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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

$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.

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."

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.

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

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".

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

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.

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.)

Didn't Bovell win a heat??? Sure I saw him swim!

Yes but he still did'nt qualify for semi finals.