Mr. Riley articulated three perspectives that we agree should guide discussion on diversification of our economy.

Firstly, we should start thinking of ways to make the most of the present by maximising value and exploring opportunities for economic diversification that are based on the energy sector. Given the current low price environment of gas which is expected to continue in the short to medium term, there is likely to be less value to share between industry and government in the future. The time is now right to utilise a different configuration and distribution of risk along the value chain. Mr. Riley also recommended that there be higher and more systematic coordination among producers, buyers and government to ensure that supply is adequate.

Secondly, the lessons of the past should be used to create new opportunities. Taking experience and talent to emerging energy players is a critical business development idea for our next phase of economic development. There IS some headway being made:  NGC is reaching out to a number of African countries and the local private sector must be encouraged to follow the lead with the export of oil and gas related services.

The private services’ companies in the energy industry must take advantage of the opportunity to market and sell their services to other countries where this expertise is needed.

We support Mr. Riley’s suggestion that a new Energy Export Development Fund be set up to provide lower cost funding to such energy service companies interested in venturing into new foreign markets.

Regarding the non-energy sector, he noted that Government’s role is to provide enabling infrastructure and seed investment to new industries. Further, Government should start easing its way out of some of the sectors in which it now plays a role, and start carving out positions for mobilisation of existing private sector capital and skill in traditional developmental arenas such as roads, water, prisons, hospitals for the full project cycles.

In this regard, the Chamber has advocated a public-private partnership model for infrastructural projects and the last Budget in fact announced the establishment of a Public Private Partnership Unit within the Ministry of Finance.  We will be following up to receive a status report on this proposal.

And thirdly, the creation of a shared vision must guide the approach to diversification.  To quote Mr. Riley, we should “create a shared vision of the future that goes beyond the mere articulation of innovation systems and processes, which appeals to the intellect and heart, inspires us to action and pushes us beyond mere concern…it is important that we have a compelling vision for ourselves as a country – within the region, the hemisphere and the global economy”.

With the latter in mind, we invited Robert Riley, Head of Safety and Operational Risk Competency and Capability Development, BP Group in the UK to be the feature speaker on the topic “Sustainable Growth – Economic Diversification” at our Annual Meeting’s Business Luncheon held on 25^th April. We felt that Mr. Riley could bring a unique perspective, and draw from the history of our success in the development of the national energy industry, given his wealth of business experience in both the local and international energy sector.

In his speech Riley postulated three perspectives which we concur should guide discussion on the diversification of the economy. He first noted that we should start thinking of ways to maximise the current value of our energy sector, while exploring opportunities for economic diversification that are based on the same energy sector. This will have to be done taking into account that a low price environment for gas, which has been the country’s major revenue source for the last 14 years, is likely to be the economic reality over the short to medium term. As a result there will be less value to share between industry and government, as is already happening. Windfall, particularly from periods of economic boom, which should have been invested in new productive capacity and placed in our Heritage and Stabilisation Fund, has, in actuality, gone into a plethora of recurrent expenditure and white elephant projects.

As such Riley recommended that to now guide value maximisation, the fiscal regime governing the energy sector must be reviewed periodically for balance between encouragement of firms to engage in maximum exploration and drilling and T&T’s right to earn a fair value for its material. Further, the role of the National Gas Company (NGC) may need to be re-examined, as margins are squeezed. He noted NGC’s role of aggregator, and ultimately a risk buffer, has served us well in establishing our industry but the time has come where we need to consider a different configuration and distribution of risk along the value chain. The value created should then be used in a more disciplined way than in the past to fuel growth elsewhere in the economy. Riley was adamant that we keep focus on what we are good at, however, with new perspective, since we can no longer afford the inefficiencies and wastes that have characterised our utilisation of the value created from the energy sector.

The second perspective he presented was learning from the lessons of the past to create new opportunities. Our nation should build on our current strengths gained over the last 100 years of energy sector development to create new opportunities for ourselves. This may happen through the development of value added industries that build on our resource-based industries.

Taking our experience and talent to emerging energy players is a critical business development idea for our next phase of economic development. This is attested to in the Prime Minister’s recent announcement that T&T has received requests from the Canadian Association of Oil Well Drilling Contractors to fill positions of drillers, derrick hands and motor hands and that there are approximately 300 vacancies which have been identified for which T&T has a combination of skilled labourers who can fill these vacancies in Canada.

The private services’ companies in the energy industry must take advantage of the opportunity to market and sell their services to other countries where this expertise is needed.

With plans for the internationalisation of NGC, we support Mr. Riley’s suggestion that a new Energy Export Development Fund be developed to provide lower cost funding to energy service companies for new ventures into foreign markets, in order to address/cushion the risks involved. Where possible this should be aligned to the current NGC ventures in external markets with NGC as the lead investment vehicle.

With respect to the non-energy sector Riley noted that Government’s role is to provide enabling infrastructure, seed investment to kick-start new industries and develop industrial infrastructure. Further, Government should begin easing its way out of some of sectors where it now –arguably – plays too heavy a role.   It should also carve out positions for mobilisation of existing private sector capital and skill in traditional developmental arenas such as roads, water, prisons and hospitals, for the full life cycle of the projects.

The Chamber has been advocating for the implementation of the public-private partnership model for infrastructural projects. A Public-Private Partnership Unit within the Minstry of Finance was announced in the last Budget and it would certainly be interesting to receive a status report on this proposal.

Riley noted that fair play and stable, sound policy will create an atmosphere to attract investment. Efficient and consistent regulatory standards and processes are also necessary to ensure that when investment happens, it can be retained. This also speaks to our ability to deliver projects on time and to ensure our investments are maximised. Projects such as Tamana Park, cancellation of the Aluminium smelter project, reports that the gas-to-liquids plant at Petrotrin may become either derelict or used as scrap metal do not create attractive scenarios for investors. Added to this, an enabling environment must be coupled with the development of a dynamic and innovative workforce to create an efficient and globally competitive business.

The creation of a “shared vision” is also necessary for successful diversification. Riley stated that in countries or even organisations where the vision is not clear and where the conversation is reactive and fear abounds about the future, what commonly occurs is finger pointing and blame games, grabs for power and wealth take place and there is little ownership of the welfare of the group or state along with a dangerously high emphasis on individual achievement.

Some say that Trinidad and Tobago has failed to articulate a clear plan for the future – a ‘navigational beacon’, as it were, to set the broad direction that all economic development stakeholders can work towards to ensure sustainable economic development which The Chamber believes that clarity of the nation’s diversification agenda and its continuity is key for diversification plans and so government and industry must have a shared vision of goals which foster collective accountability and engagement.

Robert Riley stated it well when he said that “evolving economic development should not be driven by hysteria of the end of oil or gas” and that “it is important that we have a compelling vision for ourselves as a country – within the region, the hemisphere and the global economy”. Without such vision, we will never see where we are going.

Following the heinous murder of 76 year old Indra Gangabissoon and a life threatening attack on her 90 year old husband Sugrim at their Freeport home, Superintendent Johnny Abraham of the Central Division is reported to have stated that a shortage of police vehicles, among other things, as the reason his Division was hampered in their efforts at operating at maximum efficiency.

Sargeant Wayne Mystar, in one of his his daily briefings, also ascribed the delay in first response a shortage of vehicles and warned that scarcity of vehicles was even more pressing as the same vehicles are being used from shift to shift on a 24-hour basis. . He stressed that any increase in patrols just makes matters worse and that an adequate complement of vehicles must be available to cope with such demands. Obviously, all of this is bound to negatively impact on the success of the 21^st Century Policing Initiative, which requires officers to be out of the stations and on patrol. Sargeant Anand Ramesar, President of the Police Social and Welfare Association, echoes the words of Sargeant Mystar by publicly asking in the print media “where will the Police Service now get the manpower and the vehicles to conduct the vast increase in patrols, especially in hotspots?”

This issue of police mobility and vehicle maintenance is literally, as old as the hills. It existed prior to the Presidency of Chamber President Frank Mouttet in 1993.  He was the one who led the Chamber’s drive to provide the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service’s Motor Pool at the St. James Barracks, with adequate tools, a workable maintenance programme and restored vehicles in order to exemplify how reliable mobility in the Service could be achieved.  It appears, though, from the contents of the Special Report by the Auditor General of Trinidad and Tobago in 2010 on the management and maintenance of vehicles in the TTPS, that the same problem has either recurred, or simply continued since the early 1990s.

This 52-page report discloses that, in 2008, being the last year it covered, $45 million were spent to purchase 220 new vehicles, $9 million to lease or rent others and $27 million, in repairs and maintenance.

Constraints in space do not allow the Chamber to discuss the contents of the report in detail, save for the following comments based on the Executive Summary.

-         It calls for the review of strategies to ensure the availability of vehicles, as there has been an absence of strategic planning and policy direction at all levels in the fleet management process. This important area has been given low priority by the Service, resulting in the failure to achieve value for money. Since 2004, the Government considered engaging VMCOTT as fleet manager for police vehicles, a proposal that the Chamber supported, but, at the time of the audit in 2009, there was no evidence that this arrangement was finalised. Prior to that, VMCOTT was merely a vehicle maintenance and repair provider. This resulted in the re-deployment of several members of staff at the Transport Branch of the TTPS, to perform the functions of vehicle maintenance officers in its various Divisions, making daily checks on all vehicles and being responsible for monitoring and coordinating vehicle repair and service activities to ensure that they are functioning effectively and being serviced in a timely manner.  However, it appears that lack of proper planning and inconsistent allocation has resulted in an inadequate number of officers to carry out this service effectively.

-         The TTPS did not have a comprehensive policy in place which governed all aspects of its fleet management functions. Vehicle acquisitions were particularly affected by the lack of detailed policy guidelines, which led to vehicle types have been appropriate and suitable to the needs of the police.  With no analysis of the quantities and types of vehicles needed, what resulted was a fleet of 24 different types of vehicles and a nightmare to stock parts for all of them.

-         There was also no policy on the appropriate time to dispose of vehicles.  This appeared to have been done on an ad hoc basis dependent on their complete breakdown or non-functioning.  Essential management information needed to make informed decisions on matters relating to the acquisition, maintenance and disposal of vehicles, was unavailable. Although the TTPS purchased fleet management software in 2007, it failed to make use of its capabilities, to provide appropriate and relevant information about the latter.

In short, the review of the management and maintenance of its vehicles shows that the Police Commissioner needs to make some strategic decisions on the future of fleet management, i.e. whether the Service will be responsible for it completely or specific areas thereof. The Standing Orders on which it relies for guidelines, are clear but do not address full fleet management. The strategies in place for purchasing, leasing, disposal and maintenance or repair are inadequate. The Chamber’s interest has been piqued because if the 21^st Century Policing Initiative, the brainchild of Police Commissioner Gibbs and his team, is ever to work efficiently and achieve the objective of transferring officers from the station to the communities, there must be an adequate number of appropriate and reliable vehicles available on a 24-hour basis, to patrol, respond and be visible to the public.

With the aim of growing indigenous businesses and attracting foreign direct investment, the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the National Investment Promotion Agency, investTT, are facilitating the Caribbean Investment Forum – branded CIF – over May 14–15, 2012.  The CIF presents a unique opportunity for our business community to network with regional and foreign industry players. invesTT’s focus is to drive development of the non-energy sectors through targeted foreign investment that supports the growth and creation of industries.

As recovery from the global economic recession continues, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development reported that the year 2011 recorded the highest levels of global investment into emerging markets since 2008, standing at US $755 billion. Out of that total amount, US $2.4 billion flowed into Latin America and the Caribbean into the areas of Business Services, Manufacturing, Sales & Marketing and Construction. It is also projected that total global foreign direct investment will grow to US $1,600 billion in 2012 via mergers and acquisitions activity, equity investments and greenfield projects.

It is in this context that events such as the CIF’ are beneficial.

The 2012 CIF seeks to capitalize on worldwide investment trends and showcase the opportunities for investment within T&T and the Caribbean. invesTT expects to facilitate business meetings for delegates to discuss investment projects, business profiles and act as liaison for local businesses and foreign partners. While new business deals are rarely concluded at these events, they do provide an opportunity to build relationships through networking and investment insights while gaining knowledge of the local business environment, including policy and available incentives. An online discussion board at www.investtforum.com has been set up in order to provide greater insight regarding the topics and sector focus of the CIF.

The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce has always advocated for improved business opportunities for its members’ and believes that the synergies to be experienced and benefits to be derived will be substantial to the Trinidad and Tobago business community. Private sector growth can be attained through public sector facilitation, the harnessing of entrepreneurial skills and abilities, as well as the capitalization of business opportunities by private firms.

In order for T&T to attract some of these investments, we need to act swiftly and strategically, while positioning ourselves as a strong industry player and partner.  Events like the CIF are critical to help position T&T as a regional business hub.  It is important to continually spread the word about our positioning in the hemisphere, even as we continue work to improve the conditions relevant to doing business here.  The Chamber wholeheartedly supports the CIF and we urge our members to take full advantage of this initiative.

On the other hand, the Chamber publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the failure by law enforcement agencies to be able to successfully employ the new Anti-Gang Act No. 10 of 2011 (the Act) during the first months of the period of SOE to detect, arrest and convict, perpetrators of gang violence.  Furthermore, when it was subsequently employed virtually all those suspected of and/or detained and charged for this wrongdoing, were freed by magistrates’ courts, on the application of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) because there was no evidence to support their prosecution.  Some of those charged are, in fact, now suing the State for wrongful arrest, malicious prosecution, false imprisonment and damages, all to be paid by taxpayers, should they be successful.

Long holiday weekends seem to be homicide prone.  Over last year’s  four-day Christmas weekend , eight persons were murdered. Between Good Friday and Easter Monday this year, twelve victims lost their lives by homicide, at least five of which are suspected to be “gang-related”.  One of the latter victims had even been interviewed anonymously on prime time television just before he became a statistic!

The Chamber assumes that police officers must have learnt or benefitted, to some extent, from whatever mistakes they made in detaining those they suspected of gang involvement in the early days of the SOE.  We trust that, by now, DPP Roger Gaspard and his staff, have been able to impart the knowledge and exemplify the type of credibility and admissibility of evidence required by our courts in order to succeed with convictions under the Act..  Hopefully, the Police Academy, the TTPS’ Legal Affairs Unit and its Court and Process Branch, have also engaged in some degree of training, to drill this learning down through the ranks, the intention being to avoid mistakes of the past and use the Act as a strategic legislative and policing weapon.

What exactly are some of the features of this Act?

Section 4 describes “a gang” as a combination of two or more persons, whether formally or informally organised, that, through its membership, or through an agent, engages in any gang related activity. Its First Schedule identifies such “activity”, and is wide ranging. It includes larceny, arson, firearms and ammunition offences, rape, kidnapping and attempts to commit any of the foregoing.

Most importantly, section 5 declares all gangs to be unlawful and that any person who is a member thereof, or who pretends to be one, in order to gain an unlawful benefit, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for ten years, and on any subsequent conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for twenty years. In a case where the accused is a gang leader, or member of the protective services, the term is twenty-five years.

Gangs are synonymous with tattoos, ranks, secret signals, codes or geographical or territorial situs, which may be obvious and not so obvious to the naked eye, but this is not the only means of identifying them or their members. Sub-section 5 of section 5 allows any evidence reasonably tending to show or demonstrate the existence of or membership in a gang to be admissible to do so in any action or proceedings brought under the Act.

Twenty-five years’ imprisonment is the punishment for any person who, by any means coerces, encourages, aids or abets another person to be a gang member, or prevents or attempts to prevent a gang member from leaving membership of a gang.

Possession of a bullet-proof vest, firearm or ammunition, which someone intends to use or ought to know, may be used for the benefit of or at the direction of a gang or any gang member, is an offence, making the accused liable to conviction on indictment to imprisonment for fifteen years.  Harbouring a gang member who is wanted by law-enforcement authorities for any gang-related activity attracts imprisonment for five years.

The recruitment of gang members is punishable by imprisonment for ten years and where the recruit is a child, it increases to fifteen years.  Should such recruitment occur within 500 metres of a school or place of worship, the term is twenty years.

In the Chamber’s opinion, the teeth of this legislation lie in section 12(1) which makes a gang member or anyone reasonably believed to be one, or who is reasonably believed to have committed an offence under this Act, by a police officer, to be liable to arrest without a warrant. Similarly, the officer may also enter premises, not being dwelling houses, if the officer has reason to believe that a gang member may be found therein.  However, he may only enter dwelling houses with a warrant.

Section 14 empowers a court which convicts a person of any offence under the Act, to order the forfeiture of ill gotten gains from gang related activities or for the benefit of gangs.  The Minister of National Security, by his order, and subject to affirmative resolution of Parliament, may amend its Schedules, to enlarge the description of gang related activities, in cases, for example, where gang members and leaders seek to diversify or further mask their activities..

Government is sending the correct signals to communities, to engage in activities and pastimes, which are targeted to woo young people from gang membership.  The multitude of training, skills-based and highly subsidised programmes, its mentorship efforts, revival of the Boy Scouts, Girl Guides and Cadet Force movements, its collaboration with Servol, faith-based organisations, prison reform bodies and inauguration of Police Youth Clubs, all provide social support for those at risk of falling into gang activity. We must all heed these calls to serve and support the future of our country.

Inspector Randolph Boyce of the T&T Police Service and Stephen Gawrys, a senior police officer of 12 years service in anti-gang units in Chicago, addressed Chamber members in 2008 on  the dangers of gangs both locally and internationally. At that time, it was estimated that gangs numbered more than 60 and growing. Clearly, the position is no better today, given the sorry  result of  efforts to enforce this Act.

The Chamber calls on Police Commissioner Gibbs and his Executive, to dust off the Act, confer with the DPP and begin to enforce its provisions, whether through the 21^st Century Policing Initiative, or otherwise, for there is no longer any SOE to use as the platform, and we are still being given as reasons for the continuing high rate of homicide that they are ‘gang-related’.

Above all, remember that section 15 permits the Act to continue in force only for a period of five years from the date of its commencement on August 15 2011. Consequently, we all do not have much time to benefit from the use of this statutory tool, whereas our gangs have all the time in the world!

Topics to be discussed:

• The status of the Nations’ Energy Policy and what we can expect to be included
• The Current state and future developments of our oil and gas sector
• The Status of the bid rounds
• The organizational restructuring of the Ministry

Cost -   Members TT$1,437.50
Potential Members TT$1,667.50

Date: Wednesday 23rd 2012  from 8:30 a.m.   to 4:oo p.m.

However, as is to be expected in any such venture, there resides within the prescribed parameters, both pros and cons as a balance to successful completion. While the similarities of both regions are myriad and wide-ranging, there are also a great number of dissimilarities.

For instance both regions have a reliance on a few key products and services. As far as trade is concerned, the United States is the major trading partner for both economies, with statistics showing more than 60 percent of total trade, while intra-regional trade registers a dismal five percent. Another similarity is that both regions are susceptible to natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes.

Transportation: Among the obstacles are the serious limitations posed by almost non-existent transportation facilities. Up until a few years ago the shipping line NAMUCAR operated between Costa Rica and various Caribbean ports bypassing Miami. That service has been discontinued and there no longer exists any direct sea link between both regions, which has resulted in an escalation in all transportation costs. As far as air connections are concerned only the Panama-based COPA Airlines offers service between Piarco and Panama with onward connections to all Central America countries as well as some in South America. Crime Levels: A major challenge faced by Central Americans wishing to do business in CARICOM is the crime rate. The tourism industry is one of the major attractions of the Caribbean, and an attractive area for investment. However, high crime levels in several countries are a deterrent for tourists, and thus act as a disincentive for investors in this sector. In particular, Jamaica is known for its notoriously high crime rate. Statistics show that in 2010, Jamaica recorded 3,000 robberies and 1,700 murders.

Crime is also an issue faced by investors wishing to do business in Central America. High crime levels hinder investment opportunities as they escalate the security costs of doing business. Many Central American countries are reporting increase in their crime rates. For example, the US Department of State has changed its evaluation of crime in Panama to “high” and refers to crime in Costa Rica as being “of significant concern.”  Belize and Nicaragua are also identified as countries with significant and increasing crime rates.

Language barriers: An issue which seems simple, but which has serious implications is that of language.  The mother tongue of all the Central American countries is Spanish, while the CARICOM member states are all English-speaking, except for Haiti (French and some English) Suriname (Dutch and some English) and the Dominican Republic.  There is also the issue of culture and business practices.

To overcome the language hurdle it is necessary to establish bi-lingual programmes at all educational levels there is a critical need to develop school curricula to include elements of comparative history, geography and politics of each region.

As is stands, English-speaking Caribbean investors may encounter difficulties in communicating and locating information.  A significant amount of the online resources related to Central America are available only in Spanish, and this may pose a problem for potential investors seeking to conduct preliminary online research into business opportunities in the region.  In addition, many hard copy documents are also available only in Spanish, thus requiring the services of a translator.

A key way to overcome the language barrier is to make the content on websites available in several languages making information more easily accessible to both Spanish-speaking and English-speaking investors.  The Caribbean in particular must focus on making translation services more readily available.

Lack of Finance: Another potential hindrance to investment, both in Central America and CARICOM, is a lack of finance. Without sufficient monetary resources, business opportunities cannot be brought to fruition.  In today’s economic context, it has become increasingly difficult to attract the necessary financial capital, particularly in the agricultural sector.  Central American countries such as Honduras, Belize, Guatemala and Nicaragua rely on agro-industry for a significant part of their income.  CARICOM members such as Saint Lucia, Dominica and Grenada also rely heavily on their agricultural sectors as a source of foreign exchange.

The agricultural sectors in many Central American countries have seen a decline in investment.  Prices of agricultural products tend to fluctuate on the world market, and, of course, Central American and CARICOM agricultural products face international competition.  What’s more, since both regions rely significantly on agribusiness, Central American investors may be more prone to invest in the agricultural sectors  at home than in the Caribbean.  The same applies to CARICOM investors.

Registration and Labelling: Registration of a company’s trade mark is also time-consuming in Central America, with red-tape and bottlenecks frustrating the process.  CARICOM investors would like to see a singe process/ruling for all countries in Central America, instead of different laws and requirements in each country – a situation similar to the laws in CARICOM where a company can come into business in one day.

As the saying goes, “there is no time like the present,” and for CARICOM now is the most appropriate time to capitalize on trade and investment into the Central American markets. The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has committed to aggressively pursuing Central and South American markets. To this end it has appointed Ambassador Plenipotentiary for Trade, Mervyn Assam and has negotiated and initialed one Partial-Scope Agreement with Panama.  Negotiations are in train with Guatemala to conclude a similar agreement.  A number of Trade Missions have also been organized to Central and South American territories such as Panama and Brazil and (the Chamber’s own) to Guatemala, led by Minister Cadiz.

The Chamber urges its members and the wider business community to capitalize on the opportunities that are becoming available as we seek to expand market access for Trinidad and Tobago.

Participants were divided into smaller groups, each of which engaged in lively discussions with our Past Presidents. A range of topics were discussed, and information shared on issues such as financing, human resources, exporting and factors for success. The mentoring Past Presidents were rotated, which allowed each group an opportunity to interact with two leading business heads before the plenary sessions began.

A number of the Conference’s attendees were participants in the Ministry of Labour, Small and Micro Enterprises Integrated Business Incubator System Programme – also known as IBIS –and so impressed were they with this module, that they requested more in depth discussion with the Presidents. Having shared some of the wealth of knowledge accumulated over the years in various business sectors by these business leaders, many of the IBIS participants felt that they needed to learn even more while they were in the process of planning and establishing businesses.

Participants in the IBIS programme are required to prepare Business Investment Plans to present to an incubator panel, and it was also felt that testing these ideas to a panel of seasoned business professionals, would allow for sensible critiquing and possible recommendations. Thus the idea for a collaborative effort was born out of the critical need to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs.

This follow up session took place three weeks ago at the Chamber and 20 participants were each allotted one minute in which to make an “elevator” pitch to the panel that included four Past Presidents and the current Chair of the NOVA Committee. Before listening to the pitches and offering comments, the panelists shared their life stories, including their career and business paths, giving insight into the challenges faced and the rewards garnered along the way.

Many of the participants took the opportunity to have individual discussions after the session where contact information was exchanged, with the intention of creating relationships between one or more of the panelists and the participant.

The presentations from the IBIS participants ranged from the establishment of clothing and high end accessory outlets to recycling initiatives and composting, agro-services and agro-tourism, an internet café and interestingly, the creation of locally produced apps for cellular phones. While some of the ideas presented were run of the mill, there was strong evidence that the entrepreneurial spirit was there and needed to be nurtured.

Initiatives such as the IBIS Programme are welcomed and encouraged. The SME sector drives many economies across the world, and in our quest for diversification we must continue to support ideas and concepts that would create profitable sustainable niches. The Chamber through the NOVA Committee will continue to offer its support to those individuals who take the bold step into enterprise creation and development.

The Chamber will continue to keep members and the public informed as we engage in the promotion of SME development, and upcoming sessions will be advertised.