TTMA IN THE NEWS
Trade missions: Fuelling economic growth, boosting exports
In response to the economic challenges posed by the covid19 pandemic, the government allocated $50 million in 2021 to stimulate and strengthen economic growth through overseas market development and export promotion. The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), in collaboration with exporTT and the TT Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) subsequently launched the Export Booster Initiative (EBI). This initiative aims to double the value of manufactured goods exports from $2.7 billion in 2019 to $5.4 billion by 2025 through a series of 16 initiatives grouped under three strategic areas: export promotion, capacity building and institutional strengthening. Read more here
NEWS
Murdered RideShare driver's mother: 'Youths don't value life'
The grief-stricken mother of the TT Ride Share driver who was found dead over the weekend is appealing to mothers to discipline their children. Her son, Shakeem Charles, 32, was reported missing on July 10 when he did not return home the day before. His vehicle was later found abandoned in Valencia. Apart from his daily job as an IT technician, he recently began as a driver with TT Ride Share to earn extra money. Read more here
Business leaders call for immediate action in response to ‘worrying’ crime
Members of the business community are frustrated and fed up with the recent spate of killings in the country. Business owners told Guardian Media yesterday that not only are they unhappy with the constant loss of lives, but they have been left daunted as the country’s economic future is under threat by gun-toting criminals. T&T recorded 19 murders between Thursday and yesterday. Among those killed were three men who were gunned down outside the Pizza Boys outlet in Cunupia on Sunday afternoon. A Rio Claro businesswoman identified as Carissa Ramrattan was also shot dead shortly after dropping off her vehicle to be serviced at Toyota Trinidad, South Park, San Fernando, on Saturday. Read more here
POLITICS
Govt, Opposition must come together to find solution to crime problem
Make an effort to fix crime together. That is the appeal from UNC MP Dinesh Rambally. He called for a crime-fighting agenda to be embarked upon in the next parliamentary session and for a group of MPs, academics, and security experts to be convened within a specific time frame to devise short-term solutions to crime. Rambally did so in a statement yesterday on the crime and murder situation, challenging political leaders of both Government and Opposition on the issue. Rambally said, “Our people and our country deserve leaders who are committed to taking decisive action to protect them. I urge all leaders, members of Government and Opposition to step up and fulfil their duties to the nation. The time for action is now.” His statement pertained to the murder rate, which reached unprecedented levels over the weekend. He said, “Murder enjoyed perhaps its most enviable performance in many years this past weekend, yet another instalment in the ongoing crime and no-punishment story that is T&T. Read more here
Judge: Police commissioners cannot be 'thin-skinned'
A High Court judge says a commissioner of police (CoP) cannot be thin-skinned. Justice Carol Gobin made this comment in a judgement on a case between former CoP Gary Griffith and blogger Rhoda Bharath on July 11. The case involved a defamation claim Griffith made against Bharath for two posts she made on her Facebook page on February 3 and 4, 2021, related to the death of Andrew Morris at hospital on February 1, 2021. Morris was one of the suspects in the kidnap and murder of Andrea Bharatt. A clerk at the Arima Magistrates Court, Bharatt was last seen alive on January 29, 2021. Her body was found at the Heights of Aripo on February 4, 2021. Read more here
BUSINESS
Solis IPO opens today
Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has launched its inaugural flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico. The flight left the Piarco International Airport, Trinidad, at 10.50 a.m. on Sunday. “This new route is part of the airline’s strategic plan to enhance connectivity within the Caribbean region. Flights to San Juan will operate three times per week (Sunday, Tuesday and Friday) from the airline’s base in Trinidad, with convenient connections to other destinations,” a release from Caribbean Airlines stated. “The first flight to San Juan was marked with celebrations for the passengers, who received goody bags with Caribbean Airlines-branded items, and who were entertained by the talented Leandra Head. Upon arrival in Puerto Rico, the aircraft was greeted with a traditional water salute, and travellers were welcomed with authentic Puerto Rican entertainment,” it stated. Read more here
Planting Seeds TV series welcomes Jamaican billionaire investor
Minister of Trade Paula Gopee-Scoon will join Jamaican business stalwart and billionaire, Joseph Matalon, and Republic Bank executive Karen Yip Chuck on a panel for the filming of Planting Seeds, a TV series where local entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a panel of investors for the opportunity to secure funding and mentorship. In a statement on July 15, Planting Seeds said it would begin filming its latest season with the first panel on July 20. It said there would be 13 episodes filmed, some in Trinidad and Tobago and others in Jamaica, where National Commercial Bank (NCB) executive chairman Michael Lee Chin will join the panel. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Bandaged Trump gets rapturous welcome at Republican convention
With a bandage strapped over one ear, Donald Trump made a triumphant return to the public eye on Monday evening at the Republican National Convention, receiving a rapturous welcome from thousands of supporters two days after an attempt on his life. The former president entered the convention arena in Milwaukee with a fist raised and to the strains of a live performance of “God Bless the USA”. He then slowly walked through cheering crowds of delegates - some with tears in their eyes - before greeting key political allies and members of his family, including three of his children, but not his wife Melania. Read more here
16th July 2024