TTMA IN THE NEWS
Business groups hail improving Venezuela relations
TTMA and Amcham T&T are calling for renewed commercial engagement with Venezuela to go beyond energy, as the they see opportunities for local manufacturers, exporters, and investors as relations between the two countries improve. The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA), in a release issued yesterday, congratulated Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers and Permanent Secretary Randall Karim on their engagement with Venezuela. TTMA said the discussions have created a roadmap for greater cooperation in trade, energy, agriculture, environmental protection, culture, national security and cross-border matters. The association is proposing a dedicated non-energy trade agreement or protocol between T&T and Venezuela to operate alongside any energy agreements. Read more here
TTMA sees Venezuela as key market
Trinidad and Tobago manufacturers are looking to a renewed relationship with Venezuela to open a potentially lucrative nearby market for locally made goods, as the two countries move to deepen cooperation in trade, energy, agriculture and security. Dr Ramesh Ramdeen, chief executive officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA), said greater access to Venezuela could help T&T significantly expand its exports while also providing manufacturers with a nearby source of raw materials and other production inputs. Read more here
NEWS
Machel honoured as soca lights up Brooklyn
Soca star Machel Montano received multiple official honours in New York last Thursday, as thousands gathered outside the Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) to watch the story of his life and career projected onto the façade of the landmark building. The September 3 event featured an outdoor screening of the documentary Like Ah Boss: Journey of a Soca King at BPL’s Central Library, transforming the building and surrounding plaza into a vibrant celebration of Trinidad and Tobago’s music and culture. Read more here
POLITICS
KAMLA WARNS STUDENTS
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has urged teachers to send disruptive students home and leave parents to deal with them, signalling a zero-tolerance approach to indiscipline as schools reopen for the 2026/2027 academic year today. In a strongly worded social media message yesterday, Persad-Bissessar called on teachers and principals to adopt a no-nonsense stance toward disrespectful and misbehaving students, as well as uncooperative parents and guardians. “I strongly urge you to adopt a zero-tolerance policy to disrespectful and misbehaved students and parents. Don’t stress out yourselves trying to help persons who don’t want to be helped. If students refuse to behave properly and parents are ignoring your concerns, send them straight home and let them and their parents battle it out in their house,” Persad-Bissessar said. Read more here
BUSINESS
CAL eyes stronger, more resilient future
CARIBBEAN AIRLINES is pressing ahead with a transformation programme to strengthen the State-owned carrier’s operations, customer service and financial sustainability, chairman Reyna Kowlessar has said. “As we emerge from another successful summer travel season, our focus remains firmly on the future. Across the organisation, we are advancing a comprehensive transformation programme designed to strengthen Caribbean Airlines for the long term: enhancing operational performance, improving customer experience, and ensuring the airline remains economically sustainable in an increasingly competitive global aviation industry,” Kowlessar stated. Read more here
REGIONAL
Hinterland power generation surges from 1.62MW to 17.5MW
PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali has hailed what he described as a “revolution in energy” across indigenous Guyana, claiming electricity generation in hinterland communities has surged by more than 1,000 per cent from 1.62 megawatts to almost 17.5 megawatts through hydropower, solar farms and household solar systems that are now lighting homes, powering health posts and keeping young teachers in their villages. Addressing the opening of the 2026 Amerindian Heritage Month celebrations at the Amerindian Village, Sophia, the president framed electricity as a cornerstone of his administration’s wider programme to modernise Amerindian communities and ensure they benefit directly from Guyana’s economic expansion. Praising the work of Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, Dr Ali said the transformation of power supply in the hinterland was deliberate and people-centred. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
How significant are AfD's historic gains for Germany and the rest of Europe?
"Seismic", "a socio-political earthquake", "a watershed moment for Germany". This was how political analysts and many media outlets described the stunning victory of the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in local elections in Germany on Sunday. Is that an exaggeration? Saxony-Anhalt is one of the smallest of massive Germany's 16 regions. It boasts a mere 1.7 million out of 59 million eligible voters nationwide. How significant can its political sentiments be, especially since the AfD narrowly failed to win an outright majority? The answer: Very significant. First and foremost, at home in Germany. Read more here
7th September 2026