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PM: Stimulus package to help region
- Jamaica energy link - Grenada aircraft facility - St Vincent ship facility - Dominica quarry deal
by Ria Taitt Political Editor
Thursday, June 25th 2009
catching up: Prime Minister Patrick Manning, right, and Attorney General John Jeremie during yesterday's sitting of Parliament at the Red House in Port of Spain. -Photo: CURTIS CHASE
Prime Minister Patrick Manning yesterday announced an economic stimulus package designed to strengthen economic development in selected Caricom countries and to usher in a new regime of economic co-operation between Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Dominica, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Manning did so in a statement in the House of Representatives, shortly after the laying of the Task Force Report on the Trinidad and Tobago-Eastern Caribbean Integration Initiative.
He stressed that all the initiatives "being contemplated" were all in the interest of Trinidad and Tobago's economic development, as well as that of the region.
"These activities are contemplated not at the expense of the people of Trinidad and Tobago, but... would be complementary to our own domestic requirements to the extent that we can see, not just economic prosperity in one country as is the case in Trinidad and Tobago today, but economic prosperity in the entire area," the prime minister stated.
The first initiative involves the establishment of energy links between Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica. It would entail Trinidad and Tobago exporting gas to Jamaica (for use in the conversion of bauxite into alumina). Trinidad and Tobago would also enter into a "guaranteed arrangement with Jamaica" for the import of alumina from that country for use in aluminium smelter plants here. This, Manning said, "would ensure that Jamaica is able to earn substantial foreign exchange and reduce the imbalance in trade between Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago". He added that this energy link was the "dream of Eric Williams and Michael Manley, among others".
The second project, Manning announced, was the establishment by Trinidad and Tobago, via Caribbean Airlines, of an aircraft maintenance facility in Grenada to maintain Caribbean Airlines' aircraft, as well as the aircraft of other carriers.
"You will remember that BWIA had developed a tremendous capability in this regard.... The time has come, we believe, to reopen this facility...not here in Trinidad, but in Grenada where we have one of the longest runways in the Caribbean, which lends itself naturally to an activity of this nature," he said.
He said the feasibility of this idea was being examined.
The third initiative was the establishment of a similar maintenance facility for ships by Trinidad and Tobago in St Vincent and the Grenadines, to service Trinidad and Tobago vessels, as well as other vessels.
Noting that Trinidad and Tobago was buying a lot of naval assets, Manning said: "We have fast-ferry boats in Tobago, we have water taxis, we have military boats that are being bought, and we need access to a ship-maintenance facility."
Pointing out that there was a "very small" facility in St Vincent and the Grenadines, the prime minister said "the opportunity presents itself...to expand the size considerably, giving St Vincent and the Grenadians a new area for economic development and, therefore, significant revenue earnings".
Manning's fourth initiative entailed the negotiation of an arrangement for investing in quarrying facilities in Dominica. The facility would supply aggregate for Trinidad and Tobago. Manning stated that with the accelerated infrastructure development and specifically its highway construction, which starts next year, "the domestic demand for aggregate would outstrip the local supply".
Rather than continue to import aggregate "as we now do from as far afield as Canada"...one opportunity that, therefore, presents itself could be, in collaboration with an efficient quarry operator, to invest in quarrying facilities in Dominica and, therefore, give that country a new area for economic growth and development and job creation, Manning said.
Manning also said this country had been able to secure the agreement of Caricom countries to enter into a partial-scope agreement with the US on energy products, aimed at ensuring guaranteed market access to the output of this country's energy sector and to also secure guaranteed market access for the Eastern Caribbean in the United States.
"These are initiatives being contemplated by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, and we propose to enter into appropriate discussions with the governments concerned to see if these approaches are acceptable to them," Manning said.
He added that Trinidad and Tobago would continue to examine the regional situation to determine areas in which its intervention could improve the lives of Caribbean peoples, including its (Trinidad and Tobago's) own citizens.
Manning also reiterated statements made at the People's National Movement special convention on Sunday that it was in Trinidad and Tobago's interest to assist the region to develop economic activity.
"To avoid the introduction of undesirable activities in the Caribbean, it is clear that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago has to act and act as decisively as we can," he said.
As Manning delivered his statement, United National Congress MP Dr Tim Gopeesingh shouted across the floor, "Godfather of the Caribbean."
Tabaquite MP Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj asked: "What about crime?"
Oropouche MP Roodial Moonilal quipped: "He (Manning) want to take over from Chavez."
- Jamaica energy link - Grenada aircraft facility - St Vincent ship facility - Dominica quarry deal
by Ria Taitt Political Editor
Thursday, June 25th 2009
catching up: Prime Minister Patrick Manning, right, and Attorney General John Jeremie during yesterday's sitting of Parliament at the Red House in Port of Spain. -Photo: CURTIS CHASE Prime Minister Patrick Manning yesterday announced an economic stimulus package designed to strengthen economic development in selected Caricom countries and to usher in a new regime of economic co-operation between Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Dominica, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Manning did so in a statement in the House of Representatives, shortly after the laying of the Task Force Report on the Trinidad and Tobago-Eastern Caribbean Integration Initiative.
He stressed that all the initiatives "being contemplated" were all in the interest of Trinidad and Tobago's economic development, as well as that of the region.
"These activities are contemplated not at the expense of the people of Trinidad and Tobago, but... would be complementary to our own domestic requirements to the extent that we can see, not just economic prosperity in one country as is the case in Trinidad and Tobago today, but economic prosperity in the entire area," the prime minister stated.
The first initiative involves the establishment of energy links between Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica. It would entail Trinidad and Tobago exporting gas to Jamaica (for use in the conversion of bauxite into alumina). Trinidad and Tobago would also enter into a "guaranteed arrangement with Jamaica" for the import of alumina from that country for use in aluminium smelter plants here. This, Manning said, "would ensure that Jamaica is able to earn substantial foreign exchange and reduce the imbalance in trade between Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago". He added that this energy link was the "dream of Eric Williams and Michael Manley, among others".
The second project, Manning announced, was the establishment by Trinidad and Tobago, via Caribbean Airlines, of an aircraft maintenance facility in Grenada to maintain Caribbean Airlines' aircraft, as well as the aircraft of other carriers.
"You will remember that BWIA had developed a tremendous capability in this regard.... The time has come, we believe, to reopen this facility...not here in Trinidad, but in Grenada where we have one of the longest runways in the Caribbean, which lends itself naturally to an activity of this nature," he said.
He said the feasibility of this idea was being examined.
The third initiative was the establishment of a similar maintenance facility for ships by Trinidad and Tobago in St Vincent and the Grenadines, to service Trinidad and Tobago vessels, as well as other vessels.
Noting that Trinidad and Tobago was buying a lot of naval assets, Manning said: "We have fast-ferry boats in Tobago, we have water taxis, we have military boats that are being bought, and we need access to a ship-maintenance facility."
Pointing out that there was a "very small" facility in St Vincent and the Grenadines, the prime minister said "the opportunity presents itself...to expand the size considerably, giving St Vincent and the Grenadians a new area for economic development and, therefore, significant revenue earnings".
Manning's fourth initiative entailed the negotiation of an arrangement for investing in quarrying facilities in Dominica. The facility would supply aggregate for Trinidad and Tobago. Manning stated that with the accelerated infrastructure development and specifically its highway construction, which starts next year, "the domestic demand for aggregate would outstrip the local supply".
Rather than continue to import aggregate "as we now do from as far afield as Canada"...one opportunity that, therefore, presents itself could be, in collaboration with an efficient quarry operator, to invest in quarrying facilities in Dominica and, therefore, give that country a new area for economic growth and development and job creation, Manning said.
Manning also said this country had been able to secure the agreement of Caricom countries to enter into a partial-scope agreement with the US on energy products, aimed at ensuring guaranteed market access to the output of this country's energy sector and to also secure guaranteed market access for the Eastern Caribbean in the United States.
"These are initiatives being contemplated by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, and we propose to enter into appropriate discussions with the governments concerned to see if these approaches are acceptable to them," Manning said.
He added that Trinidad and Tobago would continue to examine the regional situation to determine areas in which its intervention could improve the lives of Caribbean peoples, including its (Trinidad and Tobago's) own citizens.
Manning also reiterated statements made at the People's National Movement special convention on Sunday that it was in Trinidad and Tobago's interest to assist the region to develop economic activity.
"To avoid the introduction of undesirable activities in the Caribbean, it is clear that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago has to act and act as decisively as we can," he said.
As Manning delivered his statement, United National Congress MP Dr Tim Gopeesingh shouted across the floor, "Godfather of the Caribbean."
Tabaquite MP Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj asked: "What about crime?"
Oropouche MP Roodial Moonilal quipped: "He (Manning) want to take over from Chavez."
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