Press Releases

TTMA Hosts Trade Mission to Ghana

The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) will host a trade mission to Ghana during the period March 11th to March 17th, 2024. Ghana was chosen as a market for opportunity to the business community, following His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, King of the Ashanti Kingdom (Ghana) and his delegation's visit to Trinidad and Tobago in August 2023, where several high level meetings took place between the CEO's of both the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Ghana Export Promotion Authority and the TTMA. Read more

 

TTMA Applauds Flour Producers

The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) commends its members, Nutrimix, National Flour Mills and Sheik Lisha Limited for announcing their intended price decrease on flour in the near future. The decision by these companies to reduce flour prices due to the global decrease in price grain indicates that manufacturers continue to be conscious of the impact their products have on the cost of living for consumers. The domino effect of this global decrease in the price of grain highlights the potential impact of external factors on manufacturers. Read more 

 

Illicit Trade in Trinidad and Tobago

Reflecting on the wins of 2022 and early 2023, the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) commends the Anti-Illicit Trade Task Force (AITTF), private sector bodies as well as law enforcement officers on their continued efforts to combat illicit trade in the domestic sector. As the TTMA have highlighted in the past, this type of crime involves counterfeiting, tax evasion, and the smuggling of consumer products. The items that are primarily susceptible to the trade are highly taxable commodities such as tobacco, alcohol, pharmaceuticals, designer apparel and footwear, just to name a few. Read more 

 

TTMA Welcomes VAT Refunds Relief for SMEs

The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) thanks the Minister of Finance, Colm Imbert for his presentation of the Supplementation and Variation of Appropriation for the financial year 2023. TTMA is pleased with the Honourable Minister’s announcement of the acceleration of VAT refunds via payment of cash for the amount of $250,000.00 dollars or less between May and June, 2023. This measure signals the government’s continued commitment to the small and medium enterprise sector (SME) in T&T. TTMA will continue to monitor this situation to ensure the roll-out of these VAT refunds materialises in the intended way, which will benefit our members. Read more 

 

Roger Roach appointed 67th President of the TTMA

Roger Roach has been appointed as President of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA), taking over from Ms. Tricia Coosal who held the position from 2021 to 2022. Roger Roach assumed the position of President following the organization’s 2023 Annual General Meeting which was held at the Hyatt Trinidad today. Read more

 

TTMA Strengthens Ties With THA

President of TTMA, Ms. Tricia Coosal and CEO, Dr. Mahindra Ramesh Ramdeen, visited Tobago to pay a courtesy call on Chief Secretary Farley Augustine and his executive team on Friday 2nd December, 2022. This was the first ever visit by a TTMA President to the Chief Secretary’s office in Tobago. Talks between both parties included THA’s greater participation at the upcoming Trade and Investment Convention (TIC) 2023. Read more

 

TTMA Calls for Increased Efficiency on the Port

The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) is alarmed at the reports from the Joint Select Committee (JSC) of Parliament that some 19,000 containers entered T&T over an 8-month period without being properly scanned due to limited operations of the scanners at the country’s ports. Read more here

 

A Focus on the Ease of Doing Business and Growth

The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) notes the contribution of the Minister of Finance, Colm Imbert’s reading of the National Budget, “Tenacity and Stability in the face of Global Challenges”, today in Parliament. Read more 

 

TTMA and THA Strengthen  Ties

President of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA), Ms. Tricia Coosal, had a virtual meeting last week with Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), Mr. Farley Augustine to discuss strengthening ties between the two organisations.  Read more

 

TTMA Meets With the Indian High Commission

President, Ms. Tricia Coosal and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mahindra Ramdeen of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) met with His Excellency Arun Kumar Sahu, Mr. Azad Singh, Second Secretary (Commerce) & Head of Chancery and Mr. Anand Mathai Economic & Commercial Officer of the Indian High Commission on Thursday 9th June, 2022 to discuss matters of mutual interest. Read more

 
TTMA meets with Embassy of the People’s Republic of China

President, Ms. Tricia Coosal and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mahindra Ramdeen of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) met with His Excellency Ambassador Fang Qiu and Counsellor Lichun Zhou of the People’s Republic of China on Friday 3rd June, 2022 to discuss matters of mutual interest. Read more 

 

T&T-Guyana MOU: A Catalyst for Trade

The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) commends the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the Government of the Co-Operative Republic of Guyana on the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 22nd May, 2022. Read more

 

TTMA Welcomes Central Bank Report For 2021

The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) welcomes the Central Bank’s reported increase in productivity in the non-energy sector for the first three quarters of 2021. Read more

 

Tricia Coosal re-appointed as 66th President of the TTMA

Ms. Tricia Coosal has been re-appointed as President of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) for a second term, joining her on the executive of the TTMA are Mr. Dale Parson and Mr. Emil Ramkissoon as Vice Presidents and Ms. Josiane Khan as the Honorary Secretary. Read more

 

Upgrade of Fire Hydrants at e TecK's Legacy Light Industrial Parks

The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) wishes to inform members of the completion of the project to upgrade of twelve (12) Fire Hydrants at Evolving TecKnologies and Enterprise Development Limited (e TecK's) Legacy Light Industrial Parks. The completion of this project highlights the importance of providing a robust fire extinguishing system to safeguard tenants and properties on e TecK's parks in the event of a fire. Read more

 

TTMA & First Citizens Partners With TTPS

The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) in collaboration with the First Citizens’ Advancement of Women (AOW) Committee donated electronic items to the Gender Based Violence Unit (GBVU) of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS). Read more

 

Budget to Support Exports

Port of Spain, Monday, October 04, 2021 - The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) notes the contribution of the Minister of Finance, Colm Imbert’s reading of the National Budget “Resilience in the face of a Global Pandemic”, today in Parliament. Read more

 

TTMA Ready to Boost Exports

The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA) welcomes the announcement by the Honourable Colm Imbert, Minister of Finance on 24th August, 2021 which supports the audacious goal of TTMA’s Export Manufacturing Strategy to double non-energy exports by 2025. Read more

 

‘Vaccinate to Operate’ 30,000 Jabs for Our Nation!

The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA) continues its drives to vaccinate the business community and the public. We are proud in accomplishing the administration of approximately 30,000 vaccines executed at eleven mass vaccination sites to-date. TTMA opened its vaccination site on 21st July, 2021 for 1st dose vaccinations to the public, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive as many family and community members have visited the Divali Nagar site for their 1st doses as the ease of access to TTMA vaccine site location and the smooth and efficient operations lends to a pleasant experience. Read more

 

‘Vaccinate to Operate’ TTMA expands Vaccination Drive beyond the Business Sector

The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA) began another rounds of administration of 1st doses of Sinopharm vaccines to not only the business sector but also auxiliary sectors to manufacturing and general community. Read more 

 

‘Vaccinate to Operate’ TTMA Stands Proud! Over 20,000 vaccines administered by TTMA!

The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA) has successfully administered over 20,000 vaccines in seven mass vaccination sites to-date. TTMA stands proud to have positively contributed to the Government’s ‘Vaccinate to Operate’ for the safe reopening of the business community. Read more 

 

TTMA Achieves Another Milestone Largest Vaccination drive: ‘Vaccinate to Operate’ Over 5,000 Fully Vaccinated in ONE Day !

The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA) has reached another milestone with the commencement of vaccination sites for second dose Sinopharm vaccines for the business community. President of the TTMA, Ms. Tricia Coosal stated, “TTMA is pleased to have contributed to 5,000 fully vaccinated persons in the business sector. The public-private partnership between TTMA, the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Trade & Industry has worked well for mass vaccination to ensure safe working environments in the business community.” Read more 

 

‘Vaccinate to Operate’ 10,000 vaccines administered by TTMA!

The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA) has reached a milestone with the successful administration of 10,000 first dose vaccines to date for the business community. Read more

 

TTMA Stands Committed To ‘Vaccinate to Operate’ Phase 2 Vaccination Drive Starts Today!

The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA) is elated to continue Phase 2 of ‘Vaccinate to Operate’ for the business community.   The continued support of the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) has been remarkable and TTMA fully appreciates the opportunity to continue our vaccination drives. The Ministry of Health has allocated TTMA with a further 5,000 vaccines which will be administered this week at the Divali Nagar Site. Read more

TTMA Ready to Action Phase 2 ‘Vaccinate to Operate’

The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA) is enthused to receive the public announcement by the Minister of Health, the Honourable Terrence Deyalsingh on TTMA’s further allocation of 5,000 vaccines to continue phase 2 of our vaccination drive for the business community. This announcement was made at the Prime Minister’s Media Conference held on Saturday 12th June. Read more 

 

TTMA Stands Ready to Continue Vaccination Drive for the Business Community ‘Vaccinate to Operate’

The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA) continues to partner with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) to execute vaccination sites (1st dose only) for the business community. To date, TTMA has successfully conducted two (2) such vaccination drives at the Divali Nagar Site. A total of 4192 vaccinations were administered.   2697 on Sunday 6th June and 1495 on Thursday 10th June. Read more

TTMA in partnership with GoRTT 'VACCINATE & OPERATE'

(7TH June, 2021) - The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) is pleased to report a successful execution of its first vaccination drive for the business community at the Divali Nagar Site on Sunday 6th June, 2021. President of the TTMA, Ms. Tricia Coosal was thrilled at the success of this unprecedented partnership and collaboration with the Ministries of Health and Trade & Industry to make significant strides in the vaccination of the business community. Read more 

 

TTMA’s Collaborates with GoRTT for Vaccination Drive, VACCINATE & OPERATE

(6th June, 2021)- The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) will conduct its 1st vaccination drive for the business community today at the Divali Nagar Site from 8am – 4pm for 1st dose vaccination only of the Sinopharm vaccine.The Ministry of Health (MOH) has sanctioned the administration of vaccines to be supervised by President of the T&T Medical Association, Dr. Vishi Y. Beharry (B.Sc., M.B.B.S., Dip. Emergency Medicine). Read more 

 

TTMA’s Recommendations to Improve the Ease of Doing Business in Trinidad and Tobago

The ease of doing business index is widely referenced both regionally and internationally as it relates to regulations that govern business activity across economies. Its 2020 edition ranked Trinidad and Tobago as number 105 out of 190 participating nations relative to the same placement the year prior. Reasoning from this fact, the success of our recently launched Manufacturing Strategy is focused on private sector initiatives but is also highly dependent on improved reform of the regulatory, legislative and infrastructural framework that currently exists. Read more 

 

TTMA’s Budget Wish List: Remove VAT from Imported Raw Materials

The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) has signaled to the Government, through its budget recommendations for 2018/19, the need for the expansion and growth of non-energy manufacturing sector as a priority area for moving T&T forward. In a statement on Wednesday, the Association President said the TTMA has listened to the concerns of its members and have shortlisted and prioritized the areas it believes that can have the most gains for manufacturing to grow. Read more

  

TTMA: Not Enough Done to Address VAT Returns 

The T&T Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) says not enough effort was made by Finance Minister Colm Imbert to address approximately $6 billion owed in VAT returns. Reacting to the 2020 budget, the TTMA acknowledged what it termed the Government’s “ingenuity” in its attempt to address the VAT issue by proposing an initial $3 billion interest bearing bond facility, but felt not enough was done. “We regret it is not enough to offset the cost of doing business.  Read more

  

TTMA: VAT Bond Unhelpful to SME’s

Some small and medium businesses may not survive the period of the Government’s new VAT bonds, warned TT Manufacturers Association (TTMA) head Franka Costelloe. She spoke at the Spotlight on Budget 2020 yesterday at the Radisson Hotel, Port of Spain. Finance Minister Colm Imbert has offered $3 billion in VAT bonds over five years at 1.5 per cent interest in place of now paying VAT refunds.  Read more here

  

TTMA: Government Bond will Increase Business Costs

TT Manufacturers Association (TTMA) president Franka Costelloe offered her view on Monday's budget, saying government's solution to the VAT arrears issue would do more harm than good by increasing the cost of doing business. Speaking with Newsday after the TTMA dinner and excellence awards at the Hyatt on Tuesday Costelloe said the concessions by Finance Minister Colm Imbert, specifically government bonds, were not enough to improve the ease of doing business and maintained that challenges of foreign exchange were still major obstacles to the non-energy sector.  Read more here

 

TTMA Happy with US$100M Facility

Manufacturers are happy they now have access to a US$100 million facility. In a statement yesterday, the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association said it was pleased to note that the US$100 million facility which is being disbursed in tanches to manufacturers by EXIMBANK has finally. Read more

  

TTMA’s comment on the Budget

The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association has issued a statement following today's reading of the national budget by Minister Colm Imbert. "We are pleased to see that a number of the issues we have raised with the Government this past year have been addressed. "In particular, was the Minister's commitment to support TTMA's strategic plan to double exports by 2024/2025. The Minister's focused intention to improve the Ease of Doing Business through the implementation of building an "e-Government" will provide the foundation for transformation that will allow Manufacturing to thrive. However, we are cognizant that what is measured gets done and so are relieved to hear the Minister's intention to track and report on progress of this digital transformation". So said TTMA President, Ms. Franka Costelloe, as she outlined how submissions made to the Ministry and to the Economic Recovery Committee were considered in the 2020 budget. Read more here

 

The TTMA Congratulates the New Government and Commits to Economic Transformation

The Trinidad & Tobago Manufacturing Association has extended congratulations to the leaders of the People’s National Movement and the United National Congress following the election results of August 10th and has restated its support for economic transformation in letters sent today to the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition. Read more here

 

TTMA's Response to PM's Press Conference

The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturing Association has been notified that Phase Two of the scheduled reopening of business has been brought forward by three days to Thursday, May 21st. The Association had written to the Prime Minister and to the Minister of Health asking for a reconsideration of the proposed restart date of Sunday, May 24th. Read more here

 

The Manufacturing Sector Has Been tried, Tested and Safe - TT$ Millions in Export Orders to be Lost

The country has been on lock down since 30th March in order to curtail the spread of the dreaded Covid-19 virus, whose damaging effects to health we are seeing globally. The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA), applauds the government’s swift response to closing our borders to deal with the threat and commends the Ministry of Health on the efforts taken to effectively control the spread locally. Read more here 

 

TTMA President Costelloe Says 'Do the Next Right Thing'

In a stirring address to her membership this morning via a cyber Annual Meeting, TTMA President, Franka Costelloe, called upon members to ‘do the next right thing’. In the face of the uncertainties in the market triggered by the onset of Covid-19, the Association is asking members to act responsibly. The Association is also calling on Government to create some relief to keep businesses afloat and to sustain levels of employment. Read more here

 

TTMA Announces New Board

Today, the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association held its 64th Annual Meeting using a digital platform. With a growing membership of 536 businesses, 60% of whom are SMEs, the Association reviewed the last year and addressed the need for adaptability to a new norm with the impact of Covid-19. Read more here

 

TTMA’s Response to Essential Service List

The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) commends the government on its action taken to combat the spread of Covid-19. The TTMA would also like to thank the health care professionals and their families who are sharing the risk and sacrifice for all of us at this time. Read more here

 

“Financial and Economic Support Measures to be put in place by the Ministry of Finance in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic”

Port of Spain, March 23rd, 2020 -The TTMA recognizes that this is a difficult time for all and that the issue of survivability is systemic. The challenges we face demands a responsible and intelligent response from those of us charged with governance and those of us who contribute to a viable and stable economy. Read more

 

TTMA Commends Seizure of Illicit Cigarettes and Cautions Against Purchasing of Illicitly Imported Products

The Trinidad & Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) commends the authorities of St. Lucia in taking swift action against the sale of Zon (King Size full flavour 20 class filter) cigarettes in a recent swoop down against products that do not conform to regulations. Read more

 

NEW WAVE MARKETING MAKING WAVES IN EXPORT

The President of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA), Ms. Franka Costelloe and the Minister of Trade and Industry, the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon visited TTMA member company, New Wave Marketing, yesterday February 4th, in recognition of the company’s contribution to the economy and the local export potential. Read more

 

TTMA CALLS FOR TASK FORCE TO TACKLE ILLICIT TRADE

The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association ‘s (TTMA) campaign against illicit trade has taken unprecedented steps to strengthen the relevant regulatory bodies who have the power to seize illicit products. Read more

 

LOCAL BUSINESSES GET RELIEF AT CARICOM

At the Forty-ninth 49th Ministerial Meeting of Council for the Trade and Economic Development (COTED), two (2) major developments transpired that were of interest to the local manufacturing sector of Trinidad and Tobago. Read more

 

TTMA FOCUSES ON VAT

The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) notes the Minister of Finance’s contribution, “Strength, Strategy and Growth”, for the fiscal year 2020/2021 and acknowledges the government ingenuity on its attempt to address the VAT issue by its pronouncement where it proposes an initial $3Billion interest bearing bond facility. Read more

 

TTMA on the Beverage Container Bill

The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) commends the government on its intention to bring the Beverage Container Bill to Parliament in January 2020, as announced in the News this morning (Monday 23rd September). The passing of this legislation has been pending for well over ten (10) years, and has actively been monitored by the TTMA and its membership during that time. While TTMA looks forward to the legislative agenda, as requested in our budgetary submission, the announcement of this upcoming legislation is welcome. Read more

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