June 2007.pdf - High Commission for the Republic of Trinidad ...

Volume 28 June 2007 

The Honourable Prime Minister Patrick Manning and US President George W. Bush, at 

the Conference of the Caribbean, 'A 20/20 Vision', held in Washington , D.C. 

www.tthighcommission.co.uk

Prime Minister Manning 

discloses national 

developments while in 

Washington, D.C. 

PAGE 3 

Indian Arrival 

Day 2007 

PAGE 11 

Eye on 

Trade 

Focus on Cricket 

PAGE 6 

PAGE 13 

The T&T Film industry 

is open for business 

PAGE 8 

Tobago Heritage 

Festival - Come and 

Enjoy 

PAGE 15 

Product of the High Commission of 

the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, London

LONDON MISSION 3 

rinidad and Tobago is the 

T world’s largest exporter of 

methanol and ammonia from a single 

site, the sixth largest exporter of 

Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) in the 

world and the largest supplier of 

LNG to the United States. The 

Honourable Patrick Manning, Prime 

Minister of the Republic of Trinidad 

and Tobago, made this disclosure at 

a meeting of Trinidad and Tobago 

nationals on June 18, 2007, at the 

Inter-American Development Bank 

Headquarters in Washington, D.C. 

Prime Minister Manning outlined the 

details of several major development 

initiatives which have been 

undertaken by the Government of 

Trinidad and Tobago, including the 

construction of a mass transit light 

rail system; the establishment of 

ethylene and poly-ethylene plants 

which are the basic building blocks 

for the development of a plastics 

industry; and the expansion of iron 

and steel production leading to the 

manufacture of flat sheet metal. 

The Prime Minister also described 

the creditable economic 

performance of Trinidad and 

Tobago and highlighted the 

significant developments in the 

economy, including the decline of 

the unemployment rate to five 

percent in the 4th quarter of 

2006. He underlined 

Government’s commitment to 

giving the majority of citizens the 

highest standard of living in the 

shortest possible time. 

In outlining the major 

construction projects in progress 

in Port of Spain, Prime Minister 

Manning emphasized that the 

capital city will soon be 

transformed into the most modern 

city in the Caribbean and the 

largest conference centre in the 

region. According to the Prime 

Minister, “the Government has set 

the stage for a solid economic base 

and the building of a solid 

Honourable Prime Minister Patrick 

Manning and Sen. the Honourable Hazel 

Manning share a light moment at a 

Breakfast Meeting hosted by the 

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. 

The meeting was held at the Longworth 

House Office Building on Capitol Hill 

during the visit to Washington. 

economic platform for 

unprecedented socio-economic 

development. We proceed 

inexorably to developed nation 

status by the year 2020.” 

Foreign Affairs Minister, Senator the 

Honourable Arnold Piggott, and 

Education Minister. Senator the 

Honourable Hazel Manning, also 

addressed the nationals. 

Fund Management in the Caribbean: Rapid Growth and Regulatory Challenges 

Senator the Hon. 

Christine Sahadeo, 

Minister in the 

Ministry of Finance 

he amount of funds 

T under management by 

mutual funds in Trinidad 

and Tobago increased from 

TT$4.8 billion in 2000 to 

TT$34.2 billion in 2005, 

and the amount managed 

by pension funds increased 

from TT$11.9 billion to 

TT$23 billion over the 

same period. 

At a recent conference held 

at the Hilton Trinidad on 

Fund Management in the 

Caribbean, Minister in the 

Ministry of Finance, Sen. 

the Hon. Christine Sahadeo, 

stated that the increase 

in fund management, 

in addition to providing 

households with alternative 

channels for savings, 

had brought about the 

emergence of a range of 

market professionals providing 

"investment management 

services". 

Minister Sahadeo explained 

that in order to cope with 

the increasing size and sophistication 

of pension 

funds, there had been a significant 

development in 

portfolio and risk management 

instruments, which 

allowed for better management 

of pension fund plans. 

The Minister made the 

point that while the Government 

recognized that 

regulations were necessary 

for managing funds, they 

must be balanced so that 

they do not hamper the 

future economic development 

of Trinidad and Tobago. 

Some of the main measures 

that are currently employed 

to improve the 

regulatory work are: the 

broadening of the supervisory 

domain of the Central 

Bank; the updating of legislation 

under which regulatory 

bodies operate; and 

the issuing, and implementation 

of guidelines in a 

number of key areas. 

In addition, establishment 

of the Office of Financial 

Services Ombudsman, the 

strengthening of the debt 

market, and the introduction 

of a National Financial 

Literacy Program have also 

been implemented to improve 

regulations.

4 

LONDON MISSION 

The Honourable Patrick Manning 

Prime Minister 

Prime Minister calls on European Governments to assist with Regional Security 

rime Minister Patrick Manning 

P held extensive discussions with 

four of the major European powers 

in the Caribbean to assist with moves 

to protect the region from serious 

security threats. Ambassador Roy 

Austin of the United States, High 

Commissioner Erick Jenkinson of the 

United Kingdom and Ambassador 

Charley Causerat of France, as well 

as Chargé d’Affaires of the 

Netherlands Mr. Andre Verkade, 

met with the Prime Minister at his 

Whitehall Office recently to discuss 

a possible CARICOM Treaty which 

would facilitate efforts to have 

comprehensive coverage of the 

marine territories of CARICOM. 

As lead Head for Security in the 

Caribbean Community the Prime 

Minister identified specific concerns 

about Narcotics Trafficking, Human 

Trafficking, Terrorism and other 

facets of Organised Crime, as being 

of major concern to the governments 

of the region. The Prime Minister 

advised the diplomats that 

preliminary discussions had already 

been held with some CARICOM 

member states and that other 

members would be approached with 

a view to gaining a regional 

consensus on how to treat with the 

perceived threats. 

The representatives of the four 

nations who have commercial and 

security interests in the region have 

agreed to make representation to 

their respective governments on the 

requirements of CARICOM. They 

are expected to report to Regional 

Heads when they meet in early July. 

Prime Minister Manning indicated 

that the decision to meet with the 

representatives stemmed from 

growing concerns about criminal 

activity in and through the 

vulnerable islands and a desire to 

engage partners and stakeholders in 

the solutions. 

Prime Minister Manning in Washington (continued from previous page) 

Pictured: Honourable Prime Minister Patrick Manning ( third from right) and other Caribbean 

Prime Ministers with Congressman Charles B. Rangel (fourth from left). The photo was taken 

at a Breakfast Meeting hosted, by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, at the Longworth 

House Office Building on Capitol Hill. The meeting was chaired by Congressman Rangel.

TT$40M Link Road for Tobago Opened 

presents a great opportunity for a 

vibrant Tobago domestic tourism 

industry. 

The approximately nine-mile 

stretch of roadway was completed 

in March 2007 after five years and 

an expenditure of some TT$40M. 


Fourmi and Charlotteville and enjoy 

the same ambience that Trinidadians 

and Europeans are coming for?” 

He suggested that they do some 

marketing and invite friends, 

acquaintances and colleagues to 

come to Charlotteville or to L’Anse 

Fourmi to spend a weekend. 

Mr. Orville London 

Chief Secretary 

he L’Anse Fourmi/ 

T Charlotteville Link Road in 

Tobago’s remote north/north-east 

region was formally commissioned 

on June 18, and according to 

Tobago House of Assembly (THA) 

Chief Secretary, Orville London, 

Mr. London threw out a challenge 

to residents of the area by saying: 

“Can we not start encouraging 

tourism within Tobago? Why do we 

have to wait for people from 

Scandinavian countries and Europe 

to come to Charlotteville or to 

come to L’Anse Fourmi? Why can’t 

people from Canaan and Lambeau 

(in the west end) come to L’Anse 

CEPEP’S Graduation Ceremony 

he Community-based 

T Environmental Protection 

and Enhancement Programme 

(CEPEP) held its 

first ever graduation for the 

participants of its three 

week Training and Development 

Programme. The 

training and development 

modules included Life 

Skills, Anger Management, 

Conflict Resolution, Parenting 

and Personal Development. 

The theme of the 

graduation was "Securing 

our Future" and hundreds 

of well-dressed graduates 

from various CEPEP companies 

around Trinidad and 

Tobago gathered at the CE- 

PEP Learning Institute for 

the ceremony. 

Kwesi Atiba, Executive 

Manager of Corporate Services 

addressed the graduates, 

telling them that they 

were being taken along a 

road that would better 

Trinidad and Tobago. He, 

however, cautioned that for 

those who were given special 

tools, it became more 

incumbent on them to be 

involved in the building of 

the nation of Trinidad and 

Tobago. As a facilitator in 

the programme, he said that 

his involvement was very 

special to him and he urged 

the graduates to put into 

practice what they had 

learned. 

Dylis McDonald, Executive 

Manager of CEPEP, spoke 

deeper into the details of 

the programme, sharing 

that thus far it had involved 

1500 employees from about 

42 CEPEP companies. She 

said that many have expressed 

their desire to engage 

in further beneficial 

activities including catering, 

planning, and computer 

literacy. She then invited 

the valedictorian, Roger 

Abraham from Pical Services 

on stage. Mr. Abraham 

took the 

opportunity to 

express his deep 

gratitude for being 

part of the 

CEPEP Training 

Programme. 

Mr. London stressed that this was 

one of the many viable economic 

benefits that could be derived with 

the coming on stream of the Link 

Road — which now provides a 

complete road network around 

Tobago — and urged villagers to 

give serious consideration to this 

concept of Tobago domestic 

tourism. 

Graduates of Foster Solutions for 

Sustainable Ecosystem Development Ltd. 

Acting Minister 

for Public Utilities 

and the Environment, 

Sen. the Hon. Christine 

Sahadeo, gave the feature 

address and told the graduates 

that the country appreciated 

the work done by 

CEPEP, especially as it was 

now rainy season. She explained 

that the vision for 

CEPEP involved encouraging 

persons to use the initial 

contracts to move forward 

and become full-fledged, 

self-sufficient business entities. 

She said that as part of 

this mandate, training and 

development were critical 

parts of the CEPEP programme 

and was the only 

way out of poverty. Minister 

Sahadeo further stated 

that in today's world, one 

must be multi-skilled and 

with the economy as vibrant 

and progressive as it was, 

the time to develop entrepreneurial 

enterprises was 

now. She declared that 

Trinidad and Tobago was a 

land of opportunity and that 

there was a level playing 

field. Using her own life as 

an example, she said that no 

longer can we say those 

who have will make it, and 

those who don't have won't. 

Minister Sahadeo closed by 

congratulating those who 

had taken part in the CE- 

PEP Training Programme.

10 6 LONDON MISSION 

United Kingdom Trade Mission visits Trinidad and Tobago 

A six-member business 

delegation from the United 

Kingdom visited Trinidad and 

Tobago during the period June 21- 

26, 2007 as part of a three-country 

tour. The first leg of the trade 

mission took it to Barbados from 

June 16-21 and the final stop was in 

Jamaica from June 26-29. 

The trade mission was organised by 

the Coventry and Warwickshire 

Chamber of Commerce and was 

their second business visit to the 

Caribbean, following one made in 

April 2006. 

The visit was funded by the 

European Regional Development 

Fund and supported by UK Trade 

and Investment (UKTI), the 

Government organisation that helps 

UK-based companies succeed in 

international markets and assists 

overseas companies to bring high 

quality investment to the UK’s 

economy. 

The delegation to Trinidad 

comprised companies offering a wide 

range of UK goods and services, 

including franchise operation; 

financial advisors for insurance, 

pensions, investments; luxurious 

niche resorts and related training; 

food and beverage; leisure; general 

engineering; manufacturing and 

trading agents. 

Climate Change and the Caribbean Economy Conference 

H.E. Eric Jenkinson 

en. the Hon. 

S Christine 

Sahadeo delivered 

the feature 

address on behalf 

of Prime Minister 

Patrick Manning 

at the second 

United Kingdom/ 

Caribbean 

Business Forum at the Hilton 

Trinidad on June 8, 2007. 

The conference focused on the 

implications of climate change for 

the Caribbean economy. It also 

included addresses on the economic 

impact of global warming by 

Anthony Hylton, Minister of Foreign 

Affairs and Foreign Trade for 

Jamaica, and the British High 

Commissioner in Trinidad and 

Tobago, H.E. Eric Jenkinson OBE, 

who delivered the address on behalf 

of Ian Pearson, the British Minister 

with responsibility for climate 

change. 

More than 160 people participated in 

the forum and included government 

ministers, heads of regional 

institutions, business leaders and 

members of the international 

business community with 

investments in the Caribbean. 

The conference brought together 

private sector experts and 

participants from the Caribbean and 

the UK who considered not only the 

threats posed by climate change, but 

also how a low carbon emitting, 

environmentally friendly location 

can harness the new economic 

opportunities that will arise. 

There were four main items on the 

agenda: 

•Alternative sources of energy and 

energy security 

•Climate change and the Caribbean 

insurance market 

•New challenges for tourism 

• Developing carbon trading platforms 

and certification systems in the 

Caribbean 

Inflation falls to 7.9% 

ata from the Central Bank 

D issued on June 22, 2007, 

revealed that headline inflation is 

measuring 7.9 percent on a year-onyear 

basis to May 2007 compared to 

the 8.4 percent reported in April 

2007. 

The Central Bank stated: "Following 

a reversal in April 2007, inflation 

continued on a downward trend in 

May. This implies that inflation has 

declined for six of the last seven 

months since the rate peaked at 10 

per cent in October 2006."


Minister Valley emphasises Trinidad & Tobago’s commitment to Latin America 

Jerry Narace, Ambassador 

Extraordinaire (second from left) 

makes a point to Trade Minister Ken 

Valley (second from right) at news 

conference on the theme “Integrating 

the T&T economy into Latin 

America” at the Hilton Hotel on June 

27, 2007. Others in the photo are Sergio 

Oliva Guerra, Cuban Ambassador to 

T&T (left), Richardo Thompson, Costa 

Rican Ambassador and Gerardo Francis, 

Panamanian Ambassador. Photo: 

Shirley Bahadur 

. 

he Honourable Ken 

T Valley, Minister of 

Trade and Industry, on 

June 27, 2007 at a 

function hosted by the 

Trade Ministry to update 

stakeholders on its 

initiatives to integrate 

Trinidad and Tobago’s 

economy into Latin 

America, emphasised how 

integral transport links 

between Trinidad and 

Tobago and Central 

America were for 

integration between the 

two regions. 

The Minister noted that 

Constellation Travel Tours 

inaugurated its twiceweekly 

flight to Curaçao 

and Piarco on June 27, 

2007. He said that with 

Panama as a hub, it was 

easy to gain access into 

Central and Latin 

America. 

Upcoming Trade Events 

The Minister also noted 

that Copa Airlines was due 

to commence service 

between Panama City and 

Port of Spain in December 

2007. 

The Minister stated that: 

“A major component of 

our Latin America 

Initiative involves pursuing 

negotiations with 

neighbouring Latin nations 

for bilateral trade 

agreements, and in this 

regard Trinidad and 

Tobago, as a member of 

CARICOM, had already 

signed trade agreements 

with Venezuela, 

Colombia, Cuba, the 

Dominican Republic and 

Costa Rica”. 

The Minister said that a 

Trade Facilitation office 

had also been established 

in Cuba and was expected 

to open its doors by 

August 1, 2007. 

Foreign Exchange Rates as at June 29, 2007 

• September 6-8, 2007 – High Commissioner meets with the Honorary 

Consuls in Oslo to update on Government agenda and to regroup and 

confirm the way forward as we advance the agenda for the Government 

of Trinidad and Tobago. 

• October 20-26, 2007 - German Trade Mission to Trinidad & Tobago 

• October 17-21, 2007 - Croydon Business Limited Trade Mission to 

Trinidad & Tobago 

• April 30 – May 03, 2008 - Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association 

(TTMA), Trade and Investment Convention (TIC). The Convention 

is an effective forum for manufacturers, service providers, buyers 

and distributors. It networks global decision-makers, giving participants 

a solid opportunity to discover joint venture and business partnership 

prospects, and unleashing trade potential by promoting linkages 

between the Caribbean, the Americas, Asia and Europe. 

Currency Counter: Selling Notes: 

Buying 

Buying 

Pound 12.4715 12.8456 1165000 

Sterling 

US Dollar 6.1527 6.3373 6.0000 

Source: Scotiabank Trinidad & Tobago Limited 

WTI Cushing Spot Crude Oil Price 

on 29 June 2007 

$70.34 US per barrel


by Dionne Ligoure 

Her Excellency Glenda Morean Phillip (second from right) with 

(from left) Public Affairs, Culture and Tourism Attaché at the 

TTHC, London, Mr. Ashton Ford, Chief Executive Officer at the 

Trinidad and Tobago Film Company, Ms. Carla Foderingham, and 

Commercial Attaché at the TTHC, Ms. Dionne Ligoure. 

he business of film and 

T filmmaking has had a very 

colourful history. From the point of 

the invention of film, which is credited 

to William Dickson, where there was 

little to no cinematic technique, to 

today where film is a billion dollar 

business, the industry has played a 

significant role in assisting to change 

attitudes, altering thinking, developing 

the mind as well as contributing to 

employment and economic growth. 

The film industry in Trinidad and 

Tobago, while not new, is now 

beginning to mushroom. This is partly 

due to the Government of Trinidad 

and Tobago identifying the film 

industry as one of seven sectors with 

the potential to increase the 

contributions of the non-petroleum 

sector to the country’s Gross National 

Product. 

The development of the film industry 

and the creating of its products can 

further generate employment, foster 

economic activity and assist in 

highlighting and preserving the 

nation’s culture. It also acts as a 

conduit for the transfer of morals and 

values and contributes to the evolution 

of our social and democratic 

processes. The products of this 

industry are a major influence on what 

citizens know, believe, think and feel. 

In addition, research clearly indicates 

that the creative industries are 

contributing significantly to economic 

growth worldwide. In June 2004, the 

United Nations 

Conference on 

Trade and 

Development 

(UNCTAD) 

estimated that creative industries 

account for more than 7% of the 

world’s Gross Domestic Product and 

are forecasted to grow at a rate of 

10% yearly. In the United Kingdom, 

for example, creative industries 

already generate revenues of over one 

hundred and ten (110) billion pounds 

and employ over 1.3 million people. 

These industries also play a central 

role in the functioning of modern 

democratic societies. They help to 

determine not only what is seen of the 

world but also how it is seen. This is 

not simply because of their significant 

influence on which facts and which 

images of the world are encountered, 

but also because they provide concepts 

and categories - political, social, 

ethnic, geographical, psychological -, 

which are used to render these facts 

and images intelligible. 

Recognizing, the potential of the 

industry, Government devised the 

strategies necessary to make its 

development a reality and in 2006 

established the Trinidad and Tobago 

Film Company (TTFC). The mandate 

of the TTFC is to promote and 

develop the film and television 

industry. The company provides 

support, infrastructure and incentives 

to film producers and stakeholders and 

proactively attracts them to do 

business in Trinidad and Tobago. It is 

a non-profit organisation designed to 

offer a high level of support, 

infrastructure and incentives to film 

producers and industry stakeholders 

To assist in realizing these ambitions, 

the TTFC recently introduced film 

rebates and incentives. These are 

essential in order for Trinidad and 

Tobago to become a significant player 

and develop a major motion picture 

production industry with the rich 

employment, economic, social and 

cultural rewards that it brings. 

The TTFC embarked on an 

international road show to promote 

these objectives and, on June 25th, in 

collaboration with the Trinidad and 

Tobago High Commission London 

(TTHCL), delivered a presentation to 

key individuals and companies in the 

UK film industry. 

The event, which was organized by the 

TTHCL and the Chief Executive 

Officer of the TTFC, Carla 

Foderingham, outlined the 

opportunities the rebate initiative 

provides for investors to support the 

industry and enjoy a solid return on 

their investment. 

The work of the TTFC has just begun, 

and is already bearing fruit with the 

recent conclusion of the shooting of 

Dulha Mil Gaya, the first major 

Bollywood Film shot on location in 

Trinidad and Tobago. It is set for 

release by December 2007. 

The TTHCL will work closely with 

the TTFC to ensure a Trinidad and 

Tobago presence in relevant circles in 

the United Kingdom and Europe, with 

the strong message that the Trinidad 

and Tobago Film Industry is open for 

business!!!


part from the variety of exotic and scenic locations, 

A Trinidad & Tobago has a number of unique 

advantages making it a filmmakers' paradise, including: 

an average sunshine period of 7.1 hours per day; a 

number of state-of-the-art production outfits offer a 

range of film and video services - including location and 

talent scouting, provision of film crews and other 

management services, as well as editing and postproduction 

special effects and; the country is a melting 

pot of ethnic groups including Amerindian, Spanish, 

French, British, African, Indian, Chinese and Lebanese 

influences - useful for multi-ethnic casting! 

INCENTIVES & REBATES 

In addition to providing administrative support, the 

Trinidad and Tobago Film Company also provides 

incentives and rebates for filming in Trinidad and 

Tobago. 

The rebates are as follows: 

Production Expenditure Rebate 

£Sterling 

£52, 042 - £260,214 12.5% 

£261,000 - £520,428 15% 

Over £521,000 30% 

These rebates apply for the following areas of 

filmmaking: rental of local equipment, supplies and 

services; payment to the Police, Fire and Ambulance 

Services; wardrobe, props and related items; location 

fees; employment of local cast and crew; 

accommodation and food and; local travel and 

transportation costs (including drivers). 

The TTFC will evaluate the applications with special 

reference to: the total estimated expenditure in 

Trinidad and Tobago; the level of employment of 

Trinidad and Tobago crew; the willingness to hire 

interns from Trinidad and Tobago; the willingness to 

share expertise with local companies; the willingness to 

arrange short training workshops and; a script that does 

not portray Trinidad and Tobago in a negative light. 

Photographs by Skene Howie 

Skene@tstt.net.tt 

For more information please visit 

www.filmtnt.com

10 

10 LONDON MISSION 

Above right June 22, 2007 President's Guest House, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa. Left 

Date 

Friday 27 th July 2007 and every Friday 

thereafter to 24 th August 

2007 (also Thursday 23 rd August) 

Event 

2007 LONDON CALYPSO TENT 

Venue 

Yaa Asantewaa, 1 Chippenham Mews, London W9 

Adm 

£8.00 in advance. £10.00 on the door. 

Concessions available. 

Time 

Door opens 7.00pm. Shows start at 8.00pm. 

No admission after 11.00pm 

Info 

Live music 

Genre 

Contact 

Calypso/Soca (live music) 

020 7286 1656 | www.londoncalypsotent.co.uk 

Date Sunday 22 nd July 2007 

Event 

BAS/GLA ANNUAL BLOCKORAMA 

Venue 

Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross, London SW1 

Adm 

Free 

Time 

1.00pm – 6.00pm 

Info 

Six steel bands performing 

Genre 

Live music/steel bands 

Contact 

07944 156006 | robbie@panpodium.com 

Date Saturday 28 th July 2007 

Event 

UNITED WOMEN’S GROUP BLACK AND 

WHITE SUMMER DANCE 

Venue 

West Indian Cultural Centre, Clarendon Road, 

London N8 

Adm 

£25.00 all inclusive 

Time 

9.00pm – 2.00am 

Info 

Music by Lady Prestige and Soca Massive 

Genre 

Dance 

Contact 07970 724 276 

Date Saturday 28 th July 2007 

Event 

Venue 

Adm 

Time 

Info 

Genre 

Contact 

WYCOMBE COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 

Wellesbourne Campus Site, High Wycombe 

FREE – collecting donations for charity 

12.00noon to 7.00pm 

Performances by Wycombe Steel Orchestra 

and other musical genres 

Live music. Cultural/family day. 

01494 436269 | sv2g@panpodium.com 

Date Saturday 28th AND Sunday 29th July 2007 

Event 

Venue 

Adm 

Time 

Info 

Genre 

Contact 

DIASPORA LONDON MUSIC VILLAGE 

Hyde Park, London W1 

Free 

1.00pm to 9.00pm both days 

20 groups of performers from London 

Live music 

020 7841 0505 | www.culturalco-operation.org 

Date Sunday 5 th August 2007 

Event 

Venue 

Adm 

Time 

Info 

Genre 

T&T STUDENTS ASSN AND TTPNUK 

FAMILY DAY & PICNIC 

Regents Park, London NW1 

Free 

1.00pm – 6.00pm (Park closes 7.00pm prompt) 

If attending, please adhere to the Park’s rules 

Family picnic and sports day 

Contact raechelleyoung@ttpnuk.com 

Attaché Ashton Ford meets with members of a T&T Nationals 

Group in Manchester. From left: Alti Daniel – Secretary, 

Rupert Caesar – Chairman, Irving McQueen – Treasurer, 

Levi Adams - Asst. Secretary, Mohan Ramsumair - Chair of 

Social Committee and Felix Daniel – member. 

to right: Ronald Suresh Roberts (author from Trinidad and Tobago; Erica Williams Connell 

(daughter of Eric Williams to whom President Mbeki's official biography is dedicated); President 

Thabo Mbeki, Republic of South Africa. Book title: Fit to Govern: The Native Intelligence 

of Thabo Mbeki. Photo - GCIS (South Africa)


High Commissioner, Staff and nationals celebrate Indian Arrival Day 

n Saturday 2nd June, 2007, Her Excellency Glenda 

O Morean Phillip addressed a gathering of nationals at 

the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. The occasion - 

A celebration of Indian Arrival Day. The following are 

excerpts from Her Excellency’s address: 

As citizens, we have come to witness the vibrancy of the Indian 

influence on the creative arts of our beloved Republic. It is true 

to say that, in some aspects, there is a throw back to what was 

done in the ancestral homeland of India. Nevertheless, we can 

also see the ‘made in Trinidad and Tobago brand’. 

The festival of Phagwa or Holi is an important item on our 

cultural agenda as a country. It is true to say that it originates 

in a spring festival in India. However, we can also see its 

adaptation to suit the homeland of the descendants of the 

indentured servants. The chowtal singers who sing so 

passionately at this festival use, as their themes, different 

situations of everyday life in Trinidad and Tobago, ranging 

from politics and economics to social life in general. 

Consequently, any Trinbagonian, can identify with the songs 

which are delivered during Phagwa. And I dare say that it is not 

uncommon to see people of different ethnicities being sprinkled 

with abir as they enjoy the offerings of the chowtal singers. 

My dear brothers and sisters, our people are noted for our sense 

of rhythm. We are captivated by the sound of music which 

sometimes hypnotises us. In this regard, the dance forms of our 

Back row (from left): Ms. Anne Sandfort (presenter), Attaché 

Ashton Ford, Her Excellency Glenda Morean Phillip 

S.C., Mrs. Avi-Joy Bell (Co-organiser), Mr. Nicolai La Barrie 

(Presenter) Mr. Andrew Ramroop and Mrs. Omar 

Ramroop (Co-organisers). Front row: Alok Verma and 

sitarist Mehboob Nadeem. 

citizens of Indian descent hold pride of place in our cultural 

milieu. There are many types of dance movements associated 

with the Indian presence and they range from the invocations or 

spiritual, the classical and the folk to the contemporary. 

The various dance forms include: the Odissi - a dance of divine 

human love and passion which is performed in temples as a 

religious offering; the kathak - performed in temples in praise of 

the Lord; mohiniattam - semi-classical which means a maiden 

Continues on next page. 

Dear Sir, 

A few months ago you kindly sent us a few brochures 

about your islands as my class of ten year old children 

was about to read and undertake follow up work on the 

story “Coming to England” by Floella Benjamin which 

told of her life in Tobago and her journey to England to 

start a new life. 

We found the story and your brochures a good accompaniment. 

The children gained a great deal from the work. 

One of the last pieces of work they did was a book review. 

They used ICT skills to present their ideas. I have 

enclosed some examples to show you what they achieved 

and to thank you for the brochures which really helped. 

Thank you for your help. 

Yours sincerely, 

C. Lawrence-Jones 

To send letters to the editor please 

e-mail to: tthc@btconnect.com or 

post to: 

Mr. Ashton Ford 

Attaché - Public Affairs, Culture & 

Tourism 

Trinidad and Tobago High Commission 

42 Belgrave Square 

London SW1X 8NT


Continued from page 12... 

Despite these achievements and contributions, one cannot say 

enough about the distinctly Indo-Trinbagonian musical creation 

of chutney which, combined with soca, is called chutney-soca. 

Chutney music has come a long way from the days of the 

pioneering Sundar Popo to the modern day Rikki Jai and is now 

a force to be reckoned with at our signature festival, Carnival, a 

festival which can truly be said to reflect the pulse, the soul of 

our Republic. The time may be very close when a chutney 

offering wins the Road March title on Carnival day. Some of 

you may remember the impact of Lotay la, by Sonny Mann, or 

Guyanese Babu, by Terry Gadraj. 

Co-presenters 

Anne Sandfort and Nocolai La Barrie 

who steals the heart of the onlooker; and kathakali - a 

traditional dance which depicts characters from Indian 

mythology. To these must be added the very entertaining and 

sultry modern chutney dances and those which are based on the 

fusion of different ethnic dances choreographed by Michael 

Salickram of the Shiv Shakti Dancers or the pioneering Torrance 

Mohammed of the Arawak Dance Troup and the San Fernando 

Arts Council. As well,Sat Balkaransingh, Indira Mohess, the 

Kala Kendra dancers have all played a major role in expanding 

our cultural milieu. 

Every citizen of Trinidad and Tobago and those of other 

countries know that calypso and its offspring, soca music, were 

created in Trinidad and Tobago. Indian melodies and rhythms 

have always influenced these musical genres. There are several 

traditional calypsos which have incorporated the Indian 

influence going as far back as compositions by Dictator, Sparrow 

and most importantly, Lord Shorty who later became Ras Shorty 

I. As a matter of fact, Shorty indicated that his musical 

experimentation involving traditional calypso and Indian 

rhythms led to the creation of soca music. Indians have also 

made their mark as calypsonians. Do you remember Hindu 

Prince, the Mighty Indian, Raja, Ken Parmasad and Drupatee 

in the calypso tents? 

Our national instrument, the steel pan, also owes a debt of 

gratitude to some of our sons of Indian origin. They have 

assisted in spreading the instrument from its origins in districts 

dominated by citizens of African descent to members of the 

Indian community throughout Trinidad and Tobago. If we can 

say that the steel pan is the only musical instrument to be 

invented in the last century, we can also boast that it has 

assisted in creating and fostering a sense of harmony among our 

diverse groups. Bobby Mohammed, Jit Samaroo and Ainsworth 

Mohammed must not only be viewed as excellent panmen, 

musicians, arrangers and managers, but must also be respected 

as builders of bridges across the ethnic divide in our blessed 

homeland. They have helped to craft our unique identity as 

Trinbagonians. 

This having been said, ladies and gentlemen and children, we as 

a people, to quote from our national anthem, ‘where every creed 

and race find an equal place’ have a great deal to celebrate and 

to be proud of as we celebrate Indian Arrival Day 2007. 

I thank you. 

Attendees were entertained by wonderful music.


Stars gather to honour Lara 

everal current and former international cricketers 

S were among the 5oo guests at a charity dinner 

held at Lords Cricket Ground on July 2nd. 

The occasion was a celebration of the career of 

Trinidad and Tobago’s Brian Charles Lara, and a 

fundraiser for The Pearl and Bunty Lara Foundation. 

Players from the current West Indies team - Dwayne 

Bravo, Lendl Simmons, Denish Ramdin, Ravi 

Rampaul and Shivnarine Chanderpaul - were present 

together with three former captains of the West 

Indies team - Clive Lloyd, Richie Richardson and 

Jimmy Adams (Master of Ceremonies). 

International players Matthew Hoggard (England), 

Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka), Andre Nel and Makhaya 

Ntini (South Africa) and Harbajan Singh (India) were 

also present. 

Brian Lara was accompanied by his daughter Sydney 

and close friend, former national football captain and 

Manchester United star player, Dwight Yorke. 

Trinidad and Tobago's High Commissioner, Her 

Excellency Glenda Morean Phillip and Attaché Ashton 

Ford also attended the gala event. 

There was a proud contingent from Trinidad and Tobago present at the 

dinner, including Her 

Excellency Glenda Morean 

Phillip (centre) and Mr. Oscar 

Phillip, Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph 

Walker (far left), Dr. Floella 

Banjamin (far right), West 

Indian cricketer, Denesh 

Ramdin, Attaché Ashton Ford 

and Tourism Development 

Company Manager, United 

Kingdom, Ms. Nova 

Alexander. 

Right : West Indies and 

Trinidad and Tobago 

allrounder, Dwayne Bravo 

with High Commissioner 

Morean Phillip S.C. 

Executive Officer at the TTHC, Geoff Lowe looks on as Office 

Manager Krishna Ragbir shows Trinidad and Tobago and West 

Indies cricketer, Daren Ganga, a copy of the London Mission. 

aren Ganga, who acted as West Indies cricket captain 

for two test matches against England, received a 

D 

warm welcome from the Staff at the Trinidad and Tobago 

High Commission, after the fourth and final Test versus 

England. 

The Trinidad and Tobago right hand batsman said he was 

happy to meet the staff. He spoke of his stint as captain 

From left: Dionne Ligoure, Commercial Attaché, Rasheda 

Morton, Receptionist and visiting cricketer Daren Ganga. 

pointing out that it was a personal challenge for him although 

the appointment came unexpectedly. 

Ganga said that he gained tremendous experience and 

hopes to translate his knowledge when he leads Trinidad 

and Tobago team in the Regional tournament. 

Mr. Ganga was greeted by Attaché Ashton Ford on behalf 

of High Commissioner Glenda Morean Phillip.


TRIBUTES 

Lennox Denoon 1930 - 2007 

Lennox Denoon 

Former Chairman of the Tobago 

House of Assembly (THA), 

Lennox Denoon, passed away on 

June 1, 2007, at the Scarborough 

General Hospital at the age of 77. 

He was chairman from 1988-1996. 

Mr. Denoon was also a teacher and 

sports administrator. 

Mr. Gift said: “He is one of those few individuals whose 

interaction with Tobago was extensive and far-reaching. 

Mr. Gift added that Mr. Denoon’s place in history had 

been booked since he collaborated with Dr JD Elder to 

create the Tobago Heritage Festival. 

The funeral service was held at the St Andrew’s Anglican 

Church in Scarborough on June 6, 2007. 

Chairman of the National Alliance for Reconstruction 

(NAR) in Tobago, Christo Gift, has described Denoon as 

the most down-to-earth person to have ever led the 

THA. 

Irwin McWilliams 1920 - 2007 

The funeral of 87-year-old veteran masman Irwin “Mac” 

Mc Williams took place recently at the Cathedral of the 

Immaculate Conception, Port-of-Spain. 

Friends and relatives gathered to celebrate the joie de 

vivre and legacy of a cultural ambassador renowned for 

works including Feast of Belchazzar, Ten 

Commandments and the Grandeur that was Rome. 

Former President, Prime Minister and THA Chairman 

Arthur NR Robinson expressed his condolences to the 

Denoon family. He said Mr. Denoon was among those 

who encouraged him to get into politics. 

Father Michael Makhan, in his homily, paid tribute to a 

“unique man in a unique society who used his gifts to 

make people happy.” 

He paid tribute to Mc Williams for his sterling 

contribution to and interpretation of mas. 

John Commissiong, 1945 - 2007 

Former Senator, John Commissiong, died on June 7, 

2007. 

Mr. Commissiong served on the board of directors of the 

T&T Electricity Commission, and was also part of the 

management team of the National Insurance Board. 

Mr. Commissiong was a union activist, having served as 

an executive member of the Oilfield Workers Trade 

Union (OWTU). He was a well known community 

activist and a valued member of the People's National 

Movement (PNM). 

Prime Minister Patrick Manning and many other 

distinguished citizens, filled St Paul’s Anglican Church in 

San Fernando on June 14, 2007, to bid farewell to Mr. 

Commissiong. 

A grave-looking Prime Minister Patrick Manning, flanked by his 

wife, Education Minister Hazel Manning, Minister of Culture and 

Gender Affairs, Sen. the Hon. Joan Yuille-Williams and Chief 

Secretary Orville London at the funeral of John Commissiong. 

Photo: Tony Howell


The complete guide to 

With its choice of the Caribbean Sea or Atlantic Ocean, palm tree or rainforest, 

dozing or diving, and three types of sand, this is a paradise island in the sun like no 

other, says Marian Amos of The Independent Traveller magazine. 

With Tobago home to such a wide 

variety of plants and wildlife (birds, 

insects, snakes, bats, frogs...), it is 

well worth venturing into the 

ancient depths of the Forest Reserve. 

Hurricane Flora, in 1963, had a 

marked effect on the region, 

reducing the height of the forest 

canopy from 50m to 20m. It is best 

visited either very early or after dark 

to witness all the nocturnal goingson. 

To make the most of the experience, 

it pays to find a guide. Curtis 

Lovelace, a local police special 

constable, is also a certified expert 

on the natural history of the island. 

He will collect you from your hotel 

and commence an intensive yet 

Tobago 

entertaining lesson on all aspects of 

island life. You'll quickly learn to 

recognise the legendary immortelle 

tree, with its orange-red flowers. 

PART VI 

The journey continues further 

inland, with patches of cocoa plants 

and papaya, waiting to ripen; and 

sugar cane, once the major cash 

crop, now only growing wild. The 

forest comprises teaks, Caribbean 

pines, cedars and mahoganies. With 

luck, you might see a giant blue 

monarch butterfly, hear the 

whistling frogs, and pick up the 

frantic beating of the tiny whitetailed 

hummingbird. Curtis Lovelace 

can be contacted directly in 

Roxborough (001 868 660 6557; 

csamlovelace@ hotmail.com); he 

charges $50 (£27) for a two-hour 

guided trip in the rainforest, 

including a visit to Argyll Falls. 

obago’s history has taken 

T different twists and turns from 

Trinidad’s. It was never seen by 

Columbus, but instead claimed by 

English adventurers for their king. 

They had to contend with the original 

inhabitants who were by all accounts 

fierce defenders of their island, and 

who had cultivated and smoked 

tobacco, the plant from which the 

island was named. 

The island changed hands several 

times among European powers 

including the Dutch, Courlanders (a 

Baltic principality) and the French. A 

fertile salubrious island, Tobago was 

“the jewel of the Caribbean” and 

home to an elite planter class that 

depended on African slaves who 

acquired land after the abolition of 

slavery in 1834. 

In 1889, Tobago was joined with 

Trinidad as a British Crown Colony. 

Since then, the two islands have 

remained one administrative entity, 

acquiring independence as one nation 

in 1962. 

Tobago remains different from 

Trinidad in its thriving tourism 

industry, and a lifestyle rooted in 

village life. The Tobago Heritage 

Festival celebrates traditions that are 

largely African, and climax in a 

j’ouvert (pre-dawn street “jump up”) 

and street parade on Emancipation 

Day (August 1), and a Great Fete 

early in August. 

The heritage events are hosted in 

different villages and feature dance 

performances of Bele (or belair), Jig 

and Reel, all based on 18th and 19th 

century European formal dances; the 

Ole time Tobago Wedding with its 

procession of the bride and groom, 

wedding guests and gifts, 

accompanied by the music of fiddle 

and tamb’rin (a circular skin drum). 

New generations of Tobagonians are 

inducted in community ways through 

story-telling, folk tales, superstitiions 

and morality plays. This is theatre in 

the rough, mainly for Tobagonians, 

but everyone is welcome. 

Where and when 

The events usually begin in early to 

mid July, and end in the Great Fete 

and Emancipation Day (August 1). All 

events are open to the public, with 

entrance fees. There’s food to be 

purchased at every event. 

Event Date: July 14th - August 14th

Her Excellency Glenda Morean Phillip SC., 

High Commissioner for the Republic of 

Trinidad and Tobago, being interviewed by 

Savahnah Nightingale of OBETV at the Office 

of the High Commissioner. 

Vice Captain of the West Indies cricket 

team, Daren Ganga, with TTHC’s IT 

Specialist, Gavin Barker at the Mission. 

Sir Ellis Clarke was the guest of honour at an evening get-together held at 

the High Commissioner’s residence. Other guests included High 

Commissioners from the Caribbean and Latin America and members of the 

business community in London. 

Former National football captain and Manchester United star 

player, Dwight Yorke, with his niece Charelle Charles and 

young Sydney Lara. 

Heir and 

Predecessor: 

All-time great, 

Brian Charles 

Lara standing 

with who he 

rates as the best 

batsman in the 

world at 

present - 

Shivnarine 

Chanderpaul. 

Trinidad and Tobago High Commission 

42 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8NT 

Tel: 020 7245 9351 Fax: 020 7823 1065 

E-mail: tthc@btconnect.com

June 2007.pdf - High Commission for the Republic of Trinidad ...

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