Hamza: I’m fit to serve

Rafeeq, a former Caroni Central MP, said he is looking forward to taking up his post in Brazil’s administrative capital, Brasilia, which he described as a purpose-built capital carved out of the Amazon jungle.

“I am humbled by the offer to serve,” he told Newsday. “It will be challenging.”

He said, “Brazil is the fourth largest economy in the world. They are into energy, manufacturing and agriculture. I am hoping to tap into that to see how it can help Trinidad and Tobago in trade and technical assistance, especially in agriculture.” He confessed to not knowing much Portugese, the language of Brazil, but vowed to brush up on his Spanish which he said is very similar. He said he has already been in touch with the Brazilian Embassy in Trinidad to learn about his new host country, such as the ease of airlifts from Brasilia to the country’s industrial capital, Sao Paolo.

Rafeeq assured Newsday that he was in good health to do the job, given past woes, including his complaints of ill-health during the UNC leadership fight between Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Basdeo Panday. Rafeeq said, “I have recovered completely and have had no health problems since April. I’m fine.” Newsday asked Rafeeq, who sports a distinctive smock of bright white hair, if he was too advanced in years for the job, Rafeeq replied, “I am 62 years. I still feel healthy. I think this will be a good experience.” He said his 15 years as an MP on both sides of the House of Representatives would serve him well in his new role. He related that he had been shadow minister of health and shadow minister of agriculture, and had served as Opposition Chief Whip. “This is another phase I am taking.” Former Trade Minister Mervyn Assam told Newsday he has been appointed as Ambassador Extraordinaire and Plenipotentiary under section 135 of the Constitution by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. He said his focus would be on trade and industry and he would be resident in Trinidad and Tobago, where he would work out of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Assam said he was aiming for the world, noting current trading partners such as North America and the Caribbean, but added that Trinidad and Tobago must also look at other regions. “We need to deepen our trade with Latin America, and see the possibilities.” He wanted to see how the EPA deal between Caricom and the European Union would affect Trinidad and Tobago.

“There is a CaribCan Trade Agreement but we are in the process of negotiating a permanent trade agreement with Canada.” Assam said this country must pay attention to “that great giant, Brazil.” He hailed that country’s “great geographical size, great population and great resources.” Assam said, “We have to look at Brazil very seriously, but that doesn’t exclude Chile, Argentina and Uruguay. We have to look at it very strategically.”

Asked what aspects of trade he’d like to probe, he said he would like to help expand the country’s trade in services, on top of the trade in goods and would also like to liaise meaningfully with all the players: local and foreign, public sector and private sector.

Assam said he would meet Foreign Affairs officials next week, and soon after liaise with officials of the Ministry of Trade to see how they could all complement each other.

In the next few months, he’d develop a road-map and an agenda for his work.

Former executive of National Petroleum Rodney Charles, who has also been appointed as an Ambassador Extraordinaire and Plenipotentiary and would be the country’s representative to the United Nations, could not be reached for comment.