Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Tuesday unveiled a plague at the Trinidad and Tobago embassy in Brazil to dedicate lands donated by the Brazilian government as far back as February of 1973 for the construction of a Chancery and residences for the Trinidad and Tobago Embassy in Brasilia.
The Brazilian government donated the 22,500 square metres of land when the diplomatic mission moved from its initial location in Rio de Janeiro, with the understanding that the Trinidad and Tobago would construct the buildings within 12 months and that the lands could not be rented or transferred.
Successive governments in Port of Spain were unable to get the project started over the 38 years since the Brazilians handed over the lands.
In her address, Persad-Bissessar noted that at least two studies had been done for the project, the latest being in 2008. However it was not until January this year that the country's new Ambassador to Brazil, Dr Hamza Rafeeq, made a request to begin work on the buildings.
Persad-Bissessar said while it is a start it's going to be a while before the buildings go up "since designs must first be done. In addition, the project has to be prioritized relative to our national needs and objectives."
She thanked the Government and People of the Federative Republic of Brazil for the generous gift. The Prime Minister noted that Brazil was one of the first countries with which independent Trinidad and Tobago established diplomatic ties just three years after independence.
"We have enjoyed 46 years of unbroken relations with one of the fastest growing economies in the world," she said.
"It is no secret that Brazil is the 7th largest economy and the 5th most populous country making it the largest market in the Latin American and Caribbean Region," she said, adding that Trinidad and Tobago recognised a very long time ago the importance and potential of Brazil.
“Brazil possesses a stable democracy, adopts innovative polices that have propelled economic growth and implements non traditional policies which have helped to reduce poverty levels. No wonder today Brazil is the economic success it is," she said.
“Geography has made us neighbours. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners, and now, necessity and reality are strengthening the ties that have bound us since 1965”, Persad-Bissessar added.
"Given the fact that international economic think-tanks are now citing Brazil as the preferred choice of investors, even over China, we see Brazil not only as the ideal "CONNECION LATINA" but a meeting place for the great trading blocs of the world to whom there will be exposure.
"In this regard, we are strongly of the view that Trinidad and Tobago must buttress and deepen its relations with Latin America...as we seek to expand our markets for manufactured goods, as we export services particularly in oil and gas, as we adopt new technologies whether in agriculture or ICT, as we seek new investments and as we cement our place in the hemisphere, our relations will Brazil will be important."
Persad-Bissessar also promised to deepen cultural ties with Brazil with a focus on people to people relationship "since already we enjoy so many similarities in our music and carnival."
With respect to the Chancery, Persad-Bissessar said its design will reflect Trinidad and Tobago by way of its external architecture and internal designs and furnishings.
"As far as is practicable, we shall also attempt to reflect the flora of Trinidad and Tobago as well as suitable artifacts and paintings that reflect our history, culture and indeed our people. On the outside, people must see a part of Trinidad and Tobago. On the inside they must feel the warmth of its people."
Watch a report by Gideon Hanoomansingh on the PM in Brazil
The Brazilian government donated the 22,500 square metres of land when the diplomatic mission moved from its initial location in Rio de Janeiro, with the understanding that the Trinidad and Tobago would construct the buildings within 12 months and that the lands could not be rented or transferred.
Successive governments in Port of Spain were unable to get the project started over the 38 years since the Brazilians handed over the lands.
In her address, Persad-Bissessar noted that at least two studies had been done for the project, the latest being in 2008. However it was not until January this year that the country's new Ambassador to Brazil, Dr Hamza Rafeeq, made a request to begin work on the buildings.
Persad-Bissessar said while it is a start it's going to be a while before the buildings go up "since designs must first be done. In addition, the project has to be prioritized relative to our national needs and objectives."
She thanked the Government and People of the Federative Republic of Brazil for the generous gift. The Prime Minister noted that Brazil was one of the first countries with which independent Trinidad and Tobago established diplomatic ties just three years after independence.
"We have enjoyed 46 years of unbroken relations with one of the fastest growing economies in the world," she said.
"It is no secret that Brazil is the 7th largest economy and the 5th most populous country making it the largest market in the Latin American and Caribbean Region," she said, adding that Trinidad and Tobago recognised a very long time ago the importance and potential of Brazil.
“Brazil possesses a stable democracy, adopts innovative polices that have propelled economic growth and implements non traditional policies which have helped to reduce poverty levels. No wonder today Brazil is the economic success it is," she said.
“Geography has made us neighbours. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners, and now, necessity and reality are strengthening the ties that have bound us since 1965”, Persad-Bissessar added.
"Given the fact that international economic think-tanks are now citing Brazil as the preferred choice of investors, even over China, we see Brazil not only as the ideal "CONNECION LATINA" but a meeting place for the great trading blocs of the world to whom there will be exposure.
"In this regard, we are strongly of the view that Trinidad and Tobago must buttress and deepen its relations with Latin America...as we seek to expand our markets for manufactured goods, as we export services particularly in oil and gas, as we adopt new technologies whether in agriculture or ICT, as we seek new investments and as we cement our place in the hemisphere, our relations will Brazil will be important."
Persad-Bissessar also promised to deepen cultural ties with Brazil with a focus on people to people relationship "since already we enjoy so many similarities in our music and carnival."
With respect to the Chancery, Persad-Bissessar said its design will reflect Trinidad and Tobago by way of its external architecture and internal designs and furnishings.
"As far as is practicable, we shall also attempt to reflect the flora of Trinidad and Tobago as well as suitable artifacts and paintings that reflect our history, culture and indeed our people. On the outside, people must see a part of Trinidad and Tobago. On the inside they must feel the warmth of its people."
Watch a report by Gideon Hanoomansingh on the PM in Brazil
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