PM Kamla tells hemispheric private sector leaders T&T is open for business

United Nations Media Centre, New York – Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar told a group of influential hemispheric leaders Tuesday that Trinidad and Tobago is wide open to business.

Persad-Bissessar extolled the virtues of investing in the country, citing energy prices, a stable democracy, modern telecommunications, a capable workforce and other valuable attributes.

Trinidad and Tobago’s greatest assets “are not only its strategic location in the southern Caribbean and its natural resources, but also its human capital,” she stated.
The Prime Minister was the honoured guest and featured speaker at a luncheon of the Americas Society/Council of the Americas, a powerful and long-standing private sector organisation.

Persad-Bissessar spoke of Trinidad and Tobago’s economic, social and political developments and of her government’s agenda for growth.

She said: “Trinidad and Tobago has earned a reputation as an excellent destination for direct foreign investment by international businesses and as a reliable and efficient energy supplier in the western hemisphere.”

She told her audience about the country’s “commitment to free trade with our hemispheric partners, increased public-private sector collaboration and solidarity with our neighbours that are most in need...”

She told the hemispheric captains of industry and commerce: “The republic of Trinidad and Tobago also wishes to assure its renewed dedication to regional initiatives that would result in further development of the Americas.”

The Prime Minister stressed that the Government is supportive “of the full engagement and strengthening of the regional integration process.”

She detailed the country’s involvement in international matters, noting that Trinidad and Tobago has been “active participants with our Caribbean and hemispheric partners within Caricom and the Organisation of American States in working together to achieve sustainable development in the ever-growing concern of climate change that is dramatically impacting our small island developing States more and more every day.”

She committed Trinidad and Tobago to working for the transformation of our hemisphere and creation of broader markets.

“We are confident that the Caribbean region will be better placed to adjust to the dynamic and evolving international environment,” said Persad-Bissessar.