NEWS
Police, businesses partner on crime - ‘Eagle Eye’ project to be expanded across Trinidad and Tobago
In just over seven months of operation, the 'Eagle Eye' project has been working to help deter and detect crime and stakeholders are focusing on expanding the network nationally. Although based primarily in North East and Eastern Trinidad, the joint project between the Greater Tunapuna Chamber of Industry and Commerce (GTCIC), the Tunapuna Police Station Community Council (TPSCC) and the police service (TTPS) has a network of some 400 cameras which feeds directly to the police's command centre. Read more here
Bandit fleeing car dealership from cops drowns in drain
Police are yet to identify a suspected bandit who fell into a drain and drowned after robbing a closed car dealership in Mc Bean, Couva. Police said the man was wearing a purple T-shirt and a pair of denim trousers, and was found floating in a wide drain that runs at the end of Ramoudit Drive, which is behind the compound of CASA Enterprises on the Southern Main Road. Police said the alarm system went off on the compound after 2 am yesterday and private security and the police responded. Three men were observed jumping over the back fence when the responding teams arrived. Two of the suspects managed to escape but the third was found dead in the drain. Read more here
POLITICS
Imbert corrects record on Global Forum Bill
Finance Minister Colm Imbert says in TT’s 13 double taxation treaties, some of which go back 50 years, the finance minister is named as the competent authority. The minister sought to clarify and highlight aspects of his presentation on the Miscellaneous Provisions (Global Forum): Bill, 2024 in a statement on September 15. Imbert led the debate on the bill in the Parliament on September 13. However, he complained the media omitted comprehensive rebuttals of the Government to statements made by the Opposition. Read more here
UNC wants answers on who got $5B in contracts
The United National Congress wants to know who got $5 billion worth of contracts which were allegedly issued in violation of procurement law via “excessive use of limited and non-competitive procurement methods. That’s what UNC Shadow Finance Minister Dave Tancoo called on Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and Finance Minister Colm Imbert to reveal yesterday as he noted the findings of Procurement Regulator Beverly Khan’s recently released report. The report came after the first year that public procurement legislation came into force in the public sector. “Who got $5 billion in contracts and why? ... I challenge the Prime Minister and Finance Minister to provide the truth on this matter,” Tancoo said at yesterday’s UNC media briefing in Chaguanas. Read more here
BUSINESS
PPGPL using CSR to save lives
Decreasing the backlog of people waiting to get cancer treatment and upgrading the equipment at the Regional Health Authorities for quicker diagnostic results is the aim of Phoenix Park Gas Processors Ltd (PPGPL). PPGPL, which is part of the NGC group of companies, donated 14 pieces of oncology equipment worth over US$10 million ($68 million) which included an MRI unit, an X-ray machine, mobile fluoroscopic systems and CT scanners. Last Saturday, the natural gas liquids company handed over the oncology diagnostic and imaging machines at the Cancer Centre, St James Medical Complex. Read more here
UTC backs revision of stock exchange SME rule
The Unit Trust Corporation (UTC) has expressed its “full support” for the recent amendment by the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange (TTSE) to the Special Market Listing requirements for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). On August 22, the TTSE amended Rule 400(2)(g) regarding SME listings, reducing the public float requirement from 30% to 20%. “By lowering the public float requirement, the amendment allows companies to retain a larger share of ownership, which can be crucial for driving growth and innovation. Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyana on course to become most competitive manufacturing destination
Leveraging Guyana’s geographic position and expanded trade relations, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has outlined a vision to expand the country’s manufacturing industry. The Head of State in an interview ahead of the highly anticipated International Business Conference (IBC) emphasised the vital role the conference will play in fostering partnerships between regional and international stakeholders to drive growth and development in the sector. “Historically, Guyana has been competitive in every area. In manufacturing, we have a very skilled workforce, a very talented workforce, and we know that we have to invest in the continuous upskilling of the workforce, and we have been doing that.” Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Starmer-Biden talks were about second-guessing Putin
In the hours before the prime minister was taken by motorcade to the White House, he and his team were in a secure room at the nearby British Embassy. This is a room designed for conversations spies are not meant to hear, however sophisticated their techniques for eavesdropping and intercepting digital exchanges. The Downing Street team were talking to British government staff in Ukraine and Russia, assembling their briefing and approach for their forthcoming conversation with President Biden. They arrived at the White House in the late afternoon Washington time, the president showing Sir Keir Starmer around the Rose Garden before heading for the Blue Room. Read more here
16th September 2024