TTMA IN THE NEWS
Fyzabad Chamber against flotation
Fyzabad Chamber of Commerce president Angie Jairam is of the strong view that floating the dollar will take inflation up. Speaking at the chamber’s Christmas dinner over the weekend at Paria Suites Hotel, Jairam said it has been reiterated in many sectors that investment must be done in the agriculture, technology, education, and tourism sectors to become foreign exchange earners and come away from the dependency of oil and gas. “The foreign exchange issues—have tested us all. These issues don’t just affect our balance sheets; they impact our lives, our families, and our communities. But despite these hardships, I am continuously inspired by the creativity, tenacity, and resourcefulness that our business community and by extension, our citizens aptly demonstrate every day,” Jairam stressed. Read more here
SWWTU hauled before the Industrial Court — Port protests halted
PORT WORKERS' protests have been stopped dead in its tracks after the Port Authority (PATT) was granted an interim injunction against the workers and their trade union in a case brought before the Industrial Court on November 19. President of the Industrial Court Heather Seale granted the injunction. This comes six days after four of the country's major business chambers – the TT Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the TT Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA), the American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham) and the Energy Chamber – called on Government to resolve the impasse at the Port of Port of Spain. Read more here
NEWS
Observing International Men’s Day, Ex-Servicemen champion health, mentorship
In observance of International Men’s Day, the Trinidad and Tobago Ex-Servicemen Association yesterday staged a march in San Fernando to celebrate men’s contributions. Led by their president, Lester Johnson, the group walked from Coffee Street to Harris Promenade. Johnson, a retired Warrant Officer Class One in the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, said the association was formed in 2008 and comprises 30 members, but they are aiming to increase their membership. Encouraging men to be positive role models, Johnson said mentorship plays an important role in keeping young people on the right path. “I think we are looking at mentorship as a serious part of it. Previously people used to say the community is responsible for bringing up the child. We need to go back to those roots and have people involved in it and create proper mentors for the persons coming up now.” Read more here
POLITICS
PM off to Caricom-India Summit in Guyana
The Prime Minister left for Georgetown, Guyana on November 19 to participate in the second Caricom-India Summit which will be attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A statement from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) said Dr Rowley will join regional heads of government for the summit which focuses on improving co-operation in agriculture and food security, health and pharmaceuticals, and science and innovation, among other areas. Read more here
BUSINESS
Gopee-Scoon tells businesses: ‘Take lead in diversification’
Minister of Trade and Industry Paula Gopee-Scoon has encouraged entrepreneurs to take the lead in diversifying the economy by creating internationally competitive products for export. She made the call in her address at the closing ceremony of the Fit For Europe II workshop, a 16-month programme aimed a giving businesses the capacity to export successfully to markets in the European Union (EU), at the Trinidad Hilton on November 18. Read more here
REGIONAL
GPHC launches ‘Operation Brain Tumour’
THE Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), on Tuesday, announced the launch of “Operation Brain Tumour” a groundbreaking initiative aimed at reducing the national backlog of patients diagnosed with brain tumours. Central to this initiative is the acquisition of the CUSA Clarity by Integra, making GPHC the first institution in the Caribbean to utilise this state-of-the-art surgical technology. In a release, the GPHC explained that the CUSA Clarity is a revolutionary tool in neurosurgery, designed to improve the precision and efficiency of tumour removal. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Ukraine front could 'collapse' as Russia gains accelerate, experts warn
President Biden’s decision to provide anti-personnel mines to Ukraine, and allow the use of long-range missiles on Russian territory comes as the Russian military is accelerating its gains along the front line. Data from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) shows that Russia has gained almost six times as much territory in 2024 as it did in 2023, and is advancing towards key Ukrainian logistical hubs in the eastern Donbas region. Read more here
20th November 2024