The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association commends the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago on their conduct during Election Day 2007.
The Association thanks the Commissioner of Police, Trevor Paul and the Elections and Boundaries Commission for ensuring that this year’s General Election passed without incident.
The TTMA now urges all citizens to accept the outcome of the poll. Those that have been elected must be accountable to the electorate – who have put them there to serve and in whom we have collectively placed our trust.
Now that the campaign is over, the Association hopes that the new Government quickly gets down to the serious business of governing – to tackle the many issues affecting manufacturers, including the problems at the country’s Ports, the inefficiencies of our regulatory bodies, manufacturers’ competitiveness, market access and trade.
“We hope to see more attention paid to the expansion & diversification of the manufacturing sector in 2008,” TTMA President Karen de Montbrun said.
“The onus is now on all the parties to put the public interest first,” she added. “If this is done, we can make important progress in dealing with pressing issues.”
Some of the issues of concern to citizens that need to be urgently addressed include crime, traffic congestion & its debilitating effects on productivity and quality of life, good Governance – with accountability & transparency, reduced dependency on Oil & Gas through aggressive diversification and reform of the agriculture, health and education sectors.
T&T’s manufacturing sector is a leader in the Caribbean, and remains the largest employer next to the Government. It is currently the largest Non-Energy Sector contributor to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Trinidad and Tobago.
“Although macro economic data shows that our economy is booming – 17 % of the population is currently living below the poverty line, and approximately 30% (2002 CSO data) do not have a pipe borne water supply,” Mrs. de Montbrun said.
“The cost of doing business and low levels of productivity are taking a toll on our competitiveness,” she added. “We are fighting for our market share both locally and throughout the region.”
The TTMA urges the new Government to pursue macro-economic policies that afford economic growth, sustainable development that enables competitiveness and a business friendly climate that fosters investment, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
“We must look at business opportunities in renewable energy, for example Photovoltaics, as well as recycling – for example PET bottles, tyres, glass, paper and plastics,” Mrs. de Montbrun suggested.
The TTMA trusts that the new Government, which has been chosen by the people of this country, will honour its commitments to the citizenry, and uphold its manifesto promises. |
