There is no end of stories revolving around the ferry services between T&T. Every day there is a new development regarding this critical communication link between the two halves of our nation. The Cabo Star’s schedule has been erratic and the return of the T&T Spirit has been shifted again and again, while the fire on board the Trini Flash has damaged the reputation of this facility.

Add to that the uncertainty surrounding the arrival of the Galleons Passage and its deployment.

Prime Minister Rowley sought to put things in perspective when he declared that it was not true to say that Tobago’s shelves were running low on supplies. In fact, he confirmed that the situation was more one of stories being peddled by the media and the Opposition. These ferry woes beg the question whether we are serious about ensuring reliable links between the two islands.

We have examples of well-run ferry services right next door. Residents and visitors enjoy a very reliable connect around St Vincent and its many Grenadine islands. Reports are that there are regular services operated by the private sectors and that they have not had the kinds of troubles that we have been experiencing.

It may be time to look to the “small islands” for lessons and guidance in how to operate such a critical link and repair the damage that has been done. We can only hope that the arrival of the Galleons Passage will be the start of a more positive phase in the movement of passengers and goods between the two islands.

Small island pride

In the years of the West Indies Federation, the Caribbean demonstrated that it could stand together as one nation. Unfortunately, that grouping collapsed and several of the countries, except for Montserrat, would gain full independence.

The legacy of the Federation remains with us in the grouping of these same states under the Caribbean Community and Common Market that was birthed right here at Chaguaramas. The grouping has had its ups and downs but on reflection achieved more cohesion in a shorter space of time than did the states now known as the European Union. The reference to Dominica and other Eastern Caribbean states as “small islands” is disparaging, to say the least, since in that country’s case it has a larger landmass than Barbados, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, and St Kitts Nevis.

We should put an end to such references and recognise that it is not about size but an ability to be a nation-state. So let’s continue to rally around Dominica and other member states of our Caribbean community and do so with genuine empathy for the challenges that they face from time to time

Homage to our champions

National pride is one of the greatest values we can have as a country. When it appears in the form of world-class performances by our sportsmen and women it is an opportunity for all barriers to fall down in our homage to these champions. Let’s give them the support at the early stages of their development so that we can enjoy longer rides of pride.

Winnie Mandela’s death on Easter Sunday—unreasonably but powerfully felt like a personal betrayal perhaps because the news came while I was looking at the Cybercrime Bill 2017. Her death felt like a death knell for journalism itself.

In smoke-filled rooms and pubs, in newsrooms and typewriters in London, my International Journalism colleagues and I cut our teeth on the butt end of the anti-apartheid movement, cold war, genocide in Rwanda, the struggle in Northern Ireland, the intifada, the first Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, the Rodney King verdict and LA riots, a live Gulf war and the internet deluge.

Winnie and Nelson Mandela, above all, were synonymous with many journalistic beginnings. They were emblematic of what would be our ideals—power of a complex, matriarch like Winnie as reviled as she was revered; causes bigger than the journalist; struggles for humanity, watchdogs for the oppressed and vulnerable; holding governments to account, a voice for the voiceless.

In T&T despite low pay, high price to health and personal lives, long hours, deadlines, high stress, veiled threats, journalists continue to provide a mirror to this nation in the public interest, as watchdogs and fall guys. Journalists across media have broken story after story, of misuse of billions of dollars of public funds, and outright corruption, way back from Johnny O’Halloran to the Airport scandal, from Udecott, to SportTT, and everything in between.

We are jaded from being accused of partisan reporting by successive governments. We take our role as the fifth estate and a pillar of democracy seriously, a the country saw during the 1990 coup attempt when a radio station kept us going. Our voice is needed with greater urgency than ever before as we slide into anarchy as among the most murderous countries worldwide without oil to cover the rot.

In the clamour of voices on the Internet we need a Cybercrime Bill. The Internet has made journalists’ out of everyone, randomly, often irresponsibly. For example, teenage boys have committed suicide after being outed as being gay, libel and slander laws broken with impunity.

Enter the Cybercrime Bill 2017. The ostensible intent of the bill is laudable—to protect us all from Internet, and/or computers, and cell phones including child pornography, revenge porn, hate speech, incitement to violence, blackmailing, protection of national secrets, company classified information, cyber bullying, computer related forgery, identity theft, sending viruses, and spam.

Terrifyingly, the bill criminalizes not just whistle-blowers and journalists but you, me, everyone.

It is draconian, vague, and wide in scope, similar to legislation passed in repressive regimes. Think Turkey, China, Thailand, Egypt, Russia.

Example 1. The teenager on Facebook

Take your average teenager who ‘frapes’ his friend by pretending to be him as a joke and posts an journalismembarrassing photograph.

That breaks the law five times over.
a) Illegal access to a computer system b) Illegal data interference. Sending unauthorized data.
c) Identity theft related offence. d) Violation of privacy. e) ‘serious emotional distress’ in clause 18 is so vague that almost anyone can come under its net, so a religious person can feel ‘emotional distress’ over semi-nudity and your teen can be charged and be subject to ten years in jail and a million dollars in fines.

Example 2. The politician.

If a politician claims ‘serious emotional distress’ over a meme that you receive and share ridiculing him, you could be liable and charged $300,000 or face three years imprisonment.

Example 3. The journalist. (Related to the politician).

Clause 8 could be death of investigative journalism. Now that everything is stored on computers, say goodbye to all transparency in governance. Once that data is deemed private by government or public servants, or statutory authority, a journalist, simply by receiving a leaked document by a ‘whistle blower’ is as guilty as the person sending it. Both are subject to a two-year jail sentence and a 100,000-dollar fine.

The burden of proof throughout lies on the accused. That has an unconstitutional feel about it. The fines are fixed.

In this form it makes criminals of all of us, muzzling perhaps the only institution of our democracy that actually works.

As the foreign policy conundrum involving this country’s vote at the OAS on the request by Dominica to seek a waiver of its annual fees to the organisation for the years 2018 and 2019 continues to simmer, there appears to be some hope that a resolution of the matter will come.

The Prime Minister has decided to place an interpretation of the facts into the hands of former ambassador Christopher Thomas who will try to make sense of what appears to be a very complex situation based on the report the Prime Minister has read.

That means that both Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Minister Dennis Moses and T&T Ambassador to the OAS, Anthony Phillips-Spencer, have been given a temporary reprieve pending the determination to be made by Thomas for the consideration of the Prime Minister.

The issue of the constitutional doctrine of individual ministerial responsibility must play a part in any analysis of this situation.

This doctrine is supported by three main rules, namely (i) the advice rule, (ii) the culpability rule, and, (iii) the propriety rule.

In breaking this down, it is critical to understand that ministers are entitled to departmental advice in the discharge of their duties before making any policy decisions.

Also, ministers are to be held culpable for policy error, and finally, ministers are required to maintain good standards of personal propriety.

The statement that was issued by the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs clearly points to policy error on the face of the record.

An excerpt from that statement as reported in the Guardian on March 30 says:

“In an unqualified way, the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs regrets the misrepresentation of the position of T&T offered by a public official of T&T during a meeting of the OAS’ Permanent Council (held March 23) relative to a request from Dominica for a waiver of its financial contribution to that Organization for 2018 to 2019.

Currently, an investigation into the briefing arrangements of the public official and the circumstances involved in the discussion at the OAS is underway.”

For the ministry to state that it is investigating the “briefing arrangements” is ominous because it will eventually put the minister front and centre where this controversy is concerned.

The ministry has already publicly confessed to a “misrepresentation” of the position of the Government of T&T in respect of the statement made by its ambassador who is being referred to as a “public official” which is a slap down to him.

He was not even afforded the courtesy of being publicly addressed as an “ambassador” which is what he is.

In the diplomatic world, the use of words must always be very carefully examined to get clues to the intention behind what is being said.

What comes through in that statement was the attempt to temporarily shield the minister by putting the blame on “briefing arrangements” as opposed to the minister’s policy.

Secondly, the “ambassador” has been downgraded to a “public official” and, thirdly, there is an open confession of policy error.

Ambassador Thomas will have a lot more to consider than the documents that have been leaked to date in this matter.

The one thing that the public has is the official statement of the ministry. Prime Minister Rowley did not hide the fact that he was shocked by the contents of the report that he received.

It is apparent that the T&T delegation to the OAS was in favour of giving Dominica the two-year waiver however, the ambassador sought guidance from the ministry itself (not the kind of thing that a rogue diplomat would do).

He apparently got his directive and he faithfully complied with it. Now we hear that that was a “misrepresentation.”

If the ambassador deviated from his brief, then he is at fault. For everything else, there is individual ministerial responsibility.

“I just threw up on international television; it feels so good,” was the reaction of the teenager when, she, like hundreds of thousands of her peers across the US, and a reported 800 protest sites spread worldwide, said they were sick of the senseless killing of teenagers and were against guns and violence.

The young lady, tingling with enthusiasm, but not overwhelmed, was satisfied that she had successfully taken on the establishment in a very unorthodox manner.

It was a confrontation not only against guns and violence but a movement against an unconscionable economic system represented by the National Rifle Association (NRA) and its primary intention to manufacture and sell more guns notwithstanding the consequences.

Moreover, the estimated 800,000 who marched on Washington said to President Trump, whose major response to the crisis was to buy into a plan to arm teachers to allow the gun manufacturers to produce and sell even more guns, that “change” has to come.

The youth indicated their intention not to take “mamaguy” talk and be satisfied with platitudes.

Their ultimate plan is to promote registration for congressional elections later this year among their generation.

The stated intention of the young people is to demand a commitment to gun control policies of those who they would elect.

But while these millions of young Americans and further millions of people all over the world were screaming for freedom, participation, and the transformation of society and its values, Presidents Xi, Putin, and Donald Trump were pushing for total control of their countries.

In America, President Trump through policy, dogma, and texts is angling for the one per cent to take even greater and tighter control of America and the resources of the society.

The positions adopted by the big three—Xi, Putin, and Trump—and those in the comfortable economic and social classes with much to defend will severely test the stated commitment of the youth to achieve change.

I utilise the American situation to highlight our condition here in T&T, the Caribbean, and elsewhere, where the old politics of blind followship of leaders and their parties has not delivered.

Two weeks ago my column advocated that those supporters of the two major parties, sufficiently conscious of the reality that notwithstanding the trillion-plus dollars (a significant percentage in US dollars) collected and available to succeeding governments to transform the society and economy, the PNM and UNC have shown themselves incapable of the challenge.

The column noted too, that sitting on the margins is not an effective option for those of us not wanting to be smeared by party politics. Clinging to a party is not the only way to become involved in political change.

In T&T, the two major movements for change of the social, economic, and political status quo (1937 and 1970) began with a few with limited ambitions and even fewer resources.

A few dozen workers in oil and sugar (1937) determined to achieve change in their condition of squalor and dehumanisation.

In 1970, a disparate band of university students, unemployed and desperate urban youth, trade union leaders, a few radical academics came together with a notion of initiating change to the historical condition of the marginalized.

The kind of intervention being advocated, that of meaningful people participation in government, has a dynamic of its own.

We experienced “Kamlamania”, and the hope presented by political alignments among parties, labour, and social segments of the society; that turned into a fragmented disaster.

A return to the PNM after the 2010-2015 experience has proven half-way through the term to be leading to a dead end.

A significant section of the American population is investing in youth and Mueller to bring about widespread change, including that of race relations.

People participation and the emergence of quality leadership across the society have to be our Special Prosecutors.

Lawrence Bossidy, retired CEO of Allied Signal (later Honeywell), said something that I believe demonstrated the importance of people in a quote he made: “Nothing we do is more important than hiring people. At the end of the day, you bet (depend) on people not strategies.” I believe through his career at General Electric he learned the importance of people as he rose to an executive position coming through the ranks. It does not matter where you are in the social realm or organisational structure, you will have to cross paths with people in some way. Life is just tailored like this and you cannot evade or get around it.

Our Lord Jesus brought this truth to the forefront very early in His earthly ministry. In Mark 3: 14 we read, “And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach.” Even the powerful miracle-working Jesus needed people to fulfil his commission.

In rising to the top or achieving your goals, believe me, along the way you will have a human resource requirement in order to get there. While I totally agree with success coming through hard work let us not forget, learning comes through individuals who simply do not know everything. Also there are things that are not written always in the manual but come through experience. Those who have walked the part must now pass it on.

Who walked the part? People!

I agree that the need will vary according to what must be accomplished but it does not change the heart of the matter, “people will always need people.” None of us is an island unto ourselves and the sooner we accept this the better our lives will become. If you have received what I have said then it is important that you connect and stay connected to people. One of the most beautiful human connections that I have seen in the word of God was between David and Jonathan, 1 Samuel 18: 1, “And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knitted with the soul of David, and

Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” This coming together was for a purpose— Jonathan became a shield for David from the venom of his Father. David never forgot that and did reward his offspring when he ascended to the throne.

It is important that we relate to people properly for we do not know who may cross our path and what they may have that can complete our life puzzle. Technologist turned philanthropist Bill Gates said, “We all need people who will give us feedback. That’s how we grow.” If it is only to get feedback, allow people to play their role in your life. You will be better because of this. May God richly bless you people person!

Elder Arnold Gopeesingh

It’s tax season again.

Not exactly an exciting time, but it’s a busy one.

Accountants across the T&T are sorting through seemingly endless piles of TD4s and more.

In this country, individuals and businesses are required by law to pay various forms of tax.

Tax director at KPMG Nicole Joseph explained the process.

She said companies have to pay their corporation taxes/business levy and green fund levy for income year 2018 in quarterly instalments.

The first instalment for income year 2018 was due on March 31, 2018—late payment attracts interest at 20 percent per annum.

“So they had that first deadline date in March. The next instalment for income year 2018 is due on or before June 30, 2018.

“For the April tax filing season, companies need to prepare and file their 2017 tax returns (and any prior year if not already done) and pay any final balance of corporation tax or business levy and green fund levy by April 30, 2018. Any payments for income year 2017 made after April 30, 2018 will incur interest at 20 percent per annum for late payment,” Joseph said.

She said companies have until October 31, 2018 to file the 2017 tax return and after this date a late filing penalty of $1,000 will be levied for every six months the tax return remains outstanding.

The Board of Inland Revenue (BIR) issues the tax return forms and those individuals who are earning just emolument income would not need to file tax returns.

Other individuals, however, would be required to file such returns online as implemented by the BIR a few years ago.

This is known as e-Tax.

This computerised method, Joseph said, has made the process easy to be monitored by the individual.

“Individuals would be able to monitor and track the processing of the tax return at the Board of Inland Revenue. And it also makes the process of any tax refunds that may be due to these individuals quicker.”

On whether the online method can be somewhat onerous for some people Joseph disagreed.

“That is the way going forward. It would be onerous for people who don’t have the facilities and technology but for other people it’s the way forward and it is something I believe we all should embrace,” Joseph urged.

Individuals and employees are no longer required to file taxes once their sole source of income is employment income.

“The onus is on the employer to deduct the correct taxes,” Joseph said.

Regarding her thoughts on tax evasion and tax leakage she believed there were several processes in the pipeline, in particular with the expected the Revenue Authority.

“Once the proposed Revenue Authority is implemented it would be able to address all these issues.

“They would have the proper compliment of staff, the facilities and technology be able to address all the areas where they think the leakages are occurring,” Joseph said.

Despite repeated urges, year after year, there are those who, even though obliged, fail to file tax return.
This, Joseph advised was bad practice.

“Everybody has to be compliant. It’s a legal obligation.

“There are penalties and interests that are in place in the law so that when they do catch up with you, you would be now subject to the tax on the income that you didn’t declare plus interests and penalties for not being compliant,” Joseph said.

She added that the BIR actually has records which can easily reflect whether taxes have been filed or not.

In this vein, the BIR has been issuing reminders to companies with an expected deadline date to submit tax returns.

“The board is being very proactive with respect to going after companies that have not been compliant.

“There are cases where sufficient reminders were sent and there was no effort to respond and provide the tax return or requested information and the board actually has powers to use a best estimate and assess the company to be taxed, Joseph added.

On the issue of tax claims for individuals this entailed first-time home owner’s allowance, deductions for pension, annuity and NIS and deductions for tertiary education.

Companies enjoy all deductions which are wholly and exclusively incurred in generating that source of income.

Supporting documents for expenses and income are key in the event of an audit by the BIR.

Whether the current system of collecting taxes was efficient Joseph praised the BIR for carrying out proper functions as in the case of an amnesty.

“They would actually tell people that, ‘Look, our records show you owe us a certain amount’ and for you to come in and either pay it.

“You also have the opportunity to the explain to them or provide evidence whether you have paid the amount,” Joseph said.

But she concurred that there is always a lot more to be done, especially when compared to developed territories and their aggression on tax collection.

“Hopefully now with the proposed changes, all things would come into fruition. It’s not just about the Board of Inland Revenue going out there and collecting.

“For the taxpayer, you also have rights in terms of objecting to assessments. You can go in and obtain up-to-date information. Hopefully a lot of these things will be easier and the information will be more accessible so people can rectify their tax status as well,” Joseph added.

Procedures for individuals

In order to pay taxes, all individuals must have a BIR file number.

Individuals are no longer legally required to file income tax returns unless they are professionals or self-employed. Employers will deduct taxes from your salary and pay them to the government on your behalf.

However, a person can choose to file a return if he or she is unhappy with the amount of tax that has been deducted from your earnings by your employer.

If you are self-employed you must file a tax return at the end of the financial year. The filing deadline is set by the Inland Revenue Division, is usually in March or April, and can vary from year to year.

All taxpayers are entitled to a personal allowance of $72,000 per year. This means that you do not pay income tax on your first $72,000 of income, so you pay no income tax at all if you earn less than this amount.

You can reduce the amount of tax by declaring tax-deductible expenses. 

What tax assistance is available for individuals?

The Inland Revenue Division of the Ministry of Finance provides the following tax services free of charge:
• Answering queries on tax liabilities
• Assisting with completion of tax returns
• Approval of TD1 forms (please follow the link at the end of this section for more information on TD1 approvals)
• Explanation of any tax measure

Procedure for businesses

Businesses must have a BIR file number in order to pay taxes. They must also have a PAYE file number in order to deduct and remit taxes from employees.

What is e-Tax?

e-Tax is the online portal provided by the Inland Revenue Division (IRD) for taxpayers to manage their tax accounts online.

By accessing e-Tax at https://etax.ird.gov.tt in any standard web browser, taxpayers can register to view their accounts, file returns, and correspond with IRD.

It gives the customers of the Inland Revenue Division online access to their tax accounts and related information.

It has features which would allow you to view tax balance, check refunds status and perform a wide variety of tasks.

It allows you to authorise other persons to access your account. These persons include tax practitioners or accountants.

In addition to viewing your personal accounts you can also manage your company’s or client’s accounts by requesting another type of access to e-Tax.

There are three access types used to access other taxpayer’s accounts:

1. Delegated access: officials of a company grants access to the company’s tax account(s)
2. Third-Party Access: grants access to your account; request access to another person’s accounts
3. Accounting firm access: used by accounting firms to give their employees access to their clients’ accounts.

How to enroll for e-Tax

To use e-Tax, you need to get your ttconnect ID

Register for your ttconnect ID in three steps:
1. Complete and submit the ttconnect ID registration form (www.ttconnect.gov.tt) online. Ensure your BIR number is included in the registration form.

Once completed and submitted, you should receive an email notification with additional registration details. If you do not receive any such notification please send an email to info.ttconnect@gov.tt

2. Activate your ttconnect ID (instructions for activation are contained in the email notification).

3. Visit a ttconnect service centre with the following forms of valid identification / documentation, as well as your ttconnect ID, in order to complete the registration process. Make sure to indicate to the customer service representative you are registering for e-Tax.

FAQ about taxes

Do I have to pay income tax?

By law all individuals—whether self-employed or employed by someone else—must pay income tax. However, individuals are only legally required to file income tax returns if they are professionals or self-employed. Employers deduct taxes from workers’ salary and pay them to the government. However, you can choose to file a return if you are unhappy with the amount of tax been deducted from your earnings by your employer.

All self-employed people must file a tax return at the end of the financial year. The filing deadline set by the Inland Revenue Division is usually in March or April and but varies from year to year.

How much tax do I pay?

All taxpayers are entitled to a personal allowance of $72,000 a year. You do not pay income tax on your first $72,000 of income, so you pay no income tax at all if you earn less than this amount annually.

You can reduce the amount of tax you pay by declaring tax-deductible expenses.

Where can I get assistance?

The Inland Revenue Division of the Ministry of Finance provides the following tax services free of charge:
• Answering queries on tax liabilities.
• Assisting with completion of tax returns.
• Approval of TD1 forms (please follow the link at the end of this section for more information on TD1 approvals).
• Explanation of any tax measure.

Where are the offices located?

You may contact the following locations for tax assistance between 8 am and 4 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays:
Taxpayer Services Section
Victoria Courts
Queen Street, Port of Spain
Trinidad
Tel. (868) 623-2981/7106
ext 201 and 204
Taxpayer Relations Section
Inland Revenue Division
Trinidad House
St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain
Tel (868) 623-2981/7106
ext 321, 323-6
South Regional Office
Inland Revenue Division
52 Cipero Street, San Fernando
Tel (868) 657-6057/5775
Tobago Regional Office
Inland Revenue Division
Sangster’s Hill
Scarborough, Tobago
Tel. (868) 639-2410/2538

Tax assistance is also available at the Arima or Couva District Revenue Office on the first Wednesday of every month, or the Point Fortin District Revenue Office on the third Wednesday of every month between 8 am and 12 noon.

During tax filing periods—April and October—technical officers are stationed at District Revenue Offices on specified days.

You can also visit the Inland Revenue Division website and select the “Tax Assistance” drop-down menu for on-line tax assistance.

How do I pay my taxes?

If you are employed by a company, your taxes are deducted as you earn and are paid to the Inland Revenue Division by your employer.

Businesses and professionals must make payments directly to the Inland Revenue Division:
1. Fully complete a payment description slip. This form is available online by following the link below, or you can pick up a copy from any cashiers’ unit (see addresses below) or District Revenue Office.
2. Present your completed payment description slip together with your payment at any Cashiers’ Unit. Payment can be made by cash, cheque or Linx (debit card).

Where can I make a payment?

Payment can be made at the cashiers’ unit at the offices listed between the hours of 8:00 am and 3:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays.

Payment can also be made at any district revenue office.

What are the deadlines to submit taxes?

Employers must pay Income Tax and Health Surcharge Payments deductions (PAYE) by the 15th of the month following the month the deduction was made from employee’s earnings. Self-employed individuals must make quarterly payments by the last day of each quarter, in March, June, September and December.

The UWI trade and economic development unit held a public conversation commemorating the work of Lloyd Best and Kari Levitt on the Plantation Economy Model.

Questions were asked as to the modern day relevance of the model, what we can learn from it to help in today’s recession and can Petrotrin learn anything from the plantation?

Lloyd Best et al describes the regional economies as plantation economies. In particular, he assigns the term “hinterland” to those lands that produce the basic products that are exported to the metropole, abroad.

In particular, the plantation that depends Non the exploitation of natural resources, eg petroleum, according to Best, the economy resumes its traditional role of the hinterland with the metropole being the primary source of capital, entrepreneurial talent, knowhow and technology.

Moreso the MNCs’ (representing the metropole) transactions between their hinterland subsidiaries and the parent companies result in the Muscovado bias.

Hence it becomes difficult to ascertain magnitudes such as profits retained and repatriated and the transfer of capital between parent company and the branch plant, a concern we now have today with the LNG exports.

These problems, even in developed countries, have spawned the rules of engagement that seek to reduce this problem of transfer pricing.

Best argues that the enterprise of the indigenous people dictates the pace at which economic development proceeds, and such dependence on imported enterprise builds into the local economy an assured backwardness compared with countries whose entrepreneurial dynamic is indigenous.

Therefore, Best says that the islands must regain control over their main staple resource, new staple or quasi staple. This means a transformation of the corporations and a drastic revision of their terms of participation.

In this circumstance, according to Best, the measures of nationalisation or even expropriation cannot be arbitrarily ruled out.

It is worth noting that you may acquire the physical  plant, as we did with Petrotrin, but without the institutions that generate the knowledge, the technology, know-how or innovation Petrotrin was unable to be globally competitive.

Also petroleum exploration/production is a high risk, high capital enterprise in which a dry hole or a well accident can ruin a small indigenous low capital company—the Trintomar experience.

Though I pay my respects to Best on his plantation economy model I refer, in my use of the term plantation, moreso to the concept of the small open economy (SOE), that cannot produce most of what it  consumes and has to import to support an adequate life style. Hence it has to export.

The plantation aspect to which I refer is when one sector—particularly if it is driven by foreign direct investment and its technology—is the major earner of the foreign exchange that is retained locally in order to purchase the needed imports.

Further the enterprise of the locals, their business activity, in general becomes focused on import, distribution,  sales, construction and the business and financial structures to support these activities.

When the foreign investment is about natural resource exploitation it is important that, though the government may not have the capital required to exploit it, concern is paid to the share of the income retained locally and attempts made to avoid much of the Muscovado bias by getting significant added value done locally.

Though capital may be in short supply the local government has to acquire the knowledge and technology to properly manage the exploitation of the resource.

Such an economy will be at high risk if the prices of the exported products are volatile and this one horse economy becomes boom-bust.

The objective of economic adjustment/development then is not necessarily, as Best suggests, taking charge of the staple resource or even nationalisation or expropriation of the foreign-owned plants etc, but in diversifying the economy into more varied products and services and so reducing the overall risk in the economy in earning foreign exchange.

This, then, is about turning the indigenous enterprise in part away from import, distribution and  sales into creating exporting companies, not necessarily like those in the traditional exporting sector. The concern, however, is how does the history of the plantation in the sense of the SOE affect the ability of the indigenous enterprise sector to adapt away from its traditional role to the higher risk of exporting globally, when competitiveness in such a market is about knowledge acquisition, its application, creation and innovation?

However Best concludes, as already noted, that dependence on an imported enterprise builds local backwardness as opposed to countries whose entrepreneurial dynamic is indigenous.

But the local enterprise in the SOE exists and it is different from the imported enterprise, though the success of the former depends on the foreign exchange income generated by the latter.

Therefore, the problem is not assured backwardness of the indigenous enterprise, but its ability to adapt to new and competitive global exporting.

This is the concern that Prof John Foster examines using his complex theory of economies and the risk of non-adaptability in an economic sector that has not experienced significant changes in its history.

Mary K King

Colm Imbert, Minister of Finance; Richard Young, chairman of the T&T International Financial Centre, and Stephen Bagnarol, senior vice-president and head, Caribbean South and East of Scotiabank, were among officials who attended the formal opening of Scotiabank’s Operations and Shared Services Company Ltd (OSSCL) at Bhim Street, Ramsaran Park, Chaguanas on Wednesday.

The establishment of the OSSCL, according to Stephen Bagnarol, is one of the greatest examples of the ongoing partnership between Scotiabank and the Government and numerous related agencies including the T&T International Financial Centre and the T&T Free Zone Company.

Bagnarol said that with the establishment of the shared services hub, Scotiabank has demonstrated its commitment to T&T and the wider Caribbean.

The shared services hub houses the bank’s back-office operations, inclusive of: account processing, reconciliation, lending verification and credit function, customer support, compliance and enhanced due diligence and collection services for T&T and 17 other countries in the wider Caribbean region.

According to Bagnarol, T&T was selected as a preferred location as the infrastructure and telecommunications network are well established, with the capacity to support cross border operations with other regional players.

Another important factor, Bagnarol said, was the availability of a diverse and skilled workforce where English is the primary language.

Richard Young, former managing director of Scotiabank, and now the chairman of the T&T International Financial Centre told guests that he feels a profound sense of satisfaction and pride, since back in 2012, he was instrumental in getting the Free Zone regulation changed to accommodate Scotiabank’s venture into the shared services industry.

The OSSCL, Young said, started off by creating over 450 jobs and today through this expansion has increased the numbers to over 750, making OSSCL the largest SSC in T&T.

Darren Bravo stroked 130 to lead Queen’s Park I to first innings points PowerGen on the second and final day of the sixth round of the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) Premiership at the Queen’s Park Oval in St Clair, Port-of-Spain, yesterday.

In a low-scoring encounter, Bravo was the difference as he knocked 140 in their first innings total of 240.

PowerGen in response was bowled out for a paltry 123. Batting a second time, Queen’s Park made 61/1 with skipper Justin Guillen playing a blinder in getting an unbeaten 41. PowerGen in their second innings reached 40/2 when the game ended in a draw.

Leaders Alescon Comets were dealt a blow by Victoria United, as they defeated them on first innings at Barrackpore. Chasing Victoria’s first innings score of 201, Comets fell short at 186 all out. Batting a second time Victoria reached 211 for nine wickets and declared at that point and the match was called off.

Central Sports took first innings points over QPCC II after a good all round performance from their batsmen. Resuming on 200/7, Kisoondath Magram finished off the Parkites for 202, ending with 5/53. Keddy Lesporis 66, Shazan Babwah 45, Jyd Goolie 40, Kamil Pooran 25, Adrian Ali 21, Al Small 23 and Vishan Jaggessar 22 batted well to take Central Sports to 285 all out. Batting a second time QPCC II reached 18 without loss when the game was called off as a draw.

Merryboys took first innings points over FC Clarke Road at St. Anthony’s College thanks to an excellent knock of 91 by national player Amir Jangoo. The left hander smashed 91, as Merryboys replying to Clarke Road’s 129 made 199 when the match was called off as a draw.

TTCB PREMIERSHIP I SCORES

AT THE OVAL: QPCC I 240 (Darren Bravo 130, Yannick Carriah 43, Nicolas Pooran 26, Keon Harding 3/65) & 61/1 dec VS Powergen 123 & 40/2. Match drawn.
AT ST ANTHONY’S COLLEGE: FC Clarke Road United 129 all out (Sean Siloch 36, Nicholas Sookdeosingh 29, Dejourn Charles 26, Utman Mohammed 5/30, Rishard Harris 5/20) vs Merryboys 199 (Amir Jangoo 91, Kerwyn Sirju 6/65, Yannick Ottley 2/27). Match drawn.
AT BARRACKPORE: Victoria 201 (Marcelle Jones 55) & 211/9 dec VS Alescon Comets 186. Match drawn.
AT FATIMA: QPCC II 202 all out (Kirstan Kallicharan 93, Joshua DeSilva 76, Christopher Vincent 3/33, Kissoondath Magram 5/53) & 18/0 VS Central Sports 285 all out (Keddy Lesporis 66, Shazan Babwah 45, Jyd Goolie 40, Kamil Pooran 25, Adrian Ali 21, Al Small 23, Vishan Jaggessar 22, Darren Deonarine 4/61, Philton Williams 3/46)—match drawn.

T&T Volleyball Federation (TTVF) president, Nicole Selvon, has agreed to the request of close to a dozens club for a special general meeting on April 12 at the Central Regional Indoor Sports Arena (CRISA), Chaguanas from 7 pm.

Last week, in a an unprecedented move, 11 clubs, with many others supporting, signed a constitutionally recognised petition to have a special general meeting called by the executive of the local volleyball federation with the aim of removing delegate vice-president and former national player Vaughn Martin.

The representatives of the 11 clubs include former executive member Deon Hutchinson (West Side Stars), Tamika Chandler (West Side Trendsetter), Macsood Ali (University of West Indies), Richard Lera (Smashers), Saderami Williams (West Side Dream Team), Winston Samuel (Secondary Schools Volleyball League), Kanhai Sirju (Challengers), Stacey Dickson (BIG South East Port-of-Spain), Gideon Dickson (Police Volleyball Club), Naresh Koono (Vishnu Boys Volleyball), Nolan Tash (University of Southern Caribbean), Colin Charles (Southern United Volleyball Academy), and Stefan Sahai (Naparima Cohorts Volleyball Club).

In the letter sent to the TTVF general secretary Cherese De Silva, the clubs asked that the meeting be held at a neutral venue owned by the Government of T&T, and have recommended the Central Regional Indoor Sports, Arena, Chaguanas on Thursday April 12, from 7 pm.

The clubs also asked that former presidents, Mushtaque Mohammed, the current Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) boss and Daymain Stewart, along with a representative of the T&T Olympic Committee (T&TOC) and Sports Company of T&T (Sportt) be invited to the meeting.

In their letter to the TTVF, the 11 clubs argued that the executive in its normal manner, has ignored the request which have led to the clubs consulting with International Sport Lawyer Dr Emir Crowne.

Dr Crowne has examined all the document provided and he cannot understand how an organisation with two lawyers in senior positions, president Nicole Selvon and Hans Manwaring (second vice president), can ignore such a straight forward process outlined in the organisation’s constitution.

In a short reply to the clubs dated April 5, Selvon stated: “Apologies for the delay in responding. Your letter dated March 25, 2018 requesting Special General Meeting according to Section 8 of the TTVF Constitution is noted.

“We will therefore make arrangements for the meeting as requested for April 12, 2018 at CRISA.”

Ahead of the agreed meeting the board suffered another blow as two other members, Lyndon Simmons and Shushanna Marshall tendered their immediate resignation on Thursday last.

Simmons was the public relations officer and only joined the board following the resignation of elected Leroy Serapio while Marshall served as elected board member.

The joined Eva Nunez (treasurer), Lorraine David (assistant treasurer), Deon Hutchinson (first vice president), Crystal Williams-Joefield (assistant secretary), board member Saleem Ali and Nolan Daniel, who was the Tobago representative as others to have quit the board.

The only other person still part of the executive which is now down to four persons is general secretary Cherese De Silva.

The Selvon-led TTVF executive was elected unopposed after incumbent president Daymain Stewart decided not to contest after a turbulent four years in office on January, 14, last year.

Some 32 players will, on Sunday, battle for top honours in the first 701 Darts Tournament being hosted by Northwest Darts Association, in conjunction with Daybreak Cafe in Diego Martin. They will compete from 2 pm for cash prizes as well as bragging rights.

These players come from all areas of Trinidad including Arima and San Fernando. This tournament is the brainchild of the last year’s top player, Troy Bhujawan. His passion and commitment to the sport of darts has motivated him to promote the sport however and wherever he can.

Bhujawan recently set up dartboards at Daybreak and reported that patrons had already started playing and showing keen interest. His aim is to introduce more people to the sport and give them an avenue to develop their skills.

Earlier this month, Bhujawan also won the second annual Harrows 501 Tournament hosted by the Northwest Darts Association at the Harvard Club, which was sponsored once again by the Achievement Centre, agents for Harrows Darts equipment.

This makes it the second consecutive win for Bhujawan and he plans to go for the hat-trick next year. The public is invited to come and witness some of the top players in the country in action.

T&T trio of Luc O’Young, Derron Douglas and Jalen Kerr were all ousted in their respective quarterfinal matches of the main draw stage of their respective divisions when the 23rd Caribbean Region Table Tennis Federation (CRTTF) Cadet and Junior Championship Singles competition concluded in La Habana, Cuba on Saturday.

In the Junior Division, Group One three-player series, O’Young defeated Jamaican Malique Rose 11-6, 11-5, 11-7 and Cuba ‘B’ Carlos Fernandez 9-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-8 to end with a perfect 2-0 record and top spot.

But after receiving a round-of-16 bye in the main draw, O’Young went under to Cuba’s Ovidio Sanchez 2-11, 6-11, 8-11 with a semifinal spot at stake.

It was the same out for Douglas and Kerr in the Cadet Boys tournament after both players ended with 2-1 win loss records in their qualifying groups to move into the knockout stage as group runners-up.

In Group Three, Douglas defeated Dominican Republic’s Andres Lora 11-8, 11-6, 11-5 but went under to Cuba ‘A’ Raonel Labrador 11-9, 3-11, 6-11, 11-7, 8-11 before he secured a knockout spot with victory over Azizi Johnson of Jamaica 11-3, 11-8, 11-7.

Up next for Douglas was a round-of-16 encounter against Cuba’s Eider Padron which the T&T players won 9-11, 9-11, 11-2, 11-6, 11-9, before losing to another home town player, Dariel Marti, 10-12, 9-11, 9-11.

In Group Six, Kerr outplayed Dominican Republic’s Marcos Tavarez 11-7, 11-5, 12-10; stumbled against Cuba ‘B’ Eider Padron 5-11, 5-11, 5-11 but recovered to beat St Lucian Kenneth John 15-13, 11-7, 6-11, 11-6.

And in the round-of-16 he went under to Aruba’s Benny Chingho Chung.

The T&T players also competed in the doubles with Douglas and Kerr easing past Jamaicans Jordan Campbell and Azizi Johnson 11-6, 11-6, 7-11, 11-7 in the round-of-16.

The T&T duo was then stopped by Cubans, Adrian Perez and Raonel Labrodor 5-11, 9-11, 8-11.

It was a thriller down at Munroe Road, Charlieville, where Moosai Sports Club pulled off a narrow one-run win over Preysal Phoenix in the Premiership Division in the T&T Women’s Cricket Association’s (TTWCA) Twenty20 (T20) competition on Wednesday evening.

A combination of batting from Leeann Kirby and the allround performance of Kirbynia Alexander led Moosai to victory in the exciting affair to put Moosai in third spot with 12 points behind leader Hibiscus Ladies (13 points) and Technocrats (13 points), respectively on the points table after nine rounds of matches.

Kirby led the scoring with a half-century (64) while Alexander added 32 and Jade Chadee 21 to help their team post 162-6 from its 20 overs.

Phoenix’s Kajol Dalgir (2/23) and Shenelle Lord (1/8) were the main wicket-takers to hold Moosai to what appeared to be an achievable score as Reniece Boyce flourished during her team’s reply.

She too scored a half-century (65) while fellow batsman Leandra Ramdeen, the Most Valuable Player of the recently concluded Regional Invitational Under-19 Tournament, produced 29 and Renelle Dookie hit an unbeaten 21 as their team looked set to reach its target.

However, Alexander had other ideas and went on to lead the Moosai bowling attack picking up 2/27 and Kamara Ragoobar helped with 1/21 to stop Phoenix at 161-6 in its 20 overs.

In another match at Crown Street in Tacarigua, Hibiscus kept its edge over Technocrats with a seven-wicket win. Although both teams are levelled on points, Hibiscus holds the top spot due to a better net run rate (NRR) ahead of the final round of matches on Wednesday.

The winner of the group stage proceeds to the final versus the winner of qualifier two. The third and fourth place teams will battle in qualifier one for a place in the semifinal (qualifier two) against the team in second place. Both matches will be played on Sunday at a venue to be announced. The final is tentatively scheduled for April 21 at 6 pm. The finale in the Championship Division is carded on that same day from 2 pm following the same format above.

Preysal Archivers have already booked its spot in the final finishing at the head of the table with an unreachable 11 points and awaits the other finalist.

The University of the West Indies (UWI), who is in second spot with eight points, sealed a 26-run victory over Waterloo Allstars in the previous round of matches.

SCORES

At Crown Street
Technocrats 104-6 (20) (Jodiann Morgan 41; Karishma Ramharack 2/9’ Alice Collins 2/26) vs Hibiscus 105-3 (16.2) (Akaze Thompson 25 not out, Rosalie Dolabaille 20; Alysha Gomez 1/21, Stacy Ann King 1/25). Hibiscus won by 7 wickets.
At Munroe Road
Moosai 162-6 (20) (Leeann Kirby 64, Kirbynia Alexander 32, Jade Chadee 21; Kajol Dalgir 2/23; Shenelle Lord 1/8) vs Preysal Phoenix 161-6 (20) (Reniece Boyce 65, Leandra Ramdeen 29, Renelle Dookie 21 not out; Kirbynia Alexander 2/27, Kamara Ragoobar 1/21). Moosai won by 1 run.
At Brothers Roads Recreation Ground
Players 136-4 (20) (Nadia Mohammed 47 not out, Sheriene Ramkissoon 31 not out; Jovanka Simon 2/8) vs Cricket Lovers 128-3 (15.4) (Nicole George 46, Jovanka Simon 28 not out; Shanmatee Nowrang 1/17, Sheriene Ramkissoon 1/28). Cricket Lovers won on faster run rate.
Points Table
(NB: 2 points per win; 1 point for a no result)
Wednesday’s matches (Final Round)
Hibiscus vs Moosai, Crown Street
Preysal Phoenix vs Cricket Lovers, Inshan Ali Park
Technocrat vs Players, To be Announced
Sunday’s Qualifiers
Qualifier 1: 3rd place vs 4th place, 10 am
Qualifier 2: 2nd place vs Winner Qualifier 1, 2 pm
CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION
Avidesh Samaroo Ground
Cricket Divas 104-6 (20) (Sylvia Bolah 42 not out, Lucy Bolah 17; Hema Mahabir 2/21, Tiffany Assoon 2/8) vs Achievers 78-6 (20) (Anjanie Goordeen 15, Atiya Lara 15, Tiffany Assoon 12; Tasneem Juman 2/11, Danielle Heraldo 2/14). Cricket Divas won by 26 runs.
UWISPEC
UWI 119-8 (20) (Latoya Garraway 23, Akhma Regis 20, Shuntelle Morris 17 not out; Aaliyah Williams 4/24, Vidya Bholia 2/19, Shana Callender 2/25) vs Waterloo Allstars 93-7 (20) (Selina Isaac 24, Sherry Ann Harry 12, Avalon Nainsool 11; Ayah Baksh 2/15). UWI won by 26 runs.
Wednesday’s matches (Final Round)
Cricket Divas vs UWI, Avidesh Samaroo Ground
Waterloo Allstars vs JFK, Brickfield Recreation Ground
Sunday’s Qualifiers (UWI Administrative Ground-Tentatively)
Qualifier 1: 3rd place vs 4th place, 10 am
Qualifier 2: 2nd place vs Winner Qualifier 1, 2 pm.

Sports Minister Darryl Smith has been demoted as the Office of the Prime Minister has announced a major Cabinet reshuffle that sees the change in portfolios of five Government Ministers and the Prime Minister himself.

Minister of Public Administration and Communications, Maxie Cuffie has also been removed as a member of the Cabinet.

The announcement came via a statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister Monday morning:

"Prime Minister Dr the Honourable Keith Rowley today (April 09, 2018) advised Her Excellency Paula-Mae Weekes, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago of the following in accordance with Sections 3(9) and 76(3) and 79(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago: 

(i) reassign Mr. Darryl Smith as Minister in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development;

(ii) reassign Ms. Shamfa Cudjoe as Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs;

(iii) reassign Mr. Randall Mitchell as Minister of Tourism;

(iv) revoke the appointment of Mr. Maxie Cuffie as Minister of Public Administration and Communications and reassign Mr. Cuffie as Minister in the Ministry of Public Administration and Communications;

(v) appoint Ms. Marlene Mc Donald as Minister of Public Administration and Communications; and

(vi) revoke the Prime Minister’s assignment as Minister with responsibility for Public Administration and Communications, and in addition to his present duties as Prime Minister, appoint him as Minister of Housing and Urban Development."

Prime Minister Dr the Honourable Keith Rowley today (April 09, 2018) advised Her Excellency Paula-Mae Weekes, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago of the following in accordance with Sections 3(9) and 76(3) and 79(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago:

(i)         reassign Mr. Darryl Smith as Minister in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development;

(ii)        reassign Ms. Shamfa Cudjoe as Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs;

(iii)       reassign Mr. Randall Mitchell as Minister of Tourism;

(iv)       revoke the appointment of Mr. Maxie Cuffie as Minister of Public Administration and  Communications and reassign Mr. Cuffie as Minister in the Ministry of Public Administration and Communications;

(v)        appoint Ms. Marlene Mc Donald as Minister of Public Administration and Communications; and

(vi)       revoke the Prime Minister’s assignment as Minister with responsibility for Public Administration and Communications, and in addition to his present duties as Prime Minister, appoint him as Minister of Housing and Urban Development.