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WALKING
TALL...
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 You have held ministerial positions since 1992. You have held the planning and development portfolios, been a minister in the office of the Prime Minister. You’ve held the portfolios of science and technology, you have been T and T’s representative in the Board of Governors of the World Bank, and of course been Acting Prime Minister. What are the most important changes you have seen T and T undergo as a nation that is developing?
We’ve seen a continuous development in infrastructure. Education has remained a priority, particularly women’s education. Nearly 65 per cent of students attending the University of West Indies are women, half are of east Indian origin, and many of them from the rural areas. We have challenges. We are combating a domestic price increase of energy. We need to provide more social security. With an economy that is growing fast we need to find more people to build roads, look after our healthcare systems, and infrastructure. We want to retain talent and bring back those who have left the country by providing them opportunities at home. From a business point of view, investments have grown, we have companies like BHP, BG, Amoco, Nestle, Mittal and now Essar in T and T.
How large is the American influence on Trinidad?
It has been large, especially when it comes to television programmes and music. Our business ties are strong, 74 per cent of U.S. imports of natural gas and 57 per cent of its imports of ammonia are from T and T.
Trinidad is the richest nation in the Caribbean, largely because of your energy resources. Can you tell us more on how these resources can be linked to investment opportunities in Trinidad…
I’ve been trying to encourage investments in exploration. Algerian and Malaysian companies are already there, there is room for India to be present there. We would like to see more energy users from India setting up base there, in areas related to metals, chemicals. We are also providing a climate of reduced bureaucracy, openness of economy, cheap communication, improved infrastructure, quick work immigration permits, newer ports, reliable power and water, rule of law. Trinidad and Tobago is an easy place for Indian businessmen to work, settle and invest because we speak English and a large population has historical ties with India.
Connectivity is an issue. Both in terms of flying time and costs…
I’d like to see improved airlinks. Perhaps chartered flights once or twice a week to T and T.
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April 2007
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