At that same event, the bank also launched the 2017 edition of the Scotiabank Vision Achiever Programme (SVAP).

Addressing SME owners at the launch, General Manager, Small Business and Self-Service Channels, Scotiabank Trinidad and Tobago, Gregory Hines, said SMEs are “an important customer segment for us.” “SMEs play an important role in the growth and development of economies globally. They play an even more important role in creating employment, generating wealth and supporting sustained economic growth in smaller economies…

Here in TT, there are more than 20,000 registered SME, employing over 200,000 people and contributing more than a third of our country’s GDP (gross domestic product). When we consider the challenges associated with the current economic climate, SMEs now more than any other time in our history, have the potential to play a greater role in our economy.” Hines said there are however several impediments in the way of SME growth in TT. “Two impediments that we have identified and which we have decided to address directly are access to affordable financing and availability of practical, hands-on, relevant business training. (Scotiabank) is pleased to officially launch two initiative which are geared at addressing these challenges. The first, is our SME Development Credit Fund, which provides low cost financing options for qualified businesses. The second is Vision Achievers 2017, which provide practical, hands-on, and relevant business training to entrepreneurs,” Hines said.

Speaking about SVAP, Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer of Scotiabank’s South and East Caribbean operations, Reshard Mohammed, said the programme “was developed with the entrepreneur in mind – to help build capacity – so that they can manage their operations more efficiently and effectively.”

This sum represents 4.98 percent of the total programme for the SDF, a Ministry of Planning and Development release said.

The ninth cycle covers the period 2017 to 2020, and the payment will be made in instalments over the period of the cycle.

The Special Development Fund is a partnership among CDB members where borrowing and non-borrowing members contribute to the fund financially.

Trinidad and Tobago is one of the major contributors to the fund as a member country.

In 2013, for the eight cycle, Cabinet had agreed through the Ministry of Planning and Development, to the sum of US$10 million or 4.25 percent of the total amount of US$348 million of the fund’s value. The eighth cycle covers 2013 to December 31, 2016. In 2012, TT’s contribution to the seventh cycle was US$3.5 million.

The SDF provides loan funding as well as grant financing for sustainable development initiatives in developing states of the Region.

This SDF, the release said, plays a critical role in the international effort to reduce poverty in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of which Trinidad and Tobago’s National Development Strategy — Vision 2030 is tied to — and assists with economic transformation and major economic adjustments within the CDB’s borrowing member countries.

Trinidad and Tobago has benefitted from the CDB through loans for energy sector support in 2014, establishment of the Caribbean Court of Justice in 2003, establishment of the National Energy Skills Centre in 2000 and southern roads development programme in 1995. Meanwhile Minister of Planning and Development Camille Robinson-Regis was TT’s representative at the CDB’s Board of Governors 47th Annual Meeting in the Turks and Caicos. The three-day meeting ended last Friday.

The Fatel Razack brought a new labour force to assist in the economic development of Trinidad.

But it also profoundly changed our culture and Trinidad and Tobago society for the better.

If there is one lesson this country can teach the world, it is the fact that multiculturalism is an invaluable mode of life. All members of society will tomorrow be commemorating Indian Arrival Day, even as it singles out the contribution of one demographic of our society.

But Indian Arrival Day was not always on the calendar. While it has been celebrated among the East Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago for many years, it was not until 1994 that it was made an official public holiday. It was called Arrival Day. In 1995, it was re-named Indian Arrival Day.

In May each year, a host of activities occur, including the staging of re-enactments of the arrival of the Fatel Razack at various beaches throughout Trinidad and Tobago.

There is music and dance, and outstanding members of the community are honoured for their contributions to society.

Trinidad and Tobago’s observance of this holiday comes at a time when the idea of global migration flows and multiculturalism is under direct attack. The rise and scandalous tenure of US president Donald Trump represents a bold re-assertion of racist and close-minded ideas, premised on the idea that all immigration flows are detrimental not enriching.

The Brexit vote, which British voters will soon have a chance to reverse should they be minded, also gave us a taste of the power of the right to turn the world back in the wrong direction. There was the momentary reprieve represented by the clear victory of Emmanuel Macron in France. But next up is the election in Germany in which Angela Merkel — who has faced criticism from elements in Germany for her open-door refugee policy — will face the polls.

Comparing indentureship to immigration is of course not a completely sound analogy.

However, the historical process which saw members of the Indian arrive in these islands does shine a light on how societies are impacted when there are global flows.

Indian immigration to Trinidad spanned the period 1845 to 1917.

During this period, over 140,000 Indians were transported to the island. The journey was long and arduous and living conditions were deplorable. After disembarking at Nelson Island, the arrivals were fed and rested for a couple weeks and then sent to the various estates that had put in requests for them previously.

Today, we enjoy a society that is rich and complex, where all are aware of the cultures and traditions of others and, in large measure, where people live showing mutual understanding and respect; where, despite racial differences, we work together in harmony and peace. No one can doubt the contribution of the East Indian community to shaping the fabric of our society. Every single field of endeavour has been touched: politics, art, sport, music, science, commerce, law.

When Indian Arrival Day was first introduced, the holiday was somewhat controversial as it was felt that the arrival of all races should be commemorated. Indeed, there has been little rationalization of our public holidays in that regard. For example, they are still very much skewered towards a colonial, Christian view of life.

However, we are grateful for this specific day because of the clarity of the reflection it causes as well as its provocation of meaningful dialogue. What did it mean to arrive, all those centuries ago? And where has the journey now taken all of us? The holiday is a perfect occasion to reflect

Police said that shortly before 3 pm, Basdeo was driving along Ruben Lane in Enterprise, Chaguanas accompanied by his wife and their daughter. Basdeo, co-owner of Joey and Laura Wholesalers of Enterprise Street, Enterprise, was about to proceed onto the Southern Main Road when death came on a bicycle.

Police said a the gunman rode alongside the car and opened fire at the driver’s side of the vehicle, hitting Basdeo several times. His daughter was grazed by a bullet while wife Laura was not injured.

The gunman pedalled off while passers-by rushed to the aid of the Basdeo family, who were seated inside the car.

They were taken to the Chaguanas Health Centre where Basdeo succumbed to his injuries. Central Division police cordoned off the area where the shooting took place and also carried out a search for the gunman. Police said they are yet to determine a motive for the killing.

An autopsy is expected to be done today at the Forensic Science Centre in St James. No arrest has been made.

“If we think of it in terms of liberalising the policies within the prisons, the calls for expanding the visitation for all inmates, it is a good move,” he told Newsday over the weekend.

Saying that the issue was one of human rights, Husbands noted that the call was not new.

“That has long been recommended in terms of keeping the bonds alive and in the new prison rules, while it has not been tabled in Parliament yet – those were issues that were also incorporated in terms of increasing the number of visits.” Husbands’ support for the move came days after San Juan/ Barataria MP Dr Fuad Khan pledged to take a motion to the Parliament seeking to allow for increased visitation between inmates and their children. The former health minister said last week that he had already spoken to National Security Minister Edmund Dillon about the issue.

Khan also cited studies in San Francisco and other cities in the United States which showed that frequent visitation within the prison system benefited parents and children by reducing recidivism and the likelihood of youngsters engaging in a life of crime and delinquency.

Khan’s call was triggered by Superintendent of Prisons, Charmaine Johnson’s plea, during the annual Mother’s Day function at the Women’s Prison, for all incarcerated mothers to spend time with their children.

At present, only selected inmates are allowed to bond with their children on Mother’s Day.

Husbands said it has long been proposed that, at a minimum, parents should have special family visits on a weekend where they can have “a sober and connected bond” with their children.

“So, while we support the Mother’s Day and Father’s Day events, there is a broader policy in terns of redeeming broken lives and keeping the bonds alive.” Husbands, a former chief prison welfare officer, said studies have shown that inmates who have had ongoing contact with their children were six times less likely to re-offend than those who have not been in contact with their families.

“Therefore, we need to liberalise the visitation to reduce the potential for re-offending,” he said. “It calls for a structured programme, with the right kind of resources and staff and it will be open to all inmates, not only women but also males as well.

“That is what we call a special approach to help reduce re-offending, because the research has indicated that the frequency of the contact and the kind of impact helps reduce the likelihood of that person re-offending.” Husbands said the Prison Service should accept the recommendation in keeping with the movement toward restorative justice.

Acting Prisons Commissioner Cecil Duke, speaking through communications officer Krishna Bidaisee, has declined an interview on the issue.

Fortune who lives in Laventille was shot along with two other people as he stopped at a bar in Barataria to purchase drinks. Police are working on a theory that his slaying was a reprisal. Police said that at 11.45 pm on Saturday, Fortune was in a white Nissan Almera car in the company of a male relative when they decided to stop at the bar for drinks.

Just as the driver got out of the car got, occupants in another car approached and using a high-powered weapon believed to the military- grade AR 15 Assault Rifle, let loose a volley of shots, hitting Fortune in the face and chest. Stray bullets struck Fortune’s relative and a patron at the bar/ Both were later treated at hospital.

One, a 55-year-old man was shot in the hip and the other was shot in his chest. Both were taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mt Hope where the one shot in the chest, remains warded in stable condition.

Just over a month ago, Fortune was acquitted of the murder of Jayson ‘Irie’ Hoyte of Malabar.

Hoyte was killed on the night of January 6, 2008.

According to reports, Hoyte was at a christening when he was shot. He died later at Port of Spain General Hospital.

Fortune spent eight years in prison while his trial was being heard. An earlier report said that he was acquitted on the grounds that the case was fabricated against him. His defence attorney Mario Meritt argued that it was another man who had shot Hoyte dead.

Police sources described Fortune as a well-known criminal who had gang affiliations both in and out of prison. The murder toll stood at 215 up to press time yesterday.

He said he has grown weary of the current issues faced with the ferry and cargo vessels and the unreliable services at the ANR Robinson International Airport. “We coming to Tobago, buying animals and have to keep them two days in a can because we can’t get on the boat and by the time we reach Trinidad, the animals are sick.

“They have been saying we’re going to get a better boat, for years.

Since we had the MV Panorama, they say all kinds of things wrong with it but now they bring something ten times worse. They’ve brought the Panorama’s poor, sickly great-grandmother. It can’t take passengers, it can’t take much vehicles, it can’t take much of anything,” Campbell said.

He said Tobago is eating contaminated food because of this crisis with transporting livestock to and from the islands. “I see a man remain with three containers of chicken in Trinidad and he had that chicken the day before in that can; so by the time that reaches Tobago and the chicken soaking in sea water and he distributes that…

is this what we want the people of Tobago and tourists to eat? (Prime Minister Dr Keith) Rowley needs to remember he is a Tobagonian and see that Tobago is in a crisis.” After purchasing over 15 goats in Tobago, Campbell was prevented by Scarborough port officials from boarding the Atlantic Provider last Wednesday. He said he purchased a ticket to board the vessel but when he returned, there was a vehicle parked in the last spot available.

“If we Trinidadians stop coming to Tobago to purchase animals, what would they do? “Because the market is not in Tobago, it’s in Trinidad. And if the food stuff continues to come like this what will they do? They will end up like Venezuela killing each other and fighting for food,” he warned. Campbell was forced to pay for a night’s accommodation in a nearby guest house, leaving his sheep tightly packed in his 4×4 pick-up truck.

He says this could cost him thousands as the animals could become sick if they are left in such a position for too long. “When I was coming from Trinidad they made it clear all livestock and food stock have first priority on the boat. When I come to the port in Tobago now they giving you a run-around. The animals suffering like that three days in a van…it’s not right. It’s not humane,” he said.

Speaking at the launch of Digicel (TT) Foundation’s Honey Seco brand at Digicel West Mall branch, project manager and secretary for the Brasso Seco/Morne La Croix Farmers Association Winston Maraj said that from last July to date, it has been a good time for the farmers as they saw their dreams, “Finally come to pass.” Maraj said the association applied for funding from the Digicel Foundation and received $65,000 to invest in their project. He said with the funding they were able to purchase bees, hives and equipment along with other items to start an apiary. “After a group of us completed a course at the Government’s Apiary Division, I asked numerous people to help us do something with our talent. But no one helped.

“We reach out to the Ministry of Agriculture and other businesses to invest in us. But no one was interested. Now today we are seeing a dream come through with the help from the Digicel Foundation.” Maraj explained that following the course at the Apiary Division they were told that the group did not qualify to get equipment to start up the business via the government.

He said despite the delayed honey season (because of the heavy rain fall late last year) they were able to harvest their first batch of honey, and decided to call the product, Honey Seco. “Due to the fact climate change can adversely affect the bee business, we have engineered a rain water harvesting system, and have included the use of solar energy to guarantee the bees are comfortable and productive,” Maraj said. Maraj said they have also applied to the Canadian High Commission for funding and CANARI has also been assisting with technical advice to strengthen the business. “We plan to use the income from the honey sales to re-invest in small enterprises in our community, and also go into other communities to help others with similar initiatives.” Digicel Foundation Chairman Garvin Medera announced the foundation will be partnering with the community for another year with funding to further develop the enterprise.

“We will market the product as best as possible to the wider Trinidad and Tobago community.

For us we have invested US$10,000 and what we are now pledging to do is to continue supporting and provide $100,000 for the association.” Medera said they partnered with the association to implement a community bee Apiary, and they were very pleased to see a lot of positive change within the community, and it proved to be very successful which provided the premium honey today.

This as he too agreed with the position taken by the outspoken pathologist.

On Saturday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Vel Lewis contacted Dr Alexandrov and asked him to go to Tobago to conduct autopsies on the bodies — two being murder victims and the third, a suspected suicide — which have been outstanding for several days.

Dr Alexandrov left for Tobago yesterday to carry out the autopsies today on the bodies of Iris Benjamin, 71, Dexter Providence and another man who has not yet been identified. Benjamin allegedly committed suicide while the two men were shot to death. Sources revealed that Alexandrov agreed to go to Tobago on the condition that Pathologist Dr Hughvon Des Vignes shoulder the workload of all autopsies scheduled for today at the Science Centre.

When Newsday attempted to reach Dr Des Vignes for a comment yesterday, calls to his cellular phone went unanswered. Dr Alexandrov said he told Permanent Secretary Lewis that he didn’t mind going to Tobago because he felt the victims’ families were suffering unnecessarily in having to wait to get the bodies for final rites.

Alexandrov said he also is willing to meet with Lewis to discuss ways and means of dealing with delays in autopsies being done in Tobago, “once and for all.” At present, no pathologist is assigned to the Scarborough Mortuary and it is customary for pathologists to travel to Tobago to conduct autopsies.

Dr Alexandrov along with Dr Eslyn Mc Donald Burris have been travelling to Tobago to carry out autopsies. However, Burris is presently on leave and others at the Science Centre have refused to go to Tobago citing a shortage of mortuary attendants — a claim which Dr Alexandrov said is false.

Martinez made the statements while responding to questions from reporters at an event commemorating the 100th anniversary of Woodford square’s renaming last week.

He said while he understands the issue of homeless people is one that requires special care, he is prepared to meet the challenge and pick up where his predeccesor Keron Valentine, left off.

“The matter as it is right now is currently before the magistrate’s court, but I will say that I have been working closely with the Ministry of Social Development in drafting a document that will be presented to Cabinet within the next few days and whose intention will be to seek some long-term solution with respect to the homeless,” Martinez said.

Last year, then mayor Valentine, in an attempt to crack down on homeless people sleeping in Tamarind Square locked the gates to the square. In addition to homelessness, Martinez said he was also prepared to work closely with engineers of the city corporation and the Ministry of Works and Transport to help reduce flooding in downtown Port-of-Spain during the Rainy Season.

At the event last week, guide and historian Joseph Bertram was on hand to explain the Square’s importance in Port-of-Spain’s historical timeline.

“The square has been here for a while needless to say, it originally came about when the Spanish governor Chacon rerouted the St Anne’s river that once flowed through here to transform the port into the city we now know as Portof- Spain.

“Then when the British took control, the governor Sir Ralph Woodford, transformed this plot of land into a park area where he brought in trees from Venezuela giving it the name, ‘The Green Heart of Port-of-Spain’.” Valery Taylor, CEO of the National Heritage Trust said plans are underway to provide tours on a more regular basis to visitors and bring greater insight into the history behind Woodford Square.