分类： business

The closure of Standard Distributors, a long-standing retail giant in Trinidad and Tobago, marks the end of an era for traditional brick-and-mortar home furnishings and electronics stores. Simultaneously, American Stores, a family-run competitor, has opened a new branch in Arima, symbolizing the shifting dynamics in the local retail market. The contrasting events highlight the challenges faced by traditional retailers in adapting to online competition, squeezed profit margins, and evolving consumer preferences. Standard Distributors, founded in 1945 and acquired by the Ansa McAL Group in 1967, officially closed its doors on November 1, 2025. Its operations have been sold to Term Finance (TT) Ltd, a regional fintech company, which plans to rebrand the business as Standard Credit, focusing on credit and e-commerce services. Sarah Inglefield, Ansa McAL’s head of marketing, emphasized that the divestment aligns with the group’s strategic growth priorities, allowing it to focus on high-growth sectors. Meanwhile, American Stores, founded in 1950, is reclaiming its position in the market. The company, now led by the third generation of the Hosein family, has opened a new branch in Arima, replacing a smaller, congested location. COO Tana de Freitas highlighted the company’s resilience and commitment to customer service, despite challenges such as foreign exchange shortages and shipping costs. While Standard Distributors’ closure reflects the harsh realities of traditional retail, American Stores’ expansion demonstrates the enduring potential of family-owned businesses in a rapidly changing market.

The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) recently hosted its annual President’s Dinner and Awards at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain, celebrating the resilience, innovation, and economic contributions of the nation’s manufacturing sector. The event, held on November 5, 2025, highlighted the industry’s pivotal role in national development, with TTMA President Dale Parson emphasizing its employment of over 60,000 people and its status as a key economic stabilizer. Parson also revealed that the TTMA, in partnership with the government, raised over $5 million in goods and cash within 24 hours to support Jamaica’s recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa. The manufacturing sector accounts for approximately 18% of Trinidad and Tobago’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), making it the second-largest employer after the state. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were recognized as the backbone of the industry, comprising nearly 65% of manufacturers nationwide. Parson outlined initiatives to enhance SME export readiness, including participation in trade conventions, international missions, and collaboration with the Eximbank. Looking ahead, the TTMA has proposed redeveloping the Caroni Racing Complex into a world-class convention center, aiming to position Trinidad and Tobago as a regional manufacturing and trade hub. The event also featured calls for deeper bilateral collaboration between Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, with Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association President Rafeek Khan urging the resolution of trade barriers to unlock regional opportunities. Trade Minister Satyakama Maharaj commended manufacturers for their role in economic diversification, announcing ambitious targets to expand exports by $5 billion and attract $9 billion in investments over the next five years. The evening concluded with awards recognizing industry leaders, including Angostura Ltd, which won Exporter of the Year (Large Category), and Novo Farms Ltd, honored as Manufacturer of the Year (Medium Category).

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is fundamentally transforming the global workforce, challenging traditional job structures and reshaping industries. While the phrase ‘AI won’t take your job – but someone using AI will’ offers a sense of optimism, the reality is far more complex. Companies worldwide are increasingly citing AI as a reason for cutting thousands of white-collar roles. Amazon’s CEO, Andy Jassy, recently highlighted that AI enables teams to achieve more with fewer people, signaling a shift in workforce dynamics.

Jobs are not monolithic but rather collections of tasks. Research from McKinsey & Company reveals that AI can perform 30 to 70 percent of these tasks, altering the economic viability of many roles. When AI handles half of a job’s workload more efficiently, companies face three choices: eliminate the role, merge it with another function, or redesign it into an AI-assisted position. This gradual erosion of tasks is particularly evident in routine cognitive work, such as data entry, report writing, and document review, which AI now manages with near-professional precision.

Gartner predicts that by 2026, 20 percent of organizations will use AI to flatten their hierarchies, eliminating half of their middle-management layers. AI systems are now capable of handling coordination, analytics, and communication—functions traditionally overseen by managers. This shift is creating what McKinsey terms the ‘agentic organization,’ where small human teams supervise networks of AI agents, resulting in leaner companies and faster decision-making.

While AI is automating many tasks, it is also driving job transformation. In medicine, surgeons use AI to enhance decision-making during operations. In law, AI tools save lawyers an estimated 240 hours annually by handling contract analysis and legal research. In marketing, generative AI has reduced content creation costs by 30 to 50 percent. AI acts as a copilot, handling repetitive work so humans can focus on creativity and judgment. However, companies often fail to replace eliminated tasks with new creative roles, leading to workforce reductions.

AI is also reshaping income distribution. According to PwC’s Global AI Jobs Barometer (2025), industries like finance, IT, and professional services are experiencing productivity growth five times faster than sectors like manufacturing or transport. Workers with advanced AI skills command a 56 percent wage premium, while routine professional roles face decline. This dynamic is compressing the middle class and rewarding those who can direct, train, or govern AI systems.

One of the most pressing concerns is the hollowing-out of the career ladder. AI is automating entry-level tasks that once provided young professionals with learning opportunities. Simultaneously, firms are adopting ‘AI-first’ hiring policies, deploying automation before opening new roles. This trend raises questions about how the next generation of managers and specialists will be trained.

Governments are responding differently to these challenges. The European Union’s AI Act classifies workplace AI as ‘high-risk,’ demanding transparency and safety protocols, which slows innovation but protects workers. In contrast, Singapore is rapidly building an AI-fluent workforce through national upskilling initiatives and a government-backed ethics framework called AI Verify.

In conclusion, AI is not eliminating all jobs but is dismantling the structure of work as we know it. Tasks are being automated, hierarchies flattened, and entry points erased. The future will favor individuals and nations that master AI literacy, creative judgment, and the ability to design systems rather than merely operate within them. As companies in the Caribbean and beyond adopt digital tools more aggressively, the question is no longer if AI affects our jobs, but how quickly we adapt. When half of your tasks vanish, what remains is a test of the true value of the human element in your work.

First Citizens Bank has recently celebrated the academic excellence of 16 young achievers through its Neo Education Awards. This annual event, held to honor student account holders nationwide, underscores the bank’s dedication to fostering youth empowerment and financial literacy. The Neo account, a savings product tailored for individuals from birth to age 25, aims to instill sound financial habits early in life. This year, the bank doubled the number of awardees from eight in 2024 to 16, reflecting its growing commitment to education and youth development. Recipients received cash prizes directly deposited into their Neo accounts, ranging from $1,000 for Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) achievers to $6,000 for top tertiary-level performers. CSEC and CAPE students were awarded $2,500 and $3,000, respectively. Lyndon Balkran, Acting Senior Manager for Market Development, Intelligence, and Promotions, praised the awardees, emphasizing the bank’s belief in nurturing a financially confident generation. Parents and students expressed gratitude, viewing the ceremony as both a celebration of academic success and a motivation to pursue excellence. The Neo Education Awards are a key component of First Citizens’ strategy to promote lifelong financial awareness, bridging academic achievement with responsible money management.

In a decisive move to safeguard over 700 jobs and maintain vital air connections across the Caribbean and the eastern United States, the Trinidad and Tobago (TT) government, under the leadership of Premier Dr. Eric Williams, took control of British West Indian Airways (BWIA) in 1961. This action was prompted by the British Overseas Airways Corporation’s (BOAC) proposed austerity measures, which threatened significant staff retrenchments and disruptions to regional air services. Premier Williams, addressing the House of Representatives on March 23, 1962, highlighted the government’s intervention to acquire BWIA, emphasizing the need to preserve employment and sustain air links. BOAC, in a letter dated June 16, 1961, valued BWIA at £1,034,036 (BWI$5,445,726), but independent technical advice was sought to facilitate negotiations. The TT government engaged C.S. Sundaram, a consultant from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), whose report on September 27, 1961, influenced the decision to acquire BWIA on October 3, 1961. The TT government’s acquisition plan included purchasing BWIA as a going concern, negotiating pooling arrangements with BOAC, and offering BOAC a 20% equity stake. The final agreement, concluded on October 7, 1961, saw BOAC agree to the acquisition for $2.5 million, less than half the initial valuation. This strategic move underscored the TT government’s commitment to regional connectivity and employment stability, independent of broader federal plans.