TTMA IN THE NEWS
T&T launches trade mission to Dominica
Amid the growing concern about foreign exchange constraints in the country, the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers' Association (TTMA) is hoping the ongoing trade mission to Dominica will help the situation. TTMA Chief Executive Officer Mahindra Ramdeen said he hopes the four-day mission would be beneficial in particular for emerging businesses as the association views Dominica as a distinctive opportunity for both T&T and the Dominican economy. "The prime objective is to grow the exports into Dominica and so earn foreign exchange for themselves and be able to build a mutual relationship with current trading partners," said Ramdeen, "As I said, these SMEs, Premier Label, Avaire (Aviaire Body Products), Half Moon (Halfmoon Vegan Ice Cream), which is a winner of our Manufacturer of the Year small category, they are all participating in the trade mission and we look forward to significant benefits and opportunities to be created, not just for the local manufacturers, but for the participants from the Dominican side, where, as I said, there are many synergistic advantages that could be had from forging these relationships." Read more here
NEWS
Police: Over 200 gang members arrested since start of SoE
Police have arrested more than 200 gang members since the state of emergency (SoE) began on December 30. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) North West and Special Operations Richard Smith gave the update while speaking at a police media briefing at the Police Administration Building on January 20. Smith said 204 people “from gangs or involved in gang activity” have been arrested with the majority held in the Port of Spain division, while none have been held in Tobago. Read more here
Local man recalls gifting steelpan to US President Trump
When professional pan player Leslie Jordano and his band received an invitation to perform at a high-profile event in October 1996, he had no idea it would lead to a memorable connection with billionaire businessman Donald Trump. Now, almost 30 years later, as Trump reclaimed the US presidency, yesterday, Jordano said he was honoured to watch his inauguration and reminisce on their unique encounter with a mix of nostalgia and pride. Read more here
POLITICS
CARICOM to send observers when Trinidad and Tobago elections called
CARICOM has accepted the Government's invitation to send observers for the 2025 general elections, a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) said on January 20. "The Secretary-General of Caricom, Dr Carla Barnett CBE, has accepted the invitation extended to the Caricom Secretariat by Dr the Honourable Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, to deploy an election observation mission to oversee this year's general elections." Read more here
Kamla says previous US administration a disaster; blames woke agenda for defeat
Deviating from her otherwise congratulatory message to the incoming President Trump, Persad-Bissessar made her feelings on the outgoing Biden’s tenure known. “The previous administration in the United States has been a disaster for the American people and the world. They focused on pushing a woke, extreme left-wing agenda that offended basic common sense and morality, overturned the norms of civilised public life, disoriented and mutilated children, censored and cancelled dissenting views, disparaged religious and conservative values, fuelled wars around the world, weaponised the judicial system against political opponents and increased nepotism, corruption, crime, poverty, homelessness, and wealth inequality,” Persad-Bissessar said in a statement. Read more here
BUSINESS
Trump’s energy plan could impact T&T exports
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley focused on representatives from the United States Democratic party who are now “unplugged from power”, says former energy minister Kevin Ramnarine. The Express spoke to Ramnarine yesterday about President Donald Trump’s move to declare a national energy emergency aimed at boosting US oil and gas production, and lowering costs for US consumers. Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyana looks forward to further advancing co-operation with US
President, Dr Irfaan Ali, while extending warm congratulations to the 47th President of the United States, Donald J Trump on his inauguration, emphasised the importance of further strengthening the long-standing relations between Guyana and the United States. President Ali, in a Facebook Post, wrote: “Congratulations to President Donald J Trump on your inauguration as the 47th President of the United States of America. As you begin a new chapter of your leadership and service, I extend best wishes on this great responsibility. “The Government of Guyana looks forward to working closely with you and your administration to forge stronger ties between our two nations in the years ahead.” Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Trump declares border emergency and seeks to end US birthright citizenship
From behind his desk in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump signed a flurry of executive orders and decrees aimed at cracking down on immigration. From one order tackling the definition of birthright citizenship, to another declaring illegal immigration at the border a national emergency, Trump swiftly made moves on his promises to tighten the US-Mexico border.But some of his plans - particularly around changing the definition of birthright citizenship - are likely to face significant hurdles. Read more here
21st January 2025