分类： business

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.

Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo has reassured the public that the newly introduced 0.25% asset levy on commercial banks and insurance companies, effective January 1, 2026, will not adversely affect customers. Speaking at the ICATT conference held at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain, Tancoo emphasized the importance of the Central Bank’s role in ensuring that financial institutions absorb the levy without passing additional costs onto consumers. He highlighted that the combined asset base of commercial banks and insurance companies exceeds $230 billion, and the levy is expected to generate approximately $5 billion annually from banks and $75 million from insurance companies. Tancoo also addressed concerns raised by critics regarding the lack of safeguards to prevent cost transfer to customers, stating that the Central Bank would maintain strict oversight. Additionally, he outlined the government’s strategy to reduce the budget deficit by enhancing the efficiency of the Board of Inland Revenue (BIR) and Customs and Excise, aiming to curb tax evasion and improve revenue streams.

Despite escalating diplomatic tensions between Trinidad and Tobago (TT) and Venezuela due to TT’s support for US military actions against Venezuelan narco-terrorists and traffickers, Trade, Investment, and Tourism Minister Satyakama Maharaj has identified Venezuela as a potential ‘gold mine’ for trade and investment. Speaking at the Institute of Chartered Accountants’ (ICATT) annual international finance and accounting conference in Port of Spain, Maharaj emphasized that Venezuela represents a vast, untapped market for TT manufacturers, provided its socio-political and geopolitical challenges are resolved. He expressed confidence that TT could swiftly capitalize on this opportunity, potentially launching trade missions immediately. Maharaj also highlighted TT’s economic diversification efforts, aiming to increase non-energy exports from 30% to 50% within five years, citing the decline of the oil and gas boom as a driving factor. He acknowledged challenges in coordinating with the fragmented private sector but revealed plans to unify various chambers and organizations under a single private sector entity. Additionally, Maharaj praised Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for her relentless lobbying efforts, which led to the US reversing a 15% tariff on TT’s ammonia, urea, and methanol exports. This reversal, achieved through high-level diplomatic engagements, has been hailed as a significant win for TT’s economy.

A recent policy brief from the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) has raised alarms about the growing uncertainty in Caribbean economies, driven by a combination of geopolitical factors, including recent changes in US tariff and immigration policies. The report, titled ‘Navigating the New Tariff and Immigration Regimes in the Caribbean,’ underscores the urgent need for the region to adapt strategically to these rapidly evolving external pressures. The brief, part of CANARI’s Strategic Research and Policy Initiative, highlights how shifts in US domestic and foreign policies have led to the restructuring of global trade relations, reduced development assistance, increased military spending, and tightened immigration controls. These changes are expected to result in more expensive trade, fewer immigration opportunities, reduced remittance flows, and heightened economic instability across the Caribbean. Key recommendations from the brief include diversifying exports, reducing dependency on external food and energy supplies, fostering entrepreneurship among youth, enhancing regional cooperation in food and energy production, and developing labor policies suited to the new geopolitical economic order. Nicole Leotaud, Executive Director of CANARI, emphasized the importance of reassessing long-standing development strategies in light of global uncertainty. The policy brief is part of a broader research and dialogue initiative led by CANARI in partnership with regional stakeholders to promote a sustainable future for the Caribbean.

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.

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.