NEWS
Masqueraders keep old-time mas alive in traditional and conventional competition
It was a celebration of tradition and culture at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Sunday, as the TT Carnival Bands Association (TTCBA) and the National Carnival Commission (NCC) hosted the Traditional and Conventional Mas Competition. The crowd of spectators was small, with less than 100 patrons looking on at the revellers as they crossed the stage. The revellers were separated into several categories including gorilla, jab molassie, fancy sailor, robber, bat and minstrel. At the mid-point of the competition there was a performance by soca star Swappi who performed some of his hits such as Feeling it and Jumbie Head. Read more here
Voluntary product recall of Similac, Alimentum and Elecare powder formulas
The Ministry of Health (MoH), via the Chemistry Food and Drugs Division (CFDD), has issued an advisory concerning the voluntary recall of specified batches of Similac, Alimentum and Elecare Powder Formula from Abbottt Nutrition, an international manufacturer of baby formulas. “Although Trinidad and Tobago was not included in the United States Food and Drug Administration’s (USFDA) recall notification advisory, which lists the countries where the recalled products were imported,” the Ministry explained, “the Ministry of Health engaged the local distributor to conduct a reconciliation exercise (including physical stock check and review of importation invoices). This was done in recognition of the complexity of the supply chain management for such items.” Read more here
POLITICS
Gopeesingh: Let CoP, DPP probe handling of pandemic
Former education minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh urged the Commissioner of Police and Director of Public Prosecutions to investigate the Government's handling of the covid19 pandemic, at a UNC briefing on Sunday at the Opposition Leader's office in Port of Spain. He alleged "criminal negligence and misconduct in public office," as he commented on a report laid in the House of Representatives on Friday by a three-person team under Prof Terence Seemungal. Gopeesingh said the report confirmed the Opposition's recommendations over two years of the pandemic, which he said the Government had repeatedly rejected. Read more here
BUSINESS
Blackout puts pressure on Point Lisas
Wednesday’s blackout all but crippled the Point Lisas Industrial Estate with most of the plants having to shut down. Tens of millions of US dollars were lost in production, which cannot now be recovered, resulting in a loss of money, and in particular, foreign exchange to the country. In fact, almost two days after the incident not all the plants were back into full production because the power failure meant the petrochemical plants would have to be restarted safely, which takes time. Fitzroy Harewood, president of the Point Lisas Industrial Estate Association (PLEA) which represents the petrochemical companies admitted that many of them were down because of the loss of electricity and this cost millions of US dollars. Read more here
A priority for Govt
The Government has made improving the ease of doing business (EODB) a priority of the current Government of Trinidad and Tobago from day one, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said yesterday. In a news release, MTI said that, as such, ministries and agencies have been aggressively implementing a package of transformative reforms, which are aimed at reducing the time, cost and procedures involved in the major trade and business processes in the country. Read more here
REGIONAL
Small businesses expanding
Big companies are at the centre of attention in the oil-and-gas sector, but many small businesses have quietly begun to also position themselves to capitalise on opportunities that will be there for them. Some of these businesses featured at the recent “Duty-Free Shop” at the Umana Yana told the Guyana Chronicle that they see big room for growth in the expanding oil-and-gas sector. Artisanal craft-maker, Frankie Limerick, said he firmly believes that there is a niche in Guyana’s growing economy for his business, which retails handmade mirrors, decorated tables, jewellery boxes, ornaments and other craft items. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Ukraine tensions: Biden agrees in principle to summit with Putin
US President Joe Biden has agreed "in principle" to hold a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the crisis over Ukraine. The talks proposed by France will only take place if Russia does not invade its neighbour, the White House said. The Kremlin, meanwhile, said there were no "concrete plans" for a summit. It is hoped that such talks could offer a possible diplomatic solution to one of the worst security crises in Europe in decades. US officials say intelligence suggests Russia is ready to launch a military operation, which Moscow denies. Read more here
21st February 2022