comments in a recent interview, that the “government will have to do what is reasonable and feasible in order to give us the best protection in a pandemic.” On both occasions, he warned that if vaccination rates remain low, further action from the GORTT would be required. In the intervening period, there has been no significant increase in vaccination rates and high infection rates and numbers of deaths persist, unabated.

As such, the Chambers recommend the following to the Government:

1) Put in place the legal clarity to allow businesses to make their business places safe zones so that all employees (in both the public and private sectors), who do not have a medical reason not to be, must be vaccinated

2) Make all public buildings safe zones

The Chambers have already committed to the Ministry of Health that we will support additional efforts to vaccinate the population and administer boosters from January. We are open to providing other forms of support.

However, the time has come to take hard decisions in the interest of the wider population regarding vaccination. Trinidad and Tobago is in a crisis with regard to the continued rapid spread of the COVID 19 pandemic.

For further questions or comments please contact: Nirad Tewarie, CEO AMCHAM T&T at niradtewarie@amchamtt.com