Resist the ‘quick buck’

“Tried and True” is the slogan adopted by Trinidad and Tobago manufacturers as they embark on a campaign to heighten awareness of the excellent products made in this country. This was revealed by Anthony Hosang, outgoing president of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA,) while addressing a seminar last week organised by the Employers Consultative Association (ECA.) Although he was supposed to address the theme “Employers’ preparedness to function effectively and competitively in light of the impending trade agreements,” Hosang chose instead to share with his audience the desires of the manufacturing sector in 2004.

Hosang disclosed that the campaign had the blessings of the Ministry of Trade, which had already developed the mechanics of the programme.
But the TTMA president is pleading with businessmen and those responsible for government procurement “to consider locally manufactured items as alternatives that will strengthen our sector and our capabilities. “Charity begins at home,” admonished Hosang. He said when the programme is actually launched sometime later this year, “it will make us proud of the things we make here and strengthen our local and regional market against the allure of the simply novel or foreign.” Hitting at the “quick buck” syndrome, TTMA boss pointed out that “dumped” goods in our markets were bought and brought in by our own importers and agents and in another plea said, “We wish the T&T business community would develop a strong streak of national pride and resist the quick buck, helping our producers to withstand unfair competition that arrives in ‘only’ one or two containers.”
In a quick glance at energy, Hosang said it was ironic that with relatively small manufacturing operations, T&T boasts natural gas trains that are the largest in the world so that there is the potential to generate a host of downstream industrial activity and sustainable jobs in the energy sector. He then listed a litany of needs :- “We need to ensure that employment opportunities are available to move the work force from low tech to service oriented and high tech skill sets.

“We need more joint government-private sector studies to undertake sector and market surveys to assess what we need to be producing and then support investment in those sectors identified. “We need to look objectively at the survivability of existing companies under the new FTAA regime and devise exit and re-engineering strategies for companies. “Through market research, we need to identify indigenous products with comparative advantages, including agribusiness.” The TTMA chief called for government support as his association strived to enhance the manufacturing environment in the country. Pointing out that trade liberalisation demanded a productive and efficient workforce in both the public and private sectors stated, “Our leaders must seek mechanisms to encourage a workforce that is driven by the rule of advancement by merit and by merit alone.” Hosang, dealing with his sector, said, “Manufacturing is the most critical sector in our economy. We are not just entrepreneurs or profiteers.

We are the part of the private sector that integrates all the elements of our economy to create a product; to create culture and sustainability. “Trinidad and Tobago needs an inviting manufacturing environment, one that will encourage businesspersons, be they local or foreign, to invest in non oil manufacturing. Our entrepreneurs will rise to the challenge as they have done in the past,” Hosang added. On the imminent FTAA enactment, Hosang had this to say. “To balance the prospects of FTAA — the largest single market in the world — Trinidad and Tobago must continue to strengthen the position of Caricom. Remember that we are 14 of the 34 FTAA states. We are a lobby that should be more strenuously exercised in the negotiations for ‘fair trade’ in FTAA. “As we continue to forge agreements with our South American neighbours, including Cuba, as well as to continue to secure our good relations with China, India and Europe, let Caricom be our first market. “And I strongly suggest that while Caricom still commands 14 votes of the total 34 in FTAA, we must press for the advantage of our Caribbean citizens before the agreement is enacted. We will get no hearing afterwards,” he warned.