TTMA IN THE NEWS
Ramkissoon elected TTMA president
The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association has elected Emil Ramkissoon as its new president. Ramkissoon, who became the TTMA’s youngest director in 2020 at age 25, later served four terms as vice president before being elected president. During his inaugural speech at the Association's annual general meeting at the Hyatt Regency (Trinidad), Port of Spain this morning, Ramkissoon said, "Age is just a tip of the iceberg and in my experience performance beats old talk." Read more here
Ramkissoon takes charge as new TTMA president
THE Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) has elected Emil Ramkissoon as its new president, making him one of its youngest leaders after joining the board at 25 and serving four terms as vice-president. During his inaugural speech at the Association’s Leadership Discussion and Networking Event at the Hyatt Regency (Trinidad), Port of Spain, yesterday morning, Ramkissoon said, “Age is just a tip of the iceberg and, in my experience, performance beats old talk.” Speaking on his appointment, he said, “Trust me, this was no easy task to accept, especially in light of the fact that there has been a lot of chatter about best fit for the leadership of the TTMA and having served previously as your vice-president for the last four terms and representing TTMA on two State boards, my experience, expertise and deliverables speaks for itself.” Read more here
Bienvenue: TTMA calls for deeper trade ties with French Caribbean
President of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) Dale Parson is calling for a shift in regional trade strategy, urging stronger, more targeted partnerships between Trinidad and Tobago and the French Caribbean. Speaking on Monday at the TTMA’s Barataria office during an inward mission involving a high-level private sector delegation from the French Caribbean—Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana—Parson said the current global climate makes deeper cooperation not just desirable, but necessary. Read more here
NEWS
Patriotic backs US$50m refinery study
An Italian engineering group says it has secured a US$50 million contract to conduct a rehabilitation study on Petrotrin’s refinery in Pointe-à-Pierre. However, Government is distancing itself from the arrangement. In a statement on its website, MAIRE announced that its subsidiary, Tecnimont Services, had been awarded the contract for an assessment of the refinery, describing it as a major project to assess and prepare the facility for potential restart. The company said the project further strengthens its geographic diversification by expanding its presence in Central America. The company said the work will include “a comprehensive technical and integrity assessment” of the refinery’s units and equipment, along with development of a two-phase rehabilitation study. Read more here
POLITICS
Augustine, PM to discuss path to Tobago self-rule
Chief Secretary Farley Augustine is set to meet Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar tomorrow to discuss Tobago’s autonomy. Speaking at a plenary sitting in Scarborough yesterday, Augustine said the meeting aims to finalise a timeline for the passage of self-governance legislation. His address was briefly interrupted by a ringing cellphone in the Assembly Legislature, which he used to call on parliamentarians to respect and support Tobago’s wishes. “It’s because of this striking irony, and how long we have been waiting since this island was forced into an arranged marriage with Trinidad, that we see Tobago’s autonomy as urgent. When I meet with the Prime Minister on Friday evening, it will be to establish a timeline that I will then report back to Tobago,” Augustine said. He assured that Tobagonians would soon see “some measurable actions to achieve this Tobago autonomy.” Read more here
BUSINESS
Former Tourism Minister: Hotel development at tipping point
Following the April 2025 general election, which resulted in a transition from the People’s National Movement (PNM) to a United National Congress (UNC)-led government, the status of several high-profile hotel projects has come under scrutiny. Under the PNM’s “Vision 2030” strategy, these developments were positioned as the backbone of economic diversification. However, the new administration has launched a “Revitalisation Blueprint” that prioritises auditing state-funded incentives and enforcing stricter environmental oversight. Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyana flags Suriname over Corentyne River charges
President Dr. Irfaan Ali has raised concerns over reports that authorities in Suriname have instituted charges for the use of the Corentyne River, warning that the development could negatively impact economic activity and strain longstanding bilateral arrangements between the two countries. In a statement on his official Facebook page, the Head of State disclosed that the Government of Guyana has formally lodged a protest with Surinamese authorities and is awaiting a response. “It has been brought to my attention that the authorities in the Republic of Suriname have instituted charges for the use of the Corentyne River, particularly affecting timber and quarry operators,” President Ali said, noting that the reports “represent a troubling development that has implications for economic activities and the long-standing arrangements between Guyana and Suriname.” Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Prepare for turbulence - how a prolonged Middle East conflict could reshape how we fly
It was once a humble outpost in the world of global aviation, a dusty overnight halt for luxury flying boats making the arduous journey from the UK to far-flung parts of the British Empire, such as India and Australia. By the 1960s, it had a simple runway made of desert sand, used as a refuelling stop by airliners en route to arguably more exotic destinations. Yet today, Dubai is one of the key pillars of the industry, and Dubai International Airport (DXB) is its beating heart. In 2024, more than 92 million passengers made their way through its gleaming, marble-floored halls and sparkling, brightly lit shopping malls. Read more here
26th March 2026