TTMA IN THE NEWS
T&T has US$2.8b in untapped non-energy export potential
Trinidad and Tobago has US$2.8 billion in unrealised export potential outside the energy sector, but businesses must become more willing to take risks and make better use of existing trade agreements if the country is to capture those opportunities, International Trade Centre executive director Pamela Coke-Hamilton has warned. Addressing the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) President’s Dinner, Coke-Hamilton said the country’s export opportunities extended well beyond its traditional energy products, with significant potential in chemicals, processed foods, beverages and other manufactured goods. Read more here
Nicholas Lok Jack gets TTMA Lifetime Achievement Award
Receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the T&T Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) was both humbling and unexpected for businessman Nicholas Lok Jack, who described the recognition as a testament to decades of work dedicated to business development and national growth. Speaking following the award presentation, which took place at the Hyatt Regency last Thursday, Lok Jack, chairman of Associated Brands Industries, said the honour carried special significance because it came from his peers in the manufacturing sector. “I think it’s a very prestigious award. To be awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award absolutely blows my mind,” he said, adding, “It’s a testament to what you work for all the time, and it’s good to be recognised from the outside. I don’t think we do it for the recognition. We do it for what we do, we do it for our country, and it’s good that an organisation like TTMA would recognise me. It’s very humbling as well,” he said. Read more here
POLITICS
Gonzales says UN concerns echo PNM warnings on states of emergency
People’s National Movement (PNM) chairman Marvin Gonzales says concerns raised by several countries at the United Nations about Trinidad and Tobago’s repeated use of states of emergency echo warnings the Opposition has made from the outset. Gonzales accused the Government of abusing its emergency powers and violating citizens’ rights under the guise of fighting crime. Responding to questions from Guardian Media after Monday’s fourth Universal Periodic Review of T&T before the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Gonzales described the use of preventive detention orders as a “scandalous abuse of State power”. Read more here
Sturge defends State response in Chag collision
DEFENCE Minister Wayne Sturge said there was no Government inaction with respect to the boating collision in Chaguaramas and the Coast Guard responded in four minutes. In response to questions from the Express yesterday, Sturge said Sunday’s tragic boating collision, which left five people missing at sea, was “avoidable and extremely unfortunate.” . Sturge said the incident underscored the dangers of failing to observe established maritime safety requirements and warned that operators must take greater responsibility for their conduct at sea. He recalled that the Government had faced considerable criticism on social media after raising concerns about the dangers associated with boating operations in Toco. Read more here
BUSINESS
NEL shareholders can now opt for US-dollar dividends
SHAREHOLDERS of National Enterprises Ltd (NEL) now have the option of receiving their dividends in US dollars rather than Trinidad and Tobago dollars. NEL made the announcement yesterday as it declared a second interim dividend of 20 cents per share for the 2026 financial year. The dividend will be paid on December 17 to shareholders on record as at December 3. “The company further advises that shareholders have the option to receive the dividend, as well as future dividend distributions, in either Trinidad and Tobago dollars or United States dollars, subject to applicable regulatory requirements,” NEL stated in a notice to shareholders. Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyana wins Best Emerging Destination 2026 award
GUYANA’S growing tourism industry has gained international recognition yet again. Recently, the country was named Best Emerging Destination 2026 at the World Tourism Awards held in Brussels, Belgium. Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues accepted the award on behalf of Guyana, describing the recognition as a reflection of the transformation taking place across the country, driven by increasing international interest in ‘Destination Guyana’ and the growing vistor numbers. In her acceptance remarks, Rodrigues said the award was a tremendous honour, particularly as the government continues to position tourism as an important pillar of the country’s economic diversification agenda. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
US House blocks bid to impeach Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, for now
An effort to impeach US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of waging war on Iran without congressional authorisation, has failed on Capitol Hill. A majority of the House of Representatives voted to refer impeachment articles to a committee - essentially killing the effort introduced by dissident Republican congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky, for now. In his first news briefing from the Pentagon in six months, Hegseth called the impeachment effort a "farce" and "sabotage". Read more here
11th November 2026