FAST FACTS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO REAL GDP GROWTH, 2008-2012 8.0
labour force & unemployment, 2009-Mar. 2012 6.5
6.0
Energy
Non-Energy
Provisional
2.0 0.0 -2.0 -4.0
Thousand persons
Per cent
6.0
630
4.0
-6.0
650
610
5.5
590 5.0
570 550
4.5
530 510
4.0
470 450
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2008
Labour Force (left axis)
2009
2010
2011
Employment (left axis)
Education The educational system is based on the British system and produces one of the highest standards of education in the Caribbean. Primary and secondary level education at most institutions is free but private school options are available for a fee. Post-secondary and tertiary education providers include the University of the West Indies (UWI), the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT), distance learning tertiary-level institutions, vocational/technical training schools and colleges, and the technology-based University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), into which COSTAATT and the National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST) have been integrated. The estimated literacy rate is over 98%. Health Trinidad and Tobago’s health system consists of government-funded and private hospitals, wellqualified specialists, private medical practitioners and clinics scattered throughout the islands. Specialists trained in gynaecology, paediatrics, radiology, physiotherapy, cardiology, gastrology, urology and orthopaedics work both in private practice and healthcare facilities. Medical services are free at the governmentfunded institutions and clinics, but a fee is charged at all others. Twenty‑four‑hour emergency services are available at several government and private medical facilities. There is also a 24-hour Emergency Air Ambulance Service. The new Scarborough hospital was opened in Tobago in 2012. http://www.health.gov.tt/ Public utilities Electricity Trinidad and Tobago has a reliable supply of electricity with rates still among the lowest in the
Mar-12
3.5
Unemployment Rate (right axis)
Central Bank Annual Report 2012
182
Per cent
Total
Central Bank Annual Report 2012
Caribbean. The domestic and commercial supply voltage is 110/220 volts, 60 cycles. The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) is the agency responsible for T&T’s electrical supply. http://www.ttec.co.tt/
Post/Courier Services Regular mail, express mail and courier delivery are reliable and available from local provider TTPost at excellent rates. International courier services are efficient and readily available.
Water The Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA), a state enterprise, is the sole provider of water and wastewater services in Trinidad and Tobago. http://www.wasa.gov.tt/
http://www.ttpost.net/
Telecommunications Trinidad and Tobago’s telecommunications sector has shown strong growth over the last years. In 2012 the telecommunications and sector earned TT$4.1 billion. TSTT has for many years been the provider of both landline and mobile telephone services. Digicel, a rapidly growing telecommunications operator in the Caribbean offers mobile phone services in both islands, and Flow (Columbus Communication) offers cable television, Internet and landline telephone service. Several smaller entrants are establishing a presence in the fixed line telecommunications market. A third mobile provider is currently being sought as well. International direct distance dialing is available nationwide and on public payphones. International phone cards are sold in many local shops, pharmacies and at TSTT offices. With broad coverage throughout the islands, mobile phones are an easy and available option. Wireless internet services are readily available at hotels and cybercafés.
Bi-weekly Newspapers: TNT Mirror.
International Access Code: 1 Country Code: 868 Fixed Internet Subscriptions: 224,200 Mobile Internet Subscriptions: 422,500 Television Subscriptions: 198,700 Fixed Voice Subscriptions: 286,100 Mobile Voice Subscriptions: 1.88 million https://tatt.org.tt/
Media Daily Newspapers: Trinidad Express, Trinidad Guardian and Newsday Weekly Newspapers: Tobago News, Catholic News, Bomb, ShowTime, Punch Television stations: CNC (channel 3), CCN TV6 (channels 6 and 18), Gayelle Television (channel 7), IBN (Channel 8), CNMG (channel 9), NCC (channel 4). IETV (channel 16), Parliament (channel 11) AM Radio Stations: 530 AM, 730 AM FM Radio Stations: TBC Network (95.1, Vibe CT 105, 106), the CL Network (90.5, 104, 97.1), Heartbeat 103.5, Caribbean New Media Group (Talk 91.1, Next 99.1, Sweet 100.1), Power 102, Boom Champions 94.1, Isaac 98.1 (Inspirational), 96.1 WEFM, Citadel (I95.5, Red 96.7), Radio Tambrin 92.7 (Tobago), Radio Trinbago 94.7, Shakti 97.5, WMJX 100.5 and Heritage 101.7. Roads Trinidad and Tobago has an extensive transportation network of paved roads. Highways link the north and south of the island (Uriah Butler Highway, Solomon Hochoy Highway), and the east and west (Churchill-Roosevelt Highway). Traffic is extremely heavy at peak hours when a high number of vehicles head into the capital city and environs. Driving is on the left-hand side. http://www.mowt.gov.tt/ http://www.ptsc.co.tt/