TTMA IN THE NEWS
TTMA happy with Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana MOU
The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) believes the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between TT and Guyana will be the catalyst for free trade and an improved single market. In a media release on Monday, TTMA president Tricia Coosal said the agreement solidified existing trade relationships between the two countries. She said, “The TTMA endorses the collaboration between the two governments and commends the heads of state on their foresight in the signing of the MOU, which includes, inter alia, the areas of trade and investment, agriculture and food security, security, energy and infrastructure. Read more here
Chamber, TTMA praise Guyana, TT MOU
The T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association were both full of praise following the signing of the Guyana - T&T Memorandum Of Understanding over the weekend. In a release the TTCIC said, “The recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by the Governments of Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago is a significant step forward for trade and investment relations between our two countries and CARICOM as a whole.” The Chamber noted, the MOU, which is targeted at agriculture, food security, energy, education, national security and tourism, “comes at a critical time when the world is facing threats to global supply chains, extreme weather events, security issues and rising costs of living.” Read more here
T&T Chamber pledges to work on trade barriers
The business community yesterday welcomed Sunday’s signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by the governments of Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago as a significant step forward for trade and investment relations between the two countries. In a news release yesterday, the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce said the MOU, which is targeted at agriculture, food security, energy, education, national security and tourism, comes at a critical time when the world is facing threats to global supply chains, extreme weather events and rising costs of living. Read more here
NEWS
Paria diving tragedy enquiry in pre-hearing stage
The Commission of Enquiry (CoE) into the tragic deaths of four divers at a pipeline at Pointe-a-Pierre belonging to Paria Fuel Trading Company Ltd in February, is in its pre-hearing stage. Finance Minister Colm Imbert made this statement in the House of Representatives on Monday. The CoE was appointed on April 22. The commission is chaired by of former head of Jamaica's Appeal Court Justice Cecil Dennis Morrison QC (chairman). Local sub sea specialist Gregory Wilson is a member of the commission. Former attorney general Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj is its lead counsel. Read more here
Economists disagree with two per cent offer to public servants
Economist Dr Vaalmikki Arjoon has expressed the view that the wage increase offer put on the table by the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO) for public sector workers is simply not enough. “The proposed two per cent hike in salaries is minuscule and quite frankly unfair, especially given the increase in prices and the overall cost of living since the last time salaries increased in 2013,” Dr Arjoon, a finance lecturer at the University of the West Indies, said yesterday. Read more here
POLITICS
MPs argue over local government issues
Government and Opposition MPs argued over several local government issues as debate on a motion to approve a report from the Joint Select Committee (JSC) on the Miscellaneous Provisions (Local Government Reform) Bill, 2020, continued in the House on Monday. The motion was eventually approved by the House. Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh claimed the aspirations of 1.4 million people in Trinidad and Tobago, who desire local government reform, are being held hostage by 19 opposition MPs. He cited a minority report which opposition members of the JSC attached to the committee's main report as evidence of this. Read more here
PM: Call regarding funding from Bill Gates Foundation came from scammer
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley says information he received suggesting that Trinidad and Tobago was being offered significant funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in fact, came from a scammer who was seeking to get money from him. He said he will report the matter to the police. The Prime Minister had told a news conference Sunday that he had received word from the United Nations’ General Secretary saying that T&T was in place to receive the funding. However, the Prime Minister issued a statement yesterday saying it was all a scam. Read more here
BUSINESS
Carvalho: Covid19 stigmatised cruise ships
The bad experiences and publicity that came out of the cruise-ship industry during covid19 have led some people, including employees, to stigmatise cruise ships as dangerous, said CEO of Carvalho’s Cruise Services Ltd Charles Carvalho. He said after the Diamond Princess cruise ship outbreak in February 2020, when 712 people were infected, resulting in 13 deaths, countries handled cruise ships poorly. “Cruise lines were debarred from going to various destinations because of covid19,” Carvalho said. “They had to anchor offshore with crew members on board. That was the ill, because some crew members committed suicide because they were marooned on the ship." Read more here
Renewed cooperation between countries
Guyana’s Private Sector Commission (PSC) yesterday called on the private sector in Trinidad and Tobago to collaborate with its counterparts in the South American country to drive better trade and economic relations made possible by the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed by both governments on Sunday. In a news release, PSC said it welcomed the signing of the MOU on Renewed and Enhanced Cooperation between the governments of Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana. The organisation said it recognises the commitment made by the leaders of both countries to collaborate in areas of trade and investment, agriculture and food security, security, energy, and infrastructure. Read more here
REGIONAL
Assistance for unemployed Uitvlugt Estate sugar workers
Workers from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo)’s Uitvlugt Estate who have been unable to work due to the factory experiencing mechanical problems will be provided with assistance from the government. On Monday, Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo gave this assurance when he met with the affected workers to discuss how the administration could provide support. Pointing to the current labour shortages, Vice-President Jagdeo called on those in attendance to take advantage of training opportunities almost immediately available through the government. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Partygate: Boris Johnson facing questions after photos emerge
Boris Johnson is facing fresh questions after photos showing the prime minister drinking at an event during a Covid lockdown were published. The pictures, released by ITV News, are believed to show the prime minister at a leaving party on 13 November 2020. The BBC has been told that at least one person who attended the event was fined, but the PM was not. The Metropolitan Police are facing calls to explain why Mr Johnson did not receive a fine. A government source told BBC News the photos may have been taken by the official No 10 photographer and proved Mr Johnson was there in a work capacity. Read more here
24th May 2022