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Location: "Ayodhya & Mecca"
Registered:: January 13, 2003
Posts: 9682
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Posted
Thursday 26th June, 2008
US big on trade with T&T John Ries, head, economic section, American Embassy at the Public Affairs Building on Marli Street, Queen's Park West, Port-of-Spain. Photo: SHIRLEY BAHADUR RAPHAEL JOHN-LALL(Trinidad Guardian) In 2007, two way trade between T&T and the US totalled US$10.4 billion. The US imported US$8.7 billion worth of goods and services from T&T. T&T imported US$1.7 billion worth of products from the US. The above figures support the view of John Ries, head, economic section at the American Embassy, that T&T has a favourable investment friendly climate. He expects this to continue. On July 4, not only will Americans celebrate their 232nd Independence Day, but the US will also recognise its strong business relations with T&T. "Our assessment of the investment climate in T&T has been favourable for quite a while. We always have a very clear statement that this is an investor friendly environment and has a history of that." Ries said Americans have a long history of involvement in T&T's energy sector, going back to the early 20th century when this country had just started oil production. Ries said Americans were pivotal in getting T&T's LNG projects off the ground. "There were American companies involved in getting LNG off the ground. One of them was Cabot Corporation. Samuel Bodman, US Energy Secretary in his private life back in the early 1990s was the CEO of Cabot Corporation and was involved in the consortium that got Atlantic off the ground," he said. Ries pointed out that on average, two thirds of American LNG imports come from Trinidad, there are five terminals operating on the east coast and Gulf Coast of the US and every one of these terminals gets its gas out of Trinidad. Ries said if T&T chooses to expand production, the US hopes it would continue to be a customer. Although T&T has an energy based economy, Ries hopes that continued American investment will stimulate other sectors of the economy. "In Point Lisas, the downstream industry has attracted a lot of interest over the years. There has been interest in ethanol production, manufacturing, food and beverage and electrical goods," he said. The Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) was initiated by the 1983 Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act and came into effect on January 1, 1984. The original aim was to provide tariff and trade benefits to Caribbean and Central American countries. It has been updated and amended several times since then. In 2000 the US Congress passed the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA). This legislation extended duty free treatment to a number of manufactured products not previously covered: among them clothing and footwear. Ries said one way in which the region has benefited and its economies have been able to diversify is through the CBI. For T&T, the CBI affords duty free treatment for more than 30 per cent its US exports. This category includes LNG, which enters the US duty free because the normal tariff rate for this product is zero. Trinidadian companies such as Caribbean Safety Products, which manufactures protective wear such as hats, gloves and coveralls, have had its products enter the US duty free because of the CBI. As of 2007, we have two way trade in the Strengthening ties with US Angostura also benefited from the CBI. Angostura bottles rum for a major US spirits distiller and then exports it duty free to the US. Trinidad Bulk Traders, an Angostura subsidiary, produces fuel ethanol for the US market and CBI provisions allow Caribbean countries to export ethanol duty free to the US. CBI eligible countries can provide up to seven per cent of US demand for fuel ethanol. At the moment, Caribbean countries are providing only half the quota while the US demand for fuel ethanol is rapidly expanding. The CBI also allows American taxpayers to deduct the cost of attending a business meeting or convention in T&T without having to meet the more stringent tax rules that usually apply to foreign convention clauses. This gives incentives to American businesses to carry out business in the region. "T&T has benefited from the Caribbean Basin Initiative for about 25 years, which is a set of one way trade preferences. Goods from Trinidad and other qualifying countries enter duty free even though we would apply tariffs if those goods were coming from other countries. "The idea is to create some incentives to invest in Caribbean countries." T&T is also part of the Caricom region which is moving towards a single market and economy. Ries said Americans have an interest in the success of the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) because it would make business with the region easier. "There is a lot of interest in the Caricom Single Market and Economy and I think you find a lot of support within American businesses to want to see that process move forward. "If the region comes together into a larger market, it's easier to do business. There are niche opportunities available to the Caribbean." While Americans have used the CBI as a platform to increase trade and develop local industry in the region, in terms of overall hemispheric trade, the US has led the way in advocating the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). Negotiations for the FTAA was supposed to have been completed by 2005, but have stalled because of disagreements among some of the larger Latin American countries over the agreement's pros and cons. Americans have argued that the FTAA would cover the entire hemisphere and increase Latin American and Caribbean countries' trade capacity and strengthen economies and create jobs. Ries believes the FTAA has not developed as Americans have wanted, opting instead for bilateral and regional trade agreements. "We have negotiated between the US and Central American countries a free trade agreement and Dominican Republic (DR/Cafta). This means those countries have taken the step vis-a-vis the US that Cariforum has taken vis-a-vis Europe, which is to say, graduating from one-way trade preferences to a reciprocal trade agreement." He believes a free trade agreement with T&T would be very good. "I think that would be a great thing to shoot for. It certainly is what we would have hoped to be seeing in the context of the FTAA. That hemispheric process is not really moving forward. "The US Government's approach on this over the past few years has been we have to be pragmatic about this and deepen free trade relationships where we can. And if it has to be at a regional level or bilateral level, then we would do that." American trade and investment with T&T: In 2007 two-way trade between the two countries amounted to US$10.4 billion. US imports US$8.7 billion from T&T. US exports US$1.7 billion to T&T. About US$4 billion are invested in T&T A 2007 American survey of 12 Trinidad-based companies showed that there is investment of close to US$800 million geared towards producing for the US market. Source: The United States Embassy |
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Location: "Ayodhya & Mecca"
Registered:: January 13, 2003
Posts: 9682
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Posted
Three water taxis sail into port
By Richardson Dhalai Wednesday, July 2 2008(T&T Newsday) A Dutch cargo vessel sailed into the Gulf of Paria on Monday evening and made an on time delivery of three catamarans for use as water taxis between Port-of-Spain and San Fernando. The arrival of the three hydro cruiser (HC) catamarans, worth an estimated US$10 million (TT$63 million) each, is the first phase of the water taxi service which is expected to cost more than TT$250 million to put into operation. According to sources, two catamarans the HC Milancia and the HC Olivia were offloaded at the Point Lisas docks by the Dutch cargo vessel, the MV Singlegracht, which was contracted by Gulf Shipping Limited to transport the catamarans from Southhampton, England. The third catamaran the HC Katia was delivered to the docks at Chaguaramas. The Government had said the water taxis would arrive in Trinidad by June 30, after being shipped from England on June 10. A fourth water taxi is still to be acquired. An official from Gulf Shipping would only confirm that the company was the shipping agent and referred questions to the National Infrastructure Development Company Limited (NIDCO). The three catamarans were first launched in the Southhampton shipyards in 2003 and they have a composite hull/aluminium superstructure, an overall length of 27 metres and can carry up to 150 passengers and four crew members each at a speed of 35 knots. All three catamarans have serviced routes in Europe and the Caribbean, most recently from St Maarten to St Barts and Anguilla. The travelling time between San Fernando and Port-of-Spain via the water taxis is expected to be 30 to 45 minutes, a significant reduction from the current time of between two to three hours that is usually experienced during peak hours on the highways between the southern city and the capital. At last week's monthly statutory meeting of the San Fernando City Corporation, Mayor Kenneth Ferguson said the water taxis should set sail at the end of July or early August. The Government has said the fare for the water taxis would be $15 one way. The water taxis are expected to transport an estimated 9,000 persons daily.  |
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Location: "Ayodhya & Mecca"
Registered:: January 13, 2003
Posts: 9682
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Posted
Nada Sangama launches pan CD in India
By SEETA PERSAD Wednesday, July 2 2008(T&T Newsday) THE TTEC Nada Sangama Steel Orchestra created history recently when they joined with musicians from India to record their latest CD, Vande Mataram. The CD which features ten tunes on the steelpan, is now available in record shops in TT. Songs include: "Vande Mataram", "Shankaram", "Pranav Swaroopum", "Rama Bolo", "Chalte Chalte", "Kal Ho Na Ho", "Pretty Woman", "Ham Na Jaibe" and "Jahaji Bhai". According to Anthony Ramnarine, of the Nada Sangama, the venture was made possible by TT's High Commissioner to India, Pundit Manideo Persad. At the launch of the CD in New Delhi, India, Persad said TT is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, democratic and secular country where as the national anthem proclaims "every creed and race find an equal place." "Chutney, Calypso, English, songs and in particular the Indian songs played received a tremendous response everywhere. Audiences marvel at this unique instrument created in Trinidad and Tobago and the synthesis and innovation of the musicians of the country," Persad said. Ramnarine said the Nada Sangama promotes unity through music performed on the indigenous steel pan of TT. The orchestra is based at the Datta Treya Yoga Centre in Waterloo, Carapichaima. The aim of the orchestra remains to play religious, cultural and popular music of all types on the only new musical instrument to be invented during the 20th century. Nada Sangama continues to be in demand for a variety of shows throughout TT and the Caribbean.  Members of the Nada Sangama Steel Orchestra. |
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Location: "Ayodhya & Mecca"
Registered:: January 13, 2003
Posts: 9682
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Posted
TTSE eyes US, Canada
Wednesday, July 2nd 2008(T&T Express) picture CEO of the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange Ltd, Wain Iton trinidad and Tobago's stock exchange, the largest in the Caribbean, is seeking to link up with bourses in the US and Canada to help attract investors and double the number of listings. "The world over is consolidating,'' Wain Iton, chief executive officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange Ltd., said in an interview in New York. "We have to make a business decision.'' The Trinidad and Tobago stock exchange, with a market capitalisation of about US$10.4 billion, is less than one per cent the size of Brazil's, the biggest stock market in Latin America. Iton plans to increase the number of listed companies to 65 from the current 33 companies, which include First Caribbean International Bank Ltd. and retailer GraceKennedy Ltd. Iton said he held talks with officials from the Toronto Stock Exchange and met with the Nasdaq OMX Group Inc. and NYSE Euronext about possible strategic alliances. "The proposition for a large exchange owning a piece of Trinidad and Tobago or Jamaica exchanges is not particularly tempting right now, as we don't have too much to offer, being a small market and economies,'' said Iton. The Trinidad and Tobago stock exchange started trading five days a week from April 1 as part of an effort to boost liquidity. The exchange also plans to further integrate with the bourses of Jamaica and Barbados. Bloomberg AP |
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Location: "Ayodhya & Mecca"
Registered:: January 13, 2003
Posts: 9682
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Village culture and cuisine
By SEETA PERSAD Friday, July 4 2008(T&T Newsday) VILLAGES from throughout the country will be represented at this year's Best Village Food and Folk Fair at the Queen's Park Savannah tomorrow from 9 am. A wide range of traditional African and East Indian foods and drinks will be on display and patrons will be able to sample a wide range of dishes at low cost. In addition to the culinary exhibition, the event will feature cultural performances. There will African drumming and tassa, dances, calypso and folk songs from various village groups. The highlight of the day will the crowning of Miss Folk Fair. Participants in this event will be judged on traditional wear depicting their respective villages. According to Best Village coordinator Norvan Fullerton the Food and Folk Fair is "most exciting and exhilarating" for those who participate either as competitors and performers, or simply as patrons at the open air Savannah event. Fullerton said many things that have naturally developed out of the Best Village competition, "all reflecting the art and culture of the people who have settled in rural districts in the country" He pointed out that Best Village is a grassroots programme, born out of the desire to promote pride and confidence in ordinary people, as well as to identify and encourage talent in communities and bring out indigenous traditions. The programme also aims to build cultural confidence in people so they can contribute to the development of the country. The Best Village Food and Folk Fair began as a handicraft competition to encourage it as an industry among young people. Soon, community concerts were included in the programme to unearth talent in local communities, urban and rural to ensure retention of indigenous culture. Later, farming products and food were introduced into the competition. A festival of folklore was added to develop local playwrights and dramatists. Then came the Village Olympics to promote the range of sport in which communities were showing an interest. Other components added to the programme include the Best Village queen competition , La Reine Rivé and environmental sanitation competition which encourages healthier and cleaner communities As with all other aspects of Best Village, this weekend's event celebrates the uniqueness of the people of TT and provides an opportunity to enjoy various folk performances, including drumology, dance, chutney, steelband, calypso and drama. |
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Location: "Ayodhya & Mecca"
Registered:: January 13, 2003
Posts: 9682
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Posted
Big rush for bonds
Curtis Rampersad Saturday, July 5th 2008(T&T Express Business section) Government's $1.2 billion bond to mop up excess cash released by the sale of local banking group RBTT, has been oversubscribed by investors. The auction of the bond was the first by Government for the year and was aimed at addressing domestic liquidity management. Issued on July 2, the bond matures in 2017 and has a coupon rate of 8.25 per cent. Compared to the advertised maximum amount of $1.2 billion, the total bids received for the bond amounted to $1.976 billion, the Central Bank said in a statement yesterday, further describing the competitive bids as an "overwhelming response". The bank said its preliminary assessment showed there was widespread participation by former RBTT shareholders, as well as other bidders. Individual and small institutions received $18.6 million of the issue. RBTT shareholders voted for the sale of the bank on March 26 at a special shareholders meeting at the Hilton Trinidad in St Ann's. The Royal Bank of Canada acquired RBTT last month. The Central Bank said previously it would continue sterilisation measures to ease the impact of rising inflation, and to absorb some of the $4.7 billion expected to enter the financial system following the US$2.2 billion takeover of RBTT by RBC, Canada's largest bank. |
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Location: "Ayodhya & Mecca"
Registered:: January 13, 2003
Posts: 9682
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Posted
Robinson to be honoured at ICC's anniversary
 Monday, July 7 2008(T&T Newsday) Former President Arthur NR Robinson will be honoured during the tenth anniversary commemoration of the adoption of the Rome Statute of the ICC, at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, on July 17. Regarded as the founding father of the ICC, special tribute is being paid to the former President for his pioneering work which led to the establishment of the ICC. In 1989, as TT Prime Minister, Robinson, in an address to the UN, took the political initiative to bring to the attention of the international community the need for the establishment of a permanent international tribunal to prosecute those persons accused of committing the most serious crimes of concern to the international community, namely genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Ten years ago, the Rome Statute was adopted and opened for signature and this marked an important milestone in the promotion of international justice and the maintenance of international peace and security. The ICC is also recognising Robinson's efforts in promoting the universality of the ICC as an important pillar in international relations among States. To mark the occasion, the ceremony will feature addresses by dignitaries representing the United Nations and the ICC. Those include HE Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General, HE Bruno Stagno, President of the Assembly of States Parties, Phillipe Kirsch, ICC President, Luis Moreno Ocampo, Prosecutor of the ICC, Simone Veil, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for victims (of which Robinson is a member) and William Pace, Convenor of the NGO Coalition for the ICC. In a release from the Trinidad and Tobago Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Government said it views the award to Robinson as a tribute to the contribution of TT to the progressive development of international law, universal peace and security and the fight against impunity.  Arthur NR Robinson |
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Location: "Ayodhya & Mecca"
Registered:: January 13, 2003
Posts: 9682
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$110m contract sealed for online govt services
Camille Bethel Thursday, July 24th 2008(T&T Express) The $110 million contract between the Telecommunication Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT), Fujitsu and the Government to transform the Public Service by giving citizens access to more than 75 per cent of public services from the comfort of their homes has been signed. "The contract has been signed and is now under what we call mobilisation," executive vice president of Fujitsu Transaction Caribbean Solution Ian Galt told the Express yesterday. Speaking last week, Public Administration Minister Kennedy Swaratsingh told the media the online services should be rolled out by January 2010. The services are expected to include online registration of births, applications for Board of Inland Revenue (BIR) numbers and making tax payments. Galt explained yesterday that the contract is unlike most of the contracts awarded for the construction going on in and around Port of Spain because both TSTT and Fujitsu are 100 per cent responsible for the success of the project. "This is a joint and several contract which means it has no prime and subcontractor. We are both responsible for the successful delivery of this and if something should happen say for example cost overrun then we would both be responsible." "We could not do it without TSTT's services and skills and they could not do it without our services and skills." Galt added that the contract was signed at different times over the past couple days and so they are yet to decide on a date for a media briefing. He said that the signing of the documents for what is the second phase of the contract was done differently than the first phase which was signed by all three parties at the same time four years ago because of the volume of documents that had to be signed. "Rather than get everyone into a room we had to go in at different times and so TSTT has signed, we have signed and the Government was the last to sign." The award letter for the project he said was received four months ago after approval was granted by the Central Tenders Board. |
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Location: "Ayodhya & Mecca"
Registered:: January 13, 2003
Posts: 9682
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Posted
T&T hopes to tap into US$1 trillion Dubai
investment fund Aretha Welch Thursday, July 24th 2008(T&T Express) On October 22, the government will launch this country's much acclaimed International Financial Centre and one of the main players which have shown interest in doing business at the soon to be completed 1.45 million square foot centre is the government of Dubai. With a very well established financial market at home, Dubai is seen as the oasis of the East and the gateway to that part of the world. During her Ministry's stakeholders breakfast meeting at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port of Spain on Monday, Finance Minister Karen Nunez-Teshiera explained that while centre will open in October, it will not be buzzing with financial activity. She explained the opening would be "more of a pre-launch" to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to be further updated on the activities at the centre before business starts. She added that one of the towers was almost 90 per cent ready for occupancy while, 60 per cent of the construction on the other one was done. The Minister expressed confidence that the centre, which will be located at the Waterfront in Port of Spain, could attract global players who are eager to establish their presence here as the country's location serves as a gateway to Latin America. She said recent visits to economic hubs such as Dubai and New York have made her see that "the timing is just right for us to operationalise our vision of establishing the TTIFC". The Minister also said officials in Dubai have revealed that there is at least US$1 trillion in the United Arab of Emirates which is available for investment outside of the region. The Minister assured the audience that well known financial companies such as Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch and Gravitas have indicated their interest in the IFC. At the breakfast meeting, Nunez Teshiera announced that the TTIFC would utilise a Special Purpose Economic Zone (SPEZ) to set in place a legislative, tax and regulatory framework for the operations of the TTIFC. She said, "It is our intention to outline the details of the SPEZ in the next national budget and to incorporate these provisions in the next finance bill." |
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Location: "Ayodhya & Mecca"
Registered:: January 13, 2003
Posts: 9682
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Posted
Increased prize money for UTT's annual business Plan
Thursday, July 24th 2008(T&T Express) The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) held its second annual Business Plan Competition in its MSc. programme in Industrial Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Management (HEM) at the O'Meara campus on July 10, 2008. The highly successful 12-month, full-time HEM Programme is based on a similar Masters programme at the Institute for Manufacturing at the University of Cambridge in the UK. It culminates in a Business Plan Competition with the objective of obtaining finance for the start up of an authentic and globally competitive business from Trinidad and Tobago. The programme year ends with upcoming Research Project submission, an International Study and the Business Plan Competition. These activities require graduates to use the knowledge and skills acquired during the earlier part of the programme to observe, engage in research, develop and present business proposals for globally competitive, technology based businesses. The judging panel for the business plan competition will include investment firms and lending agencies from both the local and international financial community. This year's winning business plan will access $100,000 in start up funds provided by CLICO Investment Bank, the competition's sponsor, based on the achievement of predetermined milestones in starting up the new venture. Two additional prizes of $10,000 will also be awarded for the best plan with a technology innovation and a Vision 2020 industry focus, also tied to the achievement of predetermined start up milestones. Last year's winning business plan earned the coveted "Investors' Choice Award" at the prestigious Global Social Enterprise Competition at the University of Washington in February of this year. Over 80 business plans were submitted from universities worldwide including Harvard, Stanford and Cornell. HEM continues to integrate essential learning and relevant skills from lectures, practical exercises, national and international company visits and live industrial projects. For information on next year's programme, please contact Professor Denise Thompson at 642-8888 ext 21111 /21142 or visit the website at www.utt.edu.tt. |
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Location: "Ayodhya & Mecca"
Registered:: January 13, 2003
Posts: 9682
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Posted
GO FOR IT, T&T!
Olympic medallist George Bovell to lead team at start of Beijing Olympics today Kwame Laurence and Julien Neaves Friday, August 8th 2008(T&T Express) Olympic medalist, swimmer George Bovell III, will be carrying the hopes and dreams of this country as he flies the Trinidad and Tobago flag high today when he leads off the 30-member delegation at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing, China. The quintuple Pan Am Games medallist will be the T&T flagbearer at the ceremony, scheduled for 8 a.m. (TT time) today, at the Bird's Nest Stadium. Coverage of the grand event starts at 7.30 a.m. today exclusively on CCN TV6. "This is a once in a lifetime experience," Bovell told the Express yesterday, "and a great honour. I'm delighted to carry the flag." The Athens 2004 men's 200 metres individual medley bronze medallist, the first non track and field medal for Caribbean Community (Caricom) nations in 24 years, will compete in the 50m and 100m freestyle events . Of this country's 30 athletes selected for the quadrennial Games, Bovell is the only one to have stood atop an Olympic podium. The team comprises Roger Daniel in shooting, Dexter St Louis in table tennis, swimmers Sharntelle McLean and Nicholas Bovell the Olympic medalist's younger brother and a 25-member track and field delegation that includes shot putter Cleopatra Borel-Brown, who enters the Games with solid Olympic credentials. There are high hopes for the sprint relay team of Darrel Brown, Marc Burns, Aaron Armstrong and Richard Thompson. Only the Americans have gone faster than the quartet this year. Another strong contender is sprinter 21-year-old Kelly-Ann Baptiste who has an excellent shot at being the first T&T woman to be among the top eight in the event. Not to be outdone, Jamaica returns to the Olympics with a strong sprint team, including the fastest men in history Jamaicans Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell. The Jamaicans are also defending Olympic women's sprint relay champions. Bolt and Powell will be taking on Thompson and Burns, who are among the top 10 fastest in the world so far this year with times of 9.93 seconds and 9.97 seconds respectively, in their 100m bid and also strong regional contenders Trinidadian and 2003 World Championship silver medallist Darrel Brown, Kim Collins from St Kitts-Nevis and Bahamian Derrick Atkins. Moving away from the track, world-rated Mark Knowles will play men's doubles in tennis for the Bahamas and Caribbean competitors are also listed for equestrian, shooting and sailing events. The opening ceremony of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad begins at exactly 8.08 p.m. on 08.08.08. in China, where eight is considered a lucky number. The date was chosen specially for its perceived good fortune.  George Bovell III |
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Da Don Raja Location: SugaRi diL
Registered:: October 07, 2004
Posts: 61366
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Posted
Caroni Bdge bruk donk, alyuh cyan guh fuh cane
  A partly submerged Ministry of Works and Transport Highway Division truck in the Caroni River after one of the three Bailey Bridges collapsed Port-of-Spain - A thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal collapse of the Caroni Bailey bridge is scheduled to begin within the next two weeks. This is the recommendation made by the Permanent Secretary of the Works Ministry to Minister of Works Colm Imbert in a statement this week. However this "thorough investigation" would not be sufficient, if it only looks at the collapsed bridge and not the entire process, including design, construction and dismantling, said president of the Joint Consultative Council Winston Riley. And while the Works Ministry described the bridge's collapse as an accident which occurred after about 50 repair jobs of a similar nature, Riley, a construction engineer, referred to the incident as a "planned disaster". Riley said the Ministry's bridge and design division had already collapsed because there were currently no experienced design engineers on board. He is calling for an open public investigation of the procedures used in the construction of bridges nationwide because "the processes involved in engineering are crucial and should be known". |
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Location: "Ayodhya & Mecca"
Registered:: January 13, 2003
Posts: 9682
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Posted
Trini Chinese celebrate Olympics
Saturday, August 9 2008(T&T Newsday) Members of the local Chinese community yesterday expressed their pride that China is hosting the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Some of them missed the gala opening ceremony early yesterday morning because they were all at work by 8 am, when the event was being aired live on local television. (It was 8 pm in China.) "I am very proud of China," said Caroline Li at Shop Right Variety Store, Charlotte Street, Port-of-Spain. "This is the first time so many heads of government attended the Olympics. US President George Bush, members of the Russian government and many other dignitaries are there. They are going to taste the food and enjoy themselves. I am happy, it is one of the greatest times for China," said Li. She said although she missed the broadcast of the event, she saw clips of the ceremony on the internet. The owners of Yip's, Locus, Hoi Kan Limited and Chang's Variety stores all said that they were unable to watch the ceremony because they were busy opening their stores. One owner did not even know the ceremony was broadcast live. "I would have to watch it tonight but it is a good thing for the Chinese that the Olympics is being hosted there. I am glad," he said. "I only got to watch two minutes of the ceremony because I had to get to work but I will watch it when I go home," said Richardson Young, of Young's Variety Store. Mervyn Lue Qui, of Suzanna Variety Store, said, "I will definitely watch it tonight. I did not get a chance to view earlier but I've heard that it was spectacular so I have to watch it tonight." Several local Chinese associations and businesses placed a joint advertisement in the daily newspapers to celebrate the Beijing Olympics. The associations and businesses were the Trinidad and Tobago Association for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification; Fui Toon On Association; Wing Sing; Sun Wai Association; Soong's Great Wall; Eagle's Restaurant and Hup Feng Ltd.  KEEPER OF THE FLAG: Olympic swimmer George Bovell III carries the National Flag as he leads the 30-strong TT delegate of athletes at yesterday's grand opening of the XXIX Olympiad at the bird's Nest Stadium in Beijing, China. Author: AFP PHOTOS |
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Da Don Raja Location: SugaRi diL
Registered:: October 07, 2004
Posts: 61366
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Posted
A former Trinidad and Tobago Olympic sprinter has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for raping a woman in a New York park.
Alvin Henry, 31, had become known as the Lovers` Lane Rapist because he secretly filmed the woman having sex with her boyfriend before threatening to publicize the tape if she didn`t have sex with him. He`s been charged with several rapes in Brooklyn and Queens. He pleaded guilty to one incident on Wednesday. Henry ran with Trinidad and Tobago`s 2000 Olympic 400-meter relay team. His lawyer said he was led astray by cocaine, which he started using while training. |
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Location: "Ayodhya & Mecca"
Registered:: January 13, 2003
Posts: 9682
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Posted
Tuesday 12th August ,2008
Take the bus to computer literacy  In front of the YTEPP Cyber Camp Bus at the Centre of Excellence. Ken Emrith, (chief executive officer of Centre of Excellence,) left, Shamila Smith, (marketing and communications manager, Microsoft T&T,) Nigel Forgenie (chief executive officer of YTEPP,) and Christo Cave (director of EDSS). Photo: Dilip Singh By Randall Sumairsingh (Trinidad Guardian) Microsoft and YTEPP (Youth Training and Employment Partnership Programme) have joined forces to increase computer literacy. Since July 14, YTEPP has been hosting free, basic computer classes, on a bus! The Bus Though not much to look at from the outside, the large YTEPP bus is mobile, air conditioned and supports ten Dell desktop computers. It was actually disappointing when I first set eyes upon it, but the bus is actually rather well electronically equipped. Since the bus relies on the air conditioning units to cool the equipment, it is possible to feel chilly, so it is advised to be well clothed if you are planning on entering the programme (short skirts, no-sleeved tops, not advised.) The bus can dock in any community as long as there are appropriate facilities. It basically just needs a place to park, electricity and staff to operate. The Programme This is the 4th annual Cyber Camp that YTEPP is hosting. It usually takes place during the July-August period and is conducted on the bus. The camp targets the following age categories: five to seven years, eight to 15 and 16 and over. Each person has three days of classes, in which they learn the fundamentals of computers. It is designed to educate the age groups in IT (information technologies,) in the areas that would be most useful to them, using educational software. The programme commenced in 2004 and has annually attracted approximately 400 participants. YTEPP is trying to strategically place their busses. This year, the two locations are at the Center of Excellence (Macoya) and the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella. The sponsers of the programme are: Bermudez Biscuit Co Ltd, Holiday Snacks Ltd, SM Jaleel & Co Ltd and Republic Bank. The new sponsers of the cyber camp for 2008 are the Center of Excellence and Microsoft T&T. Microsoft's donation included 18 of each of the following software: Microsoft Encanter, Office 2007, Office Project and Discovery Flights (a children's programme.) |
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Registered:: July 03, 2003
Posts: 11172
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Posted
Didn't Bovell win a heat??? Sure I saw him swim!
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Location: "Ayodhya & Mecca"
Registered:: January 13, 2003
Posts: 9682
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Posted
Yes but he still did'nt qualify for semi finals.
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Location: "Ayodhya & Mecca"
Registered:: January 13, 2003
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Thursday 14th August ,2008(Trinidad Guardian)
Canadian company makes big natural gas find Canadian Superior Energy Inc yesterday announced a significant natural gas discovery with the drilling and production testing of its "Bounty" exploration well located in the "Intrepid" Block 5(c) approximately 60 miles off the east coast of Trinidad. This is the second discovery made by Canadian Superior and its partners in the "Intrepid" block for the year. In a statement, the company's chairman, Greg Noval, said, "We are very pleased with the results of the ˜Bounty' well and production testing indicates that we have drilled one of the best natural gas wells offshore Trinidad." In the wake of the discovery, Canadian Superior said it is moving its semi-submersible drilling rig to drill a third exploration well, the "Endeavour," in the "Intrepid" Block 5(c). Canadian Superior said the "Bounty" exploration well was drilled to a total depth of approximately 17,360 feet. The statement said, "Initial test results indicate that the "Bounty" well is capable of producing at a rate of approximately 200 million metric cubic feet per day (mmcf/d) from this high pressure zone. The results from the "Bounty" well and interpretations of extensive 3-D seismic data and other data indicate a natural gas resource potential of up to 2.6 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of natural gas from the tested structure." Noval added, "The 'Bounty' natural gas discovery represents a significant achievement for Canadian Superior and our partners and shows the tremendous opportunities available in the oil and gas industry in T&T." Canadian Superior's chief executive officer, Craig McKenzie, said, "The ˜Bounty' discovery has met our expectations and has proven up a large high quality natural gas reservoir that in combination with our extensive 3-D seismic data in the area appears to exceed 7,000 acres in size. |
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TT exports over $55.6 billion for 2007
By Anna-Rose Madray Wednesday, August 13 2008(T&T Newsday) TOTAL exports from Trinidad and Tobago amounted to over $55.8 billion for the first three quarters of 2007, and biggest chunk of it represented chemicals. According to deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Roslyn Khan Cummings, the United States was TT's major export market for 2007. She spoke at the launch of the annual Prime Minister's Exporter of the Year awards 2008, at the Queen's Park Oval, St Clair, yesterday. Khan Cummings gave a breakdown of the total exports in the non-energy sector. According to her chemicals were at $9.3 billion, manufactured goods $3.6 billion, machinery, transport and equipment $1 billion, food and live animals $919.80 million and beverages and tobacco $688.80 million. This country exported a whopping $32.3 billion to the US, followed by Caricom with $7.8 billion. Khan-Cummings said these figures reflected that a significantly greater number of exports were related to the energy sector rather than the non-energy sector. Excluding the United Kingdom, TT exported approximately $5 billion to European countries while Central and South America amounted for $3.6 billion. Exports to the UK represented $1 billion, while Canada and Japan accounted for $516.40 million and $199.30 million respectively. She also said that TT was faced with the challenge of a limited local market for the sale of goods and services, so "consequently to attain the optimum scale of production, lower production costs and increased competitiveness, access to foreign markets is a must." She said TT's strategy for market expansion included the integration of the local economy with Latin America as a means of using their markets as a platform to launch itself into a wider global economy. As a member of Caricom, she said TT had already negotiated bi-lateral trade agreements with Cuba, Cost Rica, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. "Within the context of globalisation and trade liberalisation in the international marketplace, and the commitment to establishing CSME, Caricom's strategy seeks to co-ordinate external trade policies among Member states and the promotion and export of internationally competitive regional goods," she said. She also said that TT, as part of the CARIFORUM platform, had also included the Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union, representing "a shift away from preferential treatment to reciprocity," and an opportunity for access to 27 markets in Europe for local manufacturers and service providers in the country. Khan-Cummings said the PM's Exporter of the Year award is intended to serve as an incentive to the local manufacturing sector, as TT attempts to diversify its dominant energy sector. RBTT Limited and the Business Development Company will be sponsoring this year's awards. RBTT's corporate banking general manager, Haydn Gittens warned that too much emphasis on energy, "could create a golden cage, trapping us in an undiversified economy." He said TT should pay attention to the volatility associated with the oil market and take note of the dangers of excessive dependence on energy for the nation. According to Ganesh Sahadeo, chairman of the Business Development Company, said the award presentation, which will be held on September 15 at the Diplomatic Centre, La Fantasie, St Ann's, will focus on manufacturers' who have exported in excess of 500,000 worth of exports. Ten exporter awards will be presented within the sectors of agriculture, food and beverage, printing, publishing and paper converters, wood and wood related products, chemicals and non metallic minerals, assembly type and related industries, textile garments and footwear and miscellaneous manufacturing, while a "rookie of the year" award will also be presented. Sahadeo suggested that a special award be given to the agricultural sector. |
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Youth Philharmonic prepares for classical
concert By ANGELA PIDDUCK Friday, August 15 2008(T&T Newsday) WHEREVER one goes nowadays, no matter the event, conversation centres around the crimes being committed by young people. Therefore when one listens to the St Augustine Chamber Orchestra (SACO) play Kenneth Listhrop's arrangement for strings of David Rudder and Carl Jacob's "Trini to D Bone" it is heartwarming. What started in 1999 as a purely string Chamber orchestra with nine students, has grown to approximately 50 trained musicians, from primary, secondary and tertiary educational levels. Additionally, there are also 100 students of varied ages under tuition ranging in ages from five to 23 years. Listhrop's dream, as conductor and music director, was "to take SACO from just being string to a full fledged symphony orchestra". This came true for the noted music educator in 2006 with the formation of the Trinidad and Tobago Youth Philharmonic (TTYP). Listhrop, a licentiate of The Royal Schools of Music, London (LRSM), with an advanced certificate in violin performance, was until recently, head of the Music Department of the International School of Port-of-Spain. Says Andrew Listhrop, manager of SACO: "The string orchestra consists of violins, violas, cellos and double basses, and maybe a small number of wind instruments. You add woodwind, brass and percussion to form the Symphony Orchestra, which would never have come to fruition if not for SACO, the governing body." The 150 strong group's musical skills include a repertoire of classical, baroque, broadway, movie, Christmas, Caribbean pop and gospel. SACO's ultimate dream is the establishment of a music school with the provision of scholarships to assist young adults to pursue careers in music. Other goals include the hosting of annual music workshops, annual concerts, tours of Caribbean islands, an outreach programme for the "at risk kids" and the organisation of a student exchange programme with Venezuelan counterparts. SACO has hosted several concerts from its inception in 1999, as well as successful tours to St Lucia and Barbados and a March 2003 performance at Queen's Hall with renowned cellist Luis Leguia of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. However, it was in 2005 that the first music string workshop took place, ending with a Classical Concert at Queen's Hall showcasing 100 string performers The second August 2006 music workshop culminated in a classical concert in which SACO presented the premiere performance of the Trinidad and Tobago Youth Philharmonic, showcasing 150 string, brass, percussion and woodwind performers.. The concert, "The Best of Mozart" was part of a worldwide celebration of Mozart's 250th birthday. More than 200 music students participated in the third annual workshop in August 2007, ending with a presentation of "An Evening of Baroque and Music from the Romantic Period for the Entire Family". Currently, SACO's fourth annual workshop, which started on August 5 and ends on August 22, is taking place at Bishop Anstey High School and Trinity College East. The workshop will close with two classical concerts at Queen's Hall, St Ann's, on August 23 and 24, at 7.30 pm and 5.30 pm respectively. Entrance fee is $150 per person. These workshops are designed to sharpen and improve the skills, techniques and musical abilities of the students. To this end, SACO. has once again solicited the assistance of 14 professional string musicians/tutors from the State Foundation for the National System of Youth Orchestras and Choirs in Caracas, Venezuela. (FESNOJIV). Their resumes include the training of students of The Symphonic Youth Orchestra of Venezuela, which enjoys worldwide acclaim. Three of them, Andres Herrera, Pablo Herrera and Hemath Jahoor, were string tutors with the former National Youth Orchestra of Trinidad and Tobago, from its inception in 1985.  Kenneth Listhrop (centre right) with the Venezuelan tutors.  Kenneth Listhrop conducting the TT Youth Philharmonic.  Alyssa Cross, Concert Mistress, Trinidad and Tobago Youth Philharmonic. |
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Trinidad's Thompson hails "phenomenal" Bolt
Saturday August 16 2008 By Lindsay Beck BEIJING, Aug 16 (Reuters) Trinidad's Richard Thompson said he was proud to have finished second in the Olympic 100 metres on Saturday but that he knew during the race he could not match the "phenomenal" Usain Bolt. Thompson took the silver in a personal best time of 9.89 seconds but was way behind Jamaican Bolt, who won the blue riband event in lightning style and smashed his own world record in 9.69. He said he felt it was a "great accomplishment" to have finished second to Bolt. "I had a pretty good start. I thought I was with Usain up to about 15 metres and I just felt him pulling away after that. "I just tried to stay relaxed. I felt myself pulling away from the rest and I could see him slowing down and I'm still pumping to the line." Thompson, a 23 year old student at Louisiana State University, said he was still pleased to have booked a place on the medals podium. "It definitely shows that, you know, a lot of people make predictions and they have a certain list of people as to who are going to be the medallists," said Thompson. "But you know I always say once you get on the line in the final, anything is possible then." (Additional reporting by John Chalmers, editing by Ralph Gowling)  Richard Thompson of Trinidad celebrates with a national flag after winning the silver medal in the men's 100-meter final.  |
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'He'll be handsomely rewarded'
Juhel Browne Sunday, August 17th 2008(T&T Express) Picture OUR BOYS: Richard Thompson, left, celebrates his silver success in the Olympic Games men's 100 metres final, at the Bird's Nest Stadium, in Beijing, China, yesterday. At right is Thompson's Trinidad and Tobago teammate Marc Burns, who finished seventh in the championship race. Sport Minister Gary Hunt says the nation's newest Olympic medal winner Richard Thompson will be "handsomely rewarded" for his achievement. Thompson won the silver medal in the men's 100 metre finals at the Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, yesterday. Saying he was "totally elated as a citizen" Hunt congratulated Thompson, and Marc Burns on their individual achievements. Burns came seventh with a tim eof 10.01 seconds. "In 10 seconds what Mr Thompson has done with the support of Mr Burns and all the other Olympic athletes will resonate in the psyche of our nation for a generation," Hunt told the Sunday Express. He said that had it not been for the hamstring injury sustained by Trinidad and Tobago sprinter Darrel Brown in the quarter finals, T&T could have had three sprinters in yesterday's 100 metre final as was the case with Jamaica as he extended congratulations to Bolt for winning Olympic gold. Hunt assured that Cabinet would ensure Thompson receives a reward worthy of his accomplishment on the world stage as the Government is set to complete its work on a defined system for awarding the nation's sporting heroes. "In the making for the past year was a rewards policy and its ongoing but I am sure Mr Thompson is going to be rewarded handsomely for his achievement," Hunt said. He said, however, that he would be able to say anything further until Cabinet meets and discusses the matter. He declared yesterday's accomplishment a combination of the athletes' own skill and dedication to their sport and the Government's support of the Olympic team through the Elite Athlete Assistance Programme. In the past, the Cabinet made decisions on rewards for major sporting achievements on an individual basis. The last time it had to make such a decision was after the national football squad, officially dubbed the Soca Warriors, played in the opening round of the finals of the 2006 Fifa World Cup. Each of the 24 members of the Soca Warrior Squad that represented this country in Germany received $1 million, comprised of $750,000 in units from the Unit Trust Corporation and $250,000 in cash while their Captain Dwight Yorke, who came out of retirement to lead the team was rewarded with $1.25 million, made up of $1 million in units and $250,000 in cash. Their coach, Leo Beenhakker was awarded the Chaconia Medal (Gold) national award and also received $1 million while all three assistant coaches, Theo de Jonk, Wim Rijsbergen and former under-20 coach Anton Corneal, to receive $250,000. |
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Monday 18th August ,2008
Caribbean Tiger takes lessons from Asian Tiger By Raphael John-Lall Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Margaret Parillon, has said that T&T shares the same industrialisation goals as Singapore. Parillon made the remarks while delivering a speech last Wednesday on behalf of Trade Minister Lenny Saith at a business roundtable with executives of a Singapore government trade and investment agency at the Hyatt-Regency Trinidad hotel, Wrightston Road, Port-of -Spain. The roundtable was entitled: Singapore Model of Economic Development: Critical lessons for T&T. It was hosted by the Ministry of Trade and Industry in conjunction with executives from International Enterprise Singapore (IE Singapore) who were in T&T seeking trade and investment opportunities. IE Singapore is an agency of the Singapore Trade and Industry Ministry and spearheads that country's external economic development. Parillon said, "Our goals are very similar to Singapore's when they embarked upon the process of economic and national reinvention. While Singapore is hailed as the quintessential Asian Tiger for the transformation of its economy...T&T has also been referred to as the ˜Caribbean Tiger'." She said while T&T is seeking to follow some elements of the Singaporean model, this country can also boast of its own model. "We are the world leader in exports of methanol and ammonia, and a key player in liquefied natural gas (LNG)," she said. Parillon said T&T recognises it has to seize global opportunities and this has led to the decision to initial the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), scheduled to be signed on September 2. |
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T&T, B'dos join up for air patrols
Juhel Browne Monday, August 18th 2008(T&T Express) Two twin propeller Swearingen C-26 aircraft from the Trinidad and Tobago Air Guard will begin conducting air patrols within Caribbean air space from the beginning of 2009. Prime Minister Patrick Manning, the head of the National Security Council, made the disclosure as he discussed security issues with the prime ministers of four nearby Caribbean Community (Caricom) member states on Thursday. Manning met with Grenada Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves and St Lucia Prime Minister Stevenson King at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann's. During their meeting, the four prime ministers discussed the Caricom Airspace and Maritime Security Cooperation Agreement and the Caricom Arrest Warrant Treaty. "We discussed where we had reached on those two matters, since we planned that from the 1st of January, next year, to institute air patrols in the Caribbean using two C-26 aircraft that Trinidad and Tobago owns and two C-26 aircraft that the RSS, by way of Barbados, owns at this time, that's where it starts," Manning said. The aircraft will conduct the missions' maritime and airspace plan that includes a system of radar stations in Grenada and St Vincent, similar to that which now provides 360 coverage of the coastline in Trinidad and Tobago. "What the aircraft will do is they will extend the eyes of those radars and will be able to transmit back to some base in real time exactly the picture that it sees and we will be able to monitor from one location what is taking place in the entire area that is under surveillance by these aircraft and these radars," Manning said. Manning said the Trinidad and Tobago Government will be installing two radar stations in Grenada and two in St Vincent and the Grenadines, while Barbados will be installing one on its own. He said the measures were being put in place to tackle the drug trade which, along with the illegal arms trade, that has been identified by all Caricom governments as the main cause of the increase in crime within the region. Manning spoke on the issue as he signed two Memorandums of Understanding with Thomas regarding education and health respectively.  |
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Tuesday 19th August ,2008
Cadets compete at Camp Strong Box  This cadet gets muddy during a training exercise at Camp Strong Box.  Cadets practise on the firing range during a training exercise. By Catherine Copeland (Trinidad Guardian) Major Colin Harold of the T&T Cadet Force was the camp commandant for the Annual Training Camp 2008 which was held at the Cedros Composite School. The officer said that Camp Strong Box (name of camp) was different this year in that is was more of a competitive one. The different battalions in the country competed in events such as shooting, cricket, obstacle courses and combat challenges to see which of the battalions would stand out and win a trip to Tobago. Harold said: "Camp Strong Box was comprised of 350 cadets and adults as well as two foreign contingents form the United States (US Young Marines) and the Cayman Islands. These annual training camps have been around longer than my career which is 33 years. We usually meet at Tucker Valley Youth Camp in Chaguaramas but decided to branch out to other sites." Harold added: "The camp commandant usually decides what kind of camp to have and this year I wanted the cadets to experience something different from the norm which is why I brought together all the different battalions to compete with each other and see which one would emerge as the winner." Cadet Warrant Officer Class 2 Triscia Ferrette, age 17, has been a cadet for five years. She said: "This years Cadet camp was different, it was more relaxed but we still got a good response from the cadets." Ferrette revealed: "I also recently attained the highest level of Cadetry which is Master Cadet." Corporal Marcus Waldron, 18, who has also been a cadet for five years said: "I get training and discipline from these camps as well as a chance to meet fellow cadets from T&T and from around the world. After my training I would to go to the University of the West Indies in St Augustine and pursue a degree in Social Sciences such as Sociology or Psychology, and then join the army." Members of the US Young Marines Corporal Brittany Schmidt, Corporal Jarrod Blake, and chaperone Todd Wolfe, said although it took them a while to warm up the experience was great. Schmidt said: "This training camp is different because we never did weapons training back home.  US Young Marines, from left, chaperone Todd Wolfe, Sargeant Major Brittany Schmidt and Corporal Jarrod Blake at Camp Strong Box, held at the Cedros Composite School. Camp offers youth a positive alternative The marching, drills and disciplinary actions were all different but I would love to come back, given the chance." The Young Marines were also impressed with the kindness of the people inside as well as outside of the camp. Inshan Maccum Ali, principal of Cedros Composite, said: "I think this camp is a good and positive thing for young people. I have an SEA class for those who got under 30 per cent in the exam and when they see the cadets training, including the ones from this school, they were impressed and were eager in their enquires as to how they can join. I believe that the training provided by these camps will give them discipline and a boost to their self esteem which they need." Ali added: "The cadets also did community work such as cleaning the beach front and painting the school. They will also assist me in scrubbing and cleaning the classrooms before they go." He added that the Camp was good for the community. The cadets did a route march through Cedros, something which a rarity, and event which was uplifting to the people in the area. "The camp commandant usually decides what kind of camp to have and this year I wanted the cadets to experience something different from the norm which is why I brought together all the different battalions to compete with each other and see which one would emerge as the winner." Major Colin Harold of the T&T Cadet Force |
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King of Spain coming
Wednesday, August 20 2008(T&T Newsday) KING JUAN Carlos I of Spain and his wife Queen Sofia will visit Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica from December 1 to 4 as part of the first visit by a Spanish monarch to the English speaking Caribbean. Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero made the announcement at the opening of the Fourth Caricom/Spain summit in Madrid on July 11. Interestingly, Trinidad and Tobago was represented at that summit by Local Government Minister Hazel Manning, the wife of Prime Minister Patrick Manning. Mrs Manning's attendance at that summit was exclusively reported by Newsday on July 14. "We trust your region. That is why there are major Spanish investments there." Zapatero said. The Spanish PM said Spain had annually supported Caricom on a bilateral and multilateral basis to the tune of 60 million Euros. Government officials last night said a visit by the Spanish monarchs to this country in the near future was not impossible, given TT's close ties with Spain. Spanish company Repsol YPF is one of the main stakeholders in the Atlantic LNG plant in Point Fortin. On March 14, 2005, Prime Minister Patrick Manning was invited by King Juan Carlos to deliver the keynote address at GasTech 2005, an international conference and exhibition on liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Bilbao, Spain. In that same year, Manning was cleared by the Integrity Commission of allegations of corruptions levelled against him after he accepted a trip on a private jet which was reportedly owned by Repsol. Even as Manning meets today with his Caricom counterparts in Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda to discuss a new attempt to achieve regional political integration, Zapatero last month underscored Spain's "unstinting support" for the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME). The Spanish PM also hailed the economic partnership agreement between the European Union and Cariforum (Caricom and the Dominican Republic), which is to be signed in Barbados on September 2, as a "historic milestone."  KING JUAN CARLOS AND QUEEN SOFÃA OF SPAIN |
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T&T's credit rating moves up
Aretha Welch Tuesday, August 19th 2008(T&T Express) This country's credit rating has improved on the international market, moving local companies up the ranks among the most stable borrowers in the world. The country's overall long term credit rating moved from and A- to an A, international financial research and analysis publishing company, Standard's & Poor's (S&P), says. According to financial website Forbes.com, S&P representatives said the improved rating came "on the back of a booming energy economy that has grown at an average of 9.3 per cent annually since 2003". S&P said the country's future in terms of its credit debt looks stable, and the country's overall debt profile, which is improving, reduces the economy's vulnerability to external economic factors. However, the New York based financial research firm warned that the country's high non-energy deficit (which represents the country's heavy reliability on energy revenues due to low income generation in the non energy sectors), shows the country is making itself vulnerable to the changing nature of prices in the volatile market. The company's report echoes the sentiment that many local economists have been making for several years now. It stated that despite Trinidad and Tobago's stable economic outlook and strong economic balance sheet, the real challenge for the country lies in fuelling further economic diversification to reduce the vulnerability that the 15 per cent non-energy deficit continues to highlight. In conclusion, the company said nevertheless, "the liability of persistent losses in public sector enterprises like the Water and Sewerage Authority, which in 2007 had an operating loss which totalled one per cent of the country's GDP, continues to restrain international credit ratings". |
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Friday 22nd August ,2008
Second silver medal for T&T Thompson: It was never in doubt  Jamaica's Asafa Powell crosses the finish line to win the gold medal in the men's 4x100-metre relay final during the athletics competitions in the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympics yesterday. AP Photo Andre E Baptiste Beijing, China The Fantastic Four of Keston Bledman, Marc Burns, Emmanuel Callender and a super Richard Thompson earned T&T its second silver medal here in Beijing, beating adversity and playing second only to Caribbean neighbours Jamaica, in the men's 4x100 metres relay yesterday. Sensational Usain Bolt took home his third Olympic gold medal, leading his team to victory in a world record time of 37.10 seconds, improving on the 37.40 record set by the United States in 1992 and repeated in 1993. The win added to the 21 year old Jamaican's individual sprint golds in world record times over 100 and 200 metres, the first time that's been achieved in Olympic history. In the circumstances, the T&T team could justifiably feel a sense of achievement and pride. Apart from Bolt's explosiveness, T&T, already hampered by the absence of Darrel Brown through injury had to endure another loss as Aaron Armstrong pulled out at the last moment, while a less than fluent handover by Callender to anchor man Thompson, almost ruined all medal chances for T&T. Bledman could not match the starts from Jamaica's Nesta Carter and the Brazil runner, but Burns showed his vast experience by closing the gap on Michael Frater who ran the second leg for Jamaica. By the time Frater passed the baton to Bolt, the gold medal had disappeared for T&T. And when there was a mix up in the hand over between Callender and Thompson, it appeared that all medal hopes were gone. But Thompson showed why he is a class act. He composed himself and chased past both Brazil and Japan to improve T&T from fourth to second position at the finish line. Japan was third in 38.15, with Brazil fourth in 38.24. Thompson admitted that the last minute change from Armstrong to Callender might have caused problems although he did not think T&T would have won the gold medal. "To be honest, even with a full strength team, the result would have been the same," he said. "That 37.10 by Jamaica was an extremely phenomenal race and I don't think there is any team that could match them right now. "They have better leg speed than anyone else and our major concern coming in to here was being able to get them if they didn't get their exchanges together. "They got their exchanges together and they put the leg speed together, so they are an untouchable team." ©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited |
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Family hails Richard ˜the patriot'
By Sandra Singh Saturday, August 23 2008(T&T Newsday) Richard Thompson's role in yesterday's silver medal win by the men's 4x100 metres relay team at the Olympics Games in Beijing, China was driven by his passion for this country. This was the view expressed by Thompson's best friend Shayne Cooper who yesterday told Newsday that while Thompson's silver medal win in the 100 metres dash was a personal achievement, he wanted to dedicate this win to Trinidad and Tobago. The relay team which comprised of Keston Bledman, Marc Burns, Emmanuel Callender and Richard Thompson ran second best in the men's 4x100 metres dash copping the silver medal in 38.06 seconds and causing pandemonium to take place not only at Thompson's Woodbrook residence but throughout the country. The Jamaican relay team emerged the victors in the race with a record breaking 37.10 seconds. Cooper said that "Richard was extremely, extremely elated and grateful." "One thing he did was thank God. When I spoke to him two days ago he said that he cannot wait to come home and celebrate with his family and country. I believe that the medal he got at the 100 metres race was for himself and this relay medal was for country. When he was done he was happy to share the experience with the rest of the team," said Cooper. "One thing he did was thank God. When I spoke to him two days ago he said that he cannot wait to come home and celebrate with his family and country. I believe that the medal he got at the 100 metres race was for himself and this relay medal was for country. When he was done he was happy to share the experience with the rest of the team," said Cooper. Thompson's sister Natalie Thompson said her brother was quite confident the team could have brought the gold medal home but was quite satisfied with the silver medal win. "It was not the smoothest pass of the baton but the fact is that he was still able to have a good run. He is a patriot. He loves his country and is a ˜Trini to the bone'. This is the epitome of all good things that can happen," said Natalie. Thompson's other sister Michelle Thompson also stated they were ecstatic about the achievement of the relay team. "That was a real accomplishment in winning the silver medal. The real celebration would start when they return home," said Michelle. She added that while they were yet to speak with Thompson, her parents did call from Beijing after the race and relayed their enthusiasm and excitement over the team's performance. She however said that while Thompson's parents are expected to return home next week, they were unsure whether Thompson would be able to make the trip home.  Silver sprinters: Emmanuel Callender, from left, Keston Bledman, Richard Thompson and Marc Burns celebrate after winning the silver medal in the 4x100 metres relay at the Olympic Games,Beijing, China. AP Photo  OLYMPICS IN HIS HAND: Employers' Consultative Association (ECA) board member Gerard Pinard and several other persons take in yesterday's men's 4x100 relay finals in the Beijing Olympics in which the local relay team grabbed a silver medal.  Salute for our boys: Shaffina Bruce joins a driver waving the national flag on Chacon Street, Port-of-Spain in a salute to the TT men's 4x100 metres relay team after they captured the silver medal at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China. |
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$174m complex for UWI students, says Kangaloo
Anna Ramdass Friday, August 29th 2008(T&T Express) Government will be spending more than $174 million to construct a multi-storey complex to house University of the West Indies (UWI) students, says Tertiary Education Minister Christine Kangaloo. Speaking at yesterday's post Cabinet press conference at the new building of the Office of the Prime Minister in St Clair, Kangaloo said at present the University accommodates 689 post graduate and graduate students and this accounts for 7.6 per cent of full time UWI students currently enrolled. She said a new dormitory was constructed to house an additional 150, but the shortage of accommodation is felt annually as the demand for on campus accommodation is very high resulting in a number of requests being denied. Kangaloo said Cabinet agreed to fund to the tune of $174,551,684 the construction of the multi-complex, which will comprise of a variety of room types in seven four storey buildings. She said facilities will include kitchen, laundry room, administrative offices, computer lab, recreation room as well as a separate building for a mini mart and ATM. There will also be a car park which can accommodate 100 vehicles. Kangaloo added that a total of $59,864,669 will be also be spent to upgrade and expand one of the dormitories Canada Hall as well as the senior common room facility. She said the Hall is one of the oldest campus residences and the project involves the construction of a new block to house 80 post graduate students. She said toilets, staircases, the electrical system, windows, doors, sewer system and ceiling fans will be replaced and a basketball court will be constructed. Kangaloo said the senior common room facility, which is separated from the main campus, will be rebuilt and a new facility is currently being designed. She said Government intends to make this an income generating facility which can be used to host meetings, conferences and also house visiting guests. Kangaloo said engineering block 13 at the UWI campus will be expanded and renovated. A 450 seat lecture theatre and two new lecture rooms which can accommodate 288 persons will be constructed while four current lecture rooms will be renovated, she said. Four design studios will be constructed as well as a new ten office block together with the renovation of existing facilities, she added. |
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US firm gets major Eastbridge contract
Curtis Rampersad Saturday, August 30th 2008(T&T Express) United States consulting firm Hill International has received a multi-million dollar contract for the first phase of the East Port of Spain Development Project, the company said yesterday. In a statement released in the US, Hill International said it had received the contract to manage the first phase of what it described as a "mixed use development in Trinidad". The company's statement did not disclose the value of the contract with Trinidad and Tobago's Housing Development Corporation, which will be overseeing the project. Hill said it will manage, design and oversee construction of the first phase of the project in east Port of Spain. The development, which has tentatively been called Eastbridge, will consist of more than 400 residential units, retail and commercial space and parking, Hill said in the statement that was also carried by online financial news magazine Forbes.com yesterday. Pre-construction work for the first phase of the project has an estimated cost of US$285 million, Hill said. The company's shares rose two per cent to US$19.68 on the Nasdaq Index yesterday. The East Port of Spain Development project is intended to regenerate more than 2,700 hectares of land that currently houses 19 communities and more than 92,000 people on the outlying area of the capital city. Geographically, the area extends from Sea Lots in the west to the Beetham Highway in the south. Officials at the Laventille based East Port of Spain Development Company could not be immediately reached for comment on the Hill statement yesterday. |
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I pity the fool Location: London, UK
Registered:: November 23, 2002
Posts: 9492
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Anybody else here who cares what is happening in T&T except for Eric? If not, why does Amral allow GNI to be spammed by a self serving topic that takes up valuable server space with its wasteful content?
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Location: "Ayodhya & Mecca"
Registered:: January 13, 2003
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Appearently this thread has a huge following of guyanese gapers. |
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Location: "Ayodhya & Mecca"
Registered:: January 13, 2003
Posts: 9682
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Japan buys TT LNG at top price
Thursday, August 28 2008(T&T Newsday) A JAPANESE trader has bought a cargo of liquified natural gas (LNG) from Trinidad and Tobago via Atlantic LNG at more than double the US benchmark price, as the Asian LNG market heats up due to worldwide delays in new projects as well as increased demand due to environmental factors. On August 15, Bloomberg.com reported that an unnamed Japanese trader bought a cargo of the fuel for September delivery from Atlantic LNG, paying $18 per million British thermal units, excluding shipping and insurance costs. That price is 29 percent higher than the average price of Japan's spot imports in June, according to a report in the Miami Herald over the same transaction and double the US benchmark price. According to the reports, Atlantic LNG may sell as many as two spot cargoes a month through open auction. A spot cargo typically weighs between 55,000 and 60,000 tonnes. The September shipment to Japan attracted 12 bidders. Officials at Atlantic LNG said the company does not itself sell LNG, noting that the deal must have been secured on behalf of one of its customers/shareholders. "Atlantic LNG is just a liquefaction facility; we only liquefy natural gas. We convert the natural gas provided by our customers into liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is then shipped by our customers," said Billson Hainsley, a media communications officer at the company. Atlantic LNG's shareholders are BP, BG, Repsol YPF, Suez and the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago. Questions about the transaction sent to bp TT were up to press time not answered. Japan, the world's largest LNG buyer, has been increasing imports to boost power generation as warmer than normal temperatures prompt consumers to increase the use of air conditioners. LNG is natural gas chilled to liquid form, reducing its volume, for transportation by ships to destinations not connected by pipeline. It is turned back into gas for distribution to users. The most important infrastructure needed for LNG production and transportation is an LNG plant consisting of one or more LNG trains, each of which is an independent unit for gas liquefaction. The largest LNG train in operation is the Train 4 of Atlantic LNG in Trinidad and Tobago with a production capacity of 5.2 million metric tonne per annum (mmtpa), followed by the SEGAS LNG plant in Egypt with a capacity of 5 mmtpa. According to the Miami Herald the higher prices paid by Japanese buyers have prompted suppliers, including BG Group Plc, to divert US-designated cargoes to Asia. News of the sale comes as Trinidad and Tobago's share in the global LNG market has increased, according to Bloomberg.com. Trinidad and Tobago remains a significant hub in the international LNG market. In a survey of 130 LNG vessels that have transmitted a time of arrival at some point within August, Trinidad and Tobago accounts for five tankers, or roughly two percent of the global fleet of 274 LNG tankers as at August 15. This figure moved up from a total of four tankers the week before. In July, two ships, carrying liquified natural gas bound for the LNG terminal in Everett in Boston docked in Trinidad and Tobago. They included Suez SA's Suez Matthew which docked in Port of Spain. China, the world's second largest energy user after the US, may double its spot purchases this year from countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, Cambridge Energy's John Harris told Bloomberg.com. China may import as many as 15 cargoes from producers including Egypt, Nigeria and Trinidad and Tobago, he said, as he forecast the price per million British thermal units rising to as much as US$25 in the Asian market. Globally, production at plants in Russia, Yemen and Indonesia, with a combined capacity of about 24 million metric tonnes, have been delayed until next year instead of starting in the second half, adding further supply shortages to an already inflated market. In light of this developments in Latin American may also bode well for LNG sales here, with Brazilian import terminals set to increase their demand for Trinidad and Tobago LNG. Petroleo Brasileiro SA, Brazil's state controlled oil company, is unfolding two LNG import terminals this year. On August 20, the company inaugurated Brazil's first liquified natural gas import terminal at the port of Pecem. The terminal's regasification ship will increase Brazil's natural gas supply by as much as 11 percent, with a capacity of seven million cubic metres of gas a day. The company is planning a second LNG import terminal for Rio de Janeiro. Main construction is expected to be complete by November, with commercial gas deliveries operating by the end of June next year. These terminals will initially import LNG from countries such as Trinidad and Tobago and Libya. The company will decide on the construction of other import terminals after an auction of new electricity generation capacity in October. |
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Location: "Ayodhya & Mecca"
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TT veteran gets diamond medal
Monday, September 1 2008(T&T Newsday) MICHAEL ARNEAUD, founder and president, of the West Indian Ex-Servicemen's Association in the United Kingdom, is pleading with the public to assist the 200 ex-service personnel who served in World War II. "If anyone wishes to assist the war veterans, they can contact me at 731-8174 or 654-4636 or contact the Legion Head Office at 675-7017," said Arneaud. Arneaud was one of two people out of 46 nations to receive the Caribbean Service Award for services rendered to fellow war veterans. The award was presented to him at the Triennial Conference held in Africa, from which he recently returned, by Jack Frost, the Dominion president of the Royal Canadian Legion. The conference ran from July 19-23 in Accra, Ghana. Arneaud said: "The purpose of this conference was to make certain that the ex-service personnel who served in World War II are not forgotten and to assist them financially in their time of need." A special charity was set up for ex-service personnel and their spouses to assist them financially. " I felt proud to know that my service to ex-servicmen was not in vain and that they will be receiving some assistance," Arneaud said. Arneaud added that he joined the South Caribbean Forces when he was 14 years old. He said he was big for his age. "I took my brother's birth certificate and back then birth certificates did not have the person's name on it." There were 92 ex-servicemen at the conference, including the representative from TT. They were presented with the Diamond Wedding Anniversary Medal by Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, to remember the event.  British High Commissioner in Ghana Nicholas Westcott (left), shaking hands with Michael Arneaud, founder and president of the West Indian Ex-Servicemen's Association. [IMG]http://www.newsday.co.tt/galeria/2008-09-01-8-2B_medals_man_(1).jpg[/IMG] Michael Arneaud, recipient, of the Caribbean Services Award and the Diamond Wedding Anniversary Medal displays them. |
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Yachties caught in Fuel clampdown
Customs Dept moves against illegal sale of subsidised diesel  BY SANDRA CHOUTHI A group of operators of locally registered vessels have been taking advantage of subsidised diesel in T&T by selling it at six times the price in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), said Richard Callender, chief executive officer of National Petroleum (NP). "People have discovered opportunities for selling product outside of the waters of T&T and have gone as far as the BVI selling our diesel at bunker prices where they get a differential of five or six times the price at which they buy the product." He said he got calls about the illegal trade from BVI energy ministry officials, and informed Customs and the Ministry of Energy. "They (BVI officials) have found T&T registered trawlers that have been selling gas oil in the BVI as bunkers and know they don't have the authority to do that. This has been going on for a while and the authorities are clamping down on it now. All of this is illegal trade. It's a very lucrative business. Customs is doing their work." He said private contractors who transport fuel have been selling subsidised fuel to third parties. "None of these contractors have a bunkering licence unless they are working for NP." Callender's statement comes two weeks after Customs officials moved to stop the sale of subsidised fuel to cruisers (yachties) in Chaguaramas. Callender said that the price of diesel is market related and changes daily with the international oil prices. Diesel is subsidised by the Government so that it can be sold at $1.50 a litre. The unsubsidised or international price for diesel is roughly $6 a litre. Unipet comments Ron Milford, chief executive officer, United Independent Petroleum Marketing Company (Unipet), said the illegal sale of subsidised fuel for profit is a "very, very serious problem. Everytime we sell subsidised fuel, taxpayers are paying for that. The ex-refinery price for diesel is $6.41 a litre. Who pays for the subsidy? "It is you and me. "The Government cannot afford the subsidy at that level. Eventually, the Government will have to address the subsidy situation and you and I will suffer," Milford said. He said he understands subsidised fuel was also being sold in Suriname, Guyana and as far as Puerto Rico. "People are always looking for ways and means to purchase fuel, even if it is illegal. I knew about it for the past four to five months, but I think it has been going on for many years," Milford said. Milford said he doesn't believe that cruisers were guilty of selling subsidised fuel for profit outside of T&T, but that the trade was "being perpetrated by a few unscrupulous Trinidadians our people. "I don't think a lovely couple sailing around the world on their retirement would be involved in such unscrupulous activity," Milford said. Customs intervenes Two Fridays ago, a 115-foot American yacht filled up on diesel at Power Boats Mutual Facilities in Chaguaramas. It's understood someone from the area reported the sale of the diesel. Customs officers boarded the yacht and told its owners they couldn't leave with the fuel. It was eventually agreed that they pay the day's market price. An official at Power Boats said it assumed that its retail licence allowed it to sell to privately owned vessels, but not to commercial vessels. "It came down where we were informed we can only sell to local boats," the Power Boats official said. "This is a blow a sudden blow at that to the industry." The official said cruisers need diesel for their generators, which power their air-conditioning units, stoves, microwaves and computers. "As far as we understood, we were doing this very innocently. We had no indication that anything was being done wrong or that we were not supposed to sell to any foreign flagged vessels. "Our understanding was that we could not sell to commercially registered vessels. We have been servicing the marine industry since 1991," the Power Boats official said. NP to the rescue? Donald Stollmeyer, chief executive officer of Power Boats, said he met on Tuesday with the assistant Comptroller of Customs who informed him that the law does not facilitate the sale of fuel to foreign vessels. Stollmeyer said cost was one thing, but there was no service for cruisers to buy diesel. "I checked with one international supplier, Chaguaramas Terminals, and was informed that they would not sell less than 2,000 gallons at a time," Stollmeyer said. "No one indicated to us we were breaking the law. We sell fuel to Customs boats. We are a normal retail gas station. This came to us as a shock. "Boats come and buy fuel from us. We had no idea they were going up the islands and selling fuel," Stollmeyer said. He said the assistant Customs comptroller said the law was being enforced because it was felt people were buying fuel for business reasons. Stollmeyer said it is looking to get fuel supplied to Power Boats at an international price until a permanent solution can be found. "The problem is we don't have a licence ourselves to sell fuel at an international price." Energy Minister Enill says: Enill said the Petroleum Taxes Act specifies who can obtain subsidised fuel and the conditions of so doing. "The issue is with the subsidy and who should benefit from it. If you are in breach of that, you have broken a law and, as I understand it, that is the issue. Customs needs to do what it has to do," Enill said. Cruiser arrivals to T&T A total of 1,101 cruisers arrived in Trinidad as of July 2008. In 2007, there were 1,407 arrivals, which was a drop from 1,845 in 2006. Gina Carvalho, manager of the Yachting Services Association of T&T (YSATT), said a study done three years ago showed that the average cruiser spent US$20,000 every three months. Cruisers growing impatient  Some of the yachties stranded at Chaguaramas.INSET: ANN DUNLOP Photos: Shirley Bahadur BY KIMBERLY MACKHAN A crackdown on the sale of subsidised diesel fuel to "foreign flag vessels" has left hundreds of yachties virtually stranded in Chaguaramas Bay. For the last several weeks they have been unable to buy fuel for their boats and are therefore unable to leave T&T. It is estimated that a bit more than 120 yachties at the Power Boat Mutual Facilities marina, Chaguaramas, are affected by the fuelling impasse. However, Englishwoman Anne Dunlop who has been appointed head of a group formed to represent the interests of the cruisers said that yacht owners at Peake's Yacht Services Ltd, Crew's Inn, Coral Cove and the T&T Yacht Club were all affected. Some 1,500 yachties a year sail into the waters of the Chaguaramas peninsula to make repairs to their vessels and wait out the annual hurricane season. A large and rapidly expanding industry has grown up to cater to their needs. The yachties have been told that they have to buy diesel fuel at the international rate, but the marina at Power Boat Mutual Facilities cannot sell it to them at those prices because it does not have the necessary bunkering licence. No other marina in the area has permission to sell at international prices. Furthermore, none of the marinas in the Chaguaramas area have a marketing licence which would allow them to sell non-subsidised fuel. The yachties are calling for government intervention to resolve the problem. Unable to leave, the time allowed them to stay in the country by the Immigration Department is running out for many yachties. They have to seek extensions of their stay. Englishwoman Nadio Abdo said such extensions are difficult to get. "The one reason why I cannot leave (Trinidad) is because of the fuel (crisis)," she said, adding, "It was pretty difficult to get an extension. They only give you an extension if you are doing work on your boat. They gave us one month." While she is being patient, she said other cruisers urgently need fuel to leave T&T. Canadian Barry Kay said he was not overly worried about the changes to the price of the fuel. He was more concerned about the unavailability of diesel. "With five tropical storms (threatening the Atlantic and Caribbean area), if something (a tropical depression) comes along, we want to be able to run to Scotland Bay and have enough fuel to keep our engines running." Dunlop said the yacht owners are upset. "As the days go by, people have to leave. They need fuel for their generators and every day for the last two weeks, it has been tomorrow," Dunlop said. "Last week there was an urgent need for fuel for 12 boats, now that number has spiralled." |
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US$35m Alutrint port under way at La Brea
Louis B Homer South Bureau Wednesday, September 3rd 2008(T&T Express) Plans by Alutrint to build a smelter plant at La Brea moved a step further yesterday, when the sod was turned to begin construction of a port, at La Brea, which is designated for the importation of raw materials for the plant. The US$35 million port is expected to be completed in 18 months, said Prakash Saith, president of the National Energy Corporation, which will own the port. Two companies, PHIL of Holland and BEFIX of Denmark, were contracted by the NEC to construct the port. Saith said the port will be used exclusively by Alutrint. "There will be special equipment installed for offloading raw materials," Saith said. He said part of the port construction contract included dredging the Gulf of Paria to a depth of 12.8 metres, to allow ships of Panamax size (the maximum dimensions that will fit through the locks of the Panama Canal) to use the port. NEC is also looking at the construction of a conveyor belt system, from port to plant, for easier delivery of material. Alutrint, which is a joint venture between wholly state owned NEC and Sural, a Venezuelan aluminium concern, plans to invest between US$500 and US$700 million on Union Estate, La Brea. An official of Alutrint said he expected construction to begin by the end of next January. He said for the time being, the company was concentrating on test piling and relocation of people living on or close to the estate. "At present we are carrying out test piling in selected areas. The piles will be driven to a depth of 14 metres," the official said. He said CEMEC, the Chinese company contracted to build the plant, has brought in 20 Chinese workers to carry out the piling. "There are some 60 workers on that particular project, but more skilled workers from China are expected as construction progresses." Clement James, the company's manager for public affairs, said he was not in a position to state how many Chinese workers would be brought into Trinidad to work on the smelter plant. "That will be determined by the contractor as the work progresses," he said. James said it would take about 26 to 30 months after the start of construction for the plants to be completed. The Alutrint plant is expected to produce 125,000 tonnes of aluminium a year. Of that figure, 5,000 tonnes will be set aside for local, independent downstream entrepreneurs. Some 60,000 tonnes will be directed to the company's rod mill and 60,000 tonnes for its cable and wire facility. The plant is expected to employ 800 new permanent employees when completed, James said. |
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Location: "Ayodhya & Mecca"
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UWI to offer FIFA Masters Programme
Saturday, September 6 2008(T&T Newsday) A FIFA "Masters Programme" for the Caribbean was initiated yesterday via a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA). UWI's Vice-Chancellor E. Nigel Harris signed on behalf of the educational institution, while President of the football body, Sepp Blatter, signed on behalf of the organisation. Hailed as "the first programme of its sort in this part of the world" by UWI St. Augustine Campus principal, Professor Clement Sankat, the MOU will contain modules, including Humanities of Sport, Sport Management and Sport Law. Speaking about the MOU, Professor Sankat said, "It will develop the human capacity to take our sports' administration to new heights, as our sportsmen and sports women of the Caribbean are doing." Prof. Sankat also said UWI would now be joining the ranks of premier universities such as De Monfort University (England), SDA Bocconi School of Management (Italy) and Neuchatel University (Switzerland) in offering the programme. FIFA President Blatter endorsed the programme adding "Football has become a movement in social, cultural and economic aspects. As such education of young people is the hope of football and sports." Speaking about the MOU, Blatter said "this is more than an MOU. It is a get together with Universities across the world, and the UWI was the university in this region to be chosen for this." Also attending the signing ceremony at the Principals Office, UWI St. Augustine were FIFA Vice President Jack Warner, Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) president, Oliver Camps and UWI director of Sports, Dr. Iva Gloudon.  MOU SIGNING: FIFA President Sepp Blatter and UWI Vice Chancellor E Nigel Harris signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the principal's office UWI ST Augustine yesterday. Looking on, from left to right: UWI director of Sports Iva Gloudon, FIFA Vice President Jack Warner, UWI St Augustine Principal Professor Clement Sankat and Nasser Racha (representing the Minister of Sports). The MOU will bring the first post graduate Sports Administration degree to the Caribbean. Author: WENDY ANN DUNCAN |
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Vacation campers say math is fun!
Saturday, September 6 2008(T&T Newsday) WITH THE 2008 academic year finally underway, several lucky students in north and south Trinidad should find themselves in a better position to grapple with the intricacies of mathematics. The students were eager participants in a unique vacation camp, Mathematics Can Be Fun, sponsored by energy company bpTT. As bpTT's Corporate Responsibility Manager Ronda Francis pointed out, the company is fully supportive of the power of education as a building block of national development. Francis underscored bpTT's strong commitment to the education of the young people of the country, as she congratulated students from north Trinidad who participated in the camp, last Friday. The week long educational camps were held during the recent school vacation at the Mayaro Resource Centre in the south and at Bishop's Centenary College in Port of Spain in the north. Francis said the concept, which took root in Mayaro last year, was so successful that bpTT decided to bring the project this year to students in north Trinidad as well. "Children should enjoy mathematics. "At bpTT, we believe that education is the key to our national development and this camp reflects that philosophy," she noted. The camps focused on the practical nature of mathematics and sought to make the subject more enjoyable for the students and boost their problem-solving skills, all in a fun filled and interactive environment. Cherril Sobers, Social Investment Advisor, bpTT, was at the closing ceremony for the Mayaro based camp and noted, "The work by the participants that is displayed on the walls here demonstrates that we have many budding geniuses among us and it is our responsibility to nurture that talent. "The camp is just a part of our commitment to fostering and expanding the natural abilities of our young people." The Mayaro students were all eager to practise the knowledge they had gained when they returned to school this month, especially those who were moving on to secondary school. Chavez Wells, 11, who now attends Rio Claro High School, said, "I am happy that I attended this camp and every day I shared what I learnt with my friends and I know that we are more prepared to handle secondary school." Arlene Smith, an educator for more than 20 years, facilitated both camps and was delighted by the enthusiasm with which the children wanted to learn the subject. Smith remarked, "In total, 55 students attended these camps in north and south, and unfortunately, because of the overwhelming response and limited space, we had to turn some children away. "The camps have been enormously successful and this is a result of the efforts of parents, my assistants, the bpTT team and most of all, the eager students." The bpTT team and Arlene Smith also noted that beyond the duration of the camps, they maintain contact with the students to see how they are progressing. In some cases, students are even incorporated into other educational programmes that bpTT is involved in at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels. Daniella James, a 12 year old student from Laventille brought the entire experience at the mathematics camp into focus when she enthusiastically stated, "From shapes to shopping, the camp taught us that mathematics is a part of everything we do. " I learnt so much and made great friends along the way and I encourage every student who gets the opportunity to attend this camp to do so because now I know, mathematics can be fun!"  Proud students from north Trinidad show off their certificates on completion of the \'Mathematics Can Be Fun\' camp. At left (back row) are facilitator Arlene Smith, bpTT\'s Ronda Francis and Cherril Sobers (second from right). |
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Local aid for J'ca, Haiti, Cuba
Saturday, September 6 2008(T&T Newsday) JAMAICA, Haiti and Cuba will receive roughly $26.3 million worth of aid from this country in the wake of the devastation caused by the passing of Hurricanes Gustav and Hanna. Foreign Affairs Minister Paula Gopee Scoon made this announcement yesterday, as the Caribbean braced itself for further destruction as even more storms set their paths across its islands. Jamaica and Haiti will receive $10 million in aid each, while Cuba will receive $6.3 million, the minister said at a special press conference held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Knowsley, Port-of-Spain. "As I speak yesterday Hurricanes Hanna, Ike and Josephine are still active threats," Gopee Scoon said. "We are very conscious of the challenge posed by natural disasters and feel impelled to assist our neighbours to the extent that we can and stand in solidarity with them." Gopee-Scoon revealed that the funds for Haiti and Jamaica will come from the Caricom Petroleum Fund. That fund was estimated to stand at $562 million yesterday as $344 million was paid out of the fund for the year 2007. The Petroleum Fund was established by Government in 1994, Gopee Scoon noted, "as a quick disbursing grant facility with disbursement on a non-discriminatory basis" among Caricom countries. The funds for Cuba will come from the Contingency Fund.  Paula Gopee-Scoon |
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Work on Robinson library begins in Tobago
By KARL E CUPID Tobago Bureau Sunday, September 7 2008(T&T Newsday) Former president Arthur NR Robinson on Friday stressed that nation building must involve all the people and not just those at the top. "No one must ever feel left out in the process of nation building," he declared. "Nation building is a process that involves all of us, not those at the top, or those who are outstanding in some particular aspect of life, but all, I repeat, all; nation building is a process that requires the participation, the involvement, of all of us!" He asserted that people at all levels of the society, whether fishermen, road workers, gardeners, teachers, whatever, can and do make a contribution to their community. Robinson, a former prime minister, who had also served as the inaugural chairman of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), emphasised the point in his response to the many accolades bestowed upon him during the official sod turning ceremony for the establishment of a tertiary education and research facility in his honour at Castara, Tobago. The ANR Robinson Library, Museum and Ethics Centre is to be constructed on 25 acres of land at the site of the ˜˜Great House'' in the scenic fishing village on Tobago's north east coast. The parcel of land was provided by the THA under a 99-year lease arrangement, in which the Government collaborated by granting a remission of the stamp duty involved. The Centre has been registered as a non-profit organisation under the management of a board of directors headed by former attorney general Russell Martineau, SC who chaired proceedings at the ceremony. Other board members include Ambassador Dodderidge Alleyne, Gerald Hadeed, Peter Ganteaume, Isaac T McLeod, former senator Dr Eastlyn McKenzie, Ambassador Christopher Thomas, and senator professor Ramesh Deosoran who prepared the concept document which will serve as a guide to the development of the facility. According to Thomas, who presented a profile of the project, the centre is to be constructed in phases, starting with the library and museum. The undertaking is the brain child of well known Castara community activist Dean Fraser, popularly known as "Sarge", who several years ago proposed the idea in a letter to then President Robinson. According to Fraser, Professor Deosaran, who was also present at the ceremony, got involved in development of the proposal with input of his own and... the rest, as they say, is now history. "The establishment of the ANR Robinson Library, Museum and Ethics Centre is designed to provide a permanent, accessible and fitting structure for housing the ideas, aspirations and achievements of a man who entered and excelled in public service since 1954, and who continues to render such service to his country, region and the world," Deosaran stated in the concept document dated August 15, 2000, as outlined by Thomas. Describing it as a "centre for the world", Deosaran asserted that the facility "aims to reflect the humanitarianism, compassion, courage, trials, tribulations and triumphs which make up the chequered public service mission of (the person that is) Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson. Endowed with a Unit on Ethics, the centre will also have a wider civic purpose, (and) the materials and activities of the centre will provide the international community with an opportunity to see how the real world of politics and public service can be ably matched with constant virtue and courage, and where risk, success, and failure are each experienced with equal equilibrium". Deosaran added that "the country should take pride in seeing such a centre properly and duly established". He made it clear that the facility was not conceived around the International Criminal Court (ICC), but noted that Robinson's involvement in the establishment of the ICC "will certainly have a place in the centre". Thomas said it was hoped that the vision embodied in the centre would be shared by many persons around the World, starting with the people of Trinidad and Tobago, "so that there can be established in our midst a centre that will gain worldwide recognition as a tribute to the man whose name it bears, and who has stood for integrity all his life". Addressing the occasion, THA Chief Secretary Orville London asserted that the facility would be a lasting tribute to Tobago's most illustrious son of the soil. He noted that each unit of the centre symbolises an aspect of the life and times of Robinson, with the ethics component standing out as "the one that really symbolises the man. Because, I'll tell you something, not everybody would have liked Mr Robinson but everybody respected him, and the reason why they respected him is because he never compromised his ethics", said London. He assured that the THA, on behalf of all Tobagonians, would pledge its continued commitment to the initiative. "It (the provision of the site) is just a small tribute to a man who has done so many large things for Tobago. This is a ˜feel good' moment for me, and I think it is a ˜feel good' moment for all of us; an opportunity for us to say thanks to Mr Robinson in a tangible way, thanks to Mr Robinson in a lasting way, because, yes, he would have received awards, but eventually those awards will maybe end up in a cupboard. This is a living testimony, a living tribute to a great man!" the THA Chief Secretary affirmed.  FORMER PRESIDENT ANR Robinson (second from right) unveils the foundation stone for the Centre. |
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HDC: Housing market stable
By Anna Rose Madray Wednesday, September 3 2008(T&T Newsday Business Section) While CL Financial's Home Construction Limited (HCL) retrenched over 100 workers last week due to inflation and a slowdown in the local real estate market, the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) yesterday said the housing industry was still stable, with the exception of escalating prices for construction material. HDC's corporate communications officer Leslie John said since their houses were subsidised by the Government, they have not been affected by rising costs as much as private companies. "We are producing houses for the Government's home programme, so the infrastructure costs are subsidised by the Government and the cost is not transferred to the user," explained John. According to John, HDC's infrastructural costs include electricity, water and sewerage, as well as land development. Despite the subsidy, she said, "there are challenges in terms of the cost of steel and other construction material. As a result, it is a battle for us to try and keep the price of housing in the reach of people." She said also that it was a bit challenging to balance the negotiation of contracts with contractors as well as keep the cost of housing down, but emphasised that the HDC had no immediate intentions of dismissing any of its contractors. "Right now, we have 190 active projects," she said, and explained the company employed approximately 100 small, medium and large contractors. John said inflation in the construction sector was under constant review by the Government, and if the costs of materials continued to escalate it would be addressed by the Cabinet. HCL's corporate communications manager Lisa Ghany yesterday said the company was currently going through a restructuring process, since it had been "top heavy" for a while. As a result, she said more than 100 workers had to be retrenched. She said inflation was a problem and explained there was indeed a slow down in the real estate market, as opposed to the construction sector which was quite vibrant. " The buying and selling of property now takes longer," she said, adding the Government now "had a heap of projects going on," so the market was less demanding. Sharon Inglefield, CEO of NEALCO Limited, also said there was a slowdown in the real estate market. "It is not a slowdown in the entire market, but particularly to an oversupply of townhouses and apartments, as a result of developers all building this type of housing at the same time," she explained. While she said the trend was nothing to panic about, she noted, "once you have an oversupply, the price will soften." She also said a large number of contractors were now employed with the Government, so it was extremely competitive to secure contractors. Economist J'wala Rambarran said there was not yet enough evidence to conclude that the real estate market was slowing down. Rambarran said he felt HCL's retrenchment exercise occurred because its major One Woodbrook Place project was nearing completion, and did not require as many workers. He said it was natural that people would gravitate toward the Government's more affordable housing programmes, than purchase apartments or townhouses as they would have done before. "Demand from one part of the market to another, doesn't mean that demand has fallen overall," he added.  One Woodbrook Place |
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$4M men
By SEAN DOUGLAS Tuesday, September 9 2008(T&T Newsday) PRIME Minister Patrick Manning yesterday pledged $4 million in rewards to Trinidad and Tobago's Olympic silver medallists, at a jubilant celebration held outside the Eric Williams Financial Complex, St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain. He said all five champions who ran in the qualifying rounds and finals of the 4x100 metres relay, Richard Thompson, Marc Burns, Emmanuel Callender, Keston Bledman, and Aaron Armstrong, are each to receive $250,000 worth of units in the Unit Trust Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UTC) and $500,000 in cash, with Thompson getting an additional $250,000 for his silver medal in the 100 metres sprint. "We believe Richard Thompson won the two silver medals and he is the million dollar man. He will get an additional $250,000, for a total of $1 million from the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago". Manning said the rewards, decided last Thursday by Cabinet, could in no way recompense the athletes for their efforts, but was a small way to recognise the achievements and what it meant for this country making its way in a hostile world. "The Cabinet also decided that the Central Bank would take steps to provide financial advice and counselling for the honourable gentlemen. That money must not be wasted." He then teased the audience to raise but then dashed hopes of a public holiday, by saying: "We also decided that we will party late tonight, but not too late to be at work at eight o'clock tomorrow morning." Manning also noted that the champions are also due to receive the Chaconia Gold Medal today at a special investiture ceremony hosted by President George Maxwell Richards. Manning praised the athletes for having made the name of Trinidad and Tobago known in every nook and cranny throughout the world by their Olympic efforts. He said the athletes and others who possess talent can be assured of the Government's support. He noted: "The achievements are a very important milestone on the way to developed country status." Manning said the only other times he had seen such an up welling of national pride were after Hasely Crawford's gold medal in the 100 metres at the 1976 Montreal Olympics and in 2006 when the Soca Warriors held Sweden to a draw in the World Cup in Germany. Manning, however, couldn't resist quoting a political slogan from his ruling PNM's campaign in the last general elections, to now describe the performance of the Olympic medallists, declaring: "They beat them in the East, they beat them in the West, they beat them in the North and they beat them in the South!" After Manning's seven minute speech, the athletes came on stage in a blaze of fireworks and confetti. Thompson told the crowd it was an honour to get the Chaconia Gold medal. Likely referring to the financial rewards, he declared: "We are certainly satisfied with what has been given to us, and we know it will go a long way. More importantly though, I would like to stress the importance of what we do track and field for. We do it for the love of the sport and not to be given anything in particular by anyone. We are not asking for anything from anyone or the Government. We certainly do appreciate it however." He recalled the pride and joy of wearing red, white and black to represent TT at the highest level. "On the 16 and 22 of August I must admit, and I'm sure these other guys can admit as well, that it was the greatest feeling in my entire life, winning those two silver medals." He promised more, saying: "We look forward to next year, 2009, at the world championship games and we hope to change those two silver medals into gold medals. More importantly, London 2012 Olympics we plan to be the dominant force like Jamaica was this year." Thompson recalled that when abroad it had been a blessing to read newspapers such as Newsday online to see people celebrating TT's Olympic achievements rather than reading news about violent crime. "We look forward to bringing that positive vibe into Trinidad and Tobago, as long as we do track and field."  OUR BOYS: (From left) Aaron Armstrong, Marc Burns, Richard Thompson, Emmanuel Callender and Keston Bledman show off their Olympic silvermedals at a public celebration at Eric Williams Financial Complex, Port-of-Spain yesterday.  National pride: Young schoolchildren wave national flags during the welcome motorcade for TT's silver medal sprint Olympians in Tacarigua. |
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New buses for water taxis
By CLINT CHAN TACK Thursday, September 11 2008 (T&T Newsday) WORKS and Transport Minister Colm Imbert yesterday said the national water taxi service will be open to the public by December 31 and will be supported by some of the new buses that were recently acquired by the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) from the Higer Bus Company of China. Speaking at the commissioning of the 70 buses at the Vehicle Maintenance Company of Trinidad and Tobago (VMCOTT) headquarters in Beetham, PTSC chairman Ethelbert Paul said the company ordered 20 additional Higer buses to transport water taxi passengers to their destinations after disembarking from the vessels. Paul added that these 20 buses are currently at the Port-of-Spain port awaiting clearance. Noting that three interim vessels for the water taxi service are already in the country, Imbert said the fourth interim vessel has been acquired in Europe and is now en route to a dockyard in Curacao for refurbishment. "We know that it will arrive here in November unless there is some catastrophe," Imbert said. He added that the marine operator to run the service has been selected and should be mobilised by November. Noting that the 70 buses cost $34.1 million and will increase the PTSC's fleet to 313, Imbert said the new buses will be used to respond to the request of rural, urban and suburban communities throughout the country for public transport. He explained that the expansion will see the introduction of 30 new routes in Trinidad and five in Tobago, increasing the total number of routes in the country from 77 to 112. picture picture picture |
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T&T's largest investment US$2.3billion
polypropylene complex  Professor Emeritus Kenneth Julien, left, Francois Venet, chief executive of Lurgi; Prime Minister Patrick Manning; Volker Traut, chief executive of LyondellBasell Industries; Conrad Enill, Energy Minister, and Frank Look Kin, chief executive of National Gas Company. Photo: Dilip Singh ASHA JAVEED (Trinidad Guardian) On Monday, the Government inked a deal for the development of an integrated polypropylene complex with LyondellBasell and Lurgi. At US$2.3 billion, it's the largest energy investment in country. The project will include the production of 490 KT of polyolefins based on three plants including a methanol plant and a methanol to propylene plant. That's puts the tally of methanol plants in this country to eight and cements a downstream initiative which is seen as key in diversification away from the oil and gas wealth. "The thrust of the Government is to develop the second and third derivate industries from natural gas. "The polyolefin industry is one such industry identified for development as it is views as a building block for expansion of the local plastics manufacturing sector," said Andrew Jupiter, acting president, National Energy Corporation (NEC). The proposed gas utilisation by these plants should represent a ten per cent increase in NGC's existing gas sales portfolio. And Prime Minister Patrick Manning's optimistic that a polypropylene complex could allow Caribbean tourism dominant islands to develop an industrial base. It also represents an axis for his regional integration plans, all perfectly timed to 2012. Manning, who did not disclose the price at which the contract was negotiated, said the islands can diversify by importing raw material, manufacture a product which could come back to Trinidad to be repackaged and exported to the United States. "A synergy is developing for T&T and the rest of the Caribbean," he said. His belief is that the complex represents "a quantum leap in our thinking," which is the base for a new industrial base and further diversification within the energy sector. Manning explained that there was a need to introduce industries with a downstream capability. He said that when the iron and steel industry was developed, it was seen as the first step to going downstream, but "nothing could have been further from the truth." He said that iron and steel, aluminium, plastics and the Government is now looking at information communication technology for downstream development. "Downstream are not likely to come unless we take steps to make them come," he told executives gathered for the ceremony. He said the Government embraced the polypropylene complex, but had stalled on its project for an ethylene and polyethylene plants. Nonetheless, the Government had set out to establish a successful downstream base. Prof Ken Julien who has worked on the project for almost three years acknowledged that downstream has always been difficult, but the energy sector was now positively moving in this direction. Julien said that having a strong oil-and-gas base didn't really determine success. "Real success will be determined by what happens downstream," he said. Prime Minister Patrick Manning's optimistic that a polypropylene complex could allow Caribbean tourism dominant islands to develop an industrial base. It also represents an axis for his regional integration plans, all perfectly timed to 2012. |
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Something for everyone at Animae Caribe
Tuesday, September 16 2008(T&T Newsday) UNDER THE umbrella of the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival, one of the most dynamic events in the region will unfold over the next three weeks. Now in its seventh year Animae Caribe Festival pledges to be bigger and better than ever before. Whether young, old, professional or amateur there is something for everyone to appreciate at the Animae Caribe Festival 2008. The Caribbean's only Animation and New Media festival will kick off September 22 to 27, and is this year proudly sponsored by The Trinidad and Tobago Film Company, the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), and Toon Boom from Canada. Participants in this year's Festival can expect to be educated and entertained as this year's festival will feature master classes from internationally renowned and award winning animators, film screenings in Port-of-Spain and San Fernando, an Animation Village and an expanded Animation School's Fair. As is customary, the Festival will also honour outstanding local and international animators with the Animae Caribe Awards. Highlights of this year's event include a visit by a senior executive on the Simpson's Movie, Joel Kuwahara, MTV's Celebrity Death Match creator, Kathi Zung. Additionally, Animae Caribe will also honour Academy Award-winning animator and producer, Daniel Greaves with a screening of his animation Manipulation at Movie Towne. As a prelude to the Festival, members of the public will have the opportunity to preview animated films in Animae Caribe's Outdoor Caravan. Screenings will take place on Friday, September 19, concurrently, at the Brian Lara Promenade, Port-of-Spain and at High Street San Fernando, courtesy of two 40-foot electronic screens provided by Media 21. The show will start at 6 pm and will feature some of Animae Caribe's past award-winning submissions as well as entries from this year's event. During the festival, film screenings will take place from 6pm at the Animation Village at the St James Amphitheatre, St James. This year's Animae Caribe's Conference/Business Day on September 24, (Republic Day) at the Hyatt Regency Hotel will see the launch of the Anansi Mission a project bringing together the best animators from around the Diaspora to attempt what has not yet been done production of the first full length Caribbean animated feature film. The UTT Animation School's Fair this year will be the largest in the Festival's history as more than 400 primary, secondary and tertiary level students are expected to converge on UTT's O'Meara Campus. The Fair will be held on the Festival's penultimate day, Friday 26 from 10 am to 2 pm, and will feature a variety of activities and displays, including the ever popular chalk art exhibition, robotics and flip book displays and demos. The young people will view animated films created by their peers and they will also have the opportunity to meet Simpson's Movie producer Joel Kuwahara. Camille Selvon Abrahams, Founder and Festival Director commented on this year's event: "The Caribbean region has been slow to embrace animation, despite the fact that it is a billion dollar industry worldwide, and this event is critical to help bring this art-form to the forefront. "We want to promote the adoption of a digital culture and encourage up and coming animators to focus on their craft. We invite everyone to join us at the Animation Village at the St James Amphitheatre for an experience of learning, creativity and fun. "We are grateful to our sponsors UTT, the T&T Film Company and Toon Boom for helping us to empower and encourage local animators, as well as preserve and promote our traditions and culture through the vehicle of animation." |
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Imbert: We could pay debt tomorrow
 By Clint Chan Tack Saturday, September 20 2008(T&T Newsday) LEADER of Government Business Colm Imbert yesterday revealed Government has deposited $15 billion in the Heritage Stabilisation Fund (HSF) to date and it could "pay off the country's debt tomorrow." Imbert dropped this economic bombshell on the Opposition UNC Alliance (UNC A) during debate on a Supplementary Appropriation Bill in the House of Representatives yesterday. He said this will "create a cushion in the future in the event that there is a drastic reduction in oil prices." Dismissing claims by UNC A St Augustine MP Vasant Bharath that the Opposition did not know about the $3.9 billion which the bill will transfer from the Consolidated Fund to the Infrastructure Development Fund (IDF), Imbert explained these funds "are savings in fiscal 2008" which were achieved because of the conservative oil and natural gas prices which last year's budget were pegged against. He said because of the "prudence and the foresight of this PNM administration," an unprecedented figure of $5 billion has been placed in the HSF in one year and bringing the size of the fund to $15 billion. Imbert said if Government pegged the last budget on US$100 per barrel instead of a US$50 per barrel price or engaged in squandermania as alleged by the Opposition, "then there would have been no money to go into the HSF." Explaining that under the law, 60 percent of excess energy revenues go into the HSF and the remaining 40 percent into the IDF, Imbert said the country's debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) "is half of what it was used to be under the UNC." Prompted by Finance Minister Karen Nunez-Tesheira, Imbert declared that the public service debt is now less than the $15 billion in the HSF. "So we could pay off the country's debt tomorrow with the funds that we the PNM government have placed in the HSF," he declared as Government MPs thumped their desks in support. Imbert added the country has also benefited from $1 billion collected in Value Added Tax in fiscal 2008. "By way of savings," Prime Minister Patrick Manning quipped. Imbert reiterated last year's $50 billion budget consisted of $9 billion ($5 billion in the HSF, $4 billion in the IDF) "which is not expenditure." Listing several primary schools which the $3.9 billion would be used to build or upgrade in fiscal 2009, Imbert quoted Roman philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero to show that the PNM was following his sagely advice by "balancing the budget." Telling Bharath that he needed to "get his facts straight," Imbert reminded MPs that it was the former UNC government which wrote off a US$500 million debt to Guyana at a time when the country had "no reserves" to do that. "Rome was in real trouble when the UNC was in power," Imbert quipped.  Prime Minister Patrick Manning, left, laughs at a joke his Leader of Government Business Colm Imbert made with Opposition MPs in Parliament yesterday. |
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Browne: T&T savings safe
Wall Street crash Juhel Browne Monday, September 22nd 2008(T&T Express) More than 90 per cent of the US$8.5 billion Heritage and Stabilsation Fund (HSF) is held in deposits in 25 highly ranked banks, says Minister in the Finance Ministry Mariano Browne, as he maintained it has not been exposed in any way to last week's stock market crisis on Wall Street. He disclosed the HSF's details, as he said the international stock market crisis shows what happens when there is a lack of confidence in the financial system. "Whether we like it or not we are part of a global financial system and we must do what is necessary to defend our economic gains. So far, the financial sector has little exposure and the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund is well spread and therefore, well protected. Ninety five per cent of the fund is held in deposits among 25 triple A rated banks," Browne said. He said the remaining five per cent is held in US Government Treasury investments. Browne did so while he delivered the feature address at the Colonial Fire and General Insurance Company Ltd (Colfire) 50th Anniversary Gala at the Hyatt Regency Hotel at the Waterfront, Port of Spain, on Saturday night. Prime Minister Patrick Manning was scheduled to deliver the address but Browne said he was unable to attend the function. The Express understands Manning was involved in the last minute preparations for the 2008/2009 Budget presentation which will be delivered in the Parliament today by Finance Minister Karen Nunez-Tesheira. In an Express article published on September 18, Browne said the HSF's US dollar investments are well spread out in high performing banks in the United States. In attendance were Health Minister Jerry Narace, CL Financial director Roger Duprey, Colfire managing director Willard Harris, former Trade and Industry Minister Mervyn Assam and former Miss Universe Wendy Fitzwilliam who is the vice president of business development at e-TecK. |
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Thanks to Bas |
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That's why ppl in T&T have made a promise never to repete another UNC gov't! At the time Dr Keith Rowley had pointed out that T&T firms could've gotten consessions from GT's govt for mining and forestry if the UNC had wanted it so, Panday claimed that T&T would've ended up owning half of Guyana. |
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New Canadian firm signs largest onshore drilling deal
Aretha Welch Friday, September 19th 2008(T&T Express Business) Canadian newcomer to the local oil and gas scene, Voyager Energy signed its first Production Sharing Contract (PSC) to begin exploration in Trinidad and Tobago's Central Range yesterday. During the signing at the Hyatt Regency Hotelin Port of Spain Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, Leroy Mayers explained that the company which won the bid round for the two Central Range onshore blocks, which were put up by the Ministry of Energy in 2005 will be working alongside national company, Petrotrin, as well as the government of Trinidad and Tobago. As a result of the nine blocks which were awarded following the government's most recent bid round the country stands to gain some US $56 million in signature bonuses. Yesterday's signing officially began work on two of those nine blocks. The 108,000 acres which Voyager will now explore as a result of this deal marks the largest onshore award ever given by the Trinidad and Tobago Government, said Petrotrin executive chairman, Malcolm Jones. Jones called it a significant milestone for this country's energy industry. He said it was also the first time in decades that the Central Range (which spans from La Brea in the West to Manzanilla in the East) will be the subject of deliberate exploration and Petrotrin was hoping for a large find. If Voyager does come up with a find, the relative newcomer on the local scene will join the ranks of both Petro Canada and Canadian Superior, as both Canadian companies found success drilling for energy resources in Trinidad and Tobago recently.  |
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Much potential in Tobago business
By FELICIA RAMPERSAD Wednesday, September 24 2008(T&T Newsday Business) IF INDIAN BORN business investor Subhash Goyal has his way, Tobago could ascend to the heights of information technology. Goyal, chairman of STIC Travel Group of Companies in India, was in Tobago recently and proposed to the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) that his company establish an Eco-Industrial and Business Park and an IT centre. The IT centre could be located at Signal Hill and the eco-industrial park in the south western part of the island. At a media briefing at Mount Irving Bay Hotel, Tobago on Monday, Goyal announced the two projects in a business meeting with THA Secretary of Finance and Enterprise Development Anselm London. A memorandum of understanding was signed in which Goyal said that the two projects would benefit from the expertise of his companies to bring it to fruition. "We agreed to set up an incubation centre and we would have to start from scratch, but the basic investment has already been made," Goyal said. Acknowledging the potential of Tobago for such business development, Goyal added: "Tobago is not as exploited as far as IT is concerned. It would have a multiplying effect on the other sectors. "In any developing economy today, if you are not IT literate, you cannot keep up and you will be left behind." London expressed the view that the venture would prove to the world that Tobago, as an emerging business community, would not remain an economic spectator. "We in Tobago have taken the conscious decision that Tobago will participate in the world economy and not restrict the participation in the tourism sector. There are vast opportunities and Information Technology (IT) provides the link, it provides the cohesion between industries, activities and people," London said. Also present for the signing was former Government Minister Ken Valley, who after leaving active politics, was hired by the THA as a business consultant.  IN HAND: A happy Subhash Goyal, chairman of the of STIC Travel Group of Companies in India, displays the memorandum of understanding signed between his company and the THA for development of several business enterprises in Tobago. At left is THA's Anselm London. |
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A TT toast to China
Thursday, October 2 2008(T&T Nesday) THE HILTON Ballroom was, as in past years, the venue for the Embassy of the People's Republic of China to celebrate the founding of the Republic. Speaking Sunday, at the anniversary celebrations Ambassador H E Huang Xian began with the successful space mission and space walk of Chinese astronauts who touched down in Inner Mongolia earlier that day. He said 2008 has indeed been an eventful year for the People's Republic, with snowfalls in the South that rarely, if ever, experience snow, the appalling tragedy of the earthquake in Sichuan, the glories of the Olympic games, not only for the People's Republic after the long years of planning for the international event that brought athletes of the world and sports enthusiasts to China, but for TT as well, and the para-Olympics that concluded the games. In replying to the Ambassador's speech, acting Foreign Minister Senator Hazel Manning echoed his wish for continued friendship and trade between the People's Republic of China and Trinidad and Tobago, ending by proposing a toast to continuing friendly relations in the years to come. picture Chinese Ambassador to TT Huang Xian greets THA Chief Secretary Orville London.  Brazilian Ambassador Luis Fernando de Athayde making a point to Acting Foreign Minister Senator Hazel Manning. picture Chinese Ambassador to TT Huang Xian s(left) chats with artist Willi and Jeanne Chen. picture Members of the Chinese Bicentennial Steel Orchestra played at the function. |
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South Chamber: Plenty oil in T&T
Louis B Homer Thursday, October 2nd 2008(T&T Express Business) Oil and gas production is expected to continue for many more years with oil having already survived 100 years and natural gas 50, new president of the South Trinidad Chamber of Industry and Commerce Charles Percy has predicted. His prediction about the future of the industry came minutes after his election to the organisation's top post for the 2008-2009 term, at the Chamber's annual general meeting held at its offices at Cross Crossing, San Fernando, Tuesday. Percy's prognosis of the industry was supported by the Chambers' immediate past president, Rampersad Motilal, who stated in his outgoing report, "There is still a lot of oil in the ground in Trinidad and it is important that we find the best policy and ownership regime to bring this to the surface, using the best available technology." The statements by two senior executives employed in the energy industry challenges the 2007 Ryder Scott report which had put the gas reserves at 12 years. Percy said if the industry was to be fully explored "Government needs to be fast and flexible and listen". He said if the country was to derive the maximum benefit from the industry "Government needs to get the fiscal and legal regime right by developing small field policies and a new study on the Deep Water regime". Speaking on the competitiveness of the energy sector, Percy said at present the industry employs few unskilled people. "The result is that the resources and wealth passes through a few hands and is therefore susceptible to misdirection." He said high tax take provided no incentive to develop the non-oil economies and wealth and "when commodity price volatility hits, it torpedoes the country and affects the poor worst". The future of the energy industry was not the only topic discussed by Percy. He said the Chamber has expressed its concern about crime and other matters affecting the country. "It is no secret that we are all concerned about our crime, inflation, corruption, traffic congestion, racial tension and political stewardship." Motilal said Trinidad was in a period of growth with energy being the driving force of the economy, but he regretted that "outside of Port of Spain and Wallerfield development has significantly lagged our expectations". He referred to the San Fernando to Point Fortin and San Fernando to Mayaro highways and the Union Estate which was still awaiting development of its first major plant. |
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Govt launches 'Computers for Communities' programme
Camille Bethel Friday, October 3rd 2008(T&T Express) Refurbished computers will soon to be distributed throughout communities across Trinidad and Tobago in an effort to bridge the digital divide that presently exists in the country, Minister of Public Administration Kennedy Swaratsingh said on Tuesday. Speaking at the launch of the "Computers for Communities" programme, a collaborative effort between the Government and the Commonwealth Secretariat held at the Hilton Trinidad Hotel and Conference Centre, St Ann's, the Minister said: "If we are to transition to a knowledge based society...then we must begin by giving our citizens access to computer equipment that facilitates their on line presence." However, he noted that while the use of technology is now everywhere the prices of new computers are still too expensive for many of the country's citizens. "In order to become an informed and educated e-society we must first be exposed to the requisite knowledge," he said. He added that one of the imperatives for fostering social and economic growth is for people from all walks of life to have access to information because it is a knowledgeable society that is best able to contribute to sound national development. Swaratsingh pointed out that there is also a need to empower the general public to participate in the programme as well as encourage public-private sector partnerships to donate, upgrade and maintain the technologies that are vital to the communities and the lives that people within those communities live. The programme, he said, is based on the repair and upgrade of used computer equipment as well as training for people in the use of the software and technology to be distributed. |
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'Increased prosperity in T&T'
Aretha Welch Saturday, October 4th 2008(T&T Express) Trinidad and Tobago's citizens experience the smallest amount of economic misery in the region. And this is in spite of the recently increased fuel prices and an inflation rate which is way above the healthy average. Speaking at yesterday's launch of the United Nations' Economic Survey of the Caribbean for 2007-2008, Beverly Lugay, research assistant for the association's Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, revealed the findings of an economic misery index study done in the region. Trinidad and Tobago actually received a negative score on the economic misery scale, which showed that economic conditions in the country are positive and citizens are experiencing increasing levels of economic prosperity. This means Trinidad's level of unemployment is lower than most of the other measured countries. It is easier for locals to find jobs, while the country's external fiscal balance is positive and real GDP growth is substantial. During the conference at the Normandie Hotel in St Ann's yesterday, international development expert and former UN employee, Dr Johann Geiser, said the number of people living in extreme poverty in the region has decreased dramatically within recent time. He said, however, this country's poverty indicator is too low. He said while the government has said the number of people living below the poverty line has decreased from 34 per cent to 17 per cent of the population, the estimated poverty rate of $600 a month, which Trinidad and Tobago uses as its marker for poverty, is too low and should be revamped, if a true reflection of the number of people living in poverty is to be gathered. |
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$600 too low
Poverty indicator figure to be changed Camille Bethel Saturday, October 11th 2008(T&T Express) The outdated $600 figure that is currently being used as this country's poverty indicator is to be changed, according to Minister of Planning, Housing and the Environment Emily Gaynor Dick-Forde. Speaking in an interview at the launch of the National Socio-Economic Database project at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain, yesterday the Minister said: "Right now we are doing a household and budgetary survey that ends in April 2009. That gives us fresh information for a number of things...so there is quite a lot of revision and updating of information right now so that should be changed." She said the $600 baseline for the poverty measure was done in 2005 so that study has to be done again although the Ministry of Social Development does not currently base its poverty reduction interventions on that figure. "They base it on their direct interaction with people and that was based on the poverty eradication programme funded by the European Union," she added. |
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Posted
Sunday 12th October, 2008(Trinidad Guardian)
Italians to design industrial island The Government is moving full speed ahead with its billion dollar plans to construct a man made island off the Oropouche coast in the Gulf of Paria, to accommodate heavy, gas based industries. The National Energy Corporation (NEC) hired an Italian engineering firm, Technital, in July, to conduct the preliminary design work for the man made industrial island. It is proposed that the project, which is being called the Oropouche Bank Reclamation, will be be an estimated 1,400 hectares (about 3,500 acres). The island will be located five kilometres offshore and directly opposite the Mosquito Creek cremation site. The NEC's intention to construct the offshore island, which is also called Otaheite Bank, was publicised when Prime Minister Patrick Manning, in a televised Christmas Day address to the nation in 2006, announced that the Government was discontinuing all plans to establish an Alcoa aluminium smelter at Chatham in Cedros. "Instead, we shall accelerate development of a new industrial estate offshore at Otaheite Bank, from which aluminium production can now be pursued together with other industrial plants," said the Prime Minister. Manning said based on the conclusion of a symposium in La Romain, earlier that year, the proposed aluminium smelters, earmarked for the south-western peninsula, presented "no unmanageable threat" to either the environment or to the health of the population. The Government's aborted plan to facilitate construction of the 341,000 tonne, US$1.5 billion Alcoa aluminium smelter in Cedros was criticised by a few residents of south Trinidad and environmental activists. The NEC has continued with its plans to facilitate construction of an aluminium smelter in La Brea, which is majority owned by the State and is being built with Chinese technology. Technital, which was engaged by the NEC after an international competitive tendering, is working in partnership with local engineering consultants Lee Young and Partners, sources close to the process disclosed. In the first phase of the project, Technital will produce a preliminary design of the island, which it expects will minimise the environmental impact of the offshore construction while maximising the benefits for future potential industrial users. The Italian consultants' work is expected to last 30 months. Technital will be responsible for developing the terms of reference for the conduct of an environmental impact assessment study which will be used to apply for a certificate of environmental clearance. It will also be responsible for making recommendations on the implementation, financing, phasing and infrastructural work. The NEC first submitted an application for establishment of an industrial estate at the Oropouche Bank to the Environmental Management Authority on November 29, 2005. The EMA responded by requesting additional information on the offshore industrial estate. |
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Location: "Ayodhya & Mecca"
Registered:: January 13, 2003
Posts: 9682
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Posted
Keep dreaming about yuh nonsense, you sound like one of them envious Pee Pee Pee fanatics consumed with hate and spite for T&T's success, "son gamble five hundred thousand dollers in casino" why don't you post that "article" for all to see? |
| <Ani>
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I WILL .... AND YOU YOUR INFORMATION I BORN IN 19 NAVET ROAD SANFERNANDO TRINIDAD
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| <Ani>
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IAND I DOES VOTE IMN GRANT MEMORAL SCHOOL
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| <Ani>
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AND THAT IS SANFERNANDA EAST... BUT MANNING BOTTOM DROPPING SO HE GO LOOSE HE SEAT JUST NOW
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| <Ani>
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AND DONT FOOL PEOPLE TRINIDAD IS A HELL HOLE... O
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| <Ani>
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where are you come bring more lies i go deal with them... stop fooling the stupid guyanese deal with a real trinidadian and a panday fanatic
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| <Ani>
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AND DONT JUDGE ME BY MY NAME YOU GO BE SURPRISED I NOTICE YOU LIKE TO CALL PEOPLE WOMEN BECAUSED OF THEIR NAME
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