Trinidad and Tobago

By mahtabala, 9 May, 2013
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - Gone are the days when every fruit vendor in T&T had a variety of bananas. Over the last few years, “sikyè”, “silk”, “gros michel”, and “lacatan” bananas are seldom seen in our market and local grocery. Why does T&T import thousands of tonnes of bananas annually when such a desired fruit can be grown locally? In order to comprehend the fundamental modus operandi of the diminished local banana market, we must journey a few decades back when the local banana market was sufficient and sustainable for the country.
By mahtabala, 9 May, 2013
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - Once again Central Bank Governor Jwala Rambarran is predicting a level of growth in the economy which seems unrealistic. On the release of the April 2013 monetary report on Tuesday, the Governor projected a 2.5 per cent growth in gross domestic product for 2013.
By mahtabala, 9 May, 2013
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - The board of Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL) did not meet yesterday as scheduled because vice-chairman Mohan Jaikaran and other directors were absent. Jaikaran, who is also the chairman of WIN Communications Ltd (WINTV), was among five directors who were a no-show yesterday. The other absentee directors were Gizelle Russell, Avedanand Persad, Venosh Sagewan-Maraj and the Jamaican representative, Dennis Lalor. T&T Guardian learned chairman Rabindra Moonan was the lone director who turned up at CAL yesterday after the board meeting was cancelled.
By mahtabala, 9 May, 2013
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - Just as soon as the airline begins to show signs of fractured operations, there is a flurry of Caribbean government “actions”, and a plethora of expert articles on what ails the airline and what should be done to make it better. Almost no one seems to remember the principle of structured transformation_ the time to make changes/improve the way you do business, is when things are going well; not when you have your back up against the wall.
By mahtabala, 8 May, 2013

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - Vice-chairman of Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL) Mohan Jaikaran is proving the state enterprise is not cash-strapped, as he has requested 19 complimentary airline tickets for a Mother’s Day concert scheduled for New York City and Toronto this weekend, of which he is a co-promoter. The directive caused raised eyebrows among management, as two weeks ago there were reports that the national carrier had once again turned to the Government for funding, to the tune of $100 million.

By mahtabala, 8 May, 2013

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - Last Friday, Malay Mishra, India’s High Commissioner to T&T, arrived from Grenada on Liat flight 727. No immigration forms were issued on the flight, and everyone, flight crew included, had to fill out the required forms on entry at the Piarco Terminal. What happened after Mr Mishra entered the building remains almost perfectly inexplicable. The diplomat went to the appropriate queue reserved for such officials, the first indicator that he was not a casual passenger on the flight.

By mahtabala, 8 May, 2013

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – Grenada said Tuesday it is prepared to take its concerns to a “higher body” if Trinidad and Tobago does not live up to its commitment to resolve the restriction imposed on the import of honey from t6he neighbouring Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country. The issue was discussed at the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) meeting in Guyana last week where Grenada made a submission under the heading “Confiscation of Honey exported to Trinidad and Tobago”. According to Dr.

By mahtabala, 8 May, 2013

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - Farmers operating out of Norris Deonarine Wholesale Market in Macoya have complained that too much space is being inhabited by those selling produce from outside the country. Terrence Haywood, head of the National Foodcrop Farmers Association (NFFA), said yesterday goods bought on the open CARICOM market are flooding the Macoya facility and local farmers are now competing for limited space, as well as having to match the prices of the regional goods.