PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
In 2008, the Infrastructure & Logistics Committee continued to focus on working with the relevant authorities to improve the situation at the nation ports as well as ensuring that a reliable and efficient transport system is available for the movement of goods and survival of the manufacturing sector.
The Committee continued to press for adequate resources and improved effectiveness of all Regulatory Bodies. Particular attention is being paid to the Customs and Excise Division, and the long-awaited implementation of the Asycuda World system.
The TTMA also formulated proposals for the institutional strengthening and improvement in the Chemistry, Food and Drug Division to ensure fairness of treatment of local manufacturers and a level playing field between imported and locally manufactured food products, as well as to improve service level of the Division. In 2008, the Committee also focused on Local Administrative Charges (LAC) and the Rapid Rail Project.
SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Corporate Social Responsibility:
The TTMA has been doing considerable work to increase awareness and participation in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities amongst the membership.
The TTMA has embarked on a project aimed at “Improving Labour Productivity through Internal CSR Interventions in the Manufacturing Sector.” This pilot project will be executed over a period of 15 months, and will involve five Small and Medium Sized companies who are members of TTMA.
The project will demonstrate the advantages of implementing Internal CSR initiatives, such as increased employee motivation, reduced absenteeism and rate of employee turnover, and higher efficiency in production processes.
Crime:
Also under this pillar, the TTMA maintained its focus on the crime situation. The TTMA hosted an Anti-crime seminar on Thursday January 10th 2008 at the Trinidad Hilton and Conference Centre titled “Crime and Violence in Trinidad and Tobago-solutions to the problem.”
This seminar afforded TTMA members a forum to voice their concerns and articulate their suggestions to officials from the Ministry of National Security, the Non-Partisan Crime and Justice Commission and the Police Service. Several recommendations were brought forward which have since been widely circulated in the media, as well as to several Government Ministries, with the hope that they would be given consideration.
VIABILITY (GROWTH & SUSTAINABILITY)
TTMA’s Annual Trade and Investment Convention:
The TTMA remains committed to exploring avenues for New Business and Market Development, as well as in assisting members through Trade Support Services. The Trade and Investment Convention is the TTMA’s major initiative under the growth pillar. TIC 2008, which took place between April 30th and May 3rd, 2008 at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya, was a resounding success, setting new records for the number of exhibitors and buyers, and generating more positive feedback from attendees and higher levels of reporting from the news media than ever before.
Legislation:
The TTMA sought to maintain a Competitive Manufacturing Sector this past year through a critical analysis of Legislation and Government Policy, namely the White Paper on Government Procurement and local content; the Green Paper on T&T’s Investment Policy; the Beverage Container Bill; the Equal Opportunity Bill; and the Occupational Health and Safety Act, to name a few.
Environment:
With respect to the Beverage Container Bill, the TTMA played a major role in the redesigning of the Bill in an attempt to achieve an effective close-loop recycling system. TTMA also initiated and is continuing development of a Committee on Recycling and Related Matters, which has both private and public sector representation. TTMA has also been a strong advocate for the development of policies in the area of Alternate Energy Development within the region.
Productivity:
TTMA has, for an extended period of time, expressed its views that there is need to develop a more hands on approach to increasing Productivity in the workplace. In 2008, the TTMA played a key role in the government’s decision to form a National Productivity Council.
The National Budget
TTMA submitted its detailed recommendations to the government on the National Budget in July 2008, and was pleased to note that many of its recommendations were included as part of the 2008 – 2009 Appropriation Bill. The post budget session on the US Economy was also a resounding success.
Trade Unit
The Trade Unit of the TTMA Secretariat continued to participate in trade negotiations to ensure that the interests of manufacturers were well served. Representation was made at various meetings, Caricom, CSME as well as bi laterals (Caricom Cuba, Caricom, DR etc) to further the interest of TT Manufacturers in these and similar arrangements. Preliminary discussion has taken place with Canada in September 08 on a possible FTA , in which TTMA was involved.
In January, a seminar was held to educate TTMA members about the implications of the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement. In addition, two seminars were held – in February and September on the implications of a US recession on this country’s economy, and the impact of the Global Financial Crisis on local manufacturers respectively. A session was also held in September on Doing Business with Cuba, which sought to bring local manufacturers up to speed on the trading relationship between TT and Cuba through the Trade Facilitation Office which was established in September 2007.
TTMA also submitted, in May 2008, a comprehensive document on Issues affecting the Construction Sector to the Construction Sector Oversight Committee, a document which has subsequently been referred to on several occasions with respect to current matters of national significance within the Construction Sector.
TTMA has also played its role in the WASA Tariff rate review, which potentially has major implications on the cost, to industrial and residential consumers alike, of the services that WASA provides.
The TTMA is also represented on the Standing Committee on Trade and Related Matters and plays an influential role in this Committee. TTMA is involved in various sub committees hosted by the MTI (Market Access, Trade facilitation, Investment, Government Procurement, trade remedies, Competition Policy, Agriculture and the TCC (technical Coordinating Committee) discussing all trade related matters as they pertain to its membership.
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