分类： business

TOBAGO – In a groundbreaking workshop hosted by EuroChamTT (European Business Chamber in Trinidad and Tobago), United Nations development finance officer Mark Thomas presented a transformative perspective on corporate sustainability, challenging the perceived dichotomy between profitability and environmental responsibility.

The event, held at Kariwak in Tobago and attended by business leaders and EU diplomats including Ambassador Cécile Tassin, addressed the critical misconception that sustainability initiatives inherently conflict with financial success. Thomas, who coordinates UN partnerships across Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Curacao, and Sint Maarten, argued that profit serves as the essential catalyst for scalable sustainable solutions.

“Sustainable means profitable,” Thomas asserted, emphasizing that profitability enables reinvestment, growth, and systemic change. He reframed profit not as an expression of greed but as the essential fuel that transforms innovative ideas into world-changing solutions.

The workshop highlighted how global commitments like the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals are reshaping economic landscapes. Companies embracing sustainable practices now benefit from preferential financing, insurance terms, and market access, while those neglecting environmental and social responsibilities face increasing costs and regulatory pressures.

Tobago’s tourism industry exemplifies this interconnection, where degraded reefs and eroded beaches directly threaten economic viability. Similarly, Trinidad confronts business risks through infrastructure vulnerabilities, energy reliability issues, and social instability.

Rather than starting from scratch, Trinidad and Tobago possesses unique advantages: Trinidad’s sophisticated energy infrastructure and industrial expertise, combined with Tobago’s premier tourism offerings, create exceptional opportunities for sustainable transformation. The islands can leverage these assets to develop waste-to-energy systems, water-smart agriculture, and technical training programs that address both environmental and economic needs.

The event emphasized that government leadership remains essential in creating enabling environments through clear regulations, infrastructure investment, and policy alignment with global standards. This collaborative approach between business, government, and civil society creates a reinforcing cycle where strong businesses build stable communities, which in turn attract investment and fuel further growth.

As the global economy increasingly rewards sustainable practices, Trinidad and Tobago stands positioned to transform challenges into competitive advantages, proving that profitability and planetary responsibility are not opposing forces but complementary components of long-term success.

In an era of rapid technological transformation, administrative professionals in Trinidad and Tobago are demonstrating unprecedented value as strategic partners in organizational success. The National Association of Administrative Professionals of TT (NAAP), founded in 1969 as the National Secretaries Association, has emerged as the premier organization championing the holistic development of these essential workforce members.

NAAP’s comprehensive programs reflect the evolving nature of administrative roles. The Madam Secretary of the Year competition enhances public speaking and communication skills, while the Administrative Professional Secretary Certificate program, developed with the University of the West Indies, establishes standardized professional benchmarks. The Business Student of the Year 2025 initiative targets secondary school business students, preparing the next generation for corporate leadership through experiential learning beyond traditional classrooms.

As Trinidad and Tobago diversifies its economy beyond energy into finance, tourism, and creative industries, administrative professionals are proving indispensable. They serve as stability anchors during organizational change, process connectors ensuring seamless communication, and adaptability champions who integrate new technologies while maintaining essential human elements. Their roles now encompass strategic support functions including project management, data analysis, and decision-making processes.

Contrary to predictions of obsolescence due to automation and artificial intelligence, administrative professionals are experiencing enhanced relevance. Technology serves as an enabler rather than replacement, with cloud systems and AI streamlining tasks while human professionals provide judgment, empathy, and contextual understanding that machines cannot replicate. These professionals are increasingly digital literate, mastering new platforms to maintain organizational competitiveness in a globalized economy.

The profession continues evolving with expectations for digital proficiency, cultural awareness, and strategic mindset. Administrative professionals now drive innovation support, compliance maintenance in dynamic regulatory environments, and customer service excellence that strengthens Trinidad and Tobago’s global competitiveness. They function as efficiency coordinators across departments, communication gatekeepers between executives and stakeholders, and process innovators adapting to modern workplace demands.

As NAAP looks toward 2026, the organization emphasizes resilience, professionalism, and growth commitment as essential qualities for administrative professionals shaping organizational success. These professionals stand ready to ensure Trinidad and Tobago’s businesses remain resilient and future-prepared for national prosperity, stepping boldly into the new year with professional pride and shared vision of excellence.

In an era of economic volatility, foreign exchange challenges, and escalating ESG demands, access to reliable data has transitioned from optional to strategically essential. This is especially critical for economies like Trinidad and Tobago, where extractive industries fundamentally influence fiscal stability, currency flows, and investor sentiment.

Vashti Guyadeen, CEO of the TT Chamber of Industry and Commerce, emphasizes that transparency transcends abstract idealism—it represents practical business necessity. Drawing from her leadership in Trinidad and Tobago’s inaugural Open Government Partnership Action Plan (2012-2015), Guyadeen affirms that open, dependable data fortifies governance, fosters trust, and enhances decision-making across public and private sectors.

The Trinidad and Tobago Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (TTEITI) exemplifies this principle by implementing global transparency standards within the nation’s oil, gas, and mining sectors. Through independently verified reporting, TTEITI discloses vital information regarding revenues, contracts, environmental factors, beneficial ownership, and state enterprise governance.

With over 15 years of operation, TTEITI has reconciled approximately $200 billion in extractive sector payments, maintaining a remarkable discrepancy margin of just $4,500. This rigorous verification provides businesses, investors, and policymakers confidence in the energy sector’s data integrity.

Beyond disclosure, TTEITI’s analyses have strengthened revenue collection systems, improved data management practices, and evaluated whether production-sharing contracts deliver optimal national value. Between 2015-2022 alone, major energy companies contributed an estimated US$7.4 billion to government revenues—critical inflows sustaining imports, debt servicing, and macroeconomic stability.

For business leaders, TTEITI’s open data serves as strategic input rather than mere compliance obligation. It enables companies to anticipate fiscal trends, assess policy risks, strengthen ESG strategies, and base investment decisions on evidence rather than speculation. The Chamber’s partnership with TTEITI reflects member priorities including tax transparency, state enterprise governance, environmental disclosures, and improved ESG readiness.

Guyadeen concludes that transparency generates tangible value, providing competitive advantage when leveraged effectively. The Chamber remains committed to institutional foundations supporting a resilient private sector, demonstrating that transparency ultimately enables sustainable growth in evolving economic landscapes.

Trinidad’s online gaming sector faces potential disruption as the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB) considers implementing Sunday draws for several popular lottery games, despite no official confirmation from the regulatory body.

According to Dean Persad, President of the Online Gaming Agents Association of TT (OGAATT), lottery equipment provider Brightstar Lottery (formerly IGT lottery division) has been circulating notices among agents regarding proposed Sunday drawings for Play Whe, Pick 2, Pick 4 and Cash Pot games, effective February 8, 2026. The document, which surfaced on social media January 14, claims the NLCB board resolved to amend draw schedules under the National Lotteries Act.

Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo, whose ministry oversees NLCB, acknowledged awareness of the initiative as part of the board’s “business expansion model” but provided no further details. Newsday’s attempts to verify the document’s authenticity with NLCB and Brightstar representatives proved unsuccessful.

Persad expressed significant concerns about the potential implementation, citing multiple operational challenges. “The disrespect, callousness, exploitation and lack of consideration towards agents continues under this new regime,” he stated, emphasizing that the association should have been consulted on matters directly affecting their members.

Key concerns include uncertainty about whether Sunday operations would be mandatory or optional, potential labor cost implications requiring double and triple-time payments under Trinidad’s labor laws, increased security risks due to reduced street activity on Sundays, and anticipated low sales volumes as families typically remain home. Additionally, agents questioned how Sunday operations would affect weekly settlement procedures that currently run Monday through Saturday.

The association president revealed profound disappointment with the newly appointed NLCB board’s lack of engagement since their July 25 installation. Despite repeated attempts to schedule meetings—including one cancellation after date confirmation—and direct intervention from the Prime Minister who emailed ministers instructing them to meet with OGAATT, Persad said the board has consistently ignored communication attempts.

“We are the most important stakeholders in the whole organization,” Persad emphasized. “We are the point people bringing in the money for the organization. Why not engage us and hear what we have to say?” The association continues seeking respectful dialogue with NLCB leadership to address their operational concerns before any Sunday draw implementation.

In a significant development for Trinidad and Tobago’s energy sector, multinational oil and gas company Perenco convened high-level talks with Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI) officials on January 14. The meeting centered on Perenco’s recent acquisition of Greater Angostura oil and gas assets and associated production facilities, marking a substantial investment in the country’s energy infrastructure.

During the strategic discussions at the ministry headquarters, Perenco executives delivered comprehensive updates on operational advancements and outlined plans to enhance efficiency across their Trinidadian operations. The dialogue emphasized collaborative initiatives designed to sustain and strengthen investment in the nation’s critical energy sector.

Energy Minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal expressed the government’s endorsement of Perenco’s initiatives to extend the productive lifespan of mature oil fields while fostering a favorable investment climate. The minister emphasized the administration’s commitment to supporting energy companies in maximizing Trinidad and Tobago’s hydrocarbon resources.

Perenco detailed performance metrics from their existing operations, including the CAFI gas fields (Cashima, Amherstia, Flamboyant, and Immortelle) and revealed development strategies for the Onyx field situated within the Teak, Samaan, and Poui (TSP) area.

The energy company’s delegation, led by CEO Armel Simondin, reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining close collaboration with MEEI as current projects progress and new opportunities materialize in the local energy landscape. The meeting participants included key figures from both organizations, underscoring the importance both parties place on this strategic partnership.