Govt focuses
on non-energy sector
By Driselle Ramjohn
Trinidad & Tobago Express
Port
Spain
Petroleumworldtrinidad.com
05 21 06
GOVERNMENT is placing added focus on the development
of the non-energy sector as part of plans for sustainable
development in the local economy.
This
from Trade and Industry Minister Ken Valley, who
delivered the feature address at the opening of
this year's Trade and Investment Convention (TIC)
at its new location, Centre of Excellence, Macoya,
yesterday.
"Sustainable
development through the expansion of the non-energy
sectors is now a principal consideration in our
current plans and programmes for the economy. Indeed,
a critical mandate of the Government is to build
sustainability in the non-energy sectors of the
economy," said Valley.
TIC,
in its seventh year, is the flagship event of the
Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers' Association (TTMA)
and is also a collaborative effort with RBTT and
for the first time this year, the Ministry of Trade
and Industry.
The
convention opened with more than 200 booths with
presentations from local, Latin American and other
international businesses looking to expand their
markets and, another first this year, interface
with customers.
Valley
said his Government's involvement in the convention
is a testament of its commitment to diversification
and the integration of the local economy into the
Latin American economy.
Paul
Quesnel, president, TTMA in his address said that
notwithstanding the strength and vitality of the
energy sector it is critical that manufacturing
and other non-energy sectors are a point of focus.
"As
we reap the harvest of our energy windfall, we must
also plant the seeds for another, different and
more sustainable crop," Quesnel said.
He
added that a strong manufacturing sector ensures
sustainable productivity and offers sustainable
employment to a large portion of the society.
"At
the end of the day, Trinidad and Tobago can, and
should, be the manufacturing leader of the Caribbean,"
said the TTMA president."
Trinidad & Tobago Express
Thursday, May 18th 2006
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