MESSAGES TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION
THE ENERGY CHAMBER OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Dominic Hadeed
Roger Packer
President
President
The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association is pleased to be associated once again with the Who’s Who in Trinidad & Tobago Business magazine. Although 2011 was another challenging year for manufacturers in Trinidad and Tobago, the TTMA remains confident in the resilience of the sector, and in its potential to become a driver of economic growth through diversification. As the Association looks ahead to 2013, we recognise that trade development and market access are critical issues, and aim to ensure that new markets are extensively explored to secure more inputs and increase demand for T&T products and services. We believe that a more aggressive approach must be taken to engage the Latin American markets, which have experienced stronger growth in the last two years, compared to the regional market. In 2012, TTMA will continue to lobby for the implementation of legislation critical to the needs of manufacturers, including Border Control and Procurement Legislation, as well as the Fair Trading Bill – within a Local Content Policy. The Association is pleased that the implementation of ASYCUDA World at the Customs and Excise Division is almost complete, as this will facilitate faster processing of import and export documentation. In addition, it is expected that the Single Electronic Window – TTBizLink – will further reduce the lengthy time that these processes take and bring them more in line with the highest international standards. TTMA is of the view that improved efficiency and productivity will increase our members’ ability to compete locally and globally.
The Energy Chamber’s strategic vision for the sector now has a four-pronged approach: to promote energy investment, to export energy services, to build an efficient business sector and to establish the Chamber as a strong agent for national development. For our mandate to develop, we believe that the country needs an efficient business sector capable of speedy and flexible decision-making and a business environment which enables businesses to expand. The Chamber looks both inward and outward, focusing firstly on how we can surmount existing business growth barriers for the greater national good and, secondly, how we can export the energy services our members provide. Over the past year, we have embarked on several trade missions seeking new business opportunities in South America and Africa. We realise that by promoting our strengths internationally the kernel of a national brand will be cemented in global minds and Trinidad and Tobago will take its place as a global energy leader and truly develop into the energy services hub of Latin America and the Caribbean.
TTMA Building, 42 Tenth Avenue, Barataria, Trinidad and Tobago • P.O. Box 971, Port of Spain • Tel: (868) 675-TTMA (8862) • Fax: (868) 675-9000 • Email: membership@ttma.com or info@ttma.com • Website: www.ttma.com
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO CHAMBER OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE
AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Andrew Sabga
Hugh Howard
The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce congratulates the publishers of Who’s Who in Trinidad & Tobago Business on another successful publication, which has now become the standard business directory for local businesses as well as visiting business people from the region and beyond. This year, as the Chamber enters its 133rd year of existence, we are very pleased to have not only withstood the test of time, but to have remained a profitable organisation despite the challenging economic climate. This is testimony to the hard work of generations of entrepreneurs, visionaries, business leaders who have charted the Chamber’s course and current members who have continuously displayed confidence in and commitment to the Chamber. Today our corporate profile includes more than 600 members and over 1,700 executive representatives. The Chamber is represented on several governmental and charitable committees, as well as having 11 standing committees of its own. In this way the Chamber provides input to national policy, law, trade negotiations and services which is derived from member consultations. In addition, the Chamber has alliances with the International Chamber of Commerce, being the headquarters of ICC Caribbean, the Dispute Resolution Centre and the Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce. Our Tobago Division is the only organisation based in Tobago which is specifically dedicated to holistically serving the island’s entire business community. The Chamber remains committed to being the voice of business as we serve the needs of members and the wider business community in ongoing development towards a strong, sustainable national economy.
The American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago congratulates the publishers of the Who’s Who in Trinidad & Tobago Business magazine on publishing another successful issue. As Trinidad and Tobago navigates the challenges of the new global economic environment and reality, AmCham T&T is cognisant of the even more urgent need to stimulate trade and investment within the Americas and with/for our members in particular. This global economic downturn offers both challenges and opportunities… both must be met directly and strategically. With our strong mix of formidable local and international member companies; strong networking links; close association with the US Embassy and alliances with the Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America and the Caribbean (AACCLA), we are well placed to ensure rapid access to the resources that our member companies require to compete effectively both in local and overseas markets. As we continue to pursue our primary purpose to stimulate trade and investment for the benefit of our members and country, we recognise that our success and indeed the success and prosperity of our stakeholders can only be achieved if productivity and competitiveness become national priorities. In this regard, we are committed to work with Government, labour and other private sector entities towards this goal.
Columbus Circle, Westmoorings • P.O. Box 499, Port of Spain, Trinidad • Tel: (868) 637-6966 • Fax: (868) 637-7425 • Email: chamber@chamber.org.tt • Website: www.chamber.org.tt
62 Maraval Road, Port of Spain, Trinidad • P.O. Bag 150, Newtown, Port of Spain • Tel: (868) 622-4466/0340, 628-2508 • Fax: (868) 628-9428 • Email: inbox@amchamtt.com • Website: www.amchamtt.com
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Suite B2.03, Atlantic Plaza, Atlantic Avenue, Point Lisas, Trinidad, West Indies • Mailing Address: P.O. Box 80, San Fernando, Trinidad, West Indies • Tel: (868) 6-ENERGY, 679-6623, 679-1398 • Fax: (868) 679-4242 • Email: ExecOffice@energy.tt • Website: www.energy.tt
President