AMCHAM T&T and Ministry of Trade & Industry Collaborate on Nearshoring Strategy For T&T

MEDIA RELEASE
14/05/2022

(l-r) Vitra Gopee (AMCHAM T&T Digital Transformation Committee Member & COO, Digital Era Group); Nirad Tewarie (CEO, AMCHAM T&T); The Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon (Minister of Trade & Industry); Toni Sirju-Ramnarine (President, AMCHAM T&T) Anna Henderson (Deputy Chair of AMCHAM T&T's Digital Transformation Committee & CEO, Amaranth Business Solutions) and Rey-Anne Paynter-Mendez (Tech Community and Projects Officer, AMCHAM T&T)

A delegation from AMCHAM T&T led by President, Toni Sirju-Ramnarine along with AMCHAM T&T CEO, Nirad Tewarie met with Honorable Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon, Permanent Secretary Frances Seignoret and a delegation from the Ministry of Trade and Industry on Friday, May 13, 2022, to present a policy paper “Nearshoring Framework & Rationale for The Government of Trinidad & Tobago”  which was compiled by AMCHAM T&T’s Digital Transformation Committee. Other members of the AMCHAM T&T team were Deputy Chair of the Digital Transformation Committee, Anna Henderson (CEO, Amaranth Business Solutions), Digital Transformation Committee Member, Vitra Gopee (COO, Digital Era Group) and Tech Community and Projects Officer, Rey-Anne Paynter-Mendez.

The discussion centered around the recommendations contained in the paper, and how a nearshoring strategy could result in more investments into T&T. AMCHAM T&T reiterated its commitment to working with the Government to design and execute a Nearshoring Strategy to accelerate efforts to diversify the economy, find new and sustainable ways to increase GDP, and mitigate the negative impact of the pandemic on citizens and businesses.

“The paper outlines several factors that make Trinidad and Tobago highly favourable for investment and the attraction of new business activity through a nearshoring strategy that should warrant the Government’s consideration. AMCHAM T&T is committed to this strategy as we believe its execution will provide major economic opportunities for T&T. Working collaboratively with the Government, we are confident that we can build new pillars of economic growth in T&T,” said Toni Sirju-Ramnarine, AMCHAM T&T President.

Meanwhile, Minister Gopee-Scoon commended the private sector’s efforts to collaborate with the government on initiatives to boost investment into T&T. “Much can be achieved when the government and private sector collaborate,” Gopee-Scoon said. “I look forward to continuing the engagement with AMCHAM T&T and the wider private sector to continue to build on recent success to attract more investment and create more jobs through a deliberate nearshoring strategy.”

“We were very encouraged by the discussions with Minister Gopee-Scoon and the team from the MTI. The benefits of public-private partnerships can’t be overstated and AMCHAM T&T appreciates the open relationship we have with the Hon Minister. Coming out of the meeting we agreed to focus on leveraging nearshoring opportunities in IT-enabled Services, Logistics and Distribution, and specialized manufacturing. Immediately, we will begin work to enhance capacity building to support the growth of these sectors and to define the elements of the strategy,” explained AMCHAM T&T CEO, Nirad Tewarie.

AMCHAM T&T will collaborate with the MTI and other agencies of the government as well as the business community to work together on the development and execution of the strategy. AMCHAM T&T believes Trinidad & Tobago has a unique opportunity given the current global landscape to attract Nearshoring business as a viable export and therefore foreign exchange-earning opportunity. In this regard, AMCHAM T&T wishes to thank the Minister and the Ministry of Trade and Industry and her team for the collaboration and support for this initiative. We look forward to continued engagement to generate the mutually desired results. 

 

For further questions or comments please contact Nirad Tewarie, CEO AMCHAM T&T at niradtewarie@amchamtt.com.

 

END.

AMCHAM T&T PROMOTES TRADE AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRIVATE SECTOR GROWTH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

MEDIA RELEASE
14/04/2022

The American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T) remains committed to enhancing trade and export promotion opportunities to benefit local businesses and ensure T&T’s economic recovery and stability from the pandemic.

“T&T continues to be a prime investment destination for multinational companies to conduct business. It’s important that we seek out more opportunities to increase FDI, spur economic growth, and provide the additional goods and services to the local market,” said Nirad Tewarie, AMCHAM T&T CEO. “Through our participation in several trade events this week, AMCHAM T&T is reaffirming our commitment to ensuring greater opportunities for private sector growth and economic development in T&T.”

The first of these opportunities sought by AMCHAM T&T occurred at the U.S.-Caribbean Business Conference in Miami, Florida on April 12th-14th where Tewarie spoke at a panel discussion on the topic “Market Overview of Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Eastern Caribbean”. The event which was hosted by South Florida District Export Council in collaboration with Enterprise Florida and the U.S. Commercial Service is one of the largest events organised by the U.S. Government to promote trade with the Caribbean. It typically attracts over 500 participants from across the U.S., mainly small and medium-sized businesses.

The AMCHAM T&T CEO participated in a panel alongside Shante Moore, Chargé d'affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Port of Spain and Valerie Laboy, Economic and Commercial Officer of the Embassy. Participants are expected to benefit from the introduction to new products, current trends, international regulations, and other issues related to foreign trade and development. In addition, the event provided an excellent opportunity for the participating companies and countries to conduct vital business networking and one-on-one meetings with representatives of the U.S. Embassies in the region. Following the panel, several participants expressed interest in finding out more about the T&T market and held a number of one-on-one meetings to further their knowledge. “We’re hoping that some of this initial interest will be converted into exploratory missions to T&T and, eventually actual efforts to enter the T&T market in short order,” said Tewarie after the event.

AMCHAM T&T also participated in the Canada-Caribbean Trade Mission: Growing a Green Economic Recovery, on April 13th which was hosted by the Government of Canada, under Canada’s International Trade - Global Affairs Canada Department. The hybrid event was formally launched on April 13th by The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development of Canada where she met with

government and business officials from Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago & Barbados. The trade mission explored and promoted green business initiatives, SMEs, and diversity in trade in these four Caribbean markets.

The AMCHAM T&T CEO was featured in the "Straight Talk – Market Opportunities in Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago” panel session which provided a general overview of local markets and opportunities in the region for sustainable business opportunities in clean technology and green infrastructure in the Caribbean.

"There is considerable scope for Canadian businesses in clean energy, tech, agriculture and professional services in the T&T market,” Tewarie said. “We hope that this event has whet the appetite of more Canadian firms to come to T&T and we will continue to work closely with the Canadian High Commission to bring Canadian firms to our market and to take T&T firms to Canadian markets. This event follows a virtual trade mission that we held in collaboration with the Canadian High Commission in 2021, so we will keep at it.”

Finally, AMCHAM T&T officially launched the virtual Trade Mission to the U.S. State of Illinois on April 13th, 2022, in partnership with exporTT and the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Sixteen (16) local companies participated in the Trade Mission which will provide opportunities for export promotion and investment with the state of Illinois, U.S.A.

The virtual trade mission will offer many additional opportunities for these companies to promote and expand their products and services, gain valuable market insight, build their customer base, and widen their audience through informative and interesting conversations with potential buyers and partners via a unique virtual experience through new technologies available by the metaverse.

“Doing the trade mission in the metaverse offered local companies the opportunity to interact with potential partners and discuss their products,” said Melissa Pierre, Senior Trade and Policy Specialist at AMCHAM T&T. “Whilst, the metaverse will not replace the in-person mission, it really helps when you are on a budget to consider market penetration initiatives.”

With these initiatives, AMCHAM T&T is doing its part to seek out new and innovative opportunities to secure private sector growth and foreign direct investment in our local economy. We intend to continue pursuing opportunities that will maintain business competitiveness and advantage in our local economy for the benefit of our members and the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.

For further questions or comments please contact: Nirad Tewarie, CEO AMCHAM T&T at niradtewarie@amchamtt.com.

END.

AMCHAM T&T Takes Trade Mission To The Metaverse

MEDIA RELEASE
05/04/2022

The American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T) is taking the T&T business community to the metaverse by hosting a virtual Trade Mission to the U.S. State of Illinois on April 13^th, 2022, in partnership with exporTT and the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Sixteen (16) local companies are set to benefit from participating in the Trade Mission which will provide opportunities for export promotion and investment with the state of Illinois.

The trade mission will offer many additional opportunities for these companies to promote and expand their products and services, gain valuable market insight, build their customer base, and widen their audience through informative and interesting conversations with potential buyers and partners via a unique virtual experience through new technologies available by the metaverse.

“Digital tools are increasingly enabling our everyday activities. More of our lives are being spent in digital spaces with hybrid offices, video-based education, and online social communities forming the basis of most of our interactions and communications,” said Nirad Tewarie, CEO of AMCHAM T&T. “In our efforts to promote and build the local tech ecosystem, AMCHAM T&T is committed to utilizing new technologies available to increase business competitiveness and incentivize trade and other opportunities for growth and development in T&T. We’re very excited that this platform has been developed by one of our local members right here in T&T.”

“Through this technology, our companies will have direct and easy access to potential international investors and business opportunities with leading firms operating in Illinois, USA to expand their networks of buyers, suppliers, and contacts. While this is a first step and a basic foray into the metaverse, exploring future opportunities in the metaverse could create a large-scale industrial workspace for companies to enhance business operations and communications, drive investment, and advance interactions by using augmented reality devices that helps users interact with elements in a virtual reality space, in the same way, they would in the real world that is cheaper, faster, and less time-consuming,” Tewarie said.

AMCHAM T&T in its promotion of using local talent to advance digital transformation contracted local boutique, external development, and video game studio Coded Arts to build and design the virtual platform used for the Trade Mission. The platform will allow companies and participants to be able to watch live or on-demand presentations and communicate with investors through web chats. Meanwhile, state-of-the-art 3D designs and fully interactive virtual booths are provided to each company or vendor to showcase their products and services.

The Trade Mission has drawn attention from sectors with export potential in the food and beverage, auto industry, fintech, education and digital related products. Interested companies can register to participate in the Trade Mission via the official website at https://www.trinidadtobagotrademission.com.

AMCHAM T&T would like to thank our partners at exporTT and the Ministry of Trade and Investment for their support to host the Illinois Trade Mission. We would also like to thank the local companies and Illinois firms that will be participating as we continue to provide support and leadership in our continued advocacy towards facilitating trade and investment opportunities to maintain business competitiveness and advantage in our local economy.

 

For further questions or comments please contact: Nirad Tewarie, CEO AMCHAM T&T at niradtewarie@amchamtt.com.

 

END.

AMCHAM T&T Statement On National Tragedy

MEDIA RELEASE
09/03/2022

The American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T) has until now refrained from commenting on the tragedy in which four people - Yusuf Henry, Fyzal Kurban, Kazim Ali Jr, and Rishi Nagassar - died while conducting maintenance work on an underwater pipeline owned by Paria Fuel Trading Co Ltd in Pointe-a-Pierre on 25th February 2022. From the time the incident was reported until now, we noted a plethora of comments and did not think that another voice would be constructive.

As most in the business community know, AMCHAM T&T has been the leading private sector voice on Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) issues for almost three decades. Our HSSE Conference has been running annually, without interruption, for the past 25 years, even throughout the pandemic. We have been hosting the National Safety Awards for the past 11 years. We have always championed the position of People before Profits and this is the underlying philosophy that guides our training and advocacy around HSE matters.

We therefore cannot imagine the pain and distress that the families and friends of the deceased divers are experiencing. We offer our deepest condolences to them all. Indeed, AMCHAM T&T joins the national community in mourning.

While we understand the outrage being expressed, particularly on social media, we must also acknowledge that this is a moment to demonstrate greater leadership and reinstall public trust in our institutions. This can be achieved through identification of the lessons to be learnt to prevent further tragedies via a thorough and transparent investigation into the series of events that led to the deaths of the divers and the eventual recovery of their bodies.

Making this a priority for the country will not only help our nation to heal but will help us to understand how this accident occurred and more importantly, how we can learn from it.

Thus, we believe a thorough and transparent investigation into the series of incidents that occurred is critical to repairing public trust. Learnings from this tragedy can be applied by other companies to make the workplace a safer space for all employees and stakeholders here and around the world.

Such an investigation will, by necessity, have to be conducted by people. We are concerned that the manner of public discourse and attacks on those who have been willing to lend their expertise are, ultimately, counter-productive. In a country with a relatively small population such as ours, it is almost impossible to find persons to undertake major responsibilities who have not interacted significantly with decision-makers, past and present.

Specifically, we wish to place on record our gratitude to former AMCHAM T&T President, Eugene Tiah for being willing to lend his expertise to determine what caused such a tragedy and therefore assisting in preventing similar events in the future. Eugene has demonstrated tremendous safety leadership during his career and is widely regarded as a safety pioneer in T&T. His safety record, as the former President of Phoenix Park Gas Processors, was enviable by global standards. His safety leadership continued in his various roles thereafter including as Executive Chairman, Energy and Industrial Gases Business Unit, Massy Energy.

Eugene has always acted with utmost integrity and in a most statesmanlike manner. Indeed, even as he stepped off from the now-aborted Investigation Committee into the incident as announced by the Government, he did so to ensure that the work of the Committee was not impeded or clouded by commentary around him.

We understand that this is an emotionally charged matter and many, often-competing interests are involved. However, we appeal to all who can have an impact on national development – especially those who have specific and official responsibility in this regard – to consider the impact of their actions. If the willingness of capable professionals to serve continues to be compromised, we will all be the poorer for it

We look forward to the identification of the Commissioners to establish the Commission of Inquiry and to the execution of the Inquiry expeditiously. We trust that the full and final report will immediately be made public and that the recommendations made therein will be accepted and acted on by the relevant arms of the State.

For further questions or comments please contact: Nirad Tewarie, CEO AMCHAM T&T at niradtewarie@amchamtt.com.

END.

Business Chambers Call for Safe Zones at Business Places and Public Buildings

MEDIA RELEASE
13/12/2021

AMCHAM T&T, the Energy Chamber and the T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce continue to be concerned by the impact of the spread of COVID-19 on the society and economy. Over the almost two years that we have been dealing with the impact of the pandemic, the Joint Chambers have attempted to support the country’s response. As a collective and in partnership with other civic organisations, we have run vaccinations sites, developed and funded pro-vaccination campaigns and proposed various policy measures to assist in containing the spread of the virus while maintaining a reasonable level of economic activity.

Unfortunately, the virus continues to spread virtually unchecked throughout the population. Options for recreation and interaction are limited by public health measures, causing untold mental stress and the health services are under severe strain and in danger of being overwhelmed.

Despite the Government’s success in securing vaccines, vaccination rates remain low. The data from the Ministry of Health continues to show that nine of ten patients in hospital are unvaccinated. International data is showing that a third dose of the vaccine can reduce this number even further. Vaccination remains the single most effective tool we have in fighting the virus.

A few weeks ago, the Honourable Prime Minister outlined the approaches that the Government has taken over the past two years as well as additional measures taken by other countries. We also note with interest the Prime Minister’s comments in a recent interview, that the “government will have to do what is reasonable and feasible in order to give us the best protection in a pandemic.” On both occasions, he warned that if vaccination rates remain low, further action from the GORTT would be required. In the intervening period, there has been no significant increase in vaccination rates and high infection rates and numbers of deaths persist, unabated.

As such, the Chambers recommend the following to the Government:

1) Put in place the legal clarity to allow businesses to make their business places safe zones so that all employees (in both the public and private sectors), who do not have a medical reason not to be, must be vaccinated

2) Make all public buildings safe zones

The Chambers have already committed to the Ministry of Health that we will support additional efforts to vaccinate the population and administer boosters from January. We are open to providing other forms of support.

However, the time has come to take hard decisions in the interest of the wider population regarding vaccination. Trinidad and Tobago is in a crisis with regard to the continued rapid spread of the COVID 19 pandemic.

For further questions or comments please contact: Nirad Tewarie, CEO AMCHAM T&T at niradtewarie@amchamtt.com

AMCHAM T&T: Local Businesses To Benefit From Virtual Trade Mission To Illinois, USA.

MEDIA RELEASE
11/11/2021

Businesses in T&T will benefit from a virtual Trade Mission to the U.S. State of Illinois, being hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T) in partnership with exporTT through their Export Booster Initiative. AMCHAM T&T will be hosting this event to introduce exporters and business owners in Trinidad and Tobago to the potential buyers, investors, and other opportunities in the state of Illinois.

“At AMCHAM T&T, we are committed to promoting trade and investment opportunities that will benefit local business, increase FDI and boost our economy,” said Nirad Tewarie, CEO of AMCHAM T&T. “We are grateful for the partnership with exporTT to host this Trade Mission with the state of Illinois. The event will offer many opportunities for local companies to promote and expand their products and services, gain valuable market insight, build their customer base, and widen their audience through informative and interesting conversations with potential buyers and partners in a virtual space.”

“It is our hope that the business created from this mission will help local companies and contribute to economic recovery,” Tewarie said.

The trade mission will consist of two components. The first is a Virtual Info session webinar on “Doing Business in Illinois” on Tuesday 16th November from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The webinar will provide prospective exporters from Trinidad and Tobago with information on business opportunities in Illinois; as well as promote Trinidad and Tobago as a good place for business and investment to prospective importers and investors from Illinois. It is free to companies in both T&T and Illinois.

Following the webinar, AMCHAM T&T and exporTT will engage in business-to-business (B2B) matching between prospective exporters from Trinidad and Tobago and importers and investors from Illinois. The B2B sessions will be conducted by a consultant from Illinois contracted by AMCHAM T&T to assist in bringing companies from Illinois to the table. The B2B meetings will take place virtually on January 19th and 20th, 2022 on a virtual exhibition platform customized specifically for this trade mission. Potential exporters and companies that are ready for investment will also have the opportunity to set up booths in the virtual exhibition platform.

The Info Session Webinar on “Doing Business in Illinois,” that precedes the Trade Mission will include a distinguished and influential panel of speakers such as Senator the Honorable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry; Irene Lyons, General Counsel at the Illinois Secretary of State; and James Swartout, President and CEO of Myerson Company Limited which is a globally recognized dental manufacturing company based in Chicago, IL, with manufacturing operations located in Trinidad and Tobago for the past 70 years. Also, speaking at the session will be Pramilla Ramdahani, VP-Investments at InvestTT; and Kenika Espinosa, Research Officer at ExporTT.

The Trade Mission is targeted toward sectors with export potential including the creative industries, food and beverage, construction goods, printing and packaging, chemicals and technology-related products. Non-exporting businesses that are seeking foreign direct investment, particularly in the tech industry, are also encouraged to participate. Companies that are interested in participating in the Trade Mission can visit AMCHAM T&T at www.amchamtt.com to register and complete their company profiles.

AMCHAM T&T would like to thank our partners at exporTT for their support to host the Illinois Trade Mission. We would also like to thank the local companies and Illinois firms who will be participating. AMCHAM T&T will continue to provide support and leadership in our continued advocacy towards facilitating trade and investment opportunities in the hope of sustaining business competitiveness and advantage in our local economy.

For further questions or comments please contact: Nirad Tewarie, CEO AMCHAM T&T at niradtewarie@amchamtt.com.

END.

AMCHAM T&T Seeks To Strengthen Collaboration With AmCham Guyana

MEDIA RELEASE
03/11/2021

((l-r-) Devindra Kissoon, President of AmCham Guyana, and Toni Sirju-Ramnarine, President of AMCHAM T&T)

The Presidents of the American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T) and AmCham Guyana met on Sunday 31st October 2021 at the Hyatt Trinidad to discuss the further strengthening of ties and increasing the collaboration between the two organisations. The meeting was the first formal meeting between the AMCHAM T&T President, Toni Sirju-Ramnarine and the newly elected President of AmCham Guyana, Devindra Kissoon.

The meeting follows the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations on 6th August 2021 in Georgetown which lays the framework for collaboration and the respective roles and responsibilities of both organisations in working cooperatively to further the individual and mutual interests of the members of each organisation.

At the meeting, Mr Kissoon expressed his gratitude to AMCHAM T&T for extending an invitation to the membership of AmCham Guyana to attend the 25th Annual (Virtual) Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) Conference hosted by AMCHAM T&T last week.

“We are very delighted to build on the partnership with our colleagues at AmCham Guyana,” said Ms Sirju-Ramnarine. “I strongly believe that our organisations can find beneficial partnerships around issues related to increasing trade and investment, strengthening the rule of law and improving the ease of doing business to create more high-value jobs in our respective nations.”

“We are very happy to continue our relationship with AmCham Guyana through its second President, very much aware of the impact on local business from the pandemic. Moving forward and working collaboratively will ensure that our organisations are providing much-needed advocacy and leadership on issues of national and regional importance through the sharing of expertise, contacts, and other resources. We look forward to only strengthening this partnership further in the coming months.”

Meanwhile, President Kissoon also welcomed the support from AMCHAM T&T. “AmCham Guyana is most grateful for the support given by AMCHAM T&T. President Sirju-Ramnarine has repeatedly and sincerely extended a warm welcome to our newly formed Chamber, and we in AmCham Guyana are most excited to reciprocate,” Kissoon says. “We reaffirm our commitment to support our respective members in strengthening American commercial business interests in both Guyana and Trinidad.”

AMCHAM T&T and AmCham Guyana are members of the American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America and the Caribbean (AACCLA) which are independent, non-profit, business organisations based in 28 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Their primary objective is to promote trade and investment between their countries and the United States. Collectively, AmChams represent over 20,000 U.S. and local companies and executives managing the bulk of U.S. investment in the region. As members of AACCLA, AmChams are affiliated with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the largest business federation in the world.

For further questions or comments please contact: Kennedy Maraj, Communications & Events Officer, AMCHAM T&T at kennedymaraj@amchamtt.com.

END.

AMCHAM T&T Celebrates HSE Excellence at
11th Annual National Excellence in HSE Awards

MEDIA RELEASE
29/10/2021

The American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T) hosted the 11th Annual National Excellence in HSE Awards in recognition of companies in Trinidad and Tobago that have shown a commitment to HSE excellence and leadership within their operations.

The National Awards which have been officially endorsed by the Ministry of Labour since 2011 were announced on the final day of AMCHAM T&T’s 25th Annual HSSE Conference. For a second consecutive year, the event was held virtually due to the ongoing restrictions caused by the pandemic.

Nevertheless, this year saw another record number of companies vying for awards honouring HSE excellence in eleven categories related to the specific size and sector of their respective industries. Overall, the coveted National Excellence in HSE Award 2021 was awarded to Nestle, Trinidad and Tobago in the Manufacturing Large Company Category, while Bristow Caribbean Limited copped the same prize in the Services Medium Company Category. Meanwhile, an Honourable Mention was given to PBS Technologies (Trinidad) Limited.

Nirad Tewarie, AMCHAM T&T CEO who officiated the virtual ceremony said organisations that actively promote a culture of HSE excellence typically reinforce positive influences of health and safety practices and processes well beyond their company. “Today, we are witnessing these knock-on effects that see organisations emphasising high levels of HSE performance in their operations demanding higher standards of HSE performance from their contractors, service providers and support systems,” Tewarie said. “When this happens, it ensures the broadening and deepening of best practices, the continued leadership on health and safety in every aspect of the operations, and the strengthening of the resilience of fence line communities.”

Despite companies having to deal with restricted budgets, reduced investments in projects and other disruptions brought on by the pandemic, Tewarie said the awards have grown and strengthened in stature because of the large number of applications received this year. “I am pleased to see that we were able to match last year's record when we had the largest number of applications for these awards. That’s a strong testament to the level of investment and long-term commitment companies are making towards their employees and customers health, safety, and overall wellbeing,” Tewarie said. “Today, that’s what we hope to reward and acknowledge with these awards. It’s also what we hope we lead with well beyond this pandemic.”

The high number of applications reported this year can be attributed to the heightened awareness and consideration given to health and safety not only in the workplace but throughout society because of the pandemic. For a second year, the awards evolved with the introduction of the Business Continuity & Surviving the Pandemic (BCP) award which recognises entities that have sought to manage their business response to the interruptions caused by COVID-19 and have reviewed and updated their business continuity plans to ensure their operational resiliency. Companies vying for this award were judged based on their: Risk Management Plans; Business Impact Analysis; Incident Response Plans; and Recovery Plans.

This year, Angostura Limited took home the prize in the Manufacturing Large Company Category, while PBS Technologies (Trinidad) Limited won in the Medium Size Company Category and the National Energy Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago won in the Small Size Company Category.

 

Below is the complete list of WINNERS at the 11^th Annual National Excellence in HSE Awards.

 

COMPLETE LIST OF WINNERS OF
AMCHAM T&T’s 11th Annual National Excellence in HSE Awards 2021:

(Company Size Categories were determined according to the Ministry of Labor guidelines and specifications.)

 

Outstanding OSH/Environment Project 2021

Awards Criteria: The company engaged in a significant project, or “first steps”, on the journey towards achieving HSE excellence. The company demonstrated that its Project entailed the implementation of several of the key elements of formal HSE management systems, i.e. elements of Planning, Risk Management, Implementation or Execution, Monitoring and Measurement, Handling Nonconformities, and/or Continual Improvement, OR that the Project addressed systems for building a positive HSE organisational culture, AND that the Project contributed to overall positive Occupational Safety and Health, and/or Environmental Results.

·        Outstanding OSH/Environment Project in the Energy Sector (Large Company Category) - bpTT

·        Outstanding OSH/Environment Project in the Services Sector (Medium Company Category) - PBS Technologies (Trinidad) Limited

·        Outstanding OSH/Environment Project in the Services Sector (Small Company Category) - Ramps Logistics

·        Outstanding OSH/Environment Project in the Energy Sector (Small Company Category) - Trinidad Offshore Fabricators (TOFCO) (Honourable mention)

 

Most Improved HSE Performance Award 2021

Awards Criteria: This award is intended to recognise companies that have achieved significant improvements in the management of occupational health and safety and environmental management. It seeks to encourage companies to successfully establish, implement and maintain HSE management systems to achieve a full systems approach to HSE management.

·        Most Improved OSH/Environment Performance in the Services Sector (Small Company Category) - Weldfab Limited

 

Business Continuity and Surviving the Pandemic (BCP) Award 2021 

Awards Criteria: The Business Continuity and Surviving the Pandemic (BCP) Award is a Special Award, that aims to recognise the excellent job that companies have done in managing its business response to the interruptions caused by COVID-19 to ensure operational resiliency. Companies are judged and awarded for having implemented a strong Risk Management Plan, Business Impact Analysis, Incident Response Plan and Recovery Plan.

·        Business Continuity & Surviving the Pandemic (BCP) in the Manufacturing Sector (Large Company Category) - Angostura Limited

·        Business Continuity & Surviving the Pandemic (BCP) in the Services Sector (Medium Company Category) - PBS Technologies (Trinidad) Limited

·        Business Continuity & Surviving the Pandemic (BCP) in the Energy Sector (Small Company Category) - National Energy Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago

 

Excellence in HSE Award 2020

Awards Criteria: The Company has earned the premier award, the category of ‘Excellent HSE Performance’. This company has established a strong HSE Management Systems AND has achieved excellent occupational health and safety, and Environmental Results. The awardee will serve as a paragon of HSE Excellence in practice and will go on to share their Success Stories with companies within the AMCHAM T&T Membership and beyond so that we all can firstly believe that impeccable occupational safety and health, and environmental performance records can be achieved and maintained over the years, and we can learn best practices and how to overcome the practical challenges.

 

·        Excellent HSE Performance in the Services Sector (Medium Company Category) - BRISTOW Caribbean Limited

·        Excellent HSE Performance in the Manufacturing Sector (Large Company Category) - Nestlé Trinidad and Tobago Limited

·        Excellent HSE Performance in the Services Sector (Medium Company Category) - PBS Technologies (Trinidad) Limited (Honourable Mention)

 

AMCHAM T&T would like to congratulate all the WINNERS of the National HSE Awards 2021 and thank them for the leadership they have shown towards achieving HSE excellence in their safety measures and overall business operations. AMCHAM T&T would also like to thank BHP - (Title Sponsor) for their unwavering support since the inception of these awards. AMCHAM T&T extends our sincere gratitude to the HSE Awards Committee and the judges for conducting the virtual walkthroughs and interviews with employees and management of all companies that participated this year in the National HSE Awards 2021.

Through these awards and the Annual HSSE Conference and Exhibition, AMCHAM T&T continues to uphold and promote HSSE excellence as a key performance indicator towards business success and ensuring the safety and protection of all employees and citizens of our nation.

For further questions or comments please contact: Nirad Tewarie, CEO AMCHAM T&T at niradtewarie@amchamtt.com.

END.

AMCHAM T&T Responds To The 2021 - 2021 National Budget Presentation

MEDIA RELEASE
04/10/2021

AMCHAM T&T sees the 2022 budget statement as an attempt to re-inject confidence in the economy. We acknowledge the range of issues discussed in the budget and the links between our continued need to rely on the energy sector as we transition to other areas, such as tech. We see the modernisation of the country’s infrastructure as an imperative to achieve the transition as articulated by the Minister and we look forward to the execution of these plans.

The tax incentives announced are clearly designed to encourage business activity. These incentives must be complimented by other efforts to improve the ease of doing business. Together this will create more jobs and revenue for the country.

In the current environment, we appreciate that the Government has to play a significant role in stimulating the economy and, as such, that this would be another year of deficit financing. While the Minister spoke of a return to a primary fiscal surplus in 2024, that can only be achieved through a commitment to co-ordinated execution to bring these measures into effect.

We are comfortable with the assumptions the Minister made with regard to the prices of oil and gas used in the budget.

AMCHAM T&T applauds the government for strengthening its commitment on the digital transformation of the economy especially since this can accelerate the economic recovery both with tech being an enabler and an industry in itself.

We note the re-committment to several initiatives announced in previous budgets such as the National Statistical Institute, the introduction of a National Digital Identity and electronic funds transfer implementation. AMCHAM T&T welcomes this and looks forward to the creation of the enabling legislative framework to facilitate the digital economy.

We note the intention to make the upstream sector more attractive and trust that these changes will be made ahead of the 2022 bid-round. We also look forward to the expansion of the voluntary compliance program under the Customs and Excise division so that shipments can be fast-tracked from compliant logistics companies.

The announcement of trade facilitation offices in overseas markets such as Guyana, Jamaica and England are welcome. However, we continue to strongly advocate for the establishment of a High Commission in Guyana.

We also welcome the incentives for companies to list on the SME exchange. This hopefully will lead to increased opportunities for the growth of SMEs and deepen the capital markets.

What seemed to be the beginning of the rationalisation of the state enterprise sector was also a welcome development. So too is the announcement of the re-start of the National Apprenticeship Programme.

We do remain concerned, however, that not many details were forthcoming on the reduction of expenditure over the medium term to ensure more value for money. We look forward to the details of the restructuring of WASA and the HDC in this regard.

For further questions or comments please contact: Nirad Tewarie, CEO AMCHAM T&T at niradtewarie@amchamtt.com.

END.

JOINT CHAMBERS MEDIA RELEASE RE STAKEHOLDER MEETING WITH MINISTRY OF PLANNING

MEDIA RELEASE
28/09/2021

AMCHAM  T&T,  the  Energy  Chamber of  Trinidad and Tobago,  the  Trinidad  &  Tobago  Chamber of  Industry and Commerce,  the  Trinidad  & Tobago  Coalition of  Service  Industries,  and the  Trinidad  &  Tobago  Manufacturers Association (the Joint Chambers) have noted the reports of a sharp increase in the number of people being vaccinated in response to the Prime Minister’s announcement of the introduction of safe zones. This is extremely encouraging news. 

In the stakeholder meeting chaired by the Minister of Planning yesterday, the Joint Chambers again expressed our strong support for the safe zone concept and committed to working closely with the Government and other stakeholders to successfully implement this plan. As acknowledged by all parties, there are still details of the implementation of the safe zone plans, and the associated employment issues, that need to be fully resolved.  The Joint Chambers committed to working with all stakeholders to make this a reality. 

The Joint Chambers also expressed support, in principle, for the draft workplace covid vaccination policies that had been developed by the Industrial Relations Advisory Committee, which were presented at the meeting by the Ministry of Labour. The Joint Chambers joins with the Trade Union Federations in calling for the "draft policy [to be] finalized, circulated, and tabled for implementation” as a matter of urgency. 

The draft workplace vaccination policy includes proposals for the introduction of additional regulations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.  Employers have a duty of care to their employees, customers, and other visitors under the OSH Act.  It is therefore imperative that employers are given clear guidance about any specific vaccination requirements that they could reasonably be expected to implement, in response to the specific level of risk that exists in their facilities. 

The Joint Chambers reiterates their strong and continued support for vaccinations as the only currently available method to get us out of the covid pandemic without the continued lockdowns, that have been so damaging to the economy, society and mental health. 

END.