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In a significant move to strengthen trade and tourism ties, Satyakama Maharaj, Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Trade, Investment, and Tourism, has unveiled plans for an inaugural test flight connecting TT to Ghana. The announcement was made during a post-Cabinet media briefing at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s. Maharaj highlighted the logistical challenges of transatlantic travel, emphasizing that current flights to Africa and India can take up to two days, which is both costly and time-consuming. He revealed that the government is in talks with Ethiopian Airlines and the Ghanaian government to facilitate this initiative. The minister underscored the potential economic benefits, particularly for Republic Bank, which operates 40 branches in Ghana and faces operational hurdles due to the lengthy travel times. Maharaj expressed optimism about exploring all options to establish direct flights between the Caribbean and Africa, viewing this as a stepping stone to broader economic collaboration. He also mentioned ongoing discussions for a free-trade agreement involving TT, Caricom, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which represents a market of 450 million people. The recent appointment of Ghana’s first ambassador to TT further signals mutual interest in fostering trade relations. Maharaj reiterated his commitment to overcoming the barriers to accessing the West African market, which boasts a population of 470 million, stressing that improved connectivity is essential for business growth.

Energy Minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal has reaffirmed the Trinidad and Tobago government’s commitment to fostering collaboration within the petrochemical sector, particularly with global nitrogen and agrochemicals producer Nutrien. Speaking at the post-cabinet news conference on November 20 at the Diplomatic Centre in St. Ann’s, Moonilal emphasized the government’s open-door policy, stating, ‘We continue to have an open-door policy as it relates to the petrochemical sector and all players, including Nutrien.’ Over the past two weeks, the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries has maintained communication with Nutrien, expressing readiness to discuss future investments and projects in the downstream sector. Moonilal reiterated Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s stance that Trinidad and Tobago is open for business. This announcement follows Nutrien’s decision to fully shut down its Trinidad operations on October 23, leaving 600 workers unemployed after failed negotiations with the National Energy Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago over port and pier facility fees. Moonilal also highlighted the successful completion of bpTT’s Cypre project, which is expected to significantly boost natural gas production. The project, located 78 kilometers off Trinidad’s southeast coast, is projected to deliver 45,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day at peak capacity. Former Energy Minister Stuart Young praised the project’s success, noting its potential to offset the ongoing decline in natural gas production.

The successful completion of bpTT’s Cypre seven-well drilling program has garnered praise from both current and former Energy Ministers, underscoring its pivotal role in Trinidad and Tobago’s energy landscape. Energy Minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal lauded the project’s early delivery, noting that Phase 2’s three wells were operational ahead of their 2026 schedule. The Cypre subsea development, tied to bpTT’s Juniper platform, is expected to produce 45,000 barrels of oil equivalent daily at peak capacity, significantly bolstering the nation’s natural gas supply. Moonilal attributed the project’s success to policies enacted by the People’s Partnership government in 2014, including exploration incentives that spurred investments like the Macadamia-1 well in 2017. Former Energy Minister Stuart R Young also commended bpTT, emphasizing the project’s role in mitigating natural gas decline. Despite concerns raised by former Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley about declining gas production, the Cypre project represents a critical step toward securing Trinidad and Tobago’s energy future. Located 78 kilometers off the southeast coast, the Cypre gas field is wholly owned by bpTT, a joint venture of bp and Repsol.

Prominent quarry operator and real estate businessman Danny Guerra, along with his son, was detained on November 20 under the state of emergency’s preventative-detention provisions. The arrest, linked to serious allegations involving national security, was confirmed by Assistant Commissioner of Police Richard Smith. Guerra, who was previously out on bail for alleged illegal quarry operations in Guanapo, was taken to the Eastern Correctional Rehabilitation Centre by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU). Smith stated that Guerra would likely remain in custody for the full 90 days permitted under the state of emergency while investigations continue. The detention order was issued by Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander, though specific details of the allegations were not disclosed. A source close to Guerra, however, claimed the detention lacked factual basis and was tied to previous quarry-related charges. The source also revealed that Guerra had made significant political donations during the April 28 election campaign, though the recipient party was not specified. Guerra’s health condition remains unknown following his hospitalization in October for complications arising from his initial arrest. The Guerra family’s legal troubles began on October 9 when Danny Guerra, his son Garvin Guerra, and 16 others were arrested during a police operation that shut down an alleged illegal quarry in Guanapo, seizing millions of dollars worth of equipment.