TTMA IN THE NEWS
TTMA happy action being taken against illicit trade
The T&T Manufacturers Association (TTMA) says it is encouraged that action is being taken against those who contribute to illicit trade. This follows supermarket owners, Stephany Wong Low and Yunxuan Huang who were charged with selling illegal cigarettes and conducting illegal gambling at their businesses. According to the TTMA tackling illicit trade is important as it is linked to more organised criminal activities including human trafficking, drug trafficking and smuggling of firearms. Read more here
TTMA ‘encouraged’ after two owners charged
The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA) says it is encouraged to see action being taken against people who contribute to illicit trade because it believes tackling the problem is “important because it is linked to more organised criminal activities including human trafficking, drug trafficking and smuggling of firearms.” The manufacturers were responding yesterday to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) announcement that two supermarket owners have been charged with offences arising out of investigations into reports of illicit trade operations. Read more here
NEWS
218 new covid19 cases, eight new deaths
There are 218 new cases of the coronavirus, according to the Ministry of Health's 4 pm update on Wednesday. A media release from the Ministry of Health reported that the new cases were from samples taken between October 16 to October 19. The release also reported there are 4,292 total active positive cases. The ministry also confirmed there were eight additional deaths bringing the total number of covid19-related deaths to 1,621. Read more here
POLITICS
Browne calls out Gopeesingh in Senate: Political hypocrisy of the lowest order
Carnival stakeholders are being urged to use T&T’s new link with KLM Airlines to export the Carnival industry to the Rotterdam Carnival and jobs will be opening up ahead with hotel construction and operations. Tourism Minister Randall Mitchell indicated this in yesterday’s Senate debate of the 2022 Budget. Noting the recent resumption of KLM Airlines to T&T after a 20-year absence, Mitchell said the TT-Amsterdam route will open possibilities for market expansion, trade and tourism to the Netherlands and surrounding areas. This includes West Africa and India. The winter flights ahead will offer the potential to market Carnival and T&T’s sea, sun and sand offerings to Europe. Read more here
BUSINESS
Prudent Caribbean invests in self-care, supports vulnerable women, girls
David Chong Ling Jr, founder of Prudent Caribbean Ltd, is passionate about self-care in an era where many people seem too busy and put proper self-care on the last rung of their daily to-do list. His brainchild was born from a desire to produce safe and affordable self-care products that are also certified organic for people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds across the region. How does he feel about the company's growth, especially in an unprecedented business environment following the spread of covid19? Read more here
Caribbean’s travel and tourism expected to recover faster than rest of world
The Caribbean’s Travel & Tourism sector is recovering at a faster rate than any other region in the world, according to new research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The WTTC said that Caribbean’s Travel & Tourism contribution to GDP is expected to rise more than 47 per cent this year, compared to just 30.7 per cent globally. WTTC, which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, said the recovery of the sector globally has been hindered by the lack of international coordination, severe travel restrictions and slower vaccination rates. Read more here
REGIONAL
UAE logistics hub likely for Guyana
President, Dr Irfaan Ali, on Wednesday, said that Guyana wants to build a strong partnership with Abu Dhabi Ports to create a new logistics hub for the United Arab Emirates that will connect business opportunities in South America, Central America, the Caribbean, North America and West Africa. President Ali made the statement while visiting Abu Dhabi Ports’ ultra-modern temperature-controlled vaccine storage warehouse facility. The venue is also the home of the Hope Consortium at KIZAD and the Khalifa Port. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
COP26: Document leak reveals nations lobbying to change key climate report
A huge leak of documents seen by BBC News shows how countries are trying to change a crucial scientific report on how to tackle climate change. The leak reveals Saudi Arabia, Japan and Australia are among countries asking the UN to play down the need to move rapidly away from fossil fuels. It also shows some wealthy nations are questioning paying more to poorer states to move to greener technologies. This "lobbying" raises questions for the COP26 climate summit in November. The leak reveals countries pushing back on UN recommendations for action and comes just days before they will be asked at the summit to make significant commitments to slow down climate change and keep global warming to 1.5 degrees. Read more here
21st October 2021