War will affect TT manufacturers

CHAIRMAN  of the Trade and Investment Convention (TIC) 2003, Anthony Aboud, said anything that happened in the world would have an impact on us, regardless of where it is, and what was taking place.

“We are not insulated in this part of the world, but we have to look forward,” said Aboud when he spoke with reporters at the launch of the TIC 2003 at the Trinidad Hilton on Monday He said TIC 2003 and the manufacturing industry would be affected by a war since “some supply chains which were there before may no longer be there now, as the logistics which allowed them to ship from that part of the world are no longer there”.

Aboud noted that certain inputs in the manufacturing process may no longer be available and this was one reason that self-sufficiency was necessary. He cautioned that the country’s welfare (housing, medical and health) should not be dependent on international forces, because events were always taking place. Referring to post 9/11, Aboud acknowledged that from every fallout, there were opportunities  as well as lost chances. “I don’t think any of us really want war and wish it could be resolved,” he said. He questioned what a population of 1.3 million people could do, and concluded: “We will have to live with it, and hope that whatever happens is not too deleterious to the human race.”