PUBLISHER’S NOTE
Richard Lewis Publisher
Once again my committed publishing team has reminded me of the tight deadline for the publisher’s note, which from my experience over the years, has a timeline completion far shorter than my writing and thinking skills require for me to express my thoughts. Since our last edition, we have seen a change of government for Trinidad and Tobago from the People’s Partnership to the People’s National Movement led by Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley. Britain has voted to leave the European Union, oil found its way down to a low of US$25 per barrel and the USA is about to experience a presidential election, the likes of which we have never seen before, and which has sent shivers down the spine of the global investment community, with many members saying that we should convert to gold or cash. Trinidad and Tobago finds itself in a perfect storm with a new government and much reduced spending power, with expectations of the public and business community that cannot be fulfilled with standard strategies. Now is the time for the private sector to quickly engage the gears of innovation to drive the wheels of the economic transformation of Trinidad and Tobago for the future. What would it be like if there was a clear strategic plan for every sector in our economy, supported by progressive relevant government policy, involved and industry-focused academia and scholars, a productive and incentive-driven workforce, and a truly customer service-driven public sector? The advertisers in our publication truly represent the movers and shakers at the premium level of the private and
PRESTIGE BUSINESS PUBLICATIONS TEAM: Richard Lewis Chairman
public sector, and acting collectively, could transform the TT economy to one where the effects of oil pricing will be less felt, and there would be a return to sustainable growth for the future. Can you imagine a country with 80% of available taxes being collected, educational content in line with our chosen economic direction, productivity and wages in line with developed countries, and a foreign exchange policy built to incentivize the net earners of foreign exchange? Can you imagine an entrepreneurial class driven by continuous growth in the stock exchange second tier companies, and a public service pushing to produce a superior service to the public, and that public sector ensuring that all wage increases are earned through this process? These are not dreams. These are very achievable, realistic targets for a complete economic transformation over the next five years. The publishers and the management of the Who’s Who in Trinidad & Tobago Business will continue to contribute through our advertisers to nation building through a modern, innovative and success-driven economy. I sincerely wish to thank the advertisers for influencing our content to be more relevant to their needs, the management and staff of Prestige Business Publications for another amazing job on this high-quality publication, and our publication readers and users; without your use of this tool, it would no longer be relevant and exciting to produce annually. In closing, I think it’s fair to say our strategic deep drive, exercised earlier this year, will result in some key exciting developments for the 2017/18 edition.
Produced and Created By Prestige Business Publications Ltd. Advertising Patricia Lewis, Marie Gurley, Betti Gillezeau, Kathleen Maynard, Shelly-Ann Sheppard
Patricia Lewis Director Marie Gurley Director
Edited by Lonsdale Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising Limited, Essiba Small
Soraya Gonsalves Operations Manager
Cover Design and Layout Kelvin Thomas — Precision Design Studio
Patrice Letren Production Supervisor
Layout Laird Raymond, Patrice Letren
Nichele West-Broome Jennifer Gittens Administrative Assistants
Writers Kay Baldeosingh-Arjune, Dixie-Ann Belle, Roslyn Carrington, Raphael John Lall, Bavina Sookdeo, Keith Spencer, Sheldon Waithe, Anna Walcott-Hardy, Bevil Wooding, Association of Real Estate Agents (AREA).
Copyright © 2017 Prestige Business Publications Ltd. All rights reserved. Prestige Business Publications Ltd. The Film Centre, 9 Humphrey Street, St. James, Trinidad and Tobago. Tel: (868) 622-0738/9 Fax: (868) 622-0426 Email: info@whoswhotnt.com www.whoswhotnt.com
Special Thanks to Hazel Manning, Greta Martin, Sharon Inglefield, Lonsdale Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising Limited. La Brea Social Action Group, Papa Bois Conservation, The Children’s Ark, The Tobago Institute of Literacy, Youth Business of Trinidad and Tobago. Photographers Alfred Aguiton, Edison Boodoosingh, Stephen Broadbridge, Marcus Gomez, Stephen Jay Photography, Marlon Rouse. Annual Distribution 12,000 copies
6