分类： business

JMMB Trinidad and Tobago has successfully mobilized substantial financial support for Jamaican communities ravaged by Hurricane Melissa through its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative. The financial institution’s Disaster Relief Fund, branded as “One Love,” has accumulated more than TT$540,000 (approximately US$80,000) through a collaborative effort involving the JMMB Group, employee contributions, and public donations from Trinidad and Tobago citizens.

The comprehensive fundraising initiative will channel all proceeds to The Joan Duncan Foundation, the philanthropic division of JMMB Group based in Jamaica. These resources will be strategically deployed to address critical recovery needs including residential repairs, reconstruction of community centers, and restoration of essential infrastructure severely compromised by the catastrophic hurricane.

Chantal Pereira, Country Marketing and Communications Manager at JMMB Trinidad and Tobago, emphasized the organization’s philosophical approach: “At JMMB, we fundamentally believe in community solidarity and collective support during crises. This contribution demonstrates our dual commitment to both financial empowerment and the holistic wellbeing of Caribbean communities we serve.”

The Joan Duncan Foundation brings established expertise in educational development, community programming, and disaster response coordination. This partnership ensures targeted allocation of resources to areas of greatest need, delivering both practical assistance and renewed hope to numerous affected families throughout Jamaica.

Hurricane Melissa, recorded as the first Category 5 hurricane to make direct landfall in Jamaica, occurred between October 21 and November 4. The storm ranks among the most intense Atlantic hurricanes in recorded history, causing widespread devastation across multiple Caribbean nations, with Jamaica and Cuba experiencing particularly severe impacts.

Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has marked a significant milestone in its corporate sustainability journey by honoring the employees and teams instrumental in advancing its environmental and social initiatives. The state-owned carrier hosted a special recognition ceremony on December 29th to celebrate these accomplishments.

The event spotlighted the critical role of workforce engagement in fulfilling the airline’s commitment to responsible operations. Through its Employee Sustainability Leaderboard Challenge—an internal program fostering innovation and departmental accountability—CAL successfully mobilized staff participation across the organization. The Operations Division emerged as overall champion, while nine individuals received MVP accolades for their outstanding contributions to sustainable practices.

Acting CEO Nirmala Ramai commended employees for their dedication, emphasizing that the program’s success stems directly from collective passion and commitment. She noted that consistent employee actions are fundamental to achieving the airline’s sustainability objectives and building operational resilience.

The celebration also highlighted CAL’s broader sustainability framework, which includes educational outreach through initiatives like the Caribbean Airlines Career Caravan. This flagship program has exposed over 100,000 students across the region to aviation career paths, inspiring youth while addressing future workforce development.

The airline reaffirmed its dedication to continuing this sustainability trajectory through employee empowerment, educational investment, and embedding responsible practices throughout its operational ecosystem for the benefit of passengers, communities, and the wider Caribbean region.

In a significant development for Trinidad and Tobago’s energy sector, ExxonMobil has received formal environmental clearance to commence seismic surveys in the massive TT Ultra Deep 1 (TTUD-1) block, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s economic revitalization efforts.

The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) granted the Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) during a ceremony at the Eric Williams Finance Building in Port of Spain on December 29. Energy Minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal emphasized that ExxonMobil’s return could fundamentally reshape the country’s economic future, though he cautioned that bureaucratic delays continue to cost the nation substantial revenue.

The TTUD-1 block, an aggregation of seven parcels east of Trinidad, represents an enormous undertaking at 7,165 square kilometers—significantly larger than Trinidad’s 5,128km surface area. The project’s initial phase carries a price tag of US$42.5 million (TT$288 million), with full development costs estimated between US$16.4 billion and US$21.7 billion.

Technological advancements have been crucial in enabling this deepwater exploration. Modern drill ships, semi-submersibles, and high-pressure temperature technologies have overcome previous limitations, allowing operations at depths exceeding 2,000 meters (approximately 6,560 feet).

ExxonMobil’s agreement includes drilling two exploration wells initially, with optional second and third phases containing additional wells. The company has committed to US$12.8 million (TT$87 million) in financial obligations during phase one, covering administrative charges, training contributions, research and development funding, technical assistance, equipment bonuses, and scholarships.

Minister Moonilal revealed that accelerated decision-making could generate US$120 million annually for the nation. His ministry currently coordinates with 16 state agencies and ministries for various approvals, licenses, and legal orders, creating complex logistical challenges.

To address these inefficiencies, the government is developing an energy hub that will streamline sector processes. With Cabinet approval pending, this hub will integrate entities both within and outside the energy ministry to resolve issues in real time—from lease operators facing bureaucratic delays to international companies awaiting work permits.

Concurrently, Planning, Economic Affairs and Development Minister Dr. Kennedy Swaratsingh announced the launch of the Priority Projects Portal, designed to provide transparent tracking of national initiatives as part of the government’s broader economic revitalization strategy.

In a significant corporate development, Trinidad and Tobago conglomerate Agostini Limited has announced the departure of Group Controller Trudy N Ramdath, effective January 5. The resignation was formally disclosed through a material change notice published by the TT Stock Exchange on December 30.

The company’s board of directors confirmed Ramdath’s exit in compliance with Section 64(1)(b) of the Trinidad and Tobago Securities Act, 2021. The announcement, signed by Company Secretary Nadia James-Reyes Tineo and dated December 29, provided no explanation for the senior executive’s decision to step down.

Ramdath originally assumed the group controller position on May 29, 2023, bringing with her substantial financial expertise gained over 17 years as chief financial officer at a prominent local enterprise. Her professional credentials include membership in both the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Chartered Governance Institute.

Agostini Limited operates as a regional conglomerate with extensive interests across three core sectors: pharmaceutical and healthcare, consumer products, and energy and industrial services. The company maintains operations in ten regional markets while exporting to over 20 additional countries, supported by a workforce exceeding 3,500 employees.

The company’s leadership structure includes Christian Mouttet as chairman, Francois Mouttet as executive director, and Barry A Davis as chief executive officer. The board further comprises non-executive directors Reyaz W Ahamad, Wayne A Frederick, Caroline Toni Sirju-Ramnarine, Nicholas Sinanan, and Jorge Sequeira, alongside independent directors Lisa M Mackenzie, Joanna Banks, and T Nicholas Gomez.