First meeting of the reconvened standing committee on business development (SCBD)

Senator Dr. the Hon. Lenny Saith chatting with the Hon. Christine Kangaloo.

PORT OF SPAIN, March 17, 2010 (MTI):  The Standing Committee on Business Development (SCBD), one of the major players in the country’s diversification drive, was reconvened this month after a brief hiatus, and held its first meeting last week at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), Nicholas Tower headquarters.

The SCBD, which comprises key individuals and organisations responsible for business growth and development from both the public and private sectors, was established by Cabinet in 2003 to serve as an Advisory Committee mandated to drive business development in Trinidad and Tobago. MTI is responsible for providing technical and secretarial support to the Committee. One of the major activities of the SCBD over the period 2004 to 2008, was the identification and initial development process for the Seven Sectors. In addition, the SCBD established an Enabling Environment Committee to foster an enhanced environment for the further development and growth of businesses in Trinidad and Tobago.

Senator Dr. the Hon. Lenny Saith, previously head of the SCBD, chaired this pivotal meeting which was attended by several government Ministers and officials and prominent members of the business community. The main items discussed included the general state of the work ethic in T&T and its effects on productivity and efficiency in the workplace; T&T’s Investment Policy; the Single Electronic Window (SEW) and Competitiveness, among others.

According to Ramesh Sarabjit, Director of Business Development at MTI, the main focus of the Committee is to continue identifying priority areas for development in the non-energy sector and to foster a suitable business climate for these key sectors. The key functions of the SCBD as agreed to by Cabinet are as follows:
• Monitor the ongoing implementation of the Strategic Plans for the seven industries: Yachting, Seafood, Merchant Marine, Music and Entertainment, Film, Printing and Packing and Food and Beverage.
• Explore new industries for development;
• Monitor and address issues that impact negatively on the business environment; and
• Address other issues that may be deemed important by the private sector that need Government intervention.

MTI is pleased to partner with its key stakeholders at this critical forum once again and is confident that the SCBD will continue to play a critical role in our country’s business development. It was agreed that the Committee will meet every month for the first two months and subsequent meetings are to be held every other month.


For further information, contact: 
Corporate Communications Specialist
Ministry of Trade & Industry
Level 16, Nicholas Tower  ●  63-65 Independence Square  ●  Port of Spain.
Tel: (868) 623-2931 x. 2026/17  ●  Fax: (868) 627-0002
Email: tcarr@tradeind.gov.tt  ●  Website: www.tradeind.gov.tt