In 2015, the US agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions 26 to 28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025 as part of the Paris deal.

The Rhodium Group estimates that under Trump’s policies, US emissions will now most likely fall just 15 to 19 percent below 2005 levels by 2025. In addition, the US promised $3 billion in aid to poorer countries to assist them increase clean energy and adjust to droughts, sea-level rise, and other global warming disasters. The Obama administration contributed $1 billion thus far, as have other wealthy nations. But Trump has promised to terminate all future payments; one possible result is for developing nations in Africa and Asia to be less enthusiastic to deal with their emissions.

It has to be admitted that before President Trump’s announcement, those efforts of curbing emissions and strengthening those pledges with the expectations of escaping catastrophic warming were not being met. In fact, the total current pledges place the earth on track to warm three degrees Celsius or more above pre-industrial levels, an outcome with a far greater risk of destabilising ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica, higher sea-level rise, more destructive heat waves and droughts, and the loss of vital ecosystems like coral reefs.

Global warming, brought on by the release of carbon dioxide, methane, soot, and other pollutants into the atmosphere act like a blanket, trapping the sun’s heat and causing the planet to warm.

Data reveals that 2000 to 2009 was hotter than any other decade in the past 1,300 years. Higher temperatures are worsening many types of disasters, including storms, heat waves, floods, and droughts, events with which we in the Caribbean are all too familiar.

The increasing occurrence of droughts, intense storms, and floods we’re seeing as our warming atmosphere holds — and then dumps — more moisture, poses risks to public health and safety, too. Heavier rains cause streams, rivers, and lakes to overflow, which damages life and property, contaminates drinking water, creates hazardous-material spills, and promotes mould infestation and unhealthy air. A warmer, wetter world is also a boon for foodborne and waterborne illnesses and disease-carrying insects such as mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks.

All these have costs which have afflicted us in the Caribbean, from Zika to powerful hurricanes.

The Government of Guyana has projected that improved sea and river defenses and drainage systems costs could exceed US$1 billion.

This figure includes the costs of activities ranging from building and reinforcing levées and seawalls to flood-proofing health clinics.

In damages alone the Caribbean suffered just under US$2 billion dollars in damage from selected natural disasters between 2000 and 2012.

The Caribbean needs to first understand what the potential costs are from this one decision by the US. In addition, they need to cost what is required to upgrade their infrastructure and buildings to address more severe natural disasters: all this as the most indebted countries in the world.

One act from a “friend” – the US – will affect every facet of life and impose huge costs on us.

Asked about the reasons for the new look, which shed his locks after 16 years of growth, Dieffenthaller seemed quite at peace with the change and expressed excitement at being able to “make space in his life for new experiences.” “It was time to start fresh,” Dieffenthaller explained. “I’ve been growing them since 2001 and I definitely enjoyed them in all sorts of ways, but I believe that change is good and it’s always good to reset and start fresh. So this marks a new chapter in my life and I feel like I’m going back home in a kind of way, since most of my adult life I’ve had the locks or been growing them and now it feels nostalgic… like I’m revisiting the person I was before them…” Dieffenthaller said the new look was part of the process of “making way for new things” and referred to the experience as a “refresh”.

Since Carnival ended, Kes The Band has performed at numerous events in Florida, New York, Guyana and Jamaica and Dieffenthaller revealed that the band will perform at the 35th America’s Cup sailing regatta in Bermuda this weekend for the first time.

Dieffenthaller also revealed that the band has been working on lots of new music and intends to release a new single soon. He said this single will be included on a special Summer album that will also be released within the coming months.

“We have always been different and we continue to be unafraid to express ourselves in whatever ways and styles we feel connected to at particular points in time. That’s what made us who we are and continues to inspire us to do what we do…” Fans can expect updates, promos and teasers on the new releases coming soon and follow the band @ kesthebandofficial on Instagram, @kestheband on Twitter and the KesTheBand Fan Page on Facebook

We are happy that the framers of this policy arrangement would have seen the need to level the playing field and allow members and all citizens the right to place their funds in an organisation of choice rather than being forced to enter into arrangements made for them by third parties. This demonstrates to us that the Honourable Minister of Social Development and Family Services, Cherrie-Ann Crichlow- Cockburn and her team are forwardthinking.

We believe that this will augur well for success of the new initiative on this occasion.

The League’s Chief Operating Officer, Ms Dianne Joseph, speaking of this new thrust, expressed much optimism about the readiness of credit unions to welcome new members and to continue to act for and on behalf of the current ones to ensure that the process is an easy one for them.

She referred to Newsday’s article of Saturday June 3, 2017 and confirms that the League was also in receipt of numerous complaints from members who had encountered challenges with cheques, stolen or damaged cheques. More importantly, the League was very concerned about its members who were not allowed to place their funds in their credit union accounts, but rather at other financial institutions, some posing major transportation challenges to get to and from the venue. There are also the issues of long lines and the missing social side of the work necessary to fully explain account details for those affected.

Joseph boasted that the nature, structure and intent of credit unions are more specifically geared towards an initiative of this form. This is directly within our purview and ambit and we have been the driving force of meeting the needs of our members when it comes to social work. We provide free financial counselling, retirement advice, guidance on the preparation of Wills and other forms of education to allow members to enjoy their retirement and in the case of disability grants or other public assistance to allow them to not feel less than anyone else in society.

One of our major themes is ‘People helping People’. We take pride in our members.

Our member credit unions are ready to be a part of the process and once all the formalities of the arrangement have been completed, we will be fully on board with the Ministry and by extension our Government to ensure that our people are well cared for.

Credit union are not for profit, but for service organizations and this will benefit all persons who become members for this purpose.

Those who do not now understand the importance of saving a little out of a little will be taught to do so.

The benefits of will be far-ranging and everyone will be able to access the quality products and services that will take them up a ladder of financial comfort, despite their circumstances.

We invite every citizen to contact us at 671/4704 or via creditunionleague@gmail.com for further information and guidance.

We are the National Umbrella Body for credit unions and we will cover our citizens during the good and challenging times, Joseph ended.

The cost of corrosion involves an important part of the gross domestic product (GDP) and takes place in a wide range of examples, from large structures to implants placed in the human body.

From 1999 to 2001, the United States had a total annual direct cost due to corrosion issues of approximately $276 billion, or 3.1 percent of their GDP.

Similarly, in Peru, according to the Teknoquamica company, in the year 2000 losses by corrosion accounted for eight percent of GDP, ie, approximately $1,200 million.

Trinidad and Tobago hasn’t done any study to estimate costs that represent losses by corrosion.

Despite this, problems due to this phenomenon can be felt so it is clear then the need to implement the relevant measures.

There are different reasons why the phenomenon has not been controlled in an appropriate manner, ranging from climatic to economics. The situation, as you might guess, affects equally the majority of Latin American countries in which Governments and environmental conditions are similar. Governments practically do not pay attention to the problem of corrosion, not by lack of trained staff but by the lack of a unified policy on maintenance of structures.

Little by little private companies are becoming aware of the issue of corrosion and the damage the phenomenon causes when it is not addressed in a timely manner. But what is the corrosion? Corrosion can be defined in many ways.

Some definitions are very direct and focus on a specific type of corrosion, while others are very general and cover many forms of deterioration.

The word “corrode” is derived from the Latin word “corrodere” which means “gnawing parts”.

For most purposes, corrosion can be characterised as an electrochemical reaction between a material – usually a metal – and its environment which produces a deterioration of the material and its properties. The metals are rarely found in a pure state but rather are almost always combined with one or more non metallic chemical elements, and ores are usually an oxidised form of the metal. Therefore, a significant amount of energy should be applied to transform the ore into pure metal. This energy can be applied via metallurgy or chemical; additionally, extra energy is required in the form of cold work or by casting processes necessary to transform the pure metal into a usable piece.

Corrosion can be also defined as the tendency of a metal – produced and formed by a substantial application of energy – to return to its natural state of lower energy. From a thermodynamic perspective, the tendency to decrease the energy level is the main force that induces corrosion in metals.

The effects of corrosion in our daily life are classified into direct and indirect. Those affecting useful service of our real life are the direct. Indirect are those in which the producers and consumers of goods and services have influence on the corrosion costs. At home for instance, the phenomenon is observed directly in the automotive, steel burglar proof or windows, metal tools and others.

One of the more serious consequences of corrosion happens when it affects our safety or even life directly. When going about our daily business, we may see a number of problems due to corrosion. For example, on a bridge on the highway, corrosion may occur in the reinforcing steel rod inside the concrete, which can fracture it and, consequently, cause the failure of any section; similarly, the collapse of electric transmission towers may occur. These may damage buildings, structures, factories, etc, without mentioning the environmental impact and costly repairs that follow.

In December 1999, in the Bay of Biscay off the coast of France, the tanker MV Erika sank due to a hull rupture caused by corrosion. The result: approximately 20 thousand tons of crude oil spilled into the sea, which caused great damage to the marine ecosystem.

To control corrosion, it is necessary to know the process or mechanisms of corrosion, or in what manner it originates.

Corrosion takes place in different ways. Its classification is usually based on one of these three factors:

• Nature of the electrolyte: corrosion can be classified as “wet” or “dry”. It is necessary to have a liquid solution or mixture for wet corrosion to occur. Dry corrosion usually involves the reaction with gases at high temperature.

• Mechanism of corrosion: involves electrochemical reactions or direct reaction with a chemical.

• Appearance of corroded metal: corrosion can be uniform where metal corrodes at the same rate along the surface, or it may be localised, in which only small areas are affected.

The most common classification of wet corrosion based on the appearance of the metal is identified in the following forms: general or uniform corrosion; pitting corrosion; galvanic corrosion; corrosion-erosion, which includes cavitationerosion; intergranular corrosion, which includes sensitisation and exfoliation; de-alloying, including dezincification, and environmentally assisted cracking, which includes corrosion under stress, corrosion fatigue and damage by evolution of hydrogen.

In theory, the eight forms of corrosion are clearly distinct. In practice, however, there are cases of corrosion that includes more than one from; in other cases, it does not seem to conform to any of these forms.

Depending on the way in which corrosion occurs, an appropriate technique must be chosen to control it or prevent it.

There are five main primary corrosion control methods:

• Selection of materials.

Resistance to corrosion of a metal depends on the environment to which it is exposed. Once taking this into consideration you can carry out a good selection of materials for a specific use.

• Coatings. Coatings for protection against corrosion can be divided into two large groups: Metallic and non-metallic (organic and inorganic). With any type of coating that is selected the goal is the same: isolating the metallic surface from the corrosive environment. of the corrosive medium.

• Inhibitors. Some chemicals (salts, for example) cause corrosion, other chemicals inhibit it. Chromates and silicates and organic amines are common inhibitors. The mechanisms of inhibition can be a little complex.

Depending of the type, the inhibitor could be adsorbed on the specific sites to override the corrosion current. Others promote the formation of a protective film on the surface of the metal.

Inhibitors can be incorporated in a protective coating as well.

• Cathodic protection. The purpose of cathodic protection is to eliminate the current associated with the electrochemical process that occurs in wet corrosion.

For this an external artificially generated current is impressed over the structure. A system comprising a sacrificial material (anode) is used, such as zinc or magnesium, which are connected to the structure to provide protection. While the anode corrodes the adjacent structure is then protected.

• Design. The application of principles of design can eliminate many problems of corrosion and reduces the time and cost associated with maintenance and repair. Corrosion occurs frequently in small spaces or loopholes in which corrosive medium starts to be more aggressive. These areas can be eliminated or minimised in the design process. Where the corrosion under stress is possible, the components can be designed to operate at low levels of stress.

For all the above, it is very important that the engineers or specialist in corrosion, materials engineer, maintenance supervisors and reliability engineers to have sufficient knowledge to control this phenomenon. They must recognise it and know what is its origin and its severity; They must keep themselves updated on the tools and methods available today, as well as the inspection techniques, the effects of design variables, how to interpret and apply information on the corrosion and know where to get help.

For more information on corrosion you can contact our Metallurgy department at: Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI) Trincity West Industrial Estate, Macoya.

Telephone: 285-5050 ext. 3110 E-mail: metallurgy@carir

The Ninth Actuarial Review warned that from 2019-2020, assets will rapidly decrease and the NIS funds will be completely depleted in 2029-2030 if nothing is modified in terms of contributions or benefits.

Interestingly, according to the 8th Actuarial Review, NIS assets would have increased until 2027-28 and would have then started to decrease.

It was projected that the fund would be depleted in financial year 2039-40.

Therefore, it would appear that in the three years between the Eighth and Ninth Actuarial Reviews, the rate of depletion of the funds increased by ten years. Would this mean that, if no changes are made, we can assume by the Tenth Actuarial Review, the projected depletion would be in 2019? The obvious next question is – how did we reach to this point? There are people who are making statements that the public should not panic – assurances are being given to the public that the NIB is wellmanaged, well-governed, transparent and accountable. There is much evidence to suggest otherwise, and citizens who are currently making NIS contributions, and who may not be able to receive any benefits, must demand some answers. We need to evaluate the NIB based on competence of the Board, as well as the operational efficiency and the financial health of the institution.

Actuarial reviews would have had to be undertaken over the life of the establishment and is an instrument that is intended to allow the government to understand the financial state of the NIB and is a fundamental tool in ensuring the financial sustainability of the scheme. The actuaries have made recommendations after each of the nine reviews. Have these recommendations been adopted by the NIB? Has the government been made aware of these recommendations and the implications of not implementing them? Would the government have been willing to raise contributions to the NIS as would have been necessary to ensure the viability of the fund if it threatened a loss of votes? According to the actuaries, it would be necessary to implement a mechanism that would force the adjustment of the contribution rate at regular intervals. However, the scheme’s adjustments are conditional on the willingness of the government to pass the law to introduce those changes.

What about the operational efficiency of the NIB? Does the NIB receive contributions for 100% of the employer population? If not why not? The record management is critical for an institution such as the NIB. Is it efficient? Is there a competent record system? Are the records of the contributions available and accurate? How many citizens either at retirement or even earlier have to battle with NIB over the number of contributions made? It stands to reason if the records of the contributions are inaccurate then the benefits will be inaccurate and funds available for investment will be inaccurate; how then is the investment portfolio being effectively managed?.

The next area for discussion is the financial health of the institution and with that investment decisions that the NIB would make. We need to ask then about the NIB spending $37 million to acquire the property housing Apsara and Thamnak Thai restaurants in Port-of-Spain and promptly leasing it back to the owners at $96,000 a month for ten years. Interestingly, the property was valued at $16.5 million. In addition, $5 million was spent on repairs to the building. We must also inquire as to whether the financial performance of the company is reported to the Minister of Finance? What about any shortfall in benefits versus contributions received? Who pays the difference? Is it the NIB or the government? If it is the NIB and there are no more funds, can the government afford to fund a deficit? Finally, according to the Fit and Proper Guideline issued by the Central Bank, the Board of Directors must consider character, competence and financial soundness when assessing key personnel for employment within the organisation.

But what does the Central Bank mean by competence? According to the Guideline a person must demonstrate the competence and ability to understand the technical requirements of the business, the inherent risks therein, and the management processes required to conduct its operations effectively.

The technical requirements of the NIB would therefore include an understanding of business, finance, investments and other aspects of managing a national social security scheme. Is a background in law then, considered sufficient to steer a billion-dollar financial institution that citizens depend heavily on? What is the Minister doing to address all the deficiencies at the NIB that are becoming ever more apparent? Where are the Board in all of this? Certainly, they must be aware that all failures of the institution will ultimately be theirs.

The event was part of the company’s effort in keeping with the theme of last Monday’s World Environment Day –Connecting People With Nature.

The session part of the drive to get staff to reconnect with nature and also included a chat about heritage sites and a display on recycling and reducing carbon footprints as well as a free plants being given out to participants.

After hearing submissions from the group’s attorney, as well as Senior Counsel Ernest Koylass who represented Minister Mitchell, Justice Margaret Mohammed ruled in the San Fernando High Court that the group did not meet the threshold required in law, to move the court to grant their application.

The families have been living in tents pitched on the road near an HDC apartment complex in Gasparillo which was condemned several years ago as being unsafe for human habitation but which was still occupied by the families up to a few months ago when the HDC evicted them. Doors and windows to the apartments were sealed by the HDC to prevent re-entry.

On Wednesday, attorney Cherry Ann Rajkumar filed a judicial review application in the High Court.

The lawsuit sought to direct the HDC to direct the San Fernando City Corporation to allow the families to occupy the San Fernando Centre for the Displaced. On Tuesday night the residents held a candlelight vigil and prayed for their success in the court matter yesterday. The Minister was served with lawsuit on Monday at 3 pm.

Yesterday, attorney Rajkumar submitted to Justice Mohammed that by virtue of the Housing Development Corporation Act, the minister has specific powers one of which is to direct the board to provide emergency housing for residents.

Several members of the group waited in the corridor of the court while the judge heard the matter in Chambers.

Koylass submitted that the residents did not have a basis to be granted judicial review because there was no evidence to show the minister did not carry out his duties in respect of meeting and treating with the residents.

The residents left the court dejected. Marabella businessman Marvin Ramnarine who filed an affidavit in support of the displaced residents, said he would continue to assist the families by providing some of the basic necessities they need. “I cannot bear to see these families including those with children, live on the road like this. We will continue to support their fight to be treated with dignity.”

One event is scheduled to be held on June 18 at the Boardwalk in Chaguaramas from 6 – 8 am and another on June 25 at the Divali Nagar in Chaguanas from 9.30 am to 3 pm.

The events are also being held in collaboration with the United Nations and the government of Trinidad and Tobago to bring awareness to the population.

Among the other events is a yoga awareness campaign by local schools from June 17 – 26.

Speaking at a launch held at the Normandie Hotel in St.

Ann’s on Monday evening, Bishwadip Dey, High Commissioner of India spoke about yoga.

“Yoga is essentially a spiritual discipline based on an extremely subtle science which focuses on bringing harmony between mind and body,” Dey said.

“It is an art and science for healthy living. Yoga works on the level of one’s body, mind, emotion and energy.” He then spoke of the benefits of yoga including, for physical fitness, musculoskeletal functioning and cardio-vascular health, and beneficial in the management of diabetes, respiratory disorders, hypertension and many lifestyle-related disorders.

Yoga, he said, also helps to reduce depression, fatigue, anxiety disorders and stress, regulates menopausal symptoms and, in essence, yoga is a process of creating a body and mind that are stepping-stones not hurdles, to an exuberant and fulfilling life.

Deoroop Teemal, chairman of IDYTT said participants in the Boardwalk exercise will not be talking. They will participate in the salutation to the sun, do breathing exercises, indulge in some relaxation, then mingle if they so desire.

However at the Nagar site, after the inaugural ceremony, focus will be placed on two youths who will be honoured for their contribution to yoga.

After lunch there will be a lecture followed by three interactive workshops. Ayana John, health officer at the Ministry of Health, brought greetings from her Ministry and expressed its support for the yoga programme, while local female boxer Ria Ramnarine endorsed the yoga events, vowing to incorporate yoga into her boxing programme as she said it will benefit her athletes.

“Such effects as the quantum increase in congestion, road rage, drivers’ focus on looking for cops rather than attention on the road.

I spend more effort in scanning in front, behind, on ramps, at the side, type of vehicle used by cops etc – than I spend on keeping track of traffic six cars ahead and three cars behind me for proper safety. I have reduced my moving offence tickets to zero over the last two years (knock on wood!) but I am more stressed and subject to road rage than the average driver. I typically drive within the first standard deviation above the 75 percentile! “You will probably ask, why don’t I simply obey the speed limit etc? Well, if revenue collection is the goal, almost every car on the road within the speed limit if not committing some other offence, is still going to commit an offence in the next five minutes anyway – since there are so many rules that everyone is always breaking one at any particular time.

Not coming to a dead stop (defined as holding stop for 2 seconds) at stop sign or on red signal, stopping over the white line, eating, drinking or handling a phone or anything else in your car – even if stopped, accelerating “too fast” off the signal, reckless or aggressive driving – at the discretion of the police etc…

“It is not unusual for the police in slow periods, to drive behind you for several km in unmarked vehicles, waiting for you to change lane not to their liking etc.

“Apart from this, the loss of respect for the police, citizens’ feeling of being highway-robbed by their government through the police – will have priceless damage to the cooperation between citizens and police – something that will further aggravate the crime situation in the country.

“And, yes why are so much police resources being put on the highway, when crime is running at meltdown level in murders, rapes kidnapping etc?” Laws are supposed to be established for the protection of the public and the regulation of the unreasonable behaviour of a few individuals.

International traffic investigations have shown that most people will drive the roadway as they perceive the conditions, and will ignore a speed limit that is unrealistically too low. A realistic speed limit is voluntarily obeyed by the reasonable majority, and more enforcement effort can be applied to the unreasonable few who drive too fast or too slow.

An unrealistic speed limit that is too low will: (a) Make the behaviour of the majority illegal; (b) If enforced, will cause antagonism toward enforcement personnel and traffic laws in general, and create an image of law enforcers as revenue generators; and, (c) Result in speed differentials in the traffic flow, which are wellknown to be significant contributors to traffic crashes. Speed differential is the range of vehicle speeds within the traffic stream. A large variation in these speeds complicates the driving task and necessitates sudden braking, multiple lane changes and other compensating driving manoeuvres.

An appropriate speed limit will result in the maximum number of vehicles travelling at about the same speed, thus reducing conflicts caused by speed differentials. The 85th percentile speed, that speed at or below which 85% of the traffic is moving, is widely accepted as being closest to that appropriate speed.

Of course, other traffic investigation factors must also be taken into consideration.

It is critical to furnish enforcement personnel with a guide as to what appropriate actions for a segment of road so that enforcement actions may be consistent and fair. For example, it is not uncommon for a backhoe to be lumbering along the highway, the driver completely unconcerned about its impact on the traffic. It is illegal, but has any backhoe driver been charged for the offense? Also, many motorists regularly coast down the right lane or centre lane of the highways driving at the speed limit., although they are not overtaking. Has any of them been pulled over for this action? Further, on the highway, slower vehicles are supposed to move over to allow faster traffic to pass, and drivers should stay in the slow lane except to pass. Fat chance that happening here, except when the blue lights are in the rear! I have argued several times for higher highway speed limits. I would also like to see speed limit adjustment and enforcement for the following:

• Residential zones;

• School zones;

• Other collector and local roads with pedestrian and cycling activity;

• Road work zones; and,

• Minimum highway speed limits.

e-mail: info@ccost.org

“The United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) is headquartered in Santiago and as part of the visit, I was able to meet with the leaders of ECLAC (who) put a proposal on the table which, by our recommendation, will be on its way to Caricom headquarters in the next few weeks.

TT will put it on the agenda for the next Heads of Government meeting in Grenada in July,” Rowley said.

He explained that “the gist of the proposal is to make a major drive for debt relief for all Caricom countries (while) the developed countries who are carrying that debt should be made, not to write off those monies but to put such monies into a fund that can be put to the aid of Caricom countries when shock situations develop.” He said ECLAC recommended the funds be set aside in this manner because their research has shown that “the condition of indebtedness in Caricom is driven by these periodic shocks, whether it’s an earthquake, hurricane and I dare say, a price collapse of the scale we’re experiencing now in oil and gas.

Because our economies are so unidimensional, the loss of revenues force these countries into debt and it’s a downward spiral. You go into the debt but you can’t get out of it.” Meanwhile, in a statement issued the day before, ECLAC’s Executive Secretary, Alicia Barcena, said the commission advocates so that Caribbean nations “are not unjustly qualified as middle-income countries, a situation that complicates their access to financing.” Barcena also argued that special attention should be paid to the triple vulnerability that Caribbean territories suffer with respect to climate change, difficulties financing their economies and high public debt, which, on average, totals 70 percent of the subregional Gross Domestic Product.

She proposed that ECLAC reduce the debt of English-speaking Caribbean island states by pardoning part of their debt to create a resilience fund that allows for financing climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.

“We are ready to help you. We want to know what your needs are to provide assistance for overcoming the problems that affect the Caribbean today,” Barcena stated.

The ECLAC meeting was one of several on the Trinidad delegation’s packed agenda. Rowley was accompanied on the visit by Energy Minister Franklin Khan, Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon, Foreign Affairs Minister Dennis Moses, and Minister in the Ministry of Attorney General and Legal Affairs/Minister in the Office of the PM, Stuart Young.

Standing at the podium in the VIP Lounge, Piarco International Airport, Piarco while the aforementioned ministers sat at the head table, Rowley said, “We met all the people that we wanted to meet and we met the people who make the decisions.” “Therefore, we now have two things on the table. One is the partial scope agreement, which we will work on assiduously. Minister Paula Gopee- Scoon (and her team) have started that work and we’re going to try and accelerate it. The other one is, we are hoping that we can get an air services agreement, so that we can have better or more useful air transport through TT.” Providing context for the proposed air services agreement, Rowley said members of the Federation of Chilean Industry (SOFOFA) had expressed the view “that TT has the potential to be a clearing house for Chile going forward into the Atlantic and into the Caribbean.” “Tourism, air transport and of course sea transport; now that we are using the Panama Canal in the way that the big ships can, there’s a lot that can come out of it. Hopefully, if we are sufficiently nimble, some arrangements between our business sector and (Chile’s) business sector could see some good things (develop).” Rowley met with SOFOFA members on May 30 when he presented an overview of TT’s energy sector and the plans for its future development to the Chilean energy sector during a breakfast meeting hosted by the federation.

Founded in 1883, SOFOFA is a private, non-profit trade association representing the views and interests of Chilean industry. SOFOFA has 2,500 corporate affiliates, 36 sector association affiliates, and eight regional affiliates.

Regarding TT’s position as a major supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Chile, Rowley said, “TT is running a significant trade advantage with Chile because while they are buying from us, hundreds of millions of dollars in energy, we buy from them a small amount of other things.” During the SOFOFA talks, “one of the things that came up was how fast can we accelerate our negotiations (to complete) a partial scope agreement which would…allow selected TT products; like LNG, (entry) into the Chilean market duty-free and of course, some Chilean products enter TT’s market.” Rowley pointed out that while Chile has a large number of trade agreements with other countries, there is none in place with TT. “So if we are to not be disadvantaged, it would fall to us to very quickly conclude a proper trade agreement with Chile.” Noting that any partial scope agreement would have to be signed off on by Caricom, the PM said Jamaica, like Chile, is moving to LNG “as their fuel supply.” “In the Jamaican case, it is not TT’s LNG. It’s an American company, which we expect would want to use American gas; a private sector arrangement. We will have to ask for a Jamaican agreement for TT to get a partial scope clearance for certain duties outside. I hope that these discussions will not be insurmountable but it’s a very complex business that’s developing and what we are trying to do here, for our country, is to stay ahead of the game and be in a position to ensure that the interests of TT are protected and well-executed.” Rowley also said the establishment of a partial scope agreement between both countries is important for TT’s LNG exports, particularly since we are now facing potential competition from suppliers in the United States.

“On (May 30), we took a visit to the Port of Quintero where the LNG re-classification plant operates. It’s a private sector plant (GNL Quintero) but it’s at the centre of Chile’s major policy shift to convert its energy use to natural gas. We got there just a few hours after the 299th ship left that pier. We were advised that of the 299 cargoes of LNG that were discharged at that pier, 225 came from Point Fortin.” “I tell you this so you can understand how important Chile is to TT. It’s a replacement market for the markets we lost in Boston and elsewhere. It’s also a market where there’s to be some significant expansion but that expansion is now of interest to our competitors, not the least of which is the United States.” Now that TT is focused on deepening its ties with Chile, a delegation from the South American nation is expected to visit this country “very soon,” Rowley stated, “to follow up on the doors that we’re trying to open.”