CARIBBEAN - TCL Group

Building Value Across the TCL Group TCL Guyana Inc Formally Opened ISO Certification 

C A R I B B E A N 

CONVEYOR 

THE MAGAZINE OF THE TCL GROUP Issue 2 • 2007 www.tclgroup.com 

Bringing Balance to 

Building and 

ConstruCtion 

in the Caribbean 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR

CONTENTS 

24 

32 

41 

49 

52 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR 

4 Ethics in the Corporate World 

Cover Story 

6 Bringing Balance to Building 

and Construction in the Caribbean 

6 Bringing Balance to Building and Construction in the Caribbean 

14 Building Value Across the TCL Group 

16 Cement Briefs From Around the World 

19 Jamaica, No Problem! 

21 The Alluring Beaches of Barbados 

24 Guyana – Land of Many Waters 

26 Trinidad & Tobago Awaken the Senses to Mixed Pleasures 

28 Trinidad and Tobago’s Real Estate Market 

30 Christmas Delights 

32 Selection & Use Of Work Equipment 

38 Stroke - Warning Signs and Tips for Prevention 

40 OSHA Ten Hour General Industry Training 

41 TCL Guyana Inc Formally Opened 

42 TCL Creates Opportunity for Growth Among Guyanese Investors 

43 World Safety Day 

44 Cricket World Cup … In The Caribbean 

46 WIPA Awards 

46 Congratulations to Cricket Clinic 007 Participants! 

47 Under- 9 Cricket Review

55 

62 

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 

50 TCL Hosts Annual Customer Family Day 

52 “The Games”… A Sports and Family Day Like No Other! 

54 Yagna, Dharma and Prasaad, Values that Guide a Hindu at Work 

56 TCL Group Realises Company’s Dreams Of Growth 

59 Group Instant & Quarterly Awardees 007 

62 Music and Healing with the TCL Group Skiffle Bunch 

64 Karaoke… The RML Way! 

65 ISO Certification 

68 Hitting that Nail Right Between the eyes 

Sharlene Maharaj Bringing Balance to Building and Construction in the Caribbean 

Julia Maharaj Trinidad & Tobago – Awaken the Senses to Mixed Pleasures 

Jamaica, No Problem! 

The Alluring Beaches of Barbados 

Guyana – Land of Many Waters 

AREA Trinidad & Tobago Real Estate Market 

Derek Cadet Christmas Delights 

Curt Cadet Selection & Use Of Work Equipment 

Nazrudeen Yacoob Cricket World Cup review 

Under 19 Cricket Review 

Jeff Jones Music and Healing with the TCL Group Skiffle Bunch 

Form and Function Branding – Hitting that Nail Right Between the Eyes 

IN OUR NEXT ISSUE 

Caribbean Economies 

Construction 

Carnival - Regionally / Business Industry 

Photography 

Health-Stress 

Caribbean Business Women 

Marine Life in the Caribbean 

Caribbean Court of Justice 

Extreme Sports in the Caribbean 

Doing Business in the Caribbean 

Caribbean Carnivals 

Security 

CREDITS 

Production & Advertising Sales: JTZ Publishing 

Design & Artwork: u&i design studio limited 

Printing: Caribbean Paper & Printed Products ( 99 ) Limited 

A production of the TCL Group 


CEO’s MESSAGE 


Ethics in the 

Corporate World 

Andrew Stark’s observation 

that “we live in a messy world 

of mixed motives,” is testimony 

that the distinction between 

clear business objectives and 

self-interest can sometimes 

become blurred. This however, 

does not remove from each of 

us - and certainly not from ALL 

of us here at the TCL Group, 

the responsibility to aspire and 

apply moral management and 

sound ethical standards as we 

operate and seek out economic 

opportunities. 

These ethical standards have at their core, 

Dr. Rollin Bertrand, CEO, TCL Group 

principles of fairness, justice and equity. While 

there may be perceptual differences as to what 

may be considered ethical or moral, at the TCL 

Group, the central principle guiding management thought is, “Decisions, actions, behaviours and 

practices must be fair to all stakeholders involved and this includes the communities, customers, 

societies, employees, shareholders, the environment and the organisation, as well”. 

This principle helps to define what the TCL family stands for and includes the following values, 

which are embodied in our Vision: - 

• Commitment to leadership in the regional business community and progressive partnering 

with all our Stakeholders 

• A focus on customer satisfaction with quality products and services, superior financial 

performance and rate of return to our Shareholders 

• Growth through diversification and expansion in our core competency and through strategic 

alliances 

• The continuous empowerment of our family of employees participating in a network of mutual 

support 

• Commitment to providing quality products and services to all our customers, through 

responsible, well-trained employees, while improving stakeholder value 

• Continuous review of our quality objectives to improve the performance effectiveness of the 

quality system, while complying with applicable laws, regulations and customer requirements.

Another integral part of our ethical strategy is our strong and dedicated interest in having a 

balanced approach to expansion and development especially when it comes to preserving the 

environment. Throughout the Group, we maintain a corporate conscience of respect and care for the 

environment and adopt a personal commitment and accountability for pollution prevention, resource 

conservation and compliance with environmental legislation of the countries in which we operate. 

As part of our environmental efforts, we have implemented an Environmental Management System. 

Our commitment to continual improvement will extend towards environmental enhancement and 

progressive partnering as we serve as stewards of the environment for future generations. 

Our model of ethical and moral management also recognises the civil liberties of our human 

resources. Our principle is that employees must be treated with dignity and respect; that employee 

rights to due process, privacy, freedom of speech and health and safety are maximally considered and 

“constitutionalised”. Our goal is to ensure mutual trust and confidence. 

There is no doubt that ethical issues within organisations, especially large corporations, make for 

good news, and both the local and foreign press are reporting these problems with greater frequency 

and enthusiasm. Moreover, the very exposed and knowledgeable public is ready to comment and hold 

a position against such negative activity by corporations, and rightly so. It is imperative, therefore, that 

Management in the business world adopt and update their ethical strategy and relay it throughout 

their organisation. Ethics must become a recurring theme in organisations and this is what we at the 

TCL Group are striving to achieve, so that we can continue to hold our heads high and stand as true 

ambassadors, not only for the TCL name, but also for the CARICOM region and the countries where 

we currently, and will in the future, have an operating presence. 


FEATURE STORY 


Bringing Balance to Building and 

Construction in the Caribbean 

Over the past five years, the pace of construction activity throughout 

the Caribbean region has been on the up and up. This has brought 

positive news for the economies and the peoples of the region with not 

only increased employment opportunities but also new infrastructure 

and fresh investment and business prospects. Vibrant growth in this 

sector in 00 in particular, was propelled by the hosting of the much 

anticipated and prepared-for Caribbean-hosted Cricket World Cup. 

Specifically, increased construction in Jamaica derived from a combination of the World Cup and 

heightened port expansion activities; for the Eastern Caribbean islands and Guyana, it was the push of 

the private sector in areas of hotel construction as well as commercial and residential properties for the 

international cricketing event; whereas for the twin-island state of Trinidad and Tobago, construction 

and renovation have not been tied to any one particular sector or event but have been pervasive and 

certainly continuing at a rapid pace. The impact of these developments is multi-fold and it will be 

prudent to take a closer look at some of the individual States as we review the contribution of this 

vital sector.

Construction as a Contributor 

to Economic Growth 

Regional construction was buoyant in 2006, as public and 

private sector projects proceeded apace. Preparations for 

ICC Cricket World Cup provided much of the impetus 

for activity during the year. In the private sector, hotelrelated 

renovations and expansions dominated output, 

while in the public sector work focused on improvements 

to road infrastructure, air and sea port enhancement, 

and refurbishment of stadia. Other public sector work 

included expanding the housing stock, hospital services 

and flood mitigation projects. Both sectors got deeply 

involved in residential and commercial building. When all 

is said and done, these activities and projects contributed 

positively to economic growth in each of the islands and 

continental Caribbean States. 

Economic activity in Barbados, for example, grew by 

an estimated 4.4% for the first six months of 2007, some 

0.7 percentage points greater than the rate of expansion 

experienced in the corresponding period of 2006. As has 

been the case over the last two years, the rise in real output 

was driven mainly by growth in the non-traded sectors. 

Construction activity, the driver of the expansion of the 

non-traded sectors since 2005, moderated during the first 

half of 2007, growing by 5.2% relative to 6.7% in the same 

period of 2006. This slowdown is partly a result of the 

completion of several large projects in time for the hosting 

of the Cricket World Cup. 

The fastest growth rates however, were recorded in 

Trinidad and Tobago and in Antigua and Barbuda, each 

growing around 12% in 2006 compared to 8% and 5.3% 

respectively, in 2005. In Trinidad and Tobago, strong 

performances in the oil exploration and production, 

refining, petrochemicals and construction sectors were 

the main contributors to output, while in Antigua and 

Barbuda, a turnaround in tourism, a surge in construction 

and a pick-up in agriculture, spurred activity. 

Turks and Caicos Islands (10.8%), British Virgin Islands 

(7.2%) and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (4% to 5%), all 

recorded creditable performances in 2006, although in 

the Turks and Caicos Islands, this rate was below the 12.5% 

recorded in 2005. The tourism sector provided much of 

the impetus for growth in these economies, along with 

construction in the case of Turks and Caicos Islands and 

St. Vincent and the Grenadines. 

In Guyana, however, the severe flooding of 2005 

resulted in economic contraction. In 2006 a turnaround 

was witnessed, with growth figures at 4.8%, as agriculture 

rebounded and as the country prepared for the ICC World 

CARIBBEAN CONVEYOR 7

continued from pg 7 


Cup. Robust activity also occurred in Cayman Islands (4.6%), St. Kitts and Nevis (4.4%), Dominica 

(4.1%) and The Bahamas (4%). Growth in Cayman Islands, though lower than in 2005, was fuelled 

by strong performances in tourism, construction, and international financial services. Similarly, in 

St. Kitts and Nevis and Dominica, tourism and construction were the main drivers of growth, but 

were also supported by agriculture, and in the case of St. Kitts and Nevis, by the manufacturing sector. 

The economy of Grenada returned positive but slower performance than in 2005, growing by 2%. 

In Grenada, tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing performed relatively well, but a slowdown in 

construction activity from post-Hurricane Ivan rebuilding, retarded output growth. 

Available information for Jamaica, St.Lucia and Anguilla also suggests positive performances 

in 2006. In Anguilla and Jamaica, tourism provided the main impetus, and in Anguilla, was 

accompanied by heightened construction activity, while in Jamaica, agriculture, transportation, 

storage, communication, electricity and water played supporting roles. In St. Lucia, the construction 

sector was the primary driver of growth, followed by agriculture and manufacturing, as tourism is 

estimated to have declined. 

All in all, with the exception of Grenada, the construction sector not only performed well but also 

contributed positively to the economies of the region over the period 2005/2006. Nevertheless, some 

fall-off is expected in construction activity in 2007, given the tapering off in activity related to World 

Cup, but the landing is not anticipated to be dramatic as infrastructural development and residential 

building continues apace. 

Trends in Construction 

Even as building projects are put in train, construction is taking on many new influences. In the area of 

residential development for instance, individuals are expanding their expectations and seeking new living 

experiences. Apart from building completely new structures, many people are introducing new designs 

and models into the existing housing composition. The fresh look and feel is supported by the increased 

reliance on imported designs, roofing and finishes. 

When it comes to roofing for example, we see homeowners not only opting for the traditional 

aluminum-type roofing, but many are gravitating towards clay tiles which offer a rustic Spanish 

touch, or long lasting steel roofs. Insofar as flooring goes, there is a move away from carpeting for 

public spaces in the residential composition, towards tiles, laminated wood, bamboo and cork, with 

the latter two being considered green materials. 

Another subset of the building and construction sector is the growing market for bath and sanitary 

ware items. Products sourced from the US and Europe, are viewed as being trendy and of good quality. 

In 2005, over 40% of imports in the region were estimated to have been obtained from the United 

States. Other important sources of products are Latin America and China, particularly due to price 

competitiveness. In fact, there is a mounting interest in products of all types originating in China. 

A major trend for bathrooms and kitchens is to make them larger. There is also a trend whereby a 

separate shower and bathtub are most desired. A separate bath provides more flexibility in choosing 

a tub – whether a freestanding bath or a relaxing whirlpool in various sizes. More and more, the 

kitchen is becoming an important part of the home for family and visitors to the home. For those 

households that can afford it, the kitchen may be remodeled not only to increase functionality, but 

also to allow it to serve as a welcoming and pleasant area of the home. 

Newly designed interior and exterior doors, windows, shutters and awnings are not only giving 

homes a new appearance but are certainly increasing the value of the owner’s property. 

Another development in the construction sector over the last five years has been the appearance of 

“super” hardware stores in home product retailing similar to “The Home Depot” outlets in the United 

States. These afford the customer the opportunity to walk into the outlet and select goods similar 

to how it is done in supermarkets. In addition to the difference in layout, another major difference 

between the basic hardware outlets and the superstores, is the customer targeted. The superstores tend

to include more upscale items and focus more on the needs 

and demands of individuals of middle and higher income 

levels. A trip to the hardware store is no longer a dowdy 

trek or just a ‘man’s world’, but instead offers a wonderful 

experience for all - tingling the imagination and touching the 

visual sensibilities. 

Market Entry and Regulations 

The exposure to these imported designs and materials 

is made so much easier today as there are no import 

restrictions, licenses or quotas for construction equipment 

and building supplies. In many instances, the only regulation 

on construction equipment and material imported into the 

region is value added tax and customs and excise duties. In 

Barbados for instance, 15% Value Added Tax, 6% Cess Tax, 

1% Environmental Levy and between 5 - 20% Import Duty 

is allotted on construction equipment and materials. 

The story is similar in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago 

where the import of goods requires payment of a range of 

charges. For Jamaica, these include the Import Duty, General 

Consumption Tax, Customs User Fee and a Standards 

Compliance Fee. The General Consumption Tax (GCT) is 

a sales tax that is recoverable on the retail or consumer side, 

but it is required to be paid immediately on entry. 

While these charges are added to the revenue side of the 

State’s balance sheet, their intended impact is to increase the 

price of imported content into the respective countries and 

give impetus to local and regional industries. But people 

are looking for variety and choice and this is being offered 

competitively from such low cost countries as China and 

neighbouring Latin America even as duties are added. 

However, where the Government sees it fit to incentivise 

an area, concessions may be offered from these imposing 

duties. For instance, the Governments of Barbados 

and Trinidad and Tobago offer special incentives to the 

hospitality sector under the Tourism Investment Act, 

which includes certain exemptions on building supplies for 

new construction and upgrades to properties. 

Building Standards 

Alongside the boost in construction, new Building 

Standards are being developed throughout the region. 

These enhanced “Building Codes” focus on all aspects 

of construction. The enhanced codes tend to have as its 

base the International Building Code (IBC), which covers 

the mechanical equipment code, plumbing code, energy 

conservation code, interface code, sewage code and the like. 

Together with the codes, the labeling of imported goods 


0 



play an important role and this is where The Bureau of Standards comes into effect. In general, goods 

for retail sale in countries such as Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago must be properly labeled in 

English. The label should include an appropriate description of the product as well as the name and 

address of the manufacturer. 

Continuous improvement and adoption of these codes and standards is critical to the development 

of the region and security of its people, given the changes in climatic conditions and the dramatic 

increase in disasters over the last decade, which threaten regional security. Indeed, the region lacks 

the resources to warn and mitigate the devastating effects of earthquakes, hurricanes and tsunamis, 

and this leaves us all vulnerable. Thus, continuous improvements and adoption of enhanced codes 

can be viewed as a positive step. 

Impact Assessment 

So what are the implications of all of this construction and building activity for the economies and peoples 

of the region? 

Excess domestic demand in the construction sector has resulted in labour and material shortages as 

well as escalating prices. In Jamaica, the construction and installation sector is expected to decline for 

a third quarter (Q3,07) as it has been negatively influenced by a fallout in the supply of cement. The 

decline in supply is a reflection of domestic constraints as well as the shortage on the international 

market in construction material and labour. In Trinidad and Tobago, the Government has aired 

its intentions to place ceilings on certain aggregates to help stave off further price hikes. Labour 

shortages have been met in part by importing construction workers from Asian countries. 

Mortgage rates at commercial banks have also gone up. For Trinidad and Tobago in particular, the 

effects of these changes are rippling through the economies and are supporting the strong underlying




inflationary pressures in the consumer retail, agricultural and real estate markets. This demand-pull 

inflation is in turn creating further increases in two areas: (a) the labour market - as workers negotiate 

better wages to compensate for the rising cost of living, and (b) in the speculative market - as various 

groups make short term investments in real estate with the hope of earning a capital gain. 

There is also an effect on the external balance that must be considered, given the increasing import 

content of construction material and finishes. Import quantity and prices have also increased at a 

robust rate over the past three years. 

So what does all of this mean for the average person in the street? 

The rising cost of construction combined with the increase in real estate prices have elevated the cost 

of new homes beyond what can be borne by many first-time homeowners. This affordability issue 

brings the question of long-term home security for new families and lower income earners to the 

forefront. This is where the construction of new Government housing plays an important role. Once 

these new homes are constructed and properly and fairly distributed, long term security for many 

families can become a reality. 

Balancing Construction on One Side and Food Security and the 

Environment on the Other 

The higher returns on real estate and rental income are resulting in a diversion of land use away 

from agriculture. As farmers/agriculturists seek to enhance their earning capacity, arable lands are 

increasingly being placed under construction. We are already seeing the impact of such choices on 

food and vegetable prices and the availability of fresh produce as we make our weekly trek to the local 

markets. As the region develops, the question of food security must be assigned a higher priority 

level. Policies must also be implemented and monitored to ensure that there is harmony between 

agriculture and construction or any other economic activity. 

Balance must also be established between construction and the environment given the fragile 

Caribbean eco-system. There is a growing global renaissance in how economic activity is impacting the 

environment. When it comes to construction, there needs to be increased attention on eco-friendly 

choices in land selection; design; green infrastructure and recyclable content in materials and finishes. 

Moreover, environmental impacts such as soil erosion; deforestation; sedimentation and sea grass and 

mangrove and coral mortality need to be taken into consideration when costing and assessing the life 

cycle of construction projects as they can have serious implications for the very important tourism 

sector. 

Last, but certainly not least, there also needs to be balance between the capacity of communication; 

the road network; utilities such as electricity and water; and health and education on the one hand 

and residential and commercial developments on the other. Without such concomitant expansion, 

the expected benefits from construction and building activity will be muted. 

Conclusion 

Construction must not only be viewed as a fiscal tool or an avenue for profitability, but instead the 

State and the private sector must set the pace and tone for sustainable construction. There must not 

only be a more managed approach to projects, but approval guidelines. Building codes and safety 

regulations must be readily transparent, easily accessible and vigilantly applied. Structures must 

increasingly incorporate designs that will minimise waste and energy use; they must preserve and 

enhance biodiversity, and very importantly, they must respect the people and the local environment. 

Sustainable construction in the Caribbean area must therefore incorporate the following key 

strands if it is to bring long-term benefits to its people - economic profitability, social awareness and 

environmental responsibility.


EXPANSION 


Building Value Across the TCL Group 

Expansion and Modernisation continues at the TCL Group. The 

programme began in 00 at an overall investment of US . 

million dollars. Much time has passed since then, and much good 

work has been done to bring the company closer to the achievement 

of increased production capacity, at improved efficiency, and with 

reduced impact on the environment. 

Carib Cement’s Expansion and Modernisation Programme – Kiln sections temporarily connected

The first phase, the Mill 3 upgrade at TCL, 

Claxton Bay, Trinidad was completed at the 

end of 2005. This aspect of “E&M”, as it is 

commonly referred to, has taken TCL’s cement 

milling capability to 1.2 million tonnes per 

annum, which is twice the local demand in 

Trinidad and Tobago. 

Also successfully completed is the company’s 

cement terminal in Guyana, TCL Guyana Inc, 

which began operations in December 2006 and 

was formally commissioned in June of this year. 

Situated in the Group’s largest export market, 

TGI features three silos, each with a storage 

capacity of 2,000 tonnes and a warehouse with a 

total stored inventory capacity of 8,000 tonnes. 

The terminal is supplied with bulk cement from 

the Group’s plants in Trinidad and Barbados, 

where upgrading of the packing plant at the 

latter was also completed, realising maximum 

efficiency at Arawak Cement. 

Major upgrading of Carib Cement’s clinker 

and cement manufacturing facilities in Jamaica 

continues. This includes Kiln #5, Mill #5 and 

other upstream and downstream projects. When 

completed in 2008, the company will have the 

capacity to produce 1.2 million tonnes of clinker 

and 2 million tonnes of cement annually. 

As with many projects, Carib Cement has 

charted new territory and has had to overcome 

many challenges – some anticipated, some notand 

as with the more complex projects, the last 

few steps are the most challenging. Fortunately, 

within the project team and the wider Carib 

Cement family, resides the capability and 

capacity to see the project through to a successful 

outcome of which everyone can be proud. 

Commendably, the project’s excellent safety 

record has continued with two minor accidents 

over 1,310,815 man-hours (statistics to August 

2007). 

The expansion and modernisation 

programme at Carib Cement is on target for 

completion in 2008. 

Top to bottom all at Carib Cement: 

Vertical raw mill 

Inside view of kiln section 

Preheater tower with calciner 

and cyclone section 


GLOBAL 


Cement Briefs From Around the World 

VENEZUELA 

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has 

threatened “corrective actions” against a 

subsidiary of Mexican cement maker Cemex 

amid a wave of nationalization as part of his 

self-styled socialist revolution. In September, he 

ordered the “forced acquisition” of the assets of 

Colombian cement maker, Cementos Andino 

following his earlier threats in April to nationalize 

the cement sector as part of a campaign to 

boost the government’s role in the economy. 

Chavez has ordered authorities to carry out an 

inspection of the property limits of a Venezuelan 

Cemex facility and evaluate its impact on the 

environment following a complaint that pollution 

from the operation was harming local residents. 

“Companies should invest in technology to 

minimise and eliminate the impact on the 

environment and people’s health.” Chavez said 

during his weekly Sunday broadcast. “Because 

if not the government will be obligated to take 

corrective actions that I cannot yet describe.” 

During a live television program from the 

eastern town of Guanta, a local resident told 

Chavez that Cemex has laid claim to land that 

local farmers believe is theirs and want to use for 

agriculture. The resident added that by-product 

dust from the operation is causing asthma 

among children. Guanta is near a Cemex plant 

called Pertigalete. 

“We are going to do a legal study to see who 

is right, and at the same time take a look at the 

plant,” Chavez said, telling the local governor and 

the health and light industries ministers to review 

the situation and provide a report within a week. 

In April, Chavez accused cement makers 

of contributing to a housing crunch by not 

providing enough production to Venezuela’s 

domestic market. 

Extracted from www.reuters.com 

BRAZIL 

Votorantim Cimentos, Brazil’s largest cement 

producer, plans to invest US $870m through 

2010 to extend its output from 25 million to 33 

million tpa. 

Extracted from World Cement, September 2007 

COLOMBIA 

Cementos Argos SA has chosen FLS Smidth 

to supply a new 5250 tpd line. The new plant 

will service the local Colombian market and 

strengthen Argos’ position as an exporter. 


PANAMA 

On September 3, 2007 the Panama Canal 

expansion project officially started. The 93 yearold 

engineering marvel has begun a $5 billion 

expansion that will double its capacity and allow 

wider vessels to squeeze through its locks. 

Although the project is expected to take eight 

years, consumer prices – especially on the US 

East Coast – are expected to plunge as a result. 

Two-thirds of all cargo that makes the Panama 

Canal passage is en route to or from the United 

States and that figure may increase once the 

waterway widens.

The new canal is expected to accommodate ships 

capable of carrying triple the maximum capacity of 

current users. Ships wider than 110 feet at water level 

cannot use the canal as currently structured but the new 

canal will stretch that limit to 180 feet at the base and 

160 feet at the top. 

Extracted from www.consumeraffairs.com, September 4 2007 

INDIA 

Cement Imports in Sight 

The government recently outlined its intention to allow 

the import of cement certified by international agencies, 

and reports indicate that it will soon designate these 

agencies. The process is likely to be completed in a month. 

Companies that import through this process will need 

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) quality certification to 

be able to export to India. 

Recent reports suggest that Pakistani firms Lucky 

Cement, Maple Leaf and Pakistan Cement have been 

accredited with BIS certification, along with 4 other 

companies; and will be permitted to send consignments to 

India for 5 months. The cement is tested for compressive 

strength, a process that takes a minimum of 25 days, 

but the BIS is said to be fast tracking the process at the 

intervention of the Prime Minister’s Office. 


INDONESIA 

Indonesian Cement Sales were up 7.6% to 3,793 million 

tonnes in July 2007 vs. July 2006. The sales were boosted 

by domestic demand (+10.5%) to 3,084 million tonnes. 

In contrast, exports decreased by 3.4% to 0.71 million 

tonnes. 


CHINA 

West China Cement Co. Ltd. won the bid to supply 

the cement required for two of the eight sections of the 

Zhengzhou-Xi’an Railway Passenger Line. Two contracts 

have been signed for supplying a combined total of 

215,000 tonnes of cement between September 2007 and 

December 2008. 

Extracted from Buisinessweek.com, October 10, 2007 



Jamaica, No Problem! 

‘One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.’ 

Bob Marley 

Jamaica’s incredibly rich musical heritage is a fusion of its local shuffle – Mento, and various foreign 

elements such as calypso, African rhythms, R & B and soul. It is the influence of these diverse musical 

genres which gave birth to reggae, raggamuffin, ska and dub. So strong is this brand of music, that 

these styles have received international acclaim and have positioned Jamaica as the only Caribbean 

nation to enjoy such an achievement 

for its music. Such is the success of 

Jamaican music, that it has influenced 

the musical developments in other 

countries. Expressions such as: Hip 

Hop culture, Lovers Rock, Jungle 

Music and Junkanoo - all find their 

roots in Jamaican music. 

While mento failed to command 

the global recognition as reggae, 

it still has a place in the musical 

landscape of Jamaica and its 

composers remain widely respected 

and are considered legends in their 

own rights. Reggae (which lyrics are 

filled with compelling political, social 

and religious messages) has paved 

the way for the fame and fortune of 

many performers, and at the same 

time positively contributing to the 

Jamaican economy. Sunsplash and 

Sumfest are major events drawing visitors by the millions. 

Musical superstar, Bob Marley, was the voice against racism, oppression and injustice. His music 

about love and peace coupled with his association with the religion of Rastafarianism made him a 

leading light of reggae and was viewed as a messianic not only in the Caribbean, but globally. As 

reggae quickly became popular around the world due to the international success of Bob Marley 

& the Wailers, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer, with their captivating messages of redemption and 

natural beauty, so too was the Rastafarian religion and its principles of pacifism and pan-Africanism. 

Within a short time, reggae music was perceived as inherently Rastafarian and virtually all reggae 

singers were of the Rastafarian religion with their long dreadlocks and belief in the divinity of the 

late Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie (Ras Tafari). 

As early as the forties, mobile sound systems began to grow and herald the introduction of some 

of the major figures to the Jamaican music scene, who were recording to fulfill the local demand 

for new music. This saw the creation of a distinctive fast Jamaican music called Ska, which was 

primarily instrumental, as its rhythms generally did not blend well with vocals. But Ska’s popularity 

grew steadily and spread in impoverished urban areas and among the often politically radical music 

scene. Lyrics were introduced, and were mainly focused on Rastafarian themes; slower beats and 

chants entered the music from religious Rastafarian music. Ska soon evolved into Rocksteady, which 

ironically, was the music of choice for Jamaica’s gangsters, also called Rude Boys. 

OUR CARIBBEAN 


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Along with this rise of Ska, came the popularity of disc jockeys or DJs who began talking stylistically 

Along with this rise of ska, came the popularity of disc jockeys or DJs who began talking stylistically 

over the rhythms of popular songs at sound systems, which created a need for instrumental versions 

of popular vocal songs. This trend began the development of dub music as a distinct genre. 

In the late 1960s, producers began stripping the vocals off tracks recorded for sound system parties. 

With the bare beats and bass playing, DJs began ‘toasting’ or delivering humorous and often provoking 

jabs at fellow DJs and local celebrities. Over time, toasting became an increasingly complex activity, 

and this skill attracted much attention at parties and clubs, and when the practice of toasting was 

taken to New York, it became a part of rapping. 

During the 1980s, the most popular music styles in Jamaica were Dancehall and Ragga. Dancehall 

is essentially speechifying with musical accompaniment, including a basic drum beat (most often 

played on electric drums). Now the lyrics have moved away from the political and spiritual lyrics 

popular in the 1970s and concentrate more on less serious issues. Dancehall was sometimes violent 

in lyrical content, and several rival performers made headlines with their feuds across Jamaica (most 

notably Beenie Man versus Bounty Killer). Ragga is characterised by the use of computerised beats and 

sequenced melodic tracks. Ragga barely edged out dancehall as the dominant form of Jamaican music 

in the 1980. Shabba Ranks and vocalist team Chaka Demus and Pliers, proved more enduring than 

the competition, and helped inspire an updated version of the rude boy culture called raggamuffin. 

The 1980s saw a rise in reggae music from outside of Jamaica. The United Kingdom has long been 

a hotbed of Jamaican culture. Reggae and Ska had a massive influence on British Punk rock bands 

of the 1970s and 1980s, such as The Clash, Elvis Costello and the Attractions and The Police. Ska 

copycat bands such as The Specials and Madness helped revive the music. During this time, reggae 

particularly influenced African popular music, while the 1980s saw the end of the dub era in Jamaica, 

even though it has remained a popular and influential style in the United Kingdom and to a lesser 

extent throughout Europe and the United States. 

Variations of dancehall continued in popularity into the mid 1990s. Some of the earlier performers 

of the previous decade converted to Rastafarianism and changed their lyrical content. Artists like 

Buju Banton experienced significant crossover success in foreign markets, while others developed a 

sizable North American following due to their frequent guest spots on albums by gangsta rappers. 

Other trends included minimalist digital tracks, which began with Dave Kelly’s “Pepper Seed” in 

1995, alongside the return of love balladeers like Beres Hammond. American, British, and European 

electronic musicians used reggae-oriented beats to create further hybrid electronic music styles. Dub, 

world music, and electronic music, continue to influence and create new subgenres into the 2000s. 

The modern intertwining of Jamaican religion and music can be traced back to the 1860s, when 

the Pocomania and Revival Zion churches drew on African traditions, and incorporated music into 

almost every facet of worship. Later, this trend spread into Hindu communities, made up of the 

many ethnic Indians on the island, resulting in baccra music. The Bongo Nation is a distinct group 

of Jamaicans possibly descended from the congo. They are known for Kumina, which refers to both 

a religion and a form of music. Kumina’s distinctive drumming style became one of the roots of 

Rastafarian drumming - itself the source of the distinctive Jamaican rhythm heard in ska, rocksteady 

and reggae. 

Jamaican music brings with it many dances. Since early colonial days, dance has been very important 

to Jamaica as its folk rhythms enhanced religious celebrations. Within recent times, Jamaican dances 

have become synonymous with its music, especially dancehall or ragga, which has inspired a number 

of styles. Jamaican dances are primarily influenced by Africa, Europe and the Creole. African 

influenced dances such as the ritualistic Kumina, Myal and Pocomania, are religious in nature and 

form an integral part of worship ceremonies. Etu, Quadrille and Maypole were originally religious 

but have evolved into social dances. The Creole dances such as Jonkonnu, Bruckin’s, Revival and 

Pukkumina, integrate elements from both European and African cultures. 

The popularity of its music has made Jamaica one of the musical centers of the world.

The Alluring Beaches of Barbados 

One of the jewels of the West Indies is the little flat coral isle called 

Barbados. Best known for its lovely beaches and crystal clear waters 

and countless activities, this island attracts thousands of visitors to 

its gorgeous shores yearly. It is therefore no wonder that this place 

leaves lasting impressions on visitors making them return for more 

time and time again. It is a limestone island of just about square 

miles, and is the easternmost island in the Caribbean chain. Barbados 

has a population of just about 70,000 and is divided into eleven 

parishes, each with their own distinct character, interconnected by 

the ABC highway which is the main artery, running through the 

centre of the island. 

Bridgetown, located in the parish of St. Michael, is the capital and perhaps the busiest city of Barbados, 

with varied architecture and historical buildings. The nearby Bay Street is home to several boat 

wrecks, offering exciting catamaran tours and boat trips. Another popular parish is Christ Church, 

which is at the southern end of the island. Oistins is the main town here and is not only a fishing 

port, but is also noted for its multitude of accommodation options from guesthouses, apartments, 

to all-inclusive resorts. Tourists and locals alike gravitate to the lively St. Lawrence Gap, or simply 

“The Gap”, which is famous for its upbeat nightlife and popular entertainment. A trip to the parish 

of St. Thomas to see the Harrison’s Cave - unique within the Caribbean and claimed to be one of the 

wonders of the world - is certain to leave anyone in absolute awe. A half-mile tram tour will reveal the 

spectacular stalactites, stalagmites, waterfalls and the mystical wonders of the limestone cavern. 




Barbados is an alluring island overflowing with art, nightlife, activities, music history and a wide 

range of restaurants serving various tasty dishes. But these are just a few of the many captivating 

pleasures of Barbados, for it is also a treasure chest of natural beauty and wonders. Geographically 

unique, this island possesses an interesting distribution of flora and fauna, with rolling hills, many 

deep ridges and gullies, a vast array of caves and underground lakes and the best collection of exotic 

beaches. Ideal for an extensive variety of water sports and adventures, Barbados is blessed with 

contrasting conditions. The Atlantic Ocean generates surfing waves suitable for any enthusiast, while 

the sparkling Caribbean Sea attracts exciting explorations – with the most magnificent sunsets. 

This tiny island is highly acclaimed for its 70 miles of beaches of both shimmering pink and white 

sands, which are made of coral reefs that have been ground into a very fine powder by the waves 

of the ocean. Generally, these beaches can be categorised by region: north and east coast beaches, 

south coast beaches, and west coast beaches. East and north coast beaches are facing the Atlantic 

Ocean, while the waters of the southern beaches are a combination of both the Atlantic Ocean and 

Caribbean Sea. The west coast (or the Platinum Coast) beaches are brimmed by the warm waters of 

the Caribbean and areas perfect for any romantic get away. There are no private beaches on the island 

which make them easily accessible to all. 

The East Coast is a surfer’s paradise with its huge waves. It is home to the popular international 

Soup Bowl, which hosts many competitions. Here, the fierce waves and strong currents crash along 

the coral reefs creating beautiful mist and foam – a picture not even a thousand words could describe. 

Even though swimming in the area is not recommended, the public play-park makes this beach ideal 

for a family outing. Bathsheba and Cattlewash are both very scenic with towering hills and lush 

greenery, perfect for picnics or just a long walk. 

The West Coast is a breathtaking view of miles of unbroken white sand beaches, striking clusters 

of low lying coral rocks and formation, outlining the most interesting sculptures. The beaches here

ank amongst the most beautiful in the Caribbean, and perhaps the 

world. And it is here one can either lay back and relax or partake in the 

many adventures available. Mullins Beach, Paynes Bay, Holetown and 

Speighstown are examples of popular spots with crystal clear waters and, 

of course, the friendly sea turtles. Noted for its calm waters and brisk 

breezes, the West Coast is a haven for any water sport imaginable, such as: 

snorkeling, scuba diving, beach volleyball, kayaking, pedal boating, ocean 

trampolines, sailing, surfing, fishing, swimming and the list goes on. 

The North Coast’s landscape is much more rocky and rough around 

the edges, and even though the beaches may have less sand, there are 

stunning weathered cliffs and pounding Atlantic swells in several little 

bays. Rounding the northern tip, on the eastern side, there are many 

remote coastal areas to visit. Some of these are very popular with Bajans 

for picnics, but otherwise completely deserted and are only accessible by 

tracks. The majority of the coast tends to be a bit rockier than some of the 

other coasts, but hosts some beautiful cliffs and ridges with magnificent 

views of the ocean. 

The South Coast also has many lovely beaches and the reef-protected 

waters are great for swimming and snorkeling. Some popular beaches in 

the area include Needham’s Point, Rockley Beach and Casuarina Cove. 

Sandy Beach, which is located in the Worthing area, is a very calm beach 

with shallow waters, which makes it suitable for young children. At low 

tide, the reef may be out, making exploration of its creatures the most 

fascinating experience. High tide is just as much fun to explore while 

snorkeling, but for the more adventurous there are jet-ski rides and windsurfing. 

There are also mangrove swamps, cliffs, tide pools and areas where 

beds of low lying coral rock, sandstone, clay or shale reach out to the sea. 

Barbados’ swamps are to be found in Chancery Lane, Inch Marlow and 

Graeme Hall in the South and South West of the island. They are the 

major wetlands of Barbados, providing a collection of plants and animals 

forming an important link in the food chain of offshore fish and birds. 

The tide pools are an important ecological resource, acting as nurseries 

for juvenile fish and other permanent residents like the ghost crab and 

sea roaches as well as marine plants like sea moss which is used to make a 

health drink. 

Fishing may very well be the national pastime in Barbados, and 

accounts for a great portion of the country’s economy. The fishing season 

begins in December and ends in April, and this is the best time to discover 

the bounty of the deep. Many species such as Wahoo, Dorado, White 

and Blue Marlin, Sailfish, Black and Yellow fin Tuna are available. And 

even if game fishing is not on the mind of a visitor, there are interesting 

finds beneath the surface wrecks - the teeming reefs, the multi hued fish 

and friendly turtles – guaranteed to make diving in Barbados a delightful 

holiday option. 

Irresistible Barbados is a little island with big charm. Its unforgettable 

seascapes and landscapes, a kaleidoscope of living color, and a warm and 

friendly people, all make here simply heavenly. 

FAST FACTS 

• The average human body contains 

enough sulphur to kill all fleas on 

an average dog, carbon to make 

900 pencils, potassium to fire a toy 

cannon, fat to make 7 bars of soap, 

phosphorus to make 2,200 match 

heads, and water to fill a ten gallon 

tank. 

• The Fédération Internationale de 

Football Association (FIFA), was 

founded in Paris on May 21, 1904 

to co-ordinate the national football 

associations in the world. The first 

World Cup was held in 1930 in 

Uruguay. Uruguay also became 

the inaugural champions, beating 

Argentina in the final, 4-2. 

• Bollywood vs Hollywood. Each year, 

more movies are produced in India, 

where the moving image industry 

is referred to as Bollywood, than in 

Hollywood. About 1000 movies are 

released annually in India, about 

twice the output of Hollywood. The 

“B” in Bollywood refers to Bombai 

(renamed Mumbai). 

• Hiccups happen when the 

diaphragm, the muscle that 

controls our breathing, becomes 

irritated and start to spasm and 

contract uncontrollably. With each 

contraction, air is pulled into the 

lungs very quickly, passes through 

the voice box, and then the epiglottis 

closes behind the rush of air, shaking 

the vocal chords, causing the “hic” 

sound. The irritation can be caused 

by rapid eating, emotional stress 

and even some diseases. The 

best cure? Breathing into a paper 

bag. This calms the diaphragm by 

increasing the amount of carbon 

dioxide in your bloodstream. On 

average a hiccup lasts 5 minutes.• 

A person can live without food for 

about a month, but only about a 

week without water. 



Guyana – Land of Many Waters 

“At the point where the Caribbean meets South America on its North 

Atlantic seaboard lies an almost unknown, but incredibly wonderful 

land of unspoilt beauty, where the virgin rainforest leads to the 

Amazon Basin. Where the jungle is still unexplored, rivers uncharted 

and mountains yet to be climbed.” 

First charted by Spain in 1499, Guyana came under Dutch control by the mid-1700s. The British 

gained possession of Guyana in 1814. British rule brought large influxes of Africans and East Indians. 

In 1961, Guyana achieved internal self-government, and in 1966, Guyana gained independence from 

the British. Four years later on February 23rd, 1970, Guyana became a republic and is officially 

called The Cooperative Republic of Guyana. 

The population of Guyana is estimated at 800,000, of which about 50 percent are of East Indian 

descent, 30 percent are of African descent, 5 percent are Native Amerindians, and the others are 

of Mixed, Chinese and European backgrounds. Guyana’s economy is dominated by agriculture, 

concentrated largely on the alluvial belt along the coast. Sugar and rice account for most agricultural 

exports. Forestry and fishing industries also contribute to the economy, and Guyana is a major 

producer of the mineral bauxite. 

Guyana is an unspoiled, undeveloped, unvisited tropical nature lovers’ paradise, located in northern 

South America next to Venezuela and a short hop across the Caribbean from Trinidad. Guyana 

offers the Amazon wilderness in microcosm. There are only a handful of eco-lodges in millions of 

square hectares of sparsely inhabited Amazonian rainforest, savannah, and wild coastal plain forest. 

There are no luxury resorts and roads are few. 

Guyana has a growing eco-tourism industry and is expected to contribute to the conservation 

of the largely intact natural environment. And while Guyana is not the typical vacation spot in 

terms of miles of sandy beaches and crystal waters, it offers a thrilling adventure for the eco-tourist. 

Guyana is an exceptional country, with almost eighty percent of its mass under forest, most of 

it virgin. Home to more than half of the sea turtle species, much of Guyana’s flora and fauna are 

thriving even though currently, many are endangered.

The rainforest provides a habitat for more than half of the bird species found in Guyana. No other 

eco-system supports such a high diversity of species, and they include some of the most fascinating 

and spectacular birds in the world. The rainforest itself has three distinct layers: the canopy, the 

understory, and the floor. The canopy supports many species such as the elusive Happy Eagle, 

Toucans, Parrots, and Macaws, including the endangered Scarlet Macaw. In the middle section of 

the forest, Hummingbirds, Trogans, Jacamars, Tanagers, Woodpeckers and Antbirds abound. This 

section of the forest is also home to the magnificent Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock, which is especially 

visible during mating season. The ever present Screaming Piha, which provides the familiar voice of 

the rainforest, is more difficult to spot. The fallen fruit and seeds found on the forest floor provide the 

diet for many species that are largely terrestrial. These include some of the most vocal species of the 

rainforest such as Tinamous, Curassows, Guans, Chacalacas and Trumpeters, which can sometimes 

be seen feeding in large groups. 

Guyana, on the north eastern tip of South America, is home to an extraordinary wildlife that 

includes Giant Anteaters, Anacondas, Black Caiman, Arapaima, Giant River Turtles, Giant River 

Otters and Jaguars. Of all of these animals, the Jaguar is perhaps the most important as the largest 

predator in South America. The forests have healthy populations of jaguars and the nation may 

be home to one fifth of all of the jaguars remaining in the world today. The Makushi people of the 

North Rupununi recognise 18 different kinds of big cats in contrast to the six species recognised by 

scientists. Jaguars have been decimated over the years by hunters for their furs as well as by ranchers, 

but today the concern focuses on the destruction of the habitat. 

The Arapaima, Arapaima gigas, also known as the Pirarucu or Paiche, is one of the world’s largest 

fresh water fishes. Adults can mature up to four and a half metres in length. Arapaima can be 

found throughout the Amazon and associated river systems in the Guyanas. They are also the 

most popular form of food in the Amazon region and as a result, populations have been declining 

throughout South America over the years. However, the Arapaima is a protected fish in Guyana. 

The black caiman is the largest of the alligators and caimans in the world. Adult males 

can be longer than four meters. Black caimans are distributed throughout the Amazon in 

the Rupununi and Essequibo drainages of Guyana and the Kaw region of French Guiana. 

Iwokrama forest hosts a profusion of animals that are close to extinction. The name Iwokrama is 

derived from the Amerindian word that means “place of refuge”, and is the proud domain of about 

100 of the 15,000 jaguars left in the world. 360,000 hectares of the forest is dedicated to Guyana’s 

Iwokrama Institute, which trains people, locally and internationally, to utilise forests without destroying 

them. To date it has found 12 new species of reptiles and amphibians. Iwokrama has become a natural 

preserve offering refuge to other animals that need to escape from human activity. Scientists working 

on the Iwokrama project are becoming increasingly concerned over the threat of pollution from gold 

mining, particularly in the form of increased sediment and mercury loads in the system. In addition, 

the presence of gold miners can affect the behavior of giant otters. When the breeding giant otters are 

disturbed, mothers may stop producing milk and the cubs can starve to death. 

This eco wonderland encompasses hundreds of tumbling rivers, wide lakes and interesting creeks. 

There are four huge rivers - the Demerara, the Berbice, the Corentyne and the mighty Essequibo, 

which is the biggest of them all. With 21 miles across at its mouth and over 370 miles long, this river 

traverses the country from south to north, and its head begins in Brazil and flows north, covering 

some 370 miles before emptying into the Atlantic. 

Kaieteur Falls, where the 400-foot wide Potaro River (a tributary of the Essequibo) plunges 741 feet 

downward from the Pakaraima Plateau, is one of the world’s greatest waterfalls, and continues to 

be one of the principal attractions in Guyana. Situated in the heart of Guyana the magnificence 

of Kaieteur stands beyond any comparison in its majesty and sheer size. The water flows over a 

sandstone conglomerate tableland into a deep gorge, a drop of 741 feet, and then down another 81 

feet of rapids and falls. 

Guyana is a land of striking and fascinating natural beauty. 


26 


Trinidad & 

Tobago 

Awaken 

the Senses 

to Mixed 

Pleasures 

Mention Trinidad & Tobago to anyone in the Caribbean, and 

immediately one conjures up images of spectacular costumes, 

pulsating steel pan music and thousands of vibrant masqueraders. 

Familiar to most are the fêtes, extravagant parades, keen calypso 

competitions, and all the mesmerising elements that make this 

country’s carnival, the greatest show on earth. But to end one’s 

reverie there would be to deprive the senses of the many other 

astounding marvels of this tiny twin-island paradise. 

Cosmopolitan Trinidad & Tobago is a rich fusion of African, Indian, Chinese, European, Middle 

Eastern and several other cultures. The result: a unique mix of delightful cuisine, alluring rhythms and 

1.3 million energetic inhabitants - affectionately called “Trinis”. And while this land may be blessed 

with an enviable energy sector and a prosperous economy, it abounds with natural wonders, making it 

the ultimate destination for wedding parties, honeymoons, shopping, eco adventures or just relaxing. 

Both islands are dotted with an extensive selection of restaurants, eateries and fast-food outlets, 

serving a variety of exotic dishes - guaranteed to satisfy the most insatiable of appetites. Pelau, roti, 

crab and callaloo, coocoo and corn soup are just a few of the local culinary delights. For the more 

adventurous taste buds, during an open hunting season there is ‘wildmeat’ such as lappe or agouti. 

Roadside vending is a way of life in Trinidad & Tobago. Strategically located stalls, shacks and mobile 

carts tempt the famished with mouth-watering favorites like bake and shark, barbeque, hot doubles, 

boiled corn, oysters, roasted nuts and a variety of pies. For the sweet-tooth, there are snacks such as 

sno-cone, toolum, jub-jub, sugar cake, fudge, kurma, and bene (sesame) balls. Trinis can concoct a 

beverage from almost anything that is edible, so apart from mauby and tropical fruit juices, one can 

enjoy a milkshake made from peanut, channa, pumpkin, soursop or sea-moss. 

Never a dull moment! An exciting nightlife awaits the young at heart, and a good ‘lime’ (“Trini” 

word for party) can be found at the many bars, lounges or dance clubs. At any given time, one may be 

lucky to catch a glimpse of one of the many renowned acts to grace these shores. The annual Tobago 

Jazz Festival attracts thousands of visitors with its impressive line-up of some of the best regional and 

international superstars. The spirit of Trinidad & Tobago can be best felt in such indigenous, creative 

expressions as calypso, soca, steelpan, parang, chutney, tassa and pichakaree. For a good laugh, there 

is the annual Comedy Festival and the humorous plays hosted by one of the many production houses 

– all guaranteed to have one in “stitches”.

It is no secret that shoppers from across the Caribbean flock to Trinidad – the shopping mecca of 

the Caribbean – for quality and variety at the best prices. With a booming manufacturing industry 

and positive foreign trade and investment policies, this country is brimming with commercial activity. 

Malls, shops, markets, stores, fairs, trade shows and flea markets, all entice the bargain hunter with a 

vast array of local and imported items, making nothing impossible to find. Port of Spain (the country’s 

capital) and Chaguanas are popular attractions for those looking for a good sale. Ethnic fashion, crafts, 

furniture and jewellery are available at the regularly visiting bazaars direct from India. 

Brian Lara has made “Trinis” proud many times over with his record breaking skills, so it is no wonder 

that cricket is loved by many. Football is also dear to the heart, as the “Soca Warriors” had everyone in 

a frenzy at the FIFA World Cup finals in Germany in 2006. A drive through this country will prove 

that it is not uncommon to see a cricket or football game being played by enthusiastic youngsters, 

and a small crowd of spectators cheering them on. But these are not the only sporting activities 

– adventurous visitors are welcome to take in the action of tennis, basketball, archery, swimming, 

hockey, fishing, cycling, boxing, taekwondo, horse racing, kite flying, sailing, scuba diving, surfing and 

the list goes on. And if that is not enough, then an exciting goat race or crab race will do the trick. 

There are four fine golf courses in Trinidad and Tobago, two of which are considered among the 

best in the Caribbean. Once the venue for the European Seniors PGA Tour, Tobago boasts of hosting 

the annual Caribbean Open Golf Championship, Sail Week, the Game Fishing Tournament and the 

ever-popular Great Race. 

Trinidad has many beaches and lifeguard services are provided at nearly all. The most popular 

beach is Maracas Bay with its well-maintained facilities and famous food shacks. A short drive away 

is the calmer waters of Tyrico and Las Cuevas Beaches, which are ideal for overnight camping and 

outdoor cooking. 

But for the most stunning beaches and dramatic 

coastline, Tobago has it all. Calm turquoise waters 

for swimming, white sands for sun-bathing, 

magnificent reefs for snorkelling and cool breezes 

for relaxing – this is truly heaven on earth. 

Pigeon Point Beach, Store Bay, Mount Irvine Bay, 

Englishman’s Bay and Castara are some of the best 

beaches in this picture-perfect island. 

With the world’s largest nesting colony for 

the giant endangered leatherback sea turtles and 

the oldest protected rainforest in the Western 

Hemisphere, Trinidad & Tobago has a unique 

ecological heritage, and is a haven for nature lovers. 

This is home to hundreds of species of birds, plants, 

butterflies and wildlife. A boat ride will leave the 

visitor in awe after witnessing hundreds of Scarlet 

Ibis fly to their home in the Caroni Swamp, or the 

manatees wallow in the ancestral waters of the 

Nariva Swamp. Asa Wright Nature Centre is the 

place to see ‘Squirrel Cuckoos, Toucans, and Parrots 

fly past the gallery, while Tufted Coquettes and half 

a dozen other species of Hummingbirds feed on the 

vervain.’ 

Visit Trinidad and Tobago and stay at any of the 

many world-class hotels or guesthouses, and awaken 

the senses to mixed pleasures. 


REAL ESTATE 

28 


Trinidad and Tobago’s 

Real Estate Market 

Despite high revenue earnings from oil and gas, the government of 

T & T has taken steps in recent years to diversify the economy away from 

over-reliance on one product, and to station itself as a potential centre 

for finance and industry in the Caribbean region. From 2002 this small 

boom fitted into a larger one of accelerated government spending 

on commercial and residential construction, fuelled by increased oil 

revenues. This expansionism created a billion dollar opportunity for 

contractors and industry professionals who used increased incomes to 

diversify into residential and small-scale commercial projects. 

The benefits of this all-round growth in the economy have obviously had an impact on the real estate 

industry itself. Property prices in Trinidad typically range from $2 million to $7.5 million. Vacant 

land prices range from $160,000 to $8.5 million. Residential leases have also been key elements of 

company portfolios with rents ranging from US $1,000 to US $6,000. 

Central Bank statistics capture the growth in the industry visible via real estate mortgage loans for 

the periods 1995 and 2005: 

Commercial Banks 1995: $921.5 million, 2005: $4,437.3 million 

Insurance Companies 1995: $606.6 million, 2005: $737.9 million 

Private Sector 1995: $3,625.5 million, 2005: $6,824.4 million 

Private and Public Sector combined 1995: $5,647.5 million, 2005: $8,914.4 million 

Despite this growth, residential mortgage rates have remained stable, and the market has heightened 

competition among financial institutions. In some cases persons can qualify for up to 93% mortgage 

financing, and state-run Trinidad and Tobago Mortgage Finance Company Ltd. (TTMF) advertises 

an 8% maximum rate for home ownership. Rates at similar institutions, like the Home Mortgage 

Bank Limited, have remained relatively low at between 8% and 9% and aimed primarily at first-time 

homeowners. 

Acquisition of properties in Trinidad and Tobago by non-citizens is governed by the Foreign 

Investment Act, 1990, which allows foreign individuals and companies to purchase up to one acre of 

land for residential purposes and up to five acres for commercial purposes. In Trinidad, this has been 

expressed in terms of major industrial investments, while in Tobago; the foreign investment has been 

into small holiday properties that have greatly improved the size and quality of the housing stock on 

the island. Unfortunately, the Government moved in February 2007, to modify the Act by requiring 

that foreign investors, in Tobago only, would need to apply for a license to purchase any property. This 

was aimed at lowering the price of land in rural areas of the island where some local investors now find 

prices out of reach. But, say industry observers, the jury is still out on this initiative, which not only 

takes money and foreign exchange out of the economy, but unduly complicates commerce, threatens 

the market value of real property and may not yield the required results. 

Over the last decade in Tobago, a great deal of activity has been taking place, much of it tourism 

driven. Government developments have been relatively slow, although much land has been acquired, 

but foreign investment over the past fifteen years has encouraged local investment, particularly in

holiday accommodation, bars and restaurants. The 

major government projects of the new hospital facilities 

at Shaw Park, a financial complex and a planned 

enlargement of the Crown Point International Airport 

to cope with increased long-haul tourist arrivals are 

however plagued with problems. 

The biggest land development project is the 

Cove Eco-Industrial and Business Park, Tobago’s 

first modern light industrial park, aimed to house 

a variety of manufacturing and service industries. 

This government initiative is specifically aimed at 

diversifying the island’s economy. However, the master 

plan for tourism development has identified high-end, 

luxury tourism as the best option for Tobago, generating 

the most revenue throughout the population with the 

minimum impact on the island, so for the private sector, 

the largest incentive for land development remains 

tourism. 

The most significant private sector project has been 

the development of the 750-acre Tobago Plantations 

Beach and Golf Resort, including Hilton Tobago, 

the flagship development of Guardian Life and 

Angostura. In partnership with CLICO, Angostura is 

also developing approximately 500 acres at the Golden 

Grove Estate, phase one of which is already sold out. 

There have also been a number of more modest tourism 

land developments covering a range of markets, with 

the most popular being the Bon Accord Integrated 

Development, which put some 400 small parcels of 

land on the market in the early 1990s at a very modest 

$9 per s.f. which land now re-sells at over $100 per s.f. 

Partly due to over-heating in property values, partly 

to the imposition of a licence for foreign investors in 

Tobago, there has been a recent softening in sales and 

rental prices, but many agents and industry observers 

feel real estate will remain buoyant for some time. The 

Central Bank recently reassured the country that the 

financial system today is more resilient to property price 

shocks since mortgage loans as a proportion of total 

loans stand at 15% as compared with 40% in the 1980s. 

Other areas of concern affecting investment however, 

were acknowledged by agents, technocrats and analysts: 

the problem of crime on both Islands; the lack of real 

concern for the environment; the income disparity 

created by the boom. Perhaps boom conditions will 

not dampen in the short term, but concerns about the 

disparity in property prices remain and not everyone 

believes in allowing market forces to operate freely. 


IN THE KITCHEN 

30 


Christmas 

Delights 

BlaCk Cake 

INGREDIENTS 

1 lb butter 

1 lb sugar 

8 eggs 

2 tsp lime zest 

2 tsp almond essence 

2 tsp vanilla 

1 lb flour 

4 tsp baking powder 

2 tsp mixed spice 

1/2 tsp grated nutmeg 

FRUIT 

1 lb pitted prunes 

1 lb raisins 

1lb currants 

What is Christmas without the traditional pastelle? 

BeeF/ChiCken PasTelles 

Makes 12-15 pastelles 

To prepare fig leaves, steam them in a large pot 

of boiling water for ten 

minutes until they become pliable and soft. 

They may also be softened by waving 

them over an open flame. You can also use sheets 

of tin foil. 

Cornmeal dough and pastelle assembly 

INGREDIENTS (DOUGH) 

2 cups yellow cornmeal 

3 cups warm water 

1 bottle rum 

1 bottle cherry brandy 

2 tsp Angostura bitters 

BROWNING 

1 lb brown sugar 

1/2 cup boiling water 

METHOD 

Chop fruit and soak in alcohol for about 5 

days before making cake. Place fruit with 

bitters and rum in a covered container or pot 

in a cool area. 

1. Pour fruit with liquid into a blender. 

Blend, keeping fruit chunky. 

2. Burn sugar until caramelised. Add hot 

water gradually. Mix well. Let cool. 

3. Preheat oven 250ºF 

4. Cream butter and sugar 

5. Add eggs one at a time 

6. Add zest, almond and vanilla essence 

7. Mix and sift flour, baking powder, spice 

and nutmeg 

8. Gradually add sifting to creamed mix 

9. Mix fruit and browning 

10. Pour batter onto greased tin or tins lined 

with brown paper 

11. Bake 3 hours 

12. Remove from oven and pour additional 

rum in the centre 

1/2 cup butter 

1 1/4 tsp salt 

METHOD (DOUGH) 

1. In a food processor or by hand, combine 

cornmeal with butter and salt. 

2. Add water and process to make a soft, pliable 

dough. 

3. Divide the dough into 12 balls. Cover with a 

damp cloth to prevent drying. 

4. Place one piece of dough on a greased fig leaf

and press into an eight-inch square. 

5. Spoon two tablespoons of filling onto the 

middle of the dough and fold and seal 

pastelles. 

6. Wrap in fig leaf and tie into a neat package. 

(you can also use foil) 

7. Steam pastelles for 45 minutes until 

cooked. 

INGREDIENTS(FILLING) 

1 lb chopped beef and chicken, chicken only, or 

beef only 

2 onions, finely chopped 

2 tbs olive oil 

1 cup chopped chives 

1/4 cup chopped fresh thyme 

2 pimento peppers, chopped 

4 cloves garlic, chopped 

1 tbs chopped celery 

1/2 Congo pepper, seeded and chopped 

(optional) 

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper 

1 tsp salt 

1/4 cup tomato sauce 

4 tbs capers 

Sudoku 

Sudoku is fun and easy 

to play. There is no math 

involved - just reasoning and 

logic! Fill in the grid so that 

every row, every column, and 

every 3x3 box contains 

the digits 1 through 9. 

3 tbs stuffed olives, sliced 

1/4 cup raisins 

2 tbs fresh thyme 

METHOD (FILLING) 

1. Combine beef with chicken. Add salt and 

black pepper. 

2. Add a quarter-cup chopped chives and one 

tablespoon thyme. 

3. In a large pan heat olive oil. 

4. Add onion and garlic. Sautee until fragrant. 

5. Add pimento peppers, remaining chive, 

pepper and thyme. 

6. Add meat and cook until brown. 

7. Add tomato sauce, cover and simmer for 

about 15 minutes. 

8. Add raisins, capers and olives and stir to 

combine. 

9. Cook for about five minutes more. Taste and 

adjust seasoning. 

10. Add two tablespoons fresh thyme and stir to 

combine. 

11. Remove from heat and cool. 

12. Prepare dough as in recipe above and fill and 

fold pastelles as indicated. 


H, S & E 

32 


Selection & Use 

of Work Equipment 

Preamble 

Hazards of varying degrees are an inherent part of using almost every kind of tool or equipment. 

Whether a tool is simple or complex, we accept the risk of using it to gain an advantage. However, in 

doing this; we attempt to limit associated risks to levels that are reasonable. This is achieved through 

the design, construction, use and maintenance of the particular tool or equipment: with each phase 

being just as important as the other. 

Industry uses several pieces of work equipment to support its operations and maintenance. An 

example of a typical piece of work equipment used extensively in industry today, is the Mobile 

Elevating Work Platform (MEWP). Many maintenance tasks require workers to work at heights as 

much as fifteen (15) meters above ground. In order to accomplish this safely, scaffolding has to be 

erected. However, in some circumstances, this is not possible, and alternative access is sought. One 

such alternative is the use of a Mobile Elevating Work Platform. 

aim 

The aim of this paper is to develop a suitable strategy for the selection, safe use and maintenance of a 

MEWP (work equipment) in the workplace. To determine this, several factors will be considered, such 

as suitability for task; equipment reliability; legal requirements; product standards; cost, and others. 

This will provide the guidance for those responsible for the procurement, use and maintenance of a 

MEWP or other similar workplace equipment. 

legal Requirements 

When considering the acquisition of workplace equipment, one of the foremost factors that must be 

contemplated – is the legal requirements. The most important piece of legislation is the Occupational 

Health & Safety Act (OSHA) 2004. 

The general duty of the employer is to provide a safe and healthy place of work for its employees, 

covering all possible hazards that may lead to injury and ill health. This is encompassed in the (OSHA) 

Act. In particular, it extends this duty so far as is reasonably practicable: to provide a safe plant and safe 

systems of work; and to provide the necessary information, instruction, training and supervision. 

The Act also places duties on manufacturers of products – including the designers of the plant and 

equipment – to ensure that articles produced are safe. The Act also allows for the establishment of 

regulations to provide the standards required for compliance. Since these regulations, to date, have 

not been developed, the regulations used in the UK have been referenced. The main regulations that 

address workplace equipment in the UK are: 

• The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992 

• The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998 

• The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998

• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 

(MHSWR) 1999 

Particular attention should be paid to The Lifting 

Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER), 

as MEWPs are covered under these regulations. Some of 

the requirements included in LOLER are: 

• Lifting equipment selected for a lifting operation 

must be suitable for the activity it has to perform – 

Regulation 3, 

• Where lifting equipment is used for lifting people, the 

carrier must prevent crushing, trapping, being struck 

by and falls from it, so far as is reasonably practicable 

– Regulation 5, 

• Identifies the factors to be considered in conducting 

risk assessments to recognise the nature and level of 

risks associated with a proposed lifting operation, 

• Lifting equipment designed for lifting people must 

be so marked or identified, including the safe working 

load (SWL) – Regulation 7, 

• Inspection requirements – Regulation 10, 

• Record keeping – Regulation 11. 

selection Factors 

Several factors, apart from the legal requirements, must be 

considered when contemplating the acquisition of work 

equipment. These will now be identified and explored: 

• Fit for Purpose – an obvious requirement would be that 

the equipment selected must be able to do what you 

want it to do under the conditions that exist at the plant 

or facility. This could entail self-propulsion; a heightreach 

of approximately 15 meters, manoeuvrability 

and flexible articulation. 

• Standards Conformity – In order for the company to 

have some assurance of the quality and conformance 

with essential health and safety requirements, the 

equipment must conform to an acceptable and 

appropriate standard. In this case, the relevant 

standard would be identified by the CE marking. These 

markings should be properly affixed to the machine. 

The requirements for CE marking are outlined in the 

Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations, 1992, & 

Amendment Regulations, 1994. 

• Place of Use – Consideration for the intended place 

of use is an important criterion. The environmental 

conditions could be hot, humid, exposed to moisture, 

rain, or dry and dusty conditions. Possible hazards to 

consider are: 


34 

continued from pg 33 - The type of propulsion - A gasoline engine would introduce fuel storage and refuelling 

hazards, as well as the production of Carbon Monoxide (CO) gas, 

- A diesel engine will also produce CO, but much lower hazards of fire and explosion than 

gasoline, 

- An electric motor powered by batteries may produce hydrochloric acid vapours during 

recharging of the batteries. 

• Ergonomic Design – The equipment, in particular the work platform and controls, should be 

designed in such a way that the man/machine interface does not induce undue strain and stress 

on the user. 

• Reliability – The equipment must be reliable, when used for its intended purpose. Frequent 

breakdowns and failures are undesirable, so too is frequent and time-consuming routine 

maintenance. 

• Maintenance – The manufacturer or supplier of the equipment should provide guidance on 

the maintenance required, including replaceable parts; parts that should be inspected; and 

recommended service intervals. Consideration should be given to special tools and jigs required 

for maintenance - these could sometimes be very expensive and oftentimes not available to endusers. 

Safe Systems of Work are required to ensure that maintenance is done safely. 

• Skill Level – What is the required skill level to operate and maintain this equipment? Are there 

persons employed with these skills and/or have the capacity to acquire these skills? 

• Statutory Requirements - LOLER requires statutory inspections and thorough examinations to 

be done by competent persons at least once every six months to MEWPs. Does the company 

possess this competence, or would it have to be outsourced? 

• Appropriate Controls & Safety Interlocks – The controls should be clearly visible and identifiable 

with pictograms where practicable. They should not be positioned in such a way as to endanger 

the operator. The controls should be fail-safe and fitted with interlocks that would prevent 

inadvertent operations and or movement, as well as speed controls when the platform is raised or 

extended. 

• Manufacturer’s and/or Supplier’s Support – Some background checks and references as to the 

reputation of the manufacturer and/or supplier should be made to ensure that parts and service 

support will be available throughout the expected life of the equipment. They should also be able 

to provide the required training for use and maintenance. 


Risk assessment 

After acquiring the equipment a risk assessment should be done to determine the risk associated with 

its use – in the environment or area where it will be used – and the limitations of the equipment in 

particular areas. The five-step approach to risk assessments are: 

1. Identify the hazards 

2. Identify those persons who might be harmed and how 

3. Evaluate the risks and decide on control measurers 

4. Record the findings 

5. Review the assessment and revise it if necessary 

Use Factors 

Having completed the risk assessment, the next step is to use considerations. It will be necessary to 

identify who will use the equipment, as only specifically designated persons should use it. These 

persons must be either competent or adequately supervised. They must have adequate health and 

safety information and training associated with the use of the equipment, including written operating 

instructions and emergency procedures.

human Factors 

Human factors are an important aspect when considering who will use workplace equipment, 

particularly a Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP). Personal factors or traits that employees 

bring to their jobs are important when deciding on the best person to suit a particular job. One 

must therefore consider the physical traits: height, strength, any physical disability, vision, depth 

perception, colour blindness etc., and their mental suitability: habits, attitude and personality, 

which will influence his or her behaviour. Hence, the ‘users’ should be chosen via appropriate 

selection techniques and known work experience. This would hopefully eliminate those with ‘at 

risk’ behaviour. The selected employees should have the skill required to operate the equipment, or 

have the capacity and attitude to undergo the necessary training. 

safe systems of Work 

Adequate and suitable safe systems of work should be developed in conjunction with the risk 

assessment and the manufacturers operating instructions. These could include: 

• Testing of controls each day prior to use, 

• Belting-off or tying-off to suitable anchor points within the work cage, 

• Adherence to SWL limits (number of persons allowed in cage), 

• A mechanism for ensuring only authorised, designated persons are allowed access. This 

mechanism should prevent unauthorised access by key control, 

• When in use, overhead hazards should be of particular concern and may require a signalman or 

banks-man, 

• Visual inspection each day prior to use which should include: 

- Tyre press and condition 

- Visual damage or defects 

- Lights function test 

- Warning buzzer test, etc. 

• A recording and reporting procedure on defects 

• Refuelling procedures, including storage and handling of fuel. 


36 

continued from pg 35 Maintenance 

PUWER requires that work equipment be maintained so that it is safe. How often, and the type of 

maintenance, is dependant on a number of factors, three of which are: safety, statutory requirements 

and reliability. The strategy used must therefore consider these as well as the manufacturer’s 

recommendations. One strategy for carrying out the required maintenance based on the factors 

identified is to outsource this service to the equipment supplier. That is, determine the type of 

maintenance required to ensure safety, reliability and statutory requirements; and enter into a 

medium to long-term contract with the supplier. Include the necessary statutory inspections by 

competent persons in the contract, with the provision of inspection certificates as evidence. 

Minor defects reported could be repaired by in-house expertise. Any other unscheduled repairs 

should be directed to the supplier by the maintenance department. The maintenance department 

should also be responsible for maintaining the necessary maintenance log. 


Training 

After having gone through the selection process to identify the designated users, suitable and adequate 

training is required. One of the factors considered before acquisition, is the ability of the supplier to 

provide adequate and suitable training for the operation and maintenance of the equipment. Owing 

to the nature of the operation of the MEWP, the users should be assessed following training, and 

certified for a period not exceeding two years. On expiration of these certificates, the users will have 

to undergo refresher training, re-assessment and re-certification. This should be included in the safe 

system of work for the MEWP. 

Maintenance personnel would also be required to undergo training, provided by the supplier, so 

that they would be in a position to conduct minor and emergency repairs, as well as be able to identify 

problems that may require external expertise. 

Conclusion 

In many instances, the acquisition of equipment, such as the MEWP, is done in a somewhat unprepared 

manner. This is mainly due to the absence of input from the safety practitioner, as this is culturally 

not the norm. Having gained the experience over a number of years, companies would be in a better 

position to understand the ramifications of poor equipment selection. Changing the ‘safety culture’ 

also allows for input from the safety practitioner in a very comprehensive way. 

Many factors and considerations must be contemplated when introducing equipment into the 

workplace. It is therefore vital for the safety practitioner to make his contribution in a precise, simple 

and user-friendly manner, to expedite and not hinder the procurement process, and to develop – 

along with the users – the necessary safe systems of work and workplace precautions required to use 

and maintain the equipment safely, and in compliance with relevant legislation. 

Recommendations 

The following recommendations are proposed from a health and safety perspective, to assist and guide 

management and buyers in the acquisition of work equipment: 

1. Establish a small team with various expertise, including safety, when contemplating the 

acquisition of work equipment, 

2. Pre-qualify suppliers and manufacturers based on their reputation and other commercial criteria 

to reduce the chances of insufficient after-market support, 

3. Outsource maintenance and statutory inspections.


38 


Stroke: 

Warning Signs and Tips for Prevention 

What is a stroke? 

Most strokes are caused by a blockage in an artery that carries blood 

to the brain. This can cause that part of the brain to be injured, and 

you may lose control of a function that is controlled by that part 

of the brain. For example, you could lose the use of an arm or leg, 

or the ability to speak. The injury can be temporary or permanent, 

partial or complete. Doctors have found that if you get treatment 

right away after symptoms start, there is a better chance of getting 

the blood moving to your brain, and less chance of injury. 

how do you know if you are having a stroke? 

If you have any of the following symptoms, call for emergency help immediately. The sooner you get 

help the more doctors can do to prevent permanent injury. 

• Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg on one side of the body. 

• Sudden dimness or loss of vision, particularly in one eye. 

• Loss of speech, trouble talking or understanding what others are saying. 

• Sudden severe headache with no known cause. 

• Unexplained dizziness, unstable walking or falling, especially along with any of the other 

symptoms. 

how Can You avoid having a stroke? 

Talk to your family doctor about your risk factors for a stroke and how to reduce your risk. Here are some 

other things you can do to avoid having a stroke:- 

• If your blood pressure is high, follow your doctor’s advice to control it. 

• Avoid foods that are high in fat and cholesterol, and eat less sodium (salt), to lower your cholesterol and 

blood pressure. 

• If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar level under control. 

• Limit how much alcohol you drink. 

• Quit smoking. If you don’t smoke, don’t start.

Ask your doctor for advice on making these lifestyle changes, and ask friends and family for support. 

Regular checkups are important to find problems that can increase your risk of having a stroke. Talk to 

your doctor about whether taking aspirin in low doses would help reduce your risk of stroke. Aspirin 

can help keep your blood from forming clots that can eventually block the arteries. 

how Can You Recognise That someone is having a stroke? 

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells 

disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognise the 

symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say a bystander can recognise a stroke by asking three simple 

questions: - 

s *Ask the individual to SMILE 

T *Ask the person to TALK.. to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE Coherently 

(e.g.. . . It is sunny today) 

R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS. 

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call or take the person for medical attention 

immediately and describe the symptoms. 


40 

OSHA Ten Hour General Industry Training 


Readymix (W.I.) Limited is committed to 

providing safe and healthy working conditions for 

all workers and to continually improve its OSHA 

performance. In this regard, Safety Monitors were 

identified throughout the organisation to attend 

an OSHA General Industry Training Session 

facilitated by Worldwide Safety Consultants 

Limited (WSCL), in preparation for this role. 

General Manager of Readymix (W.I.) Ltd., Mr. 

Manan Deo, opened the session and expressed 

Management’s commitment to safety. Upon 

successful completion of the training, a WSCL 

certificate and a course completion card from 

the US Department of Labour were issued to the 

new Safety Monitors.

TCL Guyana Inc Formally Opened 

horn blasts from the specialised bulk cement carrier “naftocement 

iV” and the simultaneous release of balloons signalled the official 

opening of the first and long awaited cement terminal in the region 

- TCl Guyana inc. (TGi). The bagging terminal, which is located in 

Georgetown, began operations last December. 

TCL Board Members, Government Officials and key Stakeholders 

were part of the recent event, which marked an important milestone 

in the TCL Group and for Guyana. 

General Manager of TCL (parent company of TGI), Arun Goyal, 

speaking at the inauguration of TGI said “The cement industry 

is growing and TCL is building new capabilities to compete in a 

globalised environment.” The need for TGI’s plant facility became an 

important and urgent issue against the backdrop of a robust cement 

demand in recent times in regional markets. 

CARICOM is the TCL Group’s home market and Guyana is its 

largest market outside of the cement producing territories namely 

Trinidad, Barbados and Jamaica. The facility ensures that Guyana 

will always have an adequate and reliable supply of cement thereby 

fulfilling TCL’s initial objective to support the overall economic and 

development plans of Guyana. 

The terminal represents one element of TCL’s regional strategy 

which involves locating terminals in several countries and supplying 

them from the Group’s expanded manufacturing facilities utilising its 

dedicated time-chartered vessels. 

The TGI plant, which cost U S$10.4 million to complete, has a 

production capacity of 60 tonnes per hour which equates to a potential 

of over 300,000 tonnes per annum. 

Its state of the art plant and equipment include three (3) 2,000tonne 

steel silos, warehousing capacity of 2000 tonnes, a bag packing 

system, palletiser, dust plants, conveying systems, generators and 

electrical ancillaries, mobile equipment, air compressor systems and 

truck scale. 

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, in his address at the inauguration 

ceremony, declared that “Guyana is open for business”, and welcomed 

TCL to Guyana. He lauded the US $10.4 million investment as the 

fulfillment of a dream for his country and indicated that Guyanese 

were anxious about development but this will only happen “When we 

work and make it happen”. 

TCL Group Chairman, Andy Bhajan, proudly acknowledged that 

traces of TCL Group’s DNA were deeply interwoven in Guyana. 

Pointing to the use of the TCL brand in construction of commercial 

buildings, hospitals and schools, the Chairman asserted “Indeed, 

our DNA is here”. He also estimated that by the end of 2008, the 

TCL Group will have virtually doubled its cement manufacturing 

The Honourable Samuel Hinds, Prime Minister of Guyana 

and Dr. Rollin Bertrand, Chief Executive Officer - TCL 

Group cut the ribbon to formally open TGI 

REGIONAL 


42 


TCL Group Chairman, 

Andy Bhajan (4th from 

left), Dr. Rollin Bertrand, 

Group CEO (3rd from 

right) and representatives of 

the Guyana Stock Exchange 


capacity to 3.5 million tonnes and significantly add to its clinker manufacturing capacity, increasing 

its operational efficiency and improving competitiveness. TGI is one aspect of the US 164.3 milliondollar 

expansion and modernisation programme currently underway across the TCL Group. 

Since start-up of operations last December, TGI has already supplied more than 31,000 tonnes of 

cement to the Guyanese market, steadily increasing over the months and likely to rise further with 

supplies to the interior locations of Guyana. To date, more than ten distributors and companies have 

been serviced at the site. The establishment of TGI’s terminal has yielded significant operational 

efficiencies and economies of scale towards stabilised cement prices in Guyana. 

TCL Creates Opportunity for 

Growth Among Guyanese Investors 

… Company officially 

listed on the Guyana 

stock exchange 

… each member of 

Guyana Under 19 

team receives Us 

$150 worth of TCl 

shares 

Guyanese investors will now have 

the opportunity to participate in 

the growth and development of 

TCL Group which operates from 

Jamaica in the North to Guyana and 

Suriname in the South. 

The company has been 

officially listed on the Guyana Stock 

Exchange. 

At a ceremony marking 

the official listing, TCL Group 

Chairman, Andy Bhajan said that 

TCL recognises that the Guyana 

Stock Exchange is a very young institution and it is happy to be the first company to be officially 

listed there. 

“We hope that many successful companies will follow. I might add that we have been very impressed 

with the efficiency with which the listing process was handled both at the Securities Council and at 

your exchange. We wish to thank all those who had a role to play in the process.” 

On January 3, 2007, TCL shares became eligible for trading on the Guyana Stock Exchange. The 

official ceremony marking the occasion coincided with TCL Guyana Inc.’s inauguration on June 13. 

Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of the Guyana Association of Securities Companies and 

Intermediaries Inc. (GASCI), Nikhil Ramkaran said GASCI welcomes TCL’s presence in the stock 

market as well as their role in the supply of cement for construction in Guyana.

Speaking to the young players, TCL Group CEO, Dr. Rollin Bertrand, encouraged them to get 

involved in savings and investments while they are young. 

“And I want you to remember that the award that we are giving you in terms of shares can be the start 

of a lifetime of investment in which you carefully manage your financial resources.” 

TCL Chairman, Andy Bhajan, said the company hopes that the presentation would be a lesson 

that will be disseminated throughout the country so that people of all walks of life will have a real 

stake in the economy and in the country’s future. 

Institutional investors, not ordinarily permitted to hold unlisted stock, will now be able to 

participate in the trading of TCL’s shares. 

It is the fifth such listing for TCL since it is already listed on the Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and 

Barbados Stock Exchanges, as well as on the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange. 

TCL is the only company to be listed on all five exchanges of the Caribbean. 

World Safety Day 

TCL Guyana Inc. held its World Safety 

Day activity recently, during which a 

commemorative plaque was presented to 

Sherwayne Robinson who was selected 

by the Joint Occupational Safety and 

Health Committee as the employee who 

demonstrated the greatest commitment to 

and awareness of occupational safety and 

health since start up of operations. In the 

photograph, Sherwayne (right), receives his 

award from Mark Bender, Plant Manager. 

Sherwayne (right) receives his 

award from Mark Bender, 

Plant Manager 


SPORTS 

44 


Cricket World Cup … in the Caribbean 

hisTORY was once again created, when the beautiful sunshine islands 

of the Caribbean played host to the international Cricket Council 

2007 Cricket World Cup in March and april. This CWC was probably 

the most eventful one in its history, as it was filled with a unique 

blend of flavours with the added Caribbean touch. 

Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent 

and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago were all the host venues for the ICC Cricket World 

Cup 2007. 

This tournament is truly one of the greatest sporting occasions in the world and the Caribbean 

people displayed great patriotism and enthusiasm in ensuring that this spectacle was a resounding 

success. 

Over 4,000 volunteers were enlisted to share in this unique spirit of the Caribbean, with all of the 

various stakeholders, including the media, intent on making the CWC 2007 experience was second 

to none. 

In 1975, West Indies won the first ever Cricket World Cup and many Caribbean nationals returned 

home with the expectation to see the regional team lift the coveted trophy on home soil. 

However, that feat was not to be achieved, as the Windies bowed out disappointingly after the 

Super 8 Stage of competition, partly due to a barrage of controversies surrounding the players’ camp. 

Nevertheless, they celebrated 47 days of world-class cricket. 

Sixteen teams including six associate member countries took part in the competition. This was the 

first time that Ireland and Bermuda made it through the ICC Cricket World Cup finals. Regarded 

as the minnows of world cricket, both these teams represented their countries proudly, as there was 

great excitement among their players taking on the world’s best. 

Ireland was particularly impressive, having sent shock-waves throughout the cricketing world as 

they had previous world cup winners Pakistan packing home after the first round of competition 

with a humiliating defeat. It would eventually turn out to be a really horrific tour for the Pakistanis, 

with the news of the tragic death of their coach Bob Woolmer, who was found dead in his hotel room 

in Jamaica. After many speculations of foul play it was confirmed that he had died of natural causes. 

With all these misfortunes surrounding the Pakistani camp, it prompted captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, 

one of Pakistani’s greatest batsmen to an early retirement. 

The tournament got underway with a spectacular opening ceremony at Trelawny in Jamaica, 

which was enriched with a true Caribbean flavour, showcasing a taste of our region’s festive cultures 

in both dance and song. 

Some say it was predictable, however, even though they were untested, defending champions 

Australia, under the guidance of ace batsman Ricky Pointing, they displayed true levels of 

professionalism as they convincingly won all their matches and came out on top in the tournament. 

They captured the prestigious ICC CWC 2007 for a world record hat trick number of times.

Before a large and enthusiastic crowd at the Kensington Oval in 

Barbados, the Aussies, under a robust century from wicketkeeper/ 

batsman Adam Gilchrist, defeated a well-disciplined Sri Lankan outfit 

in a rain-ruined controversial final which ended in total darkness. 

The tournament was also somewhat robbed of some of its glory 

by the poor crowd attendance at all of the venues due to the early 

departure of some of the powerhouses in the game – Pakistan, India 

and host West Indies. Nevertheless, with all this deterrence, ICC 

revealed that revenues from ticket sales was doubled from the previous 

World Cup and surpassed that of all of the past tournaments, since its 

inception way back in 1975 in England. 

This edition of the CWC also featured a few number of records that 

were shattered. The more notable ones were the 6 sixes in an over by 

South African Herschelle Gibbs. There were also the Indians posting a 

record mammoth 413 runs in an innings against the Bermudians. The 

previous record was held by Sri Lanka, 398 runs versus Kenya in the 

1996 World Cup. India easily cantered to victory of Bermuda and also 

recorded the largest victory margin by 257 runs in ODI history. 

Mathew Hayden was also in there for smashing the fastest World 

Cup century off just 66 balls. Meanwhile, Lasith Malinga of Sri Lanka 

recorded the fifth ever World Cup hat trick, but was also the first 

player to take 4 wickets in consecutive balls against the mighty South 

Africans. And then there was the legend, Glenn McGrath, the great 

Australian fast bowler. He had a happy retirement as he became the 

world’s leading wicket taker in World Cup history. He took his 56th 

wicket against Bangladesh and overtook the 55 held by another great, 

Pakistani Wasim Akram. 

Perhaps the most staggering news of them all was that of the 

retirement of the West Indies most celebrated and champion batsman, 

Brian Lara. The news of Lara’s decision to call a premature end to his 

international career created quite a stir in the region and by extension 

the wider world. The “Prince of Port of Spain”, as he is affectionately 

known, left many broken hearts through his millions of fans all over 

the world, but his legacy will live on and as he continues to serve as an 

ambassador for this great game. 

Here in the Caribbean, the West Indies have been producing some of 

the most exciting cricketers in the world, including the sheer brilliance 

of Sir Gary Sobers, the brilliance of the 3 Ws – Sir Clyde Walcott, Sir 

Everton Weekes and Sir Frank Worrell, together with the mesmerising 

magic of Lara and the enigmatic Sir Vivian Richards. 

Ideally, it was indeed a great honour for the Caribbean to stage 

such a historic event of this magnitude. It was seen that whatever 

the outcome of the tournament, visitors from all corners of the world 

thoroughly enjoyed the true Caribbean hospitality that was meted out 

to them. 

The participating teams were Australia, Bangladesh, Bermuda, 

Canada, England, India, Ireland, Kenya, The Netherlands, New 

Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies and 

Zimbabwe. 

FAST FACTS 

• Unless food is mixed with saliva 

you cannot taste it. 

• The liver is the largest of the body’s 

internal organs. The skin is the 

body’s largest organ. 

• Not all our taste buds are on our 

tongue; about 10% are on the 

palette and the cheeks. 

• Fingernails grow nearly 4 times 

faster than toenails. 

• In 1900, a person could expect to 

live to be 47. Today, the average 

life expectancy for men and women 

in developed countries is 70. 

• A newborn baby’s head accounts 

for one-quarter of its weight. 

• The bones in your body are not 

white - they range in colour from 

beige to light brown. The bones 

you see in museums are white 

because they have been boiled 

and cleaned. 

• Every person has a unique tongue 

print. 

• If all your DNA is stretched out, it 

would reach to the moon 6,000 

times. 

• Approximately two-thirds of a 

person’s body weight is water. 

Blood is 92% water. The brain is 

75% water and muscles are 75% 

water. 

• We actually do not see with our 

eyes - we see with our brains. The 

eyes basically are the cameras of 

the brain. One-quarter of the brain 

is used to control the eyes. 

• We have four basic tastes. The salt 

and sweet taste buds are at the tip 

of the tongue, bitter at the base, 

and sour along the sides. 


46 

Left to right: Alan Nobie, 

Manager – Investor Relations 

and Corporate Communications 

at the TCL Group, presents the 

award to Veersammy Permaul 

who was adjudged ‘U19 Player of 

the Year’. 

Steven Jacobs, captain of the 

Guyana Under 19 team receives 

the award on behalf of his team 

from Satnarine Bachew, General 

Manager of Arawak Cement 

Company Limited. 


WIPA Awards 

The West Indies Players’ Association hosted its annual awards ceremony earlier this year, at 

the Sherbourne Conference Centre in Barbados. 

The ceremony, which was broadcast “live” throughout the Caribbean, incorporated a field 

of eleven winners chosen out of a pool of forty-four nominees. These winners were selected 

by a panel of judges made up of the West Indies Cricket Board Committee and Selectors. 

The TCL Group, being one of the proud sponsors of this event, presented awards to the 

U-19 Player of the Year, Veersammy Permaul, and to Steven Jacobs, Captain of the Guyana 

U-19 team, for their outstanding performances in the 2006 TCL Group West Indies Under 

19 Cricket Challenge. 

Congratulations to 

Cricket Clinic 2007 

Participants! 

The Education & Communications Team at Trinidad 

Cement Limited extends congratulations to the 

participants and gratitude to their parents for ensuring 

that the 2007 Cricket Clinic was an immense success. 

The closing ceremony was held at the TCL Sports 

Club at Claxton Bay, Trinidad. The function featured 

an exhibition game between the junior cricketers and 

presentation of certificates. In attendance were the 

participants, their parents and guardians, together with 

the coaches, representatives from TCL’s Management 

team and the Communication and Education 

Committee.

Under-19 Cricket Review 

Title sponsor of the West indies Under-19 Cricket Challenge, the TCl 

Group came in for lavish praise by newly elected President of the 

West indies Cricket Board, Julien hunte, for its contribution to the 

further development of the sport in the region. hunte was in st. 

kitts during the final stages of the tournament in august, which was 

hosted in the island for the first time in fourteen years. 

Team Guyana, led by Steven Jacobs, successfully retained the ‘Test Match’ title, beating the nearest 

rivals, Jamaica, by 12 points. The Jamaicans salvaged some pride when they humbled the Guyanese 

in the “limited overs” final at the Warner Park Stadium in Basseterre. Hunte, a long-serving cricket 

administrator in the region, praised the six territorial boards for keeping the sport alive at a junior 

level. “More, let me thank all the territories for helping to keep our cricket alive at the junior level. 

The Under-15 and Under-19 tournaments are and will increasingly become our avenues of choice for 

improving our cricket. When we have our retreat on cricket development we will be able to explore 

ways of improving our school and club cricket, but the Under 19 group is critical to our eventual 

success. I am glad that you recognise this and have been able to channel some of your resources into 

the tournament.” Hunte said hopefully, they would be able to mobilise the resources and use the 

national centres of excellence to have even better-prepared players for regional tournaments. “I also 

want to thank the Leeward Islands and St. Kitts and Nevis Associations for the extremely hard work 

they have put into making this tournament a success”. 

W.I. Under 19 

Cricket Team and 

TCL Group’s 

Alan Nobie 

(far right) 


48 

continued from pg 47 Chief Executive Officer of the TCL Group, Dr. Rollin Bertrand, said in celebration of their fifth year 

of sponsorship, their support of this venture meant more than just support for sports. Dr. Bertrand 

said the sponsorship was about cultivating heroes and role models, while at the same time providing 

an opportunity for a strengthened partnership and regional integration. He went on to state that the 

TCL Group is committed to Caribbean pride and development. “We are wholly devoted to helping 

our youth become eager, motivated persons of strong character. Through this premier tournament, 

we are, therefore, able to provide a forum for our region’s younger talent to shine, while fostering a 

better future for the region”. 

Several promising players emerged during the tournament and are already hailed as future 

flagbearers of West Indies cricket. Among them are Trinidad and Tobago’s batsmen Adrian Barath 

and Darren Bravo, Barbados’ all-rounder Shamarh Brooks, Jamaica’s speedster Jason Dawes, allrounders 

Andre Creary and Nkruma Bonner, Guyana’s batsman Rajendra Chandrika, skipper 

Steven Jacobs and left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul, Leeward Islands batsmen Kieron Powell 

and captain Devon Thomas. Also on show was Simon Steele, grandson of former West Indies 

Cricket Board president Capt. Peter Short. Twenty players were named by the West Indies selectors, 

Andy Roberts, Gordon Greenidge and Clyde Butts, to prepare for next year’s Youth World Cup in 

Malaysia. 


Final POinT sTanDinGs 

TCl GROUP WesT inDies UnDeR 19 CRiCkeT – PasT WinneRs 

YeaR hOsTs TesT MaTCh One DaY inTeRnaTiOnal 

WinneRs WinneRs 

2003 Guyana Trinidad & Tobago Trinidad & Tobago 

2004 Jamaica Jamaica Barbados 

2005 St. Vincent Trinidad & Tobago Trinidad & Tobago 

2006 Guyana Guyana Not played 

2007 St. Kitts Guyana Jamaica

Final POinT sTanDinGs - 2007 

Guyana 42 points 

Jamaica 30 points 

Trinidad & Tobago 27 points 

Barbados 21 points 

Leewards 18 points 

Windwards 15 points 

hOnOUR ROll: 

Test Match 

Most Outstanding Batsman Darren Bravo (T&T) 

Best All-rounder Shamarh Brooks 

(B’dos) 

Best Fieldsmen Adrian Barath (T&T) 

and 

Amal Nurse (B’dos) 

Best Bowler Shamarh Brooks 

(B’dos) 

Best Wicketkeeper Renaldo Arthur (B’dos) 

Runner-up Jamaica 

Winner Guyana 

One-Day series 

Most Outstanding Batsman Horace Miller (J’ca) 

Best All-rounder Chesney Hughes (LI) 

Best Bowler Jason Dawes (J’ca) 

Best Wicketkeeper Devon Thomas (LI) 

and Anthony Balgobin 

(T&T) 

Man of the Match Horace Miller 

Runner-up Guyana 

Winner Jamaica 

Wi UnDeR-19 sQUaD FOR YOUTh 

WORlD CUP 2008: 

Shamarh Brooks (B’dos), Rashidi Boucher (B’dos), Kyle 

Corbin (B’dos), Andre Creary (J’ca), Horace Miller (J’ca), 

Nkruma Bonner (J’ca), Darren Bravo (T&T), Adrian 

Barath (T&T), Jason Dawes (J’ca), Veerasammy Permaul 

(Guy), Steven Jacobs (Guy), Rajendra Chandrika (Guy), 

Dawnley Grant (WI), Kelbert Walters (LI), Chesney 

Hughes (LI), Devon Thomas (LI), Kieron Powell (LI), 

Linden Lawrence (WI), Delone Johnson (WI), Shacoya 

Thomas (J’ca). 

Alan Nobie - Manager, Investor Relations and Corporate 

Communications, presents the Test Match Challenge Trophy 

to Steven Jacobs, Captain of Guyana’s U-19 Team 


APPRECIATION 

50 

Mr. Brian Sawh, 

Managing Director of 

The Village Auto & 

Hardware Superstores 

Ltd. collects his Top 

Customer award for 

Exceptional Sales 

from TCL’s Finance 

Manager, Mr. 

Parasram Heerah 


TCL Hosts Annual Customer Family Day 

Trinidad Cement limited recently hosted its 7th annual Family Day 

at Pier 1, Chaguaramas, Trinidad, for the company’s top one hundred 

Customers and sales Performers. 

This much anticipated event saw guests being treated to cruises, “live” entertainment by popular 

local group Dil-E-Nadan, a variety of eats and a well-stocked bar. Children were not forgotten and a 

play park was available for their enjoyment. 

TCL employees were also 

present and took the opportunity 

to understand the customers’ 

perspectives in an effort to 

continuously improve relations. 

Among the top one hundred 

customers present were: E-Zee 

Lay Bricks Limited, Superior 

Readymix Limited, Coosal’s 

Concrete & Blocks Limited, 

Readymix West Indies Limited, 

Halliburton Trinidad Limited, 

Pres-T-Con Limited and 

Bhagwansingh’s Hardware. 

Customers were very 

appreciative of TCL’s efforts 

and indicated that the event far 

exceeded their expectations, 

making special mention that the 

cruise was their favourite part of 

the day. 

Awardee for the highest sales in the North 

East Zone – Mr. Dean Dass (centre) of 

R. Dass and Sons Hardware, 

Sangre Grande with TCL Customer 

Service Representatives

Clockwise: 

Dil-E-Nadan’s female frontline 

singer heats up the atmosphere at 

the TCL Customer Family Day 

at Pier 1. 

General Manager of Readymix 

(West Indies) Ltd., Mr. Manan 

Deo collects the 

Top Readymix Producer award 

from TCL’s GM, Mr. Arun 

Goyal. 

The children had fun with 

Spider Man at TCL’s Annual 

Customer Family Day at Pier 1. 


52 


“The Games”… A Sports and 

Family Day Like No Other! 

Camaraderie and merriment prevailed at the TCL Group’s annual sports and family day 

at Ortinola Estate in Trinidad last July. A truly unifying event, which aptly reflected the 

TCL Group’s passion statement “One Caribbean…One Company”, employees from the 

Group’s subsidiaries in Barbados, Jamaica and Guyana flew in to participate with their 

Trinbagonian colleagues at what was described as the best sports and family day in the 

company’s history. Titled “The Games” and based on medieval times 500 AD to 1500 

AD, the occasion was commemorated with a variety of historically inspired games and 

activities such as Chariot Race, Templar’s Shroud, Merlin’s Race and Knighthood. Even 

the masters of ceremony, JW & Blaze, assumed the characters of court jesters, and music 

was provided by DJ Merry Perry. 

Overall, the event was fun filled and vibrant, with the venue, participants and 

supporters transformed into a scene straight out of the history books, making the day 

both magical and memorable. The pictures tell the story…


CELEBRATION 

54 

Dr. Suruj Rambachan 

delivers the feature address 


Yagna, Dharma and Prasaad ... 

Values that Guide a Hindu at Work as 

TCL Celebrates Divali 

Dr. Surujrattan Rambachan was the feature 

speaker at TCL’s Divali function on October 27. 

He stated that he accepted the invitation to 

speak from an appreciation of the role that TCL 

has played in his life. Following are some extracts 

from his address that was well received by the 

audience. 

“I have chosen to share my thoughts with you this afternoon on the 

topic, ‘The Values That Guide a Hindu at Work –Yagna, Dharma and 

Prasaad’. 

The Bhagavad Geeta, a sacred text of Hindus, speaks about Yagna, 

which is an attitude in service. The word Yagna means to selflessly offer 

one’s best skills and resources to the best of one’s ability for the benefit 

of the community. Where the Yagna spirit is practised, it evokes for the 

practitioner the universal law of abundance, the practitioner of Yagna 

becoming the fit recipient of the fruits of such sacrifice and personal 

dedication. This is the theory of Karma, of cause and effect; of ‘as you 

sow so shall you reap’. Can you imagine what the results would be for 

organisation life and success, for interpersonal relations in organisations, 

if people were to work in the Yagna spirit? 

Firstly, work must be efficiently performed, and secondly, it must be 

undertaken without attachment. You may be wondering, ‘how can I 

work and not be attached to the result?’ The Hindu tradition has never 

suggested that one should not have a result in mind nor should one not 

be rewarded properly for one’s work. In fact, goal setting, fairness and 

equity are values upheld in Hinduism. What is connoted here is the 

fact that attachment breeds individualism, which is inconsistent with the principle of cooperation 

required in the workplace. Act efficiently and you and your organisation will grow. This is the spirit 

of Yagna. You should refuse to burden yourself with worries and anxieties for the results of your 

actions, even while you are performing the action. Remember that the results of the actions depend 

on the very quality of the actions. Yagna engages the attention and energy of the individual on the 

quality of the actions. It is about the pursuit of excellence. 

The second value that guides a Hindu at work is the value of Dharma, or what is often translated 

to mean duty, but it is also about ethical conduct. Nothing good comes from abandoning one’s duty, 

especially when that abandonment is prompted by ease and pleasure. Vacillation of the mind is born 

out of weakness. Steadfastness to duty, on the other-hand, strengthens man and aids in the building 

of character. Constancy is life; vacillation is death. It is only through firm devotion to duty that man 

gains in excellence.

Dharma enjoins the individual to always act 

with the highest regard and respect for the rights 

of others. It would be unethical if in the pursuit 

of my happiness, I were to do so in a manner that 

infringes upon the rights of others. Consider 

the implications for workplace behaviour, for 

interpersonal relations. My happiness depends 

on the ethical life I live. This also includes the life 

I live and the values I practise at the workplace 

with my colleagues and customers. In another 

self-empowering verse of the Bhagavad Geeta, the 

Lord says in Chapter 6, Verse 5: ‘Man must lift 

himself by himself; and having lifted himself; let 

him not allow himself to be dragged down. For 

this Self alone is your friend, and indeed, this Self 

alone is your enemy’. 

This, of course, is a clarion call for man to pursue 

perfection, not only in terms of secular skills and 

learning, but perhaps more importantly, in terms 

of spiritual perfection and self-understanding. 

The final value that I wish to speak about, 

Prasaad, relates to how the Hindu at work 

deals with the results of his work, particularly 

disappointments. There are two things that I 

would like to say: firstly, one’s best self-evaluation 

might be that one is doing a fantastic job and may 

even have been complimented for it. However, 

one might even then find oneself not being the 

recipient of the fruits of that performance. We 

can become very disappointed at work and demotivated. 

We can become depressed and even 

suicidal. Results we achieve can sap our energy 

and make us inefficient. The result is that one can 

further derail one’s career. Secondly, therefore, 

how do you deal with disappointments? 

The value of Prasaad allows a Hindu to 

appreciate that he did his best and that the result 

is the gift from God. Gifts from God are valued, 

not rejected. Once this attitude of Prasaad is 

practised, the mind assumes cheerfulness. This 

cheerfulness reinvigorates the spirit of the 

individual. It removes spite and anger as reactions 

and preserves the mental poise and inner peace of 

the recipient of even negative results. 

Where work becomes worship – or may we 

say ‘workship’ – there will be greater discipline; 

greater love for what we do; a sense of purpose; 

and sacrifice. Above all, we would act always on 

the basis of ethics and principles. 


AWARDS 

56 


TCL Group Realises Company’s Dreams 

of Growth: Caribbean Excellence 

Shines at Annual Awards 

The spirit of regional integration and excellence was celebrated 

when the TCL Group hosted its 2005/2006 Group Awards in Jamaica 

recently. The theme of this year’s awards, “Living the Dream”, served 

as an acknowledgement of how individuals have contributed to the 

stellar performance of the Group throughout 2006 and of how the 

Group contributes to Caribbean growth. 

The TCL Group celebrated another year of performance excellence, despite several challenges faced 

by subsidiary companies within the Group. Notwithstanding the removal of tariff protections 

in Jamaica, TCL Group member, Caribbean Cement Company Limited, transcended several 

problems in its operating environment and was able to report a year of success. Similarly, while fuel 

problems characterised the Barbados landscape, Arawak Cement Company Limited reported record 

profitability. 

The winners of Group Awards included Arawak Cement, which emerged as the Most Improved 

Subsidiary for 2005. Edmund Thomas of Readymix West Indies Limited, received the Group 

Outstanding Community Involvement of the Year Award, while Cindy Siewbally of the Corporate 

Office, received the Group Academic Achiever of the Year Award. The Group Sports Personality 

of the Year Award was given to Albert Collymore of Arawak Cement and the Group Creativity 

and Innovation Individual Award went to Rabindra Santokee of Readymix and the Team Award to 

Caribbean Cement Company Limited’s Fuels Team.

The Group Safe Worker of the Year Award went to Kenrick Toppie of TCL, while the Sales and 

Marketing Department of Carib Cement copped the Group Department of the Year Award. Most 

Improved Subsidiary for 2006 was won by Readymix Limited; Noel McKenzie of Carib Cement and 

Lisel Cozier of Corporate Office were winners of the TCL Group Employee of the Year Award for 

2005 and 2006 respectively. Rounding off the Awards were Special Recognition Awards, which were 

given to Group ISO 14001 Teams of TCL, Arawak Cement and Carib Cement and an award for Civic 

Duty at a National and Regional Level, which was given to Dennison Dean of TCL. 

The TCL Group focuses on regional integration within the business sector, by building its 

operations and committing to corporate responsibility in every Caribbean territory within which 

the organisation operates. Acknowledging the regional significance of this pan-Caribbean company’s 

awards, Group Chairman, Mr. Andy Bhajan, noted, “We at The TCL Group have set ourselves the 

task of bridging the natural divide of the Caribbean Sea, bringing our people together under the 

banner, ‘One Caribbean…One Company’. 

In addition, the TCL Group helps build the Caribbean at the community level by sponsoring West 

Indies Under 19 Cricket, assisting with cultural initiatives through the TCL Group Skiffle Bunch 

Steel Orchestra in Trinidad and Tobago, and offering scholarships to UWI students. The TCL Group 

also has an alliance with Habitat for Humanity, helping to build homes for low-income families across 

the region. 

Recognising the Company’s vision to serve the entire Caribbean region through plants from 

Jamaica to Guyana, Group CEO, Dr. Rollin Bertrand, outlined the essence of the Group’s regional 

focus by noting, “In order for us to continue realising our Caribbean vision, we need the support of 

all of our team members…we need to live regional integration. We need to take advantage of our 

differences. For it is these differences that provide the potential to be creative and innovative.” 

The feature speaker at the TCL Group Annual Awards this year was internationally renowned and 

regionally esteemed Professor Nigel Harris, of the Mona, Jamaica Campus of The University of the 

West Indies. Professor Harris noted that in 1965, Dr. Martin Luther King addressed the University 

College of the West Indies (from which the UWI emerged) and raised three points that today prove 

to be a recipe for Caribbean growth: innovation, excellence and tolerance. 


58 



Group Instant & Quarterly 

Awardees 2007 

CCCL INSTANT REWARDS 

APRIL: 

1. Group: Orlando Lowe, Norris Thomas, 

Deon Hall and Anthony Dobbs of the 

Engineering Services Department 

2. Anthony Dobbs of the Engineering Services 

Department 

MAY: 

1. Group: Norris Thomas, Earl Wellesley, 

Newton Hall, Deon Hall, Orlando Lowe, 

Richard Passley, Lance Craig, Howard 

Edwards of Engineering Services and 

Manufacturing Departments. 

2. Group: Sandra Cowell, Janet Barrett, Lystra 

Sharp, Frances Weir, Angelina Powell 

and Kerisa Darby of the Human Resources, 

Technical Operations, Public Relations 

Departments 

JUNE: 

1. Group: Byron Hylton, Cleveland Christie, 

Courtney Gordon of the Manufacturing 

Department 

2. Kenroy Brackenridge of the Engineering 

Services Department 

3. Patrick McDonald of the Engineering Services 

Department 

JULY: 

1. Leonard Watson & Keble Kerr of the Quarries 

Department 

2. Kenroy Brackenridge & Karla Williams of 

the Engineering Services Department 

AUGUST: 

1. Wayne Campbell of the Manufacturing 

Department. 

SEPTEMBER: (exceptional month) 

1. Everard Kelly, Kenroy Brackenridge, Antonio 

Thomas, Patrick Blidgen, Paul Crossley and 

Courtney Gordon of Manufacturing and 

Engineering Services Group 

2. Lenworth McLeod of the Manufacturing 

Department 

3. Bevin Crooks, Ferdinand Cunningham, 

Donald Jack -Stores Team 

4. Courtney Gordon, Byron Hylton, Joseph 

Morrell, Michael Walker, Jeron Wheeler, 

Lloyd Brown and Howard Edwards of the 

Manufacturing and Engineering Services 

Group 

JULY – SEPTEMBER 

EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER 

Caribbean Cement Co. – 

Ingrid McKenzie, Laboratory Technician 

Jamaica Gypsum & Quarries – 

Donald Williams, Crusher Operator 

SAFE WORKER OF THE QUARTER 

Alonzo Friend, Instrument Technician 

CREATIVITY & INNOVATION 

Engineering Services Team: Omar Montaque, 

Gregory Clarke, Adrain Wray, David McDonald 

and Joseph Daley 


60 



ACCL INSTANT REWARDS 

MAY: 

Engineering Services Department – Mechanical 

• Siebert Oxley 

• Pearson Jackman 

Engineering Services Department – Power Station 

• Adrian Greaves 

• John Bishop 

• Ishmael Douglin 

Administration Department 

• Douglas Brathwaite 

JULY: 


• Barry Best 

• Harcourt Ward 

• Keith Rawlins 

• Alvin McCollin 

• Adrian Headley 

• Peter Rock 

• Terry Burnette 

• Ian Smart 

• Colwyn Brathwaite 

• Charles Sargeant 

Plant Services Department 

• Valentine Stevenson 

Power Sation Team 

• Neil Harvey 

• David Davis 

• Athelbert Broomes 

• Winston Ramsey 

• Alban Hercules 

EMPLOYEES OF THE 1ST QUARTER: 

1. Alvin McCollin - Engineering Services 

(Mechanical) 

2. Primero Moore - Engineering Services 

(Electrical) 

3. Janice Springer – Human Resources 

4. Jennifer Niles – Materials 

5. Janelle Small – Finance 

6. Michael Beckles – Process 

7. Athelbert Broome – Process 

EMPLOYEES OF THE 2ND QUARTER: 

1. Ian Bend - Packing and Loading – Production 

Department 

2. Edwin Sobers – Quarry – Production 

Department 

3. Cecil Griffith – Materials 

4. Beverly Taylor – Accounts 

5. Trevor Corbin – Marketing 

6. Janice Springer – Human Resources 

SAFE EMPLOYEE OF THE 1ST QUARTER 

Douglas Brathwaite 

TCL INSTANT REWARDS 

APRIL: 

Mr. David Saroop –c /o Production Department 

MAY: 

Vilma Marshall, Danielle Paty, Erica George & 

Michelle Lutchmansingh – c /o Human Resource 

Department 

Mrs. Carol Harewood, Wilma Goddard & Inee 

Robinson-Manson – c /o TCL Sports Club 

Kiln Team – Engineering Services, c /o Engineering 

Services Department 

JUNE: 

Messrs. Dave Alleyne & Rory Jagoo – c /o Human 

Resource Department - Security 

Messrs. Sherwin Singh & Richardo Gill – c /o 


TCL Sports Club Executive, Anne Phillip, 

Geneen Rogers, Patricia Russell, Roderick 

Boodram – c /o TCL Sports Club

RML INSTANT REWARDS 

MAY: 

1. Edmund Thomas 

2. Rabindra Santokee 

JUNE: 

1. Credit Control Department 

JULY: 

1. Rannie Bigram-Seepersad 

2. Team – Kathy-Ann Besson-James, Ayanna 

Garnes, Gayatri Mangroo 

AUGUST: 

1. Team – Nicholas Job & Jerome Chrysostom 

CREATIVITY & INNOVATION 

April – Matthew Lopez 

August – Jerome Chrysostom 

EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER 

April – June – Rabindra Santokee 

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AWARD 

April – June – Finance Department. 

Corporate Office 

INSTANT REWARDS 

APRIL: 

1. Sasha Batchasingh, GHR 

2. Team – Group Internal Audit 

Gewan Armoogam 

Michael Tracey 

Lisa Teewarie-Sankar 

Rona Rampersad-Mohammed 

Tyrone Persad 

Nigel Khan 

JUNE: 

1. Michelle Bissoon, GT&I 

2. Kathy-Ann Ramdass, GIBM 

3. Team – Group T&I 

Nickey Ali 

Khalid Rahaman 

Kelvin Roberts 

Lezley-Anne Holder 

Jefferson Boodram 

Michelle Bissoon 

Fassad Mohammed 

Giselle Regis 

Balmatee Rajkumarsingh 

JULY/AUGUST: 

1. Kathy-Ann Ramdass, GIBM 

2. Kelvin Roberts, GT&I 


Lezley-Anne Holder 

Jefferson Boodram 


Nickey Ali 

Khalid Rahaman 


ENTERTAINMENT 

62 


Music and Healing 

with the TCL Group Skiffle Bunch 

Pan is known the world over as a popular form of entertainment and 

accompaniment to festive activity. However, did you know that it might 

also be good for your health? For the past two years, I have been 

conducting research with the TCL Group Skiffle Bunch in an effort to 

better understand relationships between music, culture, and healing. 

Our work may soon be able to shed new light on effective, low cost, noninvasive, 

non-pharmacological interventions against illness and disease. 

For a long time, Western medicine has relied on a biological model. When you’re sick, all interventions 

are to the body – x-rays, blood samples, and vital signs are taken, drugs administered, surgeries 

performed. However, as public interest has reawakened to holistic and integrative conceptions of 

health, there has been a growing movement to expand this model to include psychological, cultural, 

and spiritual aspects of wellbeing. 

For more than twenty-five years, the TCL Group and Skiffle Bunch have worked together to 

promote musical excellence in San Fernando, Trinidad. Their artistic and cultural achievements have 

been lauded, but their contributions to the community go deeper. “You have to be mindful,” says TCL 

Group Skiffle Bunch Captain Junia Regrello. “People come to the panyard for many different reasons. 

You have to be sensitive to that. This one is having trouble at home, that one has money problems 

– everybody has trouble.” And this “trouble” often leads to a variety of stress, anxiety, and depression 

related illnesses. Since the founding of Skiffle Bunch more than thirty years ago, Regrello has been 

developing ways to use the music and related activities of the group as healthful intervention. 

The keys to Regrello’s ideology are embedded in the name of the group and can be understood by 

answering the question, “What is a Skiffle Bunch?” In this context, “Skiffle” refers to jazz or blues 

inspired music that was common in the U.S. during the early 20th century, spread to England, and 

became popular in the 1950s and 1960s. Skiffle music was often played on everyday objects like hair

combs, pots and pans, or jugs. The spirit of skiffle is in seeing 

the possibility in one’s available resources and living both 

meaningfully and creatively through them. The “bunch” 

part, Regrello explains, “is about the importance of sticking 

together. Very early on, the founding members of the band 

faced some hard decisions about who we were and where we 

were going. Those decisions could have split our band apart. 

We made a decision that it was better to stick together like 

a bunch of grapes.” Shortly after this decision, the Skiffle 

Bunch was born – a steelband committed to sticking together 

and finding ways to live creatively and meaningfully through 

their music. 

The Skiffle Bunch Management Committee, led by 

Regrello, actively mentors the younger members of the group, 

helping them explore their potential and the possibilities of 

their circumstances. In the tradition of skiffle, everything 

does not always have to be what it seems. The story of how 

pan developed in Trinidad is a metaphor for this and is often 

expressed to Skiffle Bunch members. A mid 20th-century 

development of Afro-Trinidadian festive practices, pan was 

initially stigmatised. However, during Trinidad’s transition 

from a colonial society to an independent nation, pan was 

transformed from a Carnival practice of a disenfranchised 

lower class community into a symbol for the creative spirit of 

the nation. Creative and determined early pannists utilised 

music to help engage with their world, articulate and pursue 

what matters to them, and effectively constitute a sense of 

wellbeing. The same way an oil drum can be transformed 

into a treasured national instrument, with a little creative 

thinking, many of life’s stressful circumstances can be recast 

as opportunities for growth. This does not mean that all of 

life’s stresses can be reinterpreted as joyous events. However, 

actively engaging with them can be empowering – the 

individual has a hand in deciding what the circumstances 

in their life mean – and this alters the way they respond to 

stressful circumstances. 

Sometimes this is not an easy process. People lose jobs. 

Children lose parents. Life can be hard. Being part of a social 

network as strong as the TCL Group Skiffle Bunch helps. 

They are there for consolation, counselling, as well as various 

other types of aid; and your brothers and sisters are counting 

on you to be there for them too. As members of the group 

begin to move forward in their own thinking and reach a 

place of intellectual, moral, ethical, and emotional stability, 

the Management Committee begins to increase their levels 

of responsibility within the ensemble. People helping when 

they can and getting help when they need it - the TCL Group 

Skiffle Bunch is a mutual aid society in the purest sense of 

the concept. 

At the heart of both the “skiffle” and “bunch” components 

of Regrello’s programme is a powerful musical experience. 

Part of the Skiffle Bunch musical style is a remarkably deep 

intellectual, emotional, and physical engagement with the 

music. Such processes can be cathartic and thus helpful 

resources in combating stress, anxiety, and depression related 

illness. Also, such high levels of exertion temporarily block 

out stress and its harmful effects, and may even produce 

endorphins that lead to feelings of euphoria. Many members 

of the TCL Group Skiffle Bunch shared testimonies of how 

musical experience, coupled with their related activities in 

the group, have effected positive, healthful transformations 

in their life. 

Over a three-month period during the summer of 2007, 

I administered surveys to the TCL Group Skiffle Bunch 

to determine what initiatives and practices they perceived 

to have healthful effects relative to reported symptoms of 

stress, anxiety, and depression. I also followed up the surveys 

with detailed personal interviews. Through these methods, 

along with months of group participation, observation, as 

well as additional formal and informal interviews, I have 

found that certain members of the group are able to generate 

successful, non-invasive, non-pharmacological interventions 

against stress, anxiety, and depression related illness. The 

level of success varied from person to person. Some reported 

reductions in tension, the alleviation of headaches, and 

positive changes in their mood. Others experienced more 

dramatic benefits; most notably, several participants noted an 

analgesic effect that led to the elimination of chronic pains. 

Since the data collection phase has only recently been 

completed and the project is now in the early stages of analysis, 

no definitive explanations can yet be made. However, the 

potential implications of this work are exciting. If healthful 

interventions can be attributed to specific musical, cultural, 

and healthful practices, can the phenomenon of healing being 

amplified within the TCL Group Skiffle Bunch community? 

If so, can their success then be synthesized into theories 

that will demonstrate musical healing as a broadly human 

potential? Given the current global crisis in health care, such 

findings would be of tremendous value. 

Jeff Jones, Florida State University 

Jeff Jones is a visiting assistant professor at Florida State University 

(FSU) where he is also a doctoral candidate in ethnomusicology. 

His research program is in a field called medical ethnomusicology; 

a multidisciplinary endeavor that seeks to better understand the 

intersection of music, culture, and health. 


64 

FAST FACTS 

• There are no letters assigned to 

the numbers 1 and 0 on a phone 

keypad. These numbers remain 

unassigned because they are 

so-called “flag” numbers, kept 

for special purposes such as 

emergency or operator services. 

• The names of all the continents 

end with the letter they start with.. 

• The pin that holds a hinge together 

is called a pintle. 

• The Vatican is the world’s smallest 

country, at 0,44 square km (0,16 

square miles).. 

• Eskimos use refrigerators to keep 

food from freezing. 

• The sentence “The quick brown 

fox jumps over the lazy dog” uses 

every letter of the alphabet. 

• The pleasant feeling of eating 

chocolate is caused by a 

chemical called anadamide, a 

neurotransmitter which also is 

produced naturally in the brain. 

• From the Middle Ages until the 

18th century the local barber’s 

duties included dentistry, blood 

letting, minor operations and bonesetting. 

The barber’s striped red 

pole originates from when patients 

would grip the pole during an 

operation. 

• Air-filled tyres were used on 

bicycles before they were used on 

motorcars. 

• TIP is the acronym for “To Insure 

Promptness.” 

• To make one kilo of honey bees 

have to visit 4 million flowers, 

travelling a distance equal to 4 

times around the earth. 


Karaoke… The RML Way! 

RML’s Karaoke event made its debut earlier this 

year. Most appropriately tagged as “Howling 

Friday”, a small committee planned what 

turned out to be undisputedly one of the most 

entertaining Readymix events to date! With great 

prizes being offered for various categories, many 

persons signed up for the event. 

A diverse team of employees formed the judging panel to decide the fate of 

participants. The “highly competent” team comprising Ayanna Garnes, 

Dion Martin, Keston Mahabir and Nishah Mohammed-Basdeosingh were 

given score cards ranging from zero to ten; and trust us when we say, they 

were not afraid to use the score cards of five and under! 

Tanya Foncette “kicked off” the event with her rendition of Britney 

Spears’ “Hit Me Baby One More Time” to the delight of the audience, 

especially of the male gender. Following her was HR Manager, Jackie 

Ryan-Brathwaite who performed Whitney Houston’s, “All The Man That 

I need” using Darryl Boynes as a “prop”, much to the amusement of the 

crowd. 

Who could forget “The Supremes” (Nicole T., Pat, Shurlan & Michelle), 

who came out “dressed to kill” to perform their soulful rendition of “I’m 

So Excited”, and who knew Darryl Boynes had so many moves?! Impressive 

to say the least, Darryl captured everyone’s attention with his version of 

Michael Jackson’s, “I’m Bad”. 

General Manager, Manan Deo was not to be left out, as he too caught 

the Karaoke spirit and serenaded the ladies with the song “Bridge Over 

Troubled Waters”. 

While everyone was enjoying the delicious Geera Pork, Chicken and 

Corn Soup, the sweet sound of Bob Marley was heard on the horizon. All 

credit to Allan for adding to the fun of the evening! 

Shurlan, RML’s actress of the year, and Michelle, had everyone “in 

stitches” with their portrayal of Stevie Wonder & Paul McCartney’s 

“Ebony and Ivory”. The Admin Professional group comprising Debra, 

Petra, Nicole, Carrie & Candice were exciting and entertaining, with their 

original lyrics for the song “She Works Hard For The Money”. Nicole 

Thomas won the coveted prize of Best Karaoke singer by “belting” out the 

song “I Will Survive” with her sweet and powerful voice. Special mention 

must also be made of people such as Gerard, Austin, Jerome, Lew, Bahal 

and Tricia, who also took part in the event.

ISO Certification 

The TCL Group is committed to ‘continual improvement and 

environmental enhancement’. Together, the companies within 

the Group build foundations for improving the quality of life 

in the region and aspire to satisfy the needs and expectations of 

stakeholders. Collectively then, the TCL Group has adopted a personal 

commitment and accountability for pollution prevention, resource 

conservation and compliance 

with environmental legislation 

within the countries in which it 

operates. As such, the TCL Group 

has not only sought frameworks 

for achieving the highest 

standards of environmental 

performance, but has achieved 

ISO Certification. 

ISO, the International Organization of 

Standardization ‘is a world wide federation of 

national standards bodies’. These standards 

are intended to provide organisations 

with the ‘fundamentals of an effective 

environmental management system (EMS) 

that can be integrated with other management 

requirements and help organisations 

achieve environmental and economic goals’. 

These standards exist to help organisations minimise how their operations negatively affect the 

environment, comply with applicable laws, regulations, and other environmentally oriented 

requirements and continually improve on the above. 

ISO is internationally accredited as it presents a comprehensive set of standards for environmental 

management that can be implemented by any company world wide. This international standard for 

environmental management is one of the governing body systems at the TCL Group, providing an 

avenue for better management and improvement in overall performance. 

Within the TCL Group, some of the major environmental impacts include air emissions, liquid 

effluents, solid waste and environmental noise. 

These pollutants are components of every industry and as such form a fundamental part of TCL’s 

environmental policy. As a result of ISO Certification, the TCL Group now integrates these guiding 

principles together with the standards presented through ISO. 

Some of the major environmentally hazardous activities within the Group include quarrying 

combustion and pyro-processing in the Kilns, cooling of hot clinker, cement milling, storage of clinker 

and other raw materials, and packaging of cement, all of which contribute to air pollution. However, 

due to the body of standard, which ISO presents, the TCL Group is at the present ‘more capable’ to 

The TCL Group booth at 

Amcham’s recent HSE fair 

ACHIEVEMENTS 


66 



deal with these stipulations in accordance to ‘an internationally set and accredited law’, thus making 

their activities as harmless and as environmentally friendly as possible. As such, the company has 

improved and introduced ‘environmental technology’ that act in accordance with ISO standards. 

Cyclones, Baghouse Electrostatic Precipitators, Gas Analyzers and Dustscreen, Vegetation and 

Vegetation Barriers are some of these implementations, which collectively make the TCL Group’s 

efforts sound and internationally and regionally recognised and accepted. 

Additionally, the operation at the TCL Group is so expansive that it goes beyond that of air 

hazard, (which form a major part of its policy), to include activities that have other environmental 

effects. Activities such as water run-off from plant, material spillages and the operation of heavy 

plant equipment which are liquid, solid and noise hazards respectively. However, the TCL Group as 

a result of its ISO Certification and the implementation of these standards is now further equipped 

to handle such occurrences – Settling Ponds, Vacuum Cleaning, Controlled Disposal IN Landfill 

Facilities, and engineering Sound Insulation and Abatement are the ‘environmental technology’ 

adopted by the Group to not only satisfy the requirements of ISO but that of its stakeholders, who 

continuously contribute to the success and advancement of this corporation. 

With ISO Certification, operating companies can now demonstrate sound environmental 

performance by controlling the impact of their activities, product and services on the environment 

(as stated above), consistent with their environmental policy and objectives. This certification now 

gives the TCL Group the assurance that its performance meets the legal and policy requirements, an 

assurance that is not substantial on its own. 

Overall, the fundamental premise of the International Organization of Standardization is to 

produce a company that works more efficiently by reducing waste and minimising loss time due 

to accidents, hence the TCL Group is provided with a solid framework for meeting environmental 

challenges, which in turn results in greater profit for the company and higher dividends for 

shareholders.


BRANDING 

68 

A logo is the first point of 

contact with the brand. 

It should be easy to 

remember and immediately 

recognisable. 


Hitting that Nail 

Right Between the Eyes 

Look up at the night sky. Can you spot the North Star? The Little Dipper? 

Now ask yourself this: how is it that in a universe of billions of stars, that 

I know these few special ones? 

The answer to this is quite likely the foundation of what branding is all 

about. 

There are very few companies in existence that are so unique that 

they are the only one that offers a particular product, service or specialty. 

After perfecting this core competence, branding and the development 

of a strong, easily identifiable brand identity, is what will separate your 

company’s shining star from the galaxy of other options available in a 

competitive marketplace. 

Branding is a very specific process — and one that the importance 

of which is often realised too late in the process of the overall business 

development. 

Branding is an integral part of the complete marketing strategy. 

It is the most central part. But way too often branding is confused with 

advertising, and the goals of an advertising campaign are interlaced with 

the development of brand identity. 

A simple way to look at the difference between these two is to 

think of advertising as the vehicle for the brand. Advertising is timely. 

The brand should be timeless. 

One of the most overlooked and misunderstood aspects of brand 

strategy is environmental branding — how the brand communicates 

within the context of a given space. 

Environmental design is not simply “signage”. Neither is it 

about designing templates for wall signs that say: “please wash hands”, 

or “No Parking”. Branding an environment is about using the space to 

communicate essential core values of the brand and the corporation. It 

is how employees buy into the brand and really believe in the work they 

do and the products and services they provide to the public and to the 

corporation. 

It is how guests immediately understand what this company is 

about. 

Environmental design is one of the most important touchpoints 

for the brand; because this is where the brand speaks directly to the 

human being it was intended to reach. No other station to switch to. No other box on the shelf to 

compare with. 

Business today is vastly different from times gone by. Manufacturing companies find themselves 

in a marketplace where it is very easy to produce a product, but exceedingly difficult to differentiate 

that product from all the other similar ones that compete for a share of the market. Today’s 

groundbreaking technological advance is tomorrow’s obsolete doorstopper.

Service companies are not immune to competition either. The rapid expansion of the 

intellectual base means that if you did something unique today, it is safe to assume that 

everyone is bright enough that by tomorrow the competition has already caught on and 

have got something similar in development. 

How then, to insulate your investment from exposure to this competitive 

environment? 

Build a complete, cohesive and resonant brand strategy, then refine and nurture it so 

that it can help keep the company star shining brightly in the mind of the public. 

Remember that products are created in the factory, but brands are created in the 

mind. 

Visit www.formandfunction.co.tt for examples of some of the issues described in this 

article. 

• The need for effective brand identity cuts across public and 

private sectors, from new companies to merged organisations 

to businesses that need to reposition or repackage themselves. 

The best brand identity systems are memorable, authentic, 

meaningful, differentiated, sustainable, flexible and have 

value. Recognition becomes immediate across cultures and 

customs. 

• A logo is a point of entry to the brand. 

A welcome sight. Corporate 

environmental design 

helps people identify, 

navigate and understand 

environments and often 

establishes the first 

impressions of the company. 

• Signage helps people identify, navigate and understand 

environments. 

• A successful brand is all about detail. Every facet of a brand must 

be apparent in an organisation’s communication, behaviour, 

products and environment. 


70 

Sudoku 

Solution 

from page 31 



72

CARIBBEAN - TCL Group

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