(l-r) Peter Kalicharan - Mitigation Manager | Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management; Tracey Ann Ramkissoon - Risk Officer | NDPPM; Arianna Gayadeen - Project Assistant | AMCHAM T&T; Wendy Dickson - Business Continuity Coordinator; and Lt Cdr. Kirk Jean-Baptiste - Training and Education Specialist | ODPM

MEDIA RELEASE
19/05/2025

The American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T), in partnership with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) and ARISE Trinidad and Tobago, hosted a Business Continuity Workshop on May 16th, 2025, aimed at equipping Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with the tools and strategies to mitigate disruption and ensure long-term business resilience.

The workshop, held at the University of the West Indies (UWI) St. Augustine campus, brought together SME leaders, risk managers, and business operators from across industries as part of AMCHAM T&T’s broader commitment to private sector resilience. This timely session was held in commemoration of National Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Month and focused on empowering businesses to anticipate, plan, and recover from potential crises. With 30 participants representing 16 companies, it was also the highest attendance at the workshop since its inception—highlighting the growing recognition of the importance of business continuity planning.

Facilitated by Wendy Dickson, Business Continuity Coordinator and a member of the AMCHAM T&T ARISE Committee, the session covered key principles of Business Continuity Planning (BCP), the importance of executive buy-in, and the need for practical recovery strategies to reduce business disruption.

Nirad Tewarie, CEO of AMCHAM T&T, emphasized the urgency of proactive planning to ensure a resilient private sector: "Business Continuity Planning is no longer a luxury. It’s a must. In an increasingly connected and unpredictable world, the risks are coming at us faster and hitting harder. Many of us have felt that firsthand—whether through flooding, cyberattacks, supply chain disruptions, or the effects of economic instability. If there’s one lesson we have learned, it’s that waiting until a crisis hit is no longer an option."

Tewarie also highlighted the significance of cross-sector collaboration:
“This is our third consecutive year working alongside the ODPM on this initiative. Through our work with ARISE T&T and this workshop, we are reinforcing our mission to not only protect individual businesses but to safeguard national stability and economic growth through collective action.”

Meanwhile, Lt Cdr. Kirk Jean-Baptiste, Training and Education Specialist at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), emphasized the importance of readiness: “Business Continuity Planning is a vital part of being prepared as a home, community or business enterprise in the event of a disaster. As we approach the Wet and Hurricane season it is important that we Strengthen Our Awareness/Attitudes in order to be Resilient (S.O.A.R).”

Following the workshop, AMCHAM T&T in partnership with the ODPM and the ARISE Committee will be launching the Business Continuity Self-Assessment Survey in Mid-June to provide additional tools and tailored resources on the AMCHAM T&T website to help companies build and enhance their business continuity plans. 

The Business Continuity Workshop underscores AMCHAM T&T’s leadership in building a resilient private sector prepared to mitigate the impacts and manage future challenges that follow disasters. AMCHAM T&T extends its gratitude to all participants and partners who contributed to the success of this event.

END.

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