TTMA IN THE NEWS
Kamri Investment Ltd: Family business soaring to new heights
In the dynamic world of business, success often hinges on the ability to adapt, innovate and seize opportunities. For Kamri Investment Ltd, a leading producer of high-quality glass and aluminium doors and windows, participating in trade missions has been a game-changer. Founded in 2002 by Kameel Khan and his wife Rizwana, Kamri Investment Ltd started as a distributor of stretch wrap. Over the years, the company evolved, experimenting with various products before finding its niche in glass and aluminium. Read more here
NEWS
Cabo Star to be inspected in Panama; new seabridge arrangements made
The Trinidad and Tobago Inter-island Transportation Co Ltd (TTIT) has made alternative arrangements during the absence of the MV Cabo Star, to assist with the cargo requirements on the seabridge between Trinidad and Tobago. This became necessary after a "minor fire" reportedly broke out in the boat's auxiliary engine room on the morning of August 20. On August 20, video footage of a fire on board the cargo vessel while it was docked at the Port of Port of Spain began circulating on Facebook. It showed a fire truck, several fire officers and police as port workers looked on while smoke billowed from the vessel's upper deck, leaving it out of service. Newsday visited the port on Wrightson Road, around 12.45 pm. The boat was docked out of immediate view. Read more here
PM shocked, angered after killing of 5-year-old Anika Guerra
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley says he is “shocked and angered” at the killing of five-year-old Anika Guerra. Gunmen opened fire on Moruga businessman Enrico Andy Guerra, killing him and his five-year-old daughter, on Tuesday night. The killing sent shockwaves across the country. Reacting to the murders, the Prime Minister wrote on Facebook late on Wednesday night, “Tonight, I am shocked and angered at the barbarism that could result in violent criminal conduct with total disregard for human life in our country, which could see an adult with a firearm deliver several shots into the body of a five-year-old child. This and acts like these represent the worst of what we are and what we have produced.” Read more here
POLITICS
Roget: Rowley should resign from National Security Council
Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM) president Ancel Roget says the Prime Minister should resign as head of the National Security Council (NSC) as he has the blood of citizens on his hands. At a media conference on August 21, Roget accused the government of failing in its responsibility to ensure the safety of citizens. He said it did not appear to him that the government treats addressing crime as its primary responsibility. Read more here
Association: Tassa more local than steelpan
The Tassa Association of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) has joined the debate on the altering of the Coat of Arms, boldly claiming that the tassa drum is more of a local instrument than the steelpan. TATT’s assertion came hours after Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley stated that the simple reason the steelpan was considered for the new Coat of Arms, where it will replace Christopher Columbus’ three ships, is because that instrument was invented here and is indigenous to this country. Read more here
BUSINESS
Tobago leaders elated as Aboud offers shares in hotel project
The developer of the proposed Rocky Point hotel project, John Aboud, yesterday offered to sell one or two shares in the development company to Tobago or Tobagonians. Aboud, who is the chairman of Superior Hotels T&T Ltd, made the offer at a meeting hosted by the Tobago arm of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association at the Mount Irvine Bay Resort. The meeting was held to bring members of the Tobago business community up to date on the latest developments with the project. Aboud said that as the project gets closer to D Day and the numbers are clarified, the intention is to offer Tobago people, whether it is Tobago businessmen or even a Tobago community, such as the Buccoo community, a share or shares in the hotel. Read more here
Young: Methanol to boost cleanliness of traditional fuels
Energy Minister Stuart Young announced that a percentage of methanol will be added to traditional fuels in the “not too distant future” to create cleaner-burning alternatives. Speaking yesterday at Methanex’s methanol bunkering hub demonstration yesterday at the Hyatt Regency, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain, Young said, “We’re going to continue to study and do these studies to see what other areas we can blend the methanol into for fuelling.” He added that following a meeting with Paria, he decided to approach the Cabinet to propose changes that would include more methanol-inclusive regulations. Read more here
REGIONAL
Gov’t fuel-tax relief spurs 50% growth in hinterland cargo traffic President Ali says
The hinterland regions have experienced a significant increase in passenger travel and cargo traffic over the past year. President Dr. Irfaan Ali attributes this growth directly to government interventions aimed at eliminating excessive taxes on gasoline and diesel. These measures were implemented to mitigate the impact of rising global fuel prices. “We removed the [value added tax ] VAT on local air travel, putting back $3 billion in your pocket, giving you $3 billion saving right away off the bat,” the Head of State said on Monday, while addressing hundreds of indigenous village leaders, also known as Toshaos at the ongoing National Toshao’s Conference (NTC). As of June 30, 2024, passenger traffic in the hinterland regions have increased to 48 per cent, while cargo movement has increased to 50 per cent. “More people are visiting your communities. More spending is created in your communities,” President Ali said. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Democrats try to turn tables on one of their biggest weaknesses
During a week designed to celebrate the party's successes, Democrats on Wednesday sought to confront one of their biggest political weaknesses. Speakers at the Democratic National Convention tried to flip the script on Republican criticism of their immigration record, praising the Biden administration's efforts and calling Kamala Harris "tough as nails" on the issue. Donald Trump and his Republican allies have made the border a focal point of their criticism Ms Harris, calling her a "failed border czar". While record numbers of migrants were detained at the border during the Biden administration, the number of unlawful crossings has now fallen for five consecutive months. Read more here
22nd August 2024