VZCZCXRO0975
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DE RUEHSP #0947/01 2612111
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 182111Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8620
RUEHDG/AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO 2598
RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT OF SPAIN 000947 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SANTO DOMINGO FOR REGIONAL COMMERCIAL OFFICE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAIR EFIN EIND ELNTECON ETRD EWWT SOCI TD
SUBJECT: TRINIDAD & TOBAGO ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS - AUGUST PART 2 
 
 
The following were notable economic issues in Trinidad & Tobago 
during the second half of August 
 
¶1.  Caribbean Airlines flying high 
¶2.  Copa Airlines to fly to Trinidad 
¶3.  Inflation on the rise 
¶4.  Central Bank's authorized capital increased 
¶5.  Credit Unions' assets top US$1 billion 
¶6.  GOTT looks to financial services, investments 
¶7.  More hotels opening 
¶8.  Rapid Rail contract awarded 
¶9.  Survey says T&T's economy strong 
¶10. GOTT to cut duties on food imports 
¶11. New Port by 2009? 
¶12. Look out for Condom ATMs 
 
¶1.  Caribbean Airlines flying high 
---------------------------------- 
At the recent opening of its new ticketing office in Port of Spain, 
Caribbean Airlines' (CAL) CEO Peter Davies announced that the 
airline recorded a successful summer travel roster with 77,000 
passengers in July, and he predicted crowded planes for Christmas 
and Carnival.  Davies said that the airline's operations have 
improved and it was now able to rub shoulders with the best 
performers in the industry. 
 
¶2.  Copa Airlines fly to Trinidad 
---------------------------------- 
At a recent post-budget breakfast meeting, Trade and Industry 
Minister Ken Valley announced that Panamanian Copa Airlines will 
commence flights to Trinidad from December 15.  Valley added that 
visa waivers and immigration issues are soon to be finalized. 
Valley described this link as an intrinsic part of inter-regional 
trade facilitation. 
 
¶3.  Inflation on the rise 
------------------------- 
Headline inflation rose to 7.95 per cent in July, up from 7.3 
percent in June, according to an August 24 press release issued by 
the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT).  Food price 
inflation was the main cause for this increase.  In July food price 
inflation showed a year-on-year increase of 17.2 percent, compared 
to 14.7 percent in June.  On a monthly basis, food prices rose by 
2.8 percent in July 2007.  Core inflation remained at approximately 
4.5 percent.  The rise in food prices came largely from the 
vegetables sub-group, with the price of root-crops being the main 
culprit.  On a year-on-year basis to July, the price of vegetables 
rose by 26.8 percent compared with 19.4 percent in June.  There were 
also sizeable increases in the prices of cereals, cheese, yogurt, 
milk products, oils, fats and juices.  The Bank continues to 
maintain the "Repo" rate at 8.0 percent. 
 
¶4.  Central Bank's authorized capital increased 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
On August 23, the Senate granted approval for an increase in the 
authorized capital of the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT) 
from TT$100 million (US$16 million) to TT$800 million (US$127 
million), with immediate effect.  Presenting the motion, GOTT Junior 
Finance Minister Conrad Enill said the increase was made necessary 
by Cabinet decisions in 2004 and 2005 that assigned the Bank 
responsibility for the provision of insurance companies and private 
pensions and for regulating and supervising credit unions.  CBTT 
Governor Ewart Williams said the entire amount would not be provided 
immediately but over a period of time. 
 
¶5.  Credit Unions' assets top US$1 billion 
------------------------------------------ 
Speaking at a recent credit union function, Inspector of Financial 
Institutions Carl Hiralal said that credit unions in T&T control 
assets estimated to be worth US$1.1 billion and have 500,000 
members.  According to Hiralal, the rise of credit unions within the 
T&T financial system makes a compelling case for the strengthening 
and modernization of legislation to regulate them.  Discussions on a 
Policy Proposal Document for amending the Credit Union Act are 
ongoing. 
 
¶6.  GOTT looks to financial services, investments 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
During a public forum on the GOTT's FY-08 budget, Junior Finance 
Minister Conrad Enill asserted that T&T is on track to run the 
economy on the basis of non-energy earnings within 15 years. 
According to Enill, government has been moving to transform T&T into 
an international center for financial services by improving the 
financial services sector.  Enill highlighted the International 
Financial Center complex under construction in Port of Spain, which 
will house both local and international financial institutions. 
Enill also cited the GOTT's Heritage and Stabilization Fund, which 
is expected to provide investment income to compensate for the 
depletion of non-renewable oil and natural gas assets. The Fund now 
 
PORT OF SP 00000947  002 OF 002 
 
 
stands at US$1.6 billion. 
 
¶7.  More hotels opening 
----------------------- 
During the 2008 budget presentation, Prime Minister Patrick Manning 
announced that the GOTT is reviewing tourism legislation to 
facilitate further investment in hotels.  Manning said that T&T is 
being positioned as a meeting and conference center, as well as the 
events capital of the Caribbean.  He announced that T&T won bids to 
host the Caribbean Hotels and Investment Conference and the 
Florida-Caribbean Cruise Conference in May and October 2008, 
respectively, both conferences to be held at the Hyatt Hotel in Port 
of Spain.  The soon-to-be-completed 428-room Hyatt is also expected 
to be a principal venue for the Summit of the Americas and the 
Commonwealth Heads of Government meetings, which T&T will host in 
¶2009.  The 80-room Holiday Inn Express opened for business in July 
¶2007.  Three more hotels will open in 2008, and together with the 
refurbished Hilton Hotel, will provide 530 more rooms. 
 
¶8.  Rapid Rail contract awarded 
------------------------------- 
On August 23, the contract for the construction of the controversial 
US$1.1 billion Rapid Rail project was finally awarded to the 
Trinitrain consortium, led by Bouygues Travaux Publics of France and 
including U.S. company Washington Consulting Group.  Announcing the 
award, PM Manning said the project will be implemented through the 
National Infrastructure Development Company (NIDCO) and will be 
developed through a "Design Build Operate Maintain" contract.  The 
first phase will commence in the new fiscal year (Oct 2007 - Sep 
2008) and will take 18 to 20 months, with an estimated cost of US$67 
million.  The PM said after completion of Phase 1, the GOTT will 
decide whether to proceed or walk away from the contract.  The 
timeline for the entire project is five to six years. 
 
¶9.  CBC Survey says T&T economy strong 
---------------------------------- 
The Commonwealth Business Council's (CBC) soon-to-be released 
"Business Environment Survey 2007," concludes that T&T's economy is 
strong and has gained impetus from foreign direct investment.  The 
Survey sees a free media and good industrial relations as the most 
improved factors in T&T's business environment.  In order to attract 
investment and provide a favorable environment for business, the 
Survey recommended rehabilitating infrastructure, increasing 
measures to reduce corruption by imposing harsher sanctions on 
offenders, and reviewing business regulation, particularly for 
customs and excise and the financial sector. 
 
¶10.  GOTT to cut duties on food imports 
--------------------------------------- 
Trade and Industry Minister Kenneth Valley announced plans to lift 
duties on imported powdered milk and cream, as well as turkey parts 
and whole ducks, geese and guinea fowl.  According to Valley, the 
measures will take effect after the required legal notices are 
published, which he said should be done shortly.  The measures 
include the suspension of the Common External Tariff (CET) on 
powdered milk and cream from five percent to zero percent, the 
removal of the surcharge on fresh, chilled or frozen parts of 
turkey, as well as frozen fresh or chilled ducks, geese and guinea 
fowl. 
 
¶11.  New Port by 2009? 
---------------------- 
PM Manning announced a target of mid-2009 for the proposed new 
US$240 million Port of Port of Spain to be ready for operation.  The 
new port will be constructed at Sea Lots, east of the existing port. 
 Manning said that a Request for Proposals will go out for tender 
early in 2008, and that the GOTT already has made contact with port 
operators experienced in the construction of large ports around the 
world. 
 
¶12.  Look out for "Condom ATMs" 
------------------------------- 
The GOTT unveiled plans to procure condom vending machines, a.k.a. 
"condom ATMs," in an effort to control the spread of HIV/AIDS.  The 
initiative was outlined in the FY-2008 Public Sector Investment 
Programme (PSIP), which allocates TT$80.2 million (US$13 million) 
for HIV/AIDS programs under the National AIDS Coordinating Committee 
(NACC).  The decision to introduce condom vending machines was based 
on in-depth market research conducted for the NACC by Population 
Services International (PSI).  NACC will also purchase laboratory 
equipment, antiretroviral drugs and mobile clinics.  NAAC's 
Technical Director Dr. Amery Browne said the procurement process for 
the mobile clinics has already started. 
 
 
AUSTIN