TTMA IN THE NEWS
TTMA pleased to have joined Heads of Government meeting
The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA) is seeking to applaud Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon for including the private sector in discussions regarding the Caribbean Heads of Government meeting that took place earlier this week. The two-day meeting was held on November 3rd and 4th. In a statement issued on Thursday, the TTMA noted that it was part of the discussion seeking the interest of its members and the private sector business community in Trinidad and Tobago. Read more here
NEWS
Hadco ships ice cream to Antigua
Just about six months after launching its house brand ice cream, Creamery Novelties, the Hadco Group has loaded up its first 20-foot refrigerated container chock full of its frozen creations, bound for Antigua. The shipment is expected to arrive next week–just in time for Christmas. Hadco Group CEO John Hadad told Newsday, “We did have a goal for one (export container) by the end of the year. We’re quite excited, because it happened faster than we expected.” Read more here
$15m drug accused in court. Traffic gridlock expected in city
Heightened security in the capital city since midnight is expected to impact thousands of people today, as one of the main streets leading into downtown Port-of-Spain will be cordoned off to facilitate two high-profile criminal cases. Police are advising motorists to avoid St Vincent Street completely and find alternative routes such as Dundonald Street, onto Richmond Street or use the Queen’s Park West exit onto Frederick Street. High-level national security sources said security in and around the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court is expected to be on its highest alert today as four suspects charged with the $15 million drug bust in Westmoorings head to court. Read more here
POLITICS
UNC still seeking answers on Petrotrin—Lee
Still seeking answers on Petrotrin, former workers and the refinery.
That’s what the Opposition’s pursuing according to United National Congress whip David Lee, who said yesterday that Government should have told the public the value of the refinery assets before “rushing” to offer them on the international market early next year. The Opposition is filing queries on Petrotrin for a reply in Parliament today. “The issue of procurement looms large in this aspect of the Petrotrin issue since Government has said it will offer the refinery - for internationally. We’ve heard about a data room and information being prepared for people to learn about the assets, but there’s been no public word on the value or other pertinent details,” Lee said. Lee also said despite payments to workers - including some temporary workers - there are others who are in “limbo” regarding benefits since they worked temporarily at Petrotrin for a majority of years but were permanent for a minority of years. Read more here
Moonilal: Ministers must explain actions
A call is being made for Government Ministers Dennis Moses and Camille Robinson-Regis to appear before the Joint Select Committee (JSC) on National Security. Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal yesterday wrote to JSC chairman Fitzgerald Hinds asking that the ministers appear and explain their actions in the incident at Piarco International Airport which resulted in estate constable Kelvon Alexander being suspended for two weeks without pay. Read more here
BUSINESS
People ahead of profits
In 1998, a class action lawsuit between the four largest United States tobacco companies (Phillip Morris, RJ Reynolds, Brown & Williamson, and Lorillard) and the Attorneys General of 46 of the 50 American states was settled. The tobacco companies agreed to pay US$206 billion over the first 25 years of the agreement. The companies also agreed to “curtail or cease” some marketing practices and pay in perpetuity annual payments to the states to compensate them for medical costs associated with smoking-related illnesses. The money also funds the anti-smoking advocacy group called the Truth Initiative, the very group responsible for those ubiquitous thetruth.com ads. Read more here
Regularise Venezuelans, legalise marijuana, says Chin
Owner of the country’s largest movie theatre network, Derek Chin, has called for the legalisation of marijuana and the regularisation of Venezuelan immigrants in T&T. Read more here
REGIONAL
Be Clear On Gas Pricing - JGRA Boss Calls For Transparency On Alarming Petrojam Pricing Mechanism
The Jamaica Gasolene Retailers Association (JGRA) is expressing concerns with the pricing mechanism used by Petrojam, asking for a clear and transparent explanation. The organisation is also troubled by the excessive losses of fuel being incurred by Petrojam since 2013. These were among a number of issues brought to light in the just tabled Auditor General's report into the operations at the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) and its affiliate, the state-owned oil refinery, Petrojam, which JGRA's president, Gregory Chung, found quite alarming. "The JGRA is joining the call for a forensic audit of the entity and to put the necessary measures in place to cauterise the losses," Chung said. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Japan needs immigrants, but do immigrants need Japan?
One of the first concepts Linh Nguyen learned while studying Japanese was "uchi-soto." It refers to the practice of categorizing people into one of two groups -- insiders or outsiders. Family, friends and close acquaintances are insiders, referred to as "uchi," while "soto" is for those relegated to the periphery. Read more here
Yellow vests: France protests 'created a monster', says minister
7th December 2018