TTMA IN THE NEWS
TTMA unveils plans for convention centre, exports, SMEs
Trinidad and Tobago's manufacturing sector has been praised for its resilience, regional solidarity and contribution to national development. TT Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) president Dale Parson said the industry now employs more than 60,000 people and remains a key stabiliser for the economy. Speaking at the TTMA President’s Dinner and Awards at the Hyatt Regency on November 4, Parson also disclosed that more than $5 million in goods and cash was raised within 24 hours to support Jamaica’s recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa. He said the support was mobilised through a partnership between the TTMA and the government. Read more here
Maharaj: Govt targets US$5b export boost in 5 years
Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism, Satyakama Maharaj, says there are plans to boost this country’s exports by US$5 billion over the next five years. Speaking at the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) President’s Dinner at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain, Maharaj said the initiative is part of the Government’s broader strategy to drive investment and strengthen the country’s export base. “We are aiming for export growth of US$2 billion in two years and US$5 billion in five years,” Maharaj said. Read more here
TTMA mobilises $5m in aid for hurricane-hit Jamaica
PRESIDENT of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) Dale Parson revealed that more than $5 million in goods and cash was sent to Jamaica following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. Speaking at the TTMA President’s Dinner and Awards at the Hyatt Regency, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain, yesterday, Parson said, “The TTMA, in partnership with the Office of the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, mobilised private sector assistance in excess of over $5 million in goods and cash for our Jamaica brothers and sisters within just one day.” Read more here
Govt to launch new ‘Buy Local’ campaign
T&T’s manufacturing sector contributed an estimated US$10.6 billion in 2025, excluding petroleum and chemical products — a significant increase that underscores its role as a key pillar in the country’s economic diversification strategy. Reinforcing this momentum, over 80 reinvestments in non-energy manufacturing were recorded last year, injecting US$1.25 billion back into the economy and signalling strong confidence in the nation’s trajectory. These figures were spotlighted at the TTMA President’s Dinner and Awards, where the Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism Satyakama “Kama” Maharaj outlined the Government’s ambitious targets: US$2 billion in export growth over two years, US$5 billion over five years, and US$3 billion in new investments within two years and US$9 billion over five years. The plan also includes the creation of 3,000 new jobs, with success hinging on deep collaboration between Government and industry. Read more here
Guyana looks to build manufacturing hub with low-cost electricity coming soon
With Guyana expecting to begin producing electricity from natural gas as soon as next year, the country’s manufacturing sector is positioning itself to become the Caribbean’s next major manufacturing hub. Guyana plans to develop a natural gas-based power system that could cut electricity costs by more than half from US$0.31 per kilowatt-hour to roughly US$0.12, said president of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Rafeek Khan, in an exclusive interview with the Business Guardian on Monday evening. He said Guyana’s push to lower its energy costs will be a game changer for regional industry. “It’s a no-brainer,” Khan asserted. “Once we achieve that level of energy cost reduction, companies will be positioning themselves in Guyana.” He noted that while Trinidadian manufacturers may not relocate entirely, many are already eyeing expansion through satellite operations and joint ventures as Guyana’s infrastructure and logistics improve. “Government investment in logistics, road and river networks is lowering costs. That’s a big draw,” he said. Read more here
NEWS
US appeal court upholds US$131m Piarco airport judgment
The Florida Third District Court of Appeal has again upheld the US$131 million judgment against businessman Steve Ferguson, concluding a 19-year legal battle that accused him of orchestrating a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme tied to the construction of the Piarco International Airport. In a ruling on November 5, Third District Court of Appeal judges Thomas Logue, Monica Gordo and Fleur Lobree affirmed a Miami-Dade County jury’s finding that Ferguson committed civil fraud, conspired to commit fraud, and violated Florida’s Civil Remedies for Criminal Practices Act and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO. The ruling rejected Ferguson’s arguments that the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago had not proven a “domestic injury,” a key requirement under federal RICO law. Read more here
POLITICS
Phillipine family robbed, PM reaffirms stand-your-ground proposal
A family of seven from south Trinidad was violently awakened in their home by gunmen who pretended to be police. Police said the ordeal happened around 3 am on November 4 when the family, including five children, was awakened by shouts of “Police! Police!” outside their home along the SS Erin Road in Phillipine, the same community where Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC lives. According to reports, six masked gunmen kicked open the front door and stormed the house. They demanded money from home-owner Vijay Ragoonanan, a gardener. Ragoonanan told them he had no money, but the intruders struck him several times in the face with their guns. Read more here
BUSINESS
Supply Solutions strengthens SME procurement
Already an agile competitor in engineering and construction, Supply Solutions Ltd is now set to secure its place as a go-to name in procurement, especially for small to medium-sized businesses. In a release, Supply Solutions said it is eyeing the regional and international market as well as strengthening its domestic market reach. Nicholas Ottley, CEO of Supply Solutions, said, "What I have the ability to do is take your problem and put the mechanism in place to solve that problem. That’s my product." Ottley, who runs an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) business, only recently focused specifically on procurement. He said the global procurement industry, like all world business, is affected by the new US tariff policy announced in April. Read more here
REGIONAL
Comprehensive slew of measures, cash transfers to strengthen social, economic empowerment
President Dr. Irfaan Ali has announced that his government will unveil a comprehensive package of measures before the end of the year aimed at empowering all categories of Guyanese, including persons living with disabilities, the elderly, women, children, farmers and small business owners. During an interview aired on News Room on Wednesday, the President said the forthcoming initiatives will not only provide direct cash transfers to families but also focus on broader programmes designed to strengthen social and economic empowerment across the country. “I’m going to announce a comprehensive slew of measures that would include, of course, cash transfer to families before the end of the year. That will take us not only into the next year, but will take us into our cycle of government in the next five years,” the Head of State said. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Inside Gaza, BBC sees total devastation after two years of war
From an embankment overlooking Gaza City, there's no hiding what this war has done. The Gaza of maps and memories is gone, replaced by a monochrome landscape of rubble stretching flat and still for 180 degrees, from Beit Hanoun on one side to Gaza City on the other. Beyond the distant shapes of buildings still standing inside Gaza City, there's almost nothing left to orient you here, or identify the neighbourhoods that once held tens of thousands of people. This was one of the first areas Israeli ground troops entered in the early weeks of the war. Since then they have been back multiple times, as Hamas regrouped around its strongholds in the area. Read more here
6th November 2025