Good evening, everyone.

It is truly an honor to welcome you to AMCHAM T&T’s annual Ambassador’s Reception.
As many of you know, this event is a special opportunity for us to extend our deepest thanks to our members and key stakeholders for their continued collaboration, commitment, and support over the past year (and the past three decades).

We are incredibly grateful for the steps each of you has taken alongside us on this journey, which began at the residence of the then U.S. Ambassador more than 30 years ago. Over the last three decades, our journey has been nothing short of remarkable. AMCHAM T&T’s unwavering commitment to driving positive change in our nation, and fostering peace and prosperity for all by strengthening the rule of law, has been made possible through the collective efforts of many of you in this room today. Thanks to you, we have navigated challenges and opened new opportunities for our citizens and our country.

Certainly, given our current challenges, I hope we all carry this mindset forward into all of 2025. The New Year presents a time for reflection and resolution, a chance to learn from our past, face new challenges, and set new goals. That sense of fresh beginnings, of starting anew, is something I truly treasure about this time of year.

The past year has certainly had its difficulties, but with every challenge we faced, we discovered new opportunities to grow, tap into our resilience, and adjust our course. Sometimes, this may lead us down unexpected paths. So, we constantly ask ourselves, do we buckle under pressure, or do we do what we have always done: LEAD!

This is exactly what AMCHAM T&T’s Board and I intend to do on behalf of all our members here tonight, and by extension, our nation. For three decades, we have built a foundation of strong leadership, fostering excellence, and driving progress to deepen relationships with our partners and stakeholders. Our collective efforts have led to increased opportunities for trade facilitation and promoted progressive, inclusive measures to improve the ease of doing business in Trinidad and Tobago.

This work hasn’t always been easy, but through it all, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to the task at hand. Together with the U.S. Embassy, we are hosting this event to express our gratitude for your partnership and to renew our collective commitment to advancing the goals we share. Together, we can build a more prosperous future for our businesses and our nation.

Tonight, I also want to express my deep appreciation for the strong relationship that AMCHAM T&T continues to have with the Embassy. Under Ambassador Bond’s expert leadership, this relationship has flourished. Indeed, I think it is as strong today as it has ever been. On behalf of my board and myself, Ambassador, I hope you know just how much this means to us. We are incredibly grateful for your leadership and the hard work of your team at the U.S. Embassy.

Over the past year, under the Ambassador’s leadership, our collaborations have led to some remarkable benefits for our members, including a high-level meeting with the Chair of the U.S. Export-Import Bank, Ms. Reta Jo Lewis, following the US$500 million MoU signed between the Exim Bank and our country. This partnership is designed to stimulate economic growth, improve national security, and create a more vibrant business climate.
In collaboration with the US Embassy, we hosted a reception for members with a high-level Congressional Delegation in 2023. This delegation was led by the Democratic Leader in the US Congress Rep. Hakim Jefferies.

I also want to highlight a recent meeting facilitated by Ambassador Bond with the U.S. Ambassadors to Guyana, Barbados, and Suriname. This event provided our members with the opportunity to engage in one-on-one informal discussions with diplomats from the U.S. attached to these countries, fostering stronger trade and investment ties.

As many of you know, creating a vibrant investment climate for our nation remains a top priority for AMCHAM T&T. Over the past three years, AMCHAM T&T has facilitated B2B meetings for 11 U.S. companies as part of their market exploration in Trinidad and Tobago, some of which were referred to us by the U.S. Embassy. These efforts resulted in approximately 75 meetings with local companies and government entities in Trinidad and Tobago, with additional discussions currently ongoing. These initiatives have provided significant opportunities for our members to engage with international partners and expand their business horizons.

This aligns perfectly with the goal of expanding trade between U.S. businesses and T&T. The initial feedback has been very positive, indicating strong potential for future collaborations. Once again, we are grateful to the U.S. Embassy for providing these valuable opportunities, which we believe will enhance the competitiveness of our private sector and contribute to the long-term success of both their businesses and our nation.

These are just a few examples of the significant achievements that have come from our strong partnership with the Embassy. Our collective efforts are making a tangible difference, and our influence continues to grow, benefitting our members in profound ways.

I want to assure all our members that more initiatives are on the horizon – particularly in areas like strengthening cyber resilience and expanding trade and investment relations.
As we gather tonight to celebrate these successes, there is also a sense of bittersweetness. Tonight, we sadly bid farewell to our dynamic Ambassador Bond, whose engagement and support of AMCHAM T&T over the past two years have been instrumental in our mission and success.

Ambassador Bond, on behalf of the Board of AMCHAM T&T, I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generosity in hosting us this evening and for your exceptional leadership in strengthening the partnership between our organizations. 

I wish you continued success and fulfillment in all your future endeavors. If your approach to new opportunities is anything like the dedication and service you’ve shown to our country, I have no doubt that success will continue to follow you wherever you go.

As I conclude, I want to leave you with this message: we know that challenges lie ahead, and that change is inevitable. But let us face these challenges head-on with the same commitment, passion, and determination that Ambassador Bond has exemplified in her tenure. Keep a positive outlook, remember that your greatest asset is your people, and let’s continue to collaborate in building a nation where every citizen benefits, and where our collective efforts lead to a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

Thank you, everyone, and God bless.