MEDIA RELEASE
14/05/2025

A delegation from the American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T), led by CEO Nirad Tewarie and Vice President Giselle Thompson (bpTT), met with the recently appointed Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development, Senator the Honourable Kennedy Swaratsingh, on Tuesday, May 13th, 2025 at the Ministry’s offices.

Also representing AMCHAM T&T were Directors Griselle Smith (IBM) and Natasha Ashby (Atlantic LNG), along with Chair of the ESG Committee, Indu Sharma (QED Consulting). From the Ministry, Permanent Secretary Aarti Bedassie-Maharaj and Deputy Permanent Secretary Melanie Noel also participated in the discussions.

The meeting covered a wide range of topics, with a strong focus on the Government’s strategy for economic transformation and the facilitation of private sector investment. Discussions included the mobilization of capital for public projects, opportunities for increased private sector involvement in the economy, new growth sectors, the reconstitution of the Economic Development Advisory Board and Competitiveness Council, carbon credits, and the passage of legislation to operationalise the National Statistical Institute.

AMCHAM T&T welcomed the Minister’s forward-thinking approach and his openness to greater private sector collaboration. CEO Nirad Tewarie expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to engage in substantive dialogue:

"We thank Minister Swaratsingh for the open and constructive meeting. AMCHAM T&T looks forward to working with the Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development to advance these proposals and build on the collaboration between our respective organizations. There is great potential for public-private partnership to accelerate national development, and we are committed to supporting those efforts."

Minister Swaratsingh is expected to expand on several of the themes discussed during his Feature Address at the AMCHAM T&T ESG Leadership – Driving Economic Growth event, taking place on May 20th, 2025 at the Asa Wright Nature Centre.

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

(l-r) Griselle Smith – Director, AMCHAM T&T / Caribbean HR Lead, IBM; Natasha Ashby – Director, AMCHAM T&T / VP Legal, Atlantic LNG; Indu Sharma – Chair, ESG Committee, AMCHAM T&T; Giselle Thompson, VP AMCHAM T&T / VP Corporate Affairs bpTT; Senator the Honourable Kennedy Swaratsingh - Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development; Nirad Tewarie - CEO, AMCHAM T&T; Aarti Bedassie-Maharaj - Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development; Melanie Noel - Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development