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Ramps Logistics concluded its most transformative year with an extraordinary celebration that blended corporate achievement with cultural festivity. The company’s annual Aura 2025 event, held on November 28 at Vice nightclub in Port of Spain, served as both a recognition ceremony and a testament to the organization’s expanding regional influence.

The evening transformed into a vibrant tapestry of high-energy performances and heartfelt acknowledgments, creating an atmosphere that resonated with the company’s core values of unity and excellence. From the moment guests arrived, the venue pulsed with an infectious energy that reflected the collective spirit of a team that has consistently elevated service standards across the logistics industry.

CEO Shaun Rampersad set the tone for the evening, emphasizing the fundamental role of human capital in the company’s success. ‘Aura represents a moment of reflection—a powerful reminder that our people constitute our greatest competitive advantage, while our ambition serves as our driving force,’ Rampersad declared. He highlighted the significant contributions from teams across Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, and other operational territories that made 2025 a breakthrough year.

The entertainment lineup featured an impressive roster of Caribbean talent, including electrifying performances by Ravi B, Patrice Roberts, Travis World, and Salty. These artists carried the audience on a musical journey that transformed the event into a shared cultural experience. The celebration was further enhanced by aerial performances, expertly crafted signature cocktails, and gourmet food stations that provided a sophisticated backdrop for networking and camaraderie.

Beyond the festivities, Aura 2025 served as a strategic platform showcasing the company’s expanding footprint across the Caribbean and South America. The presence of diplomatic representatives from Colombia, Panama, and Chile underscored Ramps Logistics’ growing international partnerships and regional significance.

The event effectively woven together the year’s accomplishments in logistics innovation, technological adoption, and customer service excellence into its celebratory fabric. As the evening culminated in high spirits, it not only celebrated past achievements but also signaled the company’s ambitious trajectory for 2026, positioning Ramps Logistics for continued regional leadership and operational excellence.

In 1968, BWIA International Airways underwent a significant corporate transformation through a series of complex negotiations and agreements. The culmination of nine months of intense discussions resulted in binding contractual obligations for the Trinidad and Tobago government and the airline, formalized through agreements dated May 24, 1968. These arrangements did not represent a departure from previously contemplated plans but rather established an acceptable framework for executing agreed undertakings, with copies promptly distributed to interested West Indian governments.

The restructuring initiative began with a board reconstitution in February 1968, following Sir Patrick Hobson’s resignation. Hobson explicitly noted that BWIA’s viability depended on association with strong external financial interests, modern equipment acquisition, and managerial reorganization. The newly formed board, chaired by Sir Ellis Clarke with directors J M Scoon, Gerald Montes de Oca, and Donald J Urgo, immediately engaged Trans World Airlines (TWA) through a 90-day interim management and technical assistance agreement.

A three-member TWA advisory team led by J I Greenwald arrived in Port of Spain on February 12, 1968. Within two days, the board designated Greenwald as acting CEO to implement essential organizational reforms, addressing the managerial and technical skill deficiencies identified by the previous leadership. This advisory contract was subsequently extended to July 1968 pending US Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) approval of a proposed three-year management agreement.

The comprehensive arrangement included a ground handling agreement at New York’s JFK Airport effective November 1, 1968, and a reciprocal sales agency agreement originally scheduled for October 1, 1968. However, neither the management assistance nor sales agency agreements were implemented due to adverse rulings from the CAB, which held jurisdiction over TWA. These interconnected agreements formed a composite arrangement whose failure in one component undermined the entire structure.

Simultaneously, an investment agreement involving Goldfield Corporation—whose shares traded on the American Stock Exchange—Caribbean International Ltd, R W Pressprich and Co International Ltd, and Lorenzo, Carney and Company Inc., collapsed when Goldfield deemed US Foreign Direct Investment Regulations too onerous. By December 1968, it became apparent that Caribbean International could not fulfill its obligations under the May 24 agreements.

Subsequent negotiations produced revised agreements in 1969 that increased BWIA’s compensation from $6 million to $8 million while maintaining hotel development commitments at Rockly Point, Tobago. The government facilitated this arrangement by repurchasing British Overseas Airways Corporation’s 10% shareholding for $250,000—the same price originally paid in 1961. Payments of $2 million on January 31, 1969, and $6 million on June 23, 1969, were ultimately executed under these revised terms.

PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – The Human Resource Management Association of Trinidad and Tobago (HRMATT) recently convened its esteemed Legacy Awards and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, a premier gathering celebrating the profound influence of human resources professionals throughout the Caribbean region. Held on November 29 at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain under the dynamic theme ‘Legacy in Motion,’ the event spotlighted visionary leaders and organizations actively shaping the future of work.

Dubbed the ‘Oscars for HR professionals,’ the ceremony assembled government officials, corporate executives, regional collaborators, and HR practitioners for an evening dedicated to recognition, inspiration, and strategic networking. The 2025 awards specifically highlighted HR management’s transformative role in advancing national development through human capital investment, emphasizing the profession’s growing strategic importance amid rapid technological evolution and shifting workplace expectations.

In her opening address, HRMATT President Cavelle Joseph-St Omer articulated the association’s core mission to empower professionals and foster excellence, asserting that ‘human resources must be at the heart of any economic revitalization.’ She framed ‘legacy in motion’ as a compelling call to action rooted in transformational leadership, advocacy, and innovation.

Senator Leroy Baptiste, Minister of Labour, Small and Micro Enterprise Development, delivered the keynote address, connecting economic diversification directly to workforce preparedness. He challenged HR leaders to champion digital literacy, reskilling initiatives, data-driven talent strategies, and equity-focused practices, reinforcing HR’s critical function as architects of workplace inclusion and well-being.

The Legacy Awards were established to honor HRMATT’s founding visionaries who pioneered HR professionalization in the region, advocating for ethical standards, strategic leadership, and continuous development. This annual celebration reinforces the association’s dedication to preserving its heritage while stimulating innovation in the evolving world of work.

A strategic milestone occurred in 2024 with the establishment of the HR Hall of Fame, designed to preserve historical achievements, inspire excellence through role modeling, and strengthen professional identity by showcasing HR’s impact on organizational success and national development. The 2025 ceremony honored five inaugural inductees: Gordon Draper (posthumously), recognized as HRMATT’s founding father; Dr. Rudrawatee Nan Gosine-Ramgoolam for public service HR reform; Dr. Kwame Charles for organizational development and engagement; Sandra Marchack for employee well-being advocacy; and Dr. Roland Baptiste for learning and culture transformation.

Expanding its regional impact, HRMATT introduced two new Caribbean-wide awards in 2023 recognizing outstanding HR professionals and organizations. Human Resource Management Association of Barbados President Tisha Peters emphasized the necessity of visionary leadership, mentorship, and cross-border partnerships during the proceedings.

The 2025 Legacy Awards celebrated excellence across nine categories, honoring recipients from both public and private sectors. Notable awards included the Gordon Draper Award for Public Service Transformation to Davi Ramkallawan of Nalis, the Maxine Barnett Award for HR Excellence to Dr. Sterling Frost of UWI, and the Coreen Jones Award for Best Place to Work to Regency Recruitment and Resources Ltd. Additional recognitions went to Gerard Pinard, Guardian Shared Services, Rotary Club of Central Port of Spain, Fallon Estrado, Tiersa Smith-Hall, and Republic Bank Ltd.

These awards function as strategic instruments for professional advancement by elevating standards, driving transformation aligned with national development goals, fostering engagement, and building collaborative communities across sectors. As Minister Baptiste observed, ‘Legacy is a challenge, a call, a responsibility’ – a sentiment embodying the evening’s affirmation that HR constitutes not merely a profession but an active legacy continuously evolving to shape inclusive, future-ready workplaces.

Trinidad and Tobago’s agricultural industry is experiencing sustained contraction despite abundant natural resources and emerging innovations, with official data revealing a 2.9% decline in the first quarter of 2025 following a 2.7% drop in the final quarter of 2024. This persistent downturn has simultaneously dragged down non-energy exports, which fell by 4.8% during the same period, raising concerns about the sector’s long-term viability as it continues to contribute only single-digit percentages to the national GDP.

In response to these challenges, the government has unveiled an ambitious strategy aiming to generate US$1 billion in agricultural export revenue. Agriculture Minister Ravi Ratiram recently announced plans to reactivate processing facilities nationwide, including the Brechin Castle Packing House and the substantial 3,000-square-foot Brickfield Packing House. This initiative follows the distribution of Brazilian dwarf coconut seedlings designed to rejuvenate the coconut industry.

At the ‘Exploring Opportunities with India’ seminar hosted by the India High Commission, Minister Ratiram pointed to India’s remarkable transformation from major food importer to global exporter as a model for Trinidad and Tobago’s aspirations. “TT is working to achieve this very shift—from raw production to processed and certified goods that can be exported, creating jobs, strengthening rural communities, and earning foreign exchange,” Ratiram stated.

The national strategy encompasses multiple approaches: strengthening food security through improved production systems and technology transfer, implementing climate-smart agriculture, modernizing farming via greenhouse technology and digital tools, enhancing water management, and expanding processing capabilities to develop new revenue streams and export opportunities.

Indian High Commissioner Dr. Pradeep Rajpurohit expressed strong confidence in Trinidad and Tobago’s agricultural potential, noting the country’s exceptionally fertile soil and favorable climate conditions. “I see that there is sizeable import of food commodities including fruits and vegetables, but living here I can tell you that TT has some of the most fertile soil and favorable weather for agriculture…the potential is immense,” Dr. Rajpurohit remarked. He specifically highlighted Julie mangoes, local pineapples, papaya, and even dragon fruit as products with significant export potential, suggesting that India could become a major market for these commodities, especially during winter months when certain produce becomes scarce.

The seminar, attended by dozens of agricultural stakeholders, also addressed critical systemic challenges. Farmers highlighted the absence of a local certification process for organic goods, which prevents Trinidad and Tobago from accessing premium export markets despite many practitioners already employing organic farming methods. Minister Ratiram acknowledged this limitation and expressed commitment to discussing solutions with India’s Agricultural and Processed Food Export Development Authority (APEDA).

Complementing these agricultural initiatives, the government has revealed comprehensive plans to modernize approximately 142 acres of port land, including upgrades to the Port of Spain, Galeota Mega Energy, and Point Lisas Industrial Port. The centerpiece of this infrastructure development is the proposed ‘Port City’—a major offshore cargo port on reclaimed land west of Port of Spain that will accommodate next-generation vessels and feature modern logistics systems, dry-dock facilities, expanded container-handling capacity, and climate-resilient infrastructure. These port enhancements are expected to significantly improve regional export capabilities through expanded berth capacity, deeper channels, and more efficient intermodal connections.

This multi-faceted approach forms part of the government’s broader revitalization blueprint aimed at creating 50,000 jobs through infrastructure upgrades and sector stimulation, representing a comprehensive effort to transform Trinidad and Tobago’s agricultural and export economy.

PORT OF SPAIN – Trinidad and Tobago’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) received a powerful infusion of inspiration and practical strategies at the groundbreaking Catalyst 2025 conference, hosted by the TT Chamber of Industry and Commerce on February 11-12. The event, held at the Leon Agostini Conference Hall, brought together established business leaders and emerging entrepreneurs for a transformative dialogue on navigating today’s challenging economic landscape.

The conference moved beyond theoretical concepts to deliver actionable insights through lived experiences, with prominent business figures including SM Jaleel director Eesa Mohammed, Cher-Mère CEO Cheryl Bowles, Solis chairman Angella Persad, and Aegis Business Solutions Limited chairman Angela Lee Loy sharing their journeys from humble beginnings to commercial success.

Central to the discussions was the theme of calculated risk-taking, with multiple case studies demonstrating how businesses successfully pivoted to e-commerce, expanded into regional exports, and leveraged technology despite resource constraints. Participants emphasized that strategic boldness – rather than reckless gambling – separates thriving enterprises from stagnant operations.

Innovation emerged as a practical tool rather than abstract buzzword, with concrete examples including agri-tech solutions to reduce food import dependency, cultural heritage commercialization through the orange economy, and digital platforms connecting local businesses with international markets. The conference featured a pitch competition where newcomers presented innovative business concepts to industry authorities.

The resilience narrative resonated deeply among attendees, with business leaders openly discussing setbacks and recovery strategies in Trinidad and Tobago’s challenging operating environment. High operational costs, financing limitations, and market volatility were addressed through practical workshops on cash flow management, revenue diversification, and organizational development.

The event’s most significant impact may have been its creation of a collaborative ecosystem where entrepreneurs discovered shared challenges and solutions. Numerous participants reported leaving with renewed motivation and concrete implementation plans, having connected with mentors and peers who provided both technical knowledge and moral support.

The TT Chamber has already announced plans for Catalyst 2026, encouraging SMEs to apply the conference’s key principles: taking calculated risks, implementing innovation incrementally, building financial resilience, leveraging professional networks, and acting promptly on new inspiration.