TTMA-IADB Value Chain Development Project
The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) launched the TTMA/IADB Value Chain Development Project on Monday 17th October, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad in Port of Spain.
The Value Chain Project focuses on increasing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) specifically in the plastic, packaging and printing (PPP) and the food and beverage (F&B) sectors. It is anticipated that upon completion of this three year project the national economy would benefit from a growth in clusters with boosts in productivity, increased competitiveness, strengthened trading relationships, and stimulation in new businesses in the identified sectors.
The TTMA-IADB Value Chain Development project seeks to develop Public/Private Partnerships similar to that which have been referred to in the 2011-2012 National Budget Speech as a core tool for the diversification of the economy. The TTMA recognizes that this value chain project aims to achieve similar mandates as specified in the budget such as
- the diversification of the economy from the energy sector;
- the greening of industry through recycling initiatives;
- the development of initiatives and strategies to support agriculture in conjunction with industry development a means of improving regional food security
- as well as a deepening of linkages between academia and industry.
This three year project aims to address all of these issues specifically through the development of strengthened value chains and clusters.
More information on the TTMA VCD Project can be reviewed in the Project Brief - VCD Project Brief.
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Project Launch - October 17th 2011
Speakers included
- Mr Richard Lewis, Chairman of the Project's Steering Committee
- Mr Liaquat Ali Shah, CEO Cariri, Project Consultant for year one of the VCD project
- Mrs Vashtie Dookiesingh, Senior Specialist, MIF-IADB
- Mr Richard Ramsawak, Team Leader, Cluster Development Initiatives, ALJGSB
- Mr. Robert Reid, Regional Specialist in Agribusines, IICA
- Mr Carl Francis, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Trade and Industry (on behalf of the Honourable Minister)