The change is part of a wider strategy by Angostura to have bars around the world recognise, and thus stock, its range of premium rums the same way that they do its “Angostura aromatic bitters”.

To find out more, Business Day recently sat down with Angostura’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Genevieve Jodhan, at the company’s head office, Eastern Main Road, Laventille, Portof- Spain.

“Angostura Bitters is available in 170 countries; we’ve been selling Bitters for 193 years. Our premium rums are now in about 60 countries; we’ve done that over the past ten years, but having your rum sold in a country doesn’t mean you’re going to find it behind every bar. You’ll find our aromatic bitters and, increasingly, our orange bitters, behind every bar but developing an export market for rum is a three-tier process.” This process involves getting importers to start ordering your rums, then selling it to local wholesalers in their market, who in turn promote it to establishments they do business with who serve alcoholic drinks.

Dozens of bottles of alcohol, if not more, are stocked on the back bars of these establishments. If a particular rum is harder to see and/or hold because of its bottle design, that has an impact on how to help them understand our brand more and to come up with better marketing programmes. We weren’t in a position to do that because we were fragmented – we had an export marketing team, we had a local marketing team, we had PR by itself and communications in different places. Now, however, we have one team under one roof. This was a significant change for us, done to allow us to go forward.” “We’re young in the world of branded rums but we’re not young when it comes to bulk rums or blending rums for other brands. What we’re working on is how to enhance our branding abroad. So our packaging might change again but we intend for our rums to be around for a long time,” Jodhan declared.

Even as it focuses on growing its rum category, Angostura has branched out into the liqueur market. In 2015, it introduced Amaro di Angostura; a 35 percent herbal liqueur.

“We analysed the trends and we looked at where the world going. People are drinking better quality products (and) while you might say few people in TT are drinking Amaro di Angostura, that’s okay because with this product, we’re focusing on the international market. Now that we have a product for nearly every market, we need to fine tune our branding and invest a little more. We have a small marketing team but it’s focused on what could be our unique positioning, so that Angostura ends up with a product that would be as equally appreciated and loved as our bitters.” Jodhan also spoke with Business Day about the upcoming Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge (AGCC); held every two years at the company’s head office in the days leading up to Carnival.

“The AGCC is one of our signature events, held for the purpose of recruiting more bartenders into using our brands. The difference with the 2018 edition is that it’s first time Amaro di Angostura will be a required component. Whereas before competing bartenders were making a rum cocktail and a freestyle, this time they’re going to make a rum cocktail and an Amaro cocktail. While the number of entrants may be less this time, since Amaro is not (available) in some markets, the purpose of the GCC is for Angostura to get our product ‘out there’.” This is expected to be balanced by entries from bartenders in new markets, where Angostura rums have been introduced or gained greater brand awareness since the 2016 AGCC.

“We’ve opened up more than ten countries within the last year; emerging markets such as Armenia and Romania. So the emerging markets are having their own competition, the winner of which will then go on to compete in the European competition, because we have to have about 60 regional competitions to come down to five (semifinals).” “What you see in Trinidad for the AGCC finals is actually the culmination of nine months of work; we had 36 competitions before the 2016 finals in Trinidad, while for this one, I think we’re having 60. Our event is not only a truly global cocktail challenge, we have the best prize too – our winner gets to travel the globe for two years (as) the Angostura Global Brand Ambassador and gets a US $10,000 cash prize. The winner must have a good command of English and be able to travel during that two-year period to communicate the brand, its values,” Jodhan stated.

“We are achieving that decline in governance at our peril,” Dumas yesterday told Newsday.

“We are allowing our institutions to be damaged and if we are not careful, eventually, they will be destroyed. If that happens we will not have a country worth the name.” The appointment of Le Hunte, who was sworn in as a senator and Minister of Public Utilities, last Thursday at President’s House, was revoked on Monday after it was brought to the attention of the Office of the Prime Minister that he was a citizen of Ghana.

However, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley yesterday revealed during a tour of of several projects in his Diego Martin West constituency that Le Hunte is a TT citizen.

The Opposition United National Congress had earlier criticised the development, describing it as sheer incompetence on the part of the PNM.

Yesterday, Dumas said he was not so interested in the Le Hunte issue as a separate matter as he is in the development as an example of the “inadequate governance we have been experiencing in recent times in the country.” “We have had a series of what are, to me, embarrassing happenings and episodes where no one has done anything to us. We have been doing it to ourselves.” Dumas listed the controversies surrounding former Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar, supposed photos of Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi’s children at a shooting range at Camp Cumuto, the revocation of the appointment of Marlene Mc Donald as housing minister and the ongoing inter-island seabridge fiasco as examples of declining governance.

“Today, it is Le Hunte and tomorrow it will be something else,” Dumas said.

“And, I am embarrassed as a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago that 55 years after the achievement of political independence, we should be doing this to ourselves.

“That is my concern – that we are looking foolish. That we cannot point a finger at anybody else. We have to point a finger at ourselves.

Look at ourselves in the mirror and ask ourselves, ‘what is going wrong?’ “Because, it is we who are doing it and damaging our institutions – the Judiciary, Defence Force, Parliament, Cabinet – all of these are major institutions in the country.” Dumas observed that despite the perceived efforts by United States president Donald Trump to “damage and control” institutions, “they are not blinking but pushing back.

“He (Trump) cannot destroy the institutions because the institutions are too strong.”

This was disclosed on Monday by the Ministry of Education’s chief executive officer Harrilal Seecharan.

He said the ministry recognises reasonable time should be afforded to enable concessionaires to abide by the decision of Cabinet and, as such, a phased approach is recommended whereby all cafeterias/canteens must be in compliance no later than September.

“School supervisors and principals are therefore requested to bring this to the attention of all personnel involved in the sale or serving of drinks to students in schools including operators of cafeterias/canteens.

School supervisors and principals are also asked to note that they are required to monitor this policy to ensure compliance in all schools.” Seecharan said as part of the strategic framework to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases, and to address the epidemic of childhood obesity, the ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Health will be introducing a number of measures.

When contacted, president of the National Parents Teachers Association, Zena Ramatali said they support the Ministry of Health’s initiative and have been reaching out to parents to engage their children in drinking more water and eating healthier.

This event will run until Sunday, with two sessions (each day) starting at 10 am and 6 pm respectively.

President of the Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation (TT CF) Robert Farrier, in an interview yesterday, noted that the local governing body is ready to stage the Elite Pan Am Championships, despite facing some financial constraints in raising over $1million to host the tournament.

“Well they’re working with us on it, the Sports Company and the Ministry of Sports,” said Farrier.

“They’re talking to us, up till (Monday) night. We submitted some more figures to them so they’re looking at it, to see how they can assist us in the best way possible.

“We understand the challenges, it’s all-round,” Farrier added.

“This event is a major event for us in the Caribbean. We want to see it as that. That’s an investment for sports.” Farrier disclosed that Brian Cookson, president of the global governing body UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale), will be among the many dignitaries at the Elite Pan Am Champs.

Farrier said, “We have 25 presidents from around the world here visiting us from all different federations. The Championships is not just the cyclists. The presidents and the (administrators) in the sport of cycling are very interested in the new facility in Balmain, Couva. The UCI president would be here with us on Independence Day. The whole interest about our new facility, in this part of the world, is drawing a big attraction from the cycling world.” This five-day long competition will feature riders from 20 countries including Argentina, Antigua/ Barbuda, Bahamas, Brazil, Barbados, Colombia, Chile, Costa Rica, Canada, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Guyana, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, Suriname, TT , Uruguay, United States and Venezuela.

Farrier pointed out that the TT CF has gotten a good feedback from the riders about the venue.

“They’re enjoying it a lot; they’re enjoying the climate here and they’re just having fun and getting ready to start their races.” Overall, Farrier was high in praise for the work done by the TT CF ahead of this event.

“The preparations have gone great. We’re ready to go. We’re ready to kick it off. A lot of hard work went into this, besides the funding. It is a lot of work.

“The executive (of the TT CF) and our Local Organising Committee have spent nights upon nights making sure that the venue is ready and everything is (okay to) go. All we’re waiting is on is Trinidad and Tobago public (to) come out and see world-class cyclists.

It’s something that has never been seen in the Caribbean. I don’t think they should miss this opportunity.

“This is an opportunity of a lifetime.

We have 20 countries, over 250 athletes, over 50 Olympians.

It’s going to be at Couva this weekend,” Farrier ended.

Fans will have to pay $50 for any of the evening sessions, while the morning sessions will be free to the public.

Trinidad and Tobago team: Njisane Phillip, Nicholas Paul, Kwesi Browne, Keron Bramble, Quincy Alexander, Akil Campbell, Varun Maharajh, Lorenzo Orosco, Jovian Gomez, Gevan Samuel, Adam Alexander (men); Teniel Campbell, Alexi Costa, Jessica Costa, Cheyenne Awai, Alexandra Bovell, Christiane Farah (women).

The pair also said that. the criticism handed to. the regional team after. the first Test was overboard. and premature.

West Indies levelled. the three-match series. 1-1 with a five-wicket. victory at Leeds. Starting. the day on five. without loss in chase of. a challenging 322 for. victory, West Indies got. to the target in the final. session with a few. overs to spare. It was a. remarkable turnaround. by West Indies after losing. the first day/night. Test by an innings and. 209 runs in three days.

Numerous former. Test cricketers had some. strong words after the. West Indies lost the. first Test match. Former. West Indies fast bowler. Sir Curtly Ambrose. described the first Test. defeat as pathetic and. embarrassing, while. former England cricketer. Geoffrey Boycott. says it was the worst Test. team he has seen in over. 50 years. Former England. cricketer Michael. Vaughn, also said on. Twitter that the International. Cricket Council. should consider having. a two-tier system in Test. cricket with the lower. ranked team (like West. Indies) in the second. tier.

Williams believes. some of the criticism. of West Indies was a bit. premature, considering. it was the first match in. the series. “(The criticism). was a bit hard,. because it was the first. game and those fellas. are now finding their. straps. It proves that if. you stick to your plan. and you keep working. hard, you could get. good results and I am so. happy that did happen,”. Williams said.

Williams said West. Indies deserve credit as. England did not show. respect to the regional. team by declaring in. their second innings. “I. thought it was a tremendous. victory, a great victory.

For England to declare. and lose like that. I don’t think they gave. the team any respect at. all. It was kind of a disrespect.

I am glad that it. backfired on them and. it shows you don’t take. cricket for granted. It. was a tough task, but. the guys really dug deep. and it was a tremendous. victory. Kudos to the. coach and all the guys. that worked hard and I. am so happy for them.”. Bassarath said he understands. why people. condemned the West. Indies because it was a. poor performance in. the first Test. However,. he believes the lashing. West Indies received. was overdone.

“I am not sure if (the. criticism) was harsh, because. the performance. was poor (in the first. Test) when you look at. it. Some of the people. went over board with. the criticism that was. said against the team.

The people in the game. would know how hard. these young (West Indies). cricketers work. towards their game and. it was not surprising to. me that we played so. well in this second Test. match.”. Bassarath said West. Indies bouncing back. after the first day/night. Test match shows the. team’s mental strength. in tough English conditions.

“It shows the character. of the team. I think. under these conditions. even the great West Indies. team in the past. would have been under. pressure the way the ball. was swinging. Being a. day/night game the ball. would have been swinging. more and hence the. reason why they lost 19. wickets in a day in the. first Test. It is no excuse. for a Test team to lose 19. wickets in a day, but the. fact is that traditionally. West Indian batsmen. have had the problem. of manoeuvring the. swinging ball.”.

The name TTT summons a sense of national pride that allows us to know that we exist in the world of television. I must admit that the announcement by Communications Minister Maxie Cuffie was a pleasant surprise.

The benefits are clear to all who create, support, market and appreciate local content in the area of film-making, creative artistic expression, various forms of storytelling, steel pan and other musical instruments etc which all need to be showcased.

The Caribbean New Media Group (CNMG) had clearly lost its way from all reports. It was extremely saddening and distasteful to watch the former United National Congress administration heavily politicising CNMG as a State-owned entity while in office.

Some miss the point and think we are going back in time. These people clearly did not pay attention to the government consultations on the relevance of Stateowned media in our society.

People at those consultations were screaming for not just more cultural content from TT but higher-quality local programmes and they agreed that State-owned media are critical to promoting the culture of our country.

While other local television stations have been trying for some time with commendable efforts to create and promote local content, this critical role has to be the ultimate full-time responsibility of a State-owned media entity and not a private enterprise. The reality is that local programmes reflecting the rich history and culture of our people in our plural society are yet to attract substantial private sector advertising dollars.

This TTT rebirth is in keeping with the People’s National Movement’s (PNM) campaign promise to heavily pursue areas of diversification of the economy. The PNM manifesto is coming to life with this initiative as it promised to “leverage the creative sector to enhance the economy.” A wider avenue to showcase our culture expressed in local content translates into more jobs and business opportunities for the sector. I therefore look forward to viewing more programmes about the history, culture, achievements and many successes of our people.

RONALD HUGGINS St Joseph

As a consequence, the support base of the PNM collective will be denied being on television, despite the tremendous work being done by the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts.

Maybe certain people hate what they see in the mirror.

Maybe that is why in the US there are BET , EbonyLife TV and O networks.

LANCELOT SARJEANT via email

The rise of NCDs has been driven primarily by four major risk factors: tobacco use, physical inactivity, the harmful use of alcohol, and unhealthy diets.

Everyone is aware of how important it is to exercise on a regular basis because an active lifestyle protects the individual from the debilitating effects of NCDs.

Daily physical exercise that may include walking or running briskly, cycling, zumba or resistance training all aid in strengthening the heart muscle and improving blood flow.

The next time you don’t feel in the mood to get up and exercise, all you need to do is to focus on the benefits that are derived from engaging in physical activity. You will be drastically reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke and your blood pressure will also improve. You will live a better quality of life and age much more healthier as exercise reduces the possibility for an older person becoming physically disabled.

CHELSEA BEDASE El Dorado

Though some can sometimes say, if you choose fruit drinks and crackers, sada roti and vegetables or curry potatoes, bake and scrambled egg or even just a bowl of readyto- eat cereal with or without milk are okay food choices that will provide nutrients.

Yes, you will get some nutrients, but the focus should be on eating balanced meals. You should also keep in mind that in some cases, it might be obvious why people make these food choices; perhaps due to cultural dietary practices, insufficient funds to buy food, lack of knowledge about food nutrient content, busy schedules, and much more.

To ensure that you begin the day with good nutrition, the breakfast meal should comprise seasonal fruit, cereal with milk, staples, protein food, and beverage.

A quick evaluation indicates that the example of the breakfast meal pattern show that the Caribbean Food Groups are used as the guide in meal planning; the different food groups noted are fruits, staples, foods from animals, and legumes. The meal is balanced providing energy to start the day, along with adequate amount of carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals and water.

Health benefits Studies show that making the choice to consume breakfast will add more benefits to your health as opposed to skipping this essential meal (which can negatively impact health), and trying to make up for it during the day. After fasting for long hours during the night, breaking the fast by eating a healthy meal is a good way to begin; it provides the body with energy and nutrients needed.

Eating breakfast can aid you in meeting the recommendation of fruit and vegetable intakes, improving mental alertness, memory, concentration, problem-solving skill, contributing to better academic performance (simply meaning boosts brain power) and school attendance, enhancing productivity in the workplace, weight management, increases in calcium and dietary fibre intakes, healthier lifestyle, and decreasing snacking are some advantages, just to list a few.

Whereas, skipping or omitting the breakfast from your daily meal plan, the negative effects are quite true, as you may have a lack energy to begin the day’s activities.

Other points to note include engaging in frequent snacking — moreso consuming unhealthy snacks, potential risk for weight gain leading to overweight and obesity, may contribute to poor academic performance, and difficulty in meeting recommendations for fruits and vegetables intakes.

According to researchers Timlin and Pereira (2007), adults who consume breakfast regularly may more than likely have better quality diets that include more dietary fibre, nutrients — calcium, iron, zinc, vitamins A and C, and riboflavin, as well as fewer calories, and less dietary fat and cholesterol. In addition, a review of several studies showed that children and adolescents who eat breakfast, have higher intakes of similar nutrients mentioned previously – calcium, vitamins A and C, riboflavin, zinc and iron.

You will find that consumption of a healthy breakfast can aid persons in meeting some of their daily nutritional requirements, compared to breakfast skippers. Moreover, peer influence and media messaging may more than likely have a significant impact on adolescents’ dietary habits which include eating breakfast. Parents, caregivers and educators should encourage teens and their peers to consume breakfast daily which can aid in improving and/or maintaining their nutritional status.

What can you do? Perhaps, you might conclude that making the effort to eat a healthy breakfast daily is worth it, given the positive impact on maintaining health. A few helpful hints include: Take a few minutes to plan the weekly menu that should be well-balanced, and after doing an inventory in the pantry, add the needed items to the grocery shopping list.

Be sure to add to the menu, whole grains and whole grain products e.g. whole wheat sada roti, bake, muffins, wraps, etc, whole milk or low-fat milk and yoghurt, soy milk, almond milk, other food products rich in dietary fibre coconut bake, ground provision, and starchy fruits (breadfruit, plantain, green banana, bluggoe), fresh seasonal fruits and fortified orange fruit juice with no sugar added, and all types of vegetables.

Choose lean protein choices such as egg, sliced baked chicken –remove the skin, sardines, tuna, low-fat milk and milk products Plan wisely — prepare some food items the night before like cheese spread, salt fish buljol, veggie patties, home-made bread, bake, granola cereal, salads, chicken strips with vegetable pieces and so on Try the idea of having a breakfast club in the office two to three days per week, making available to colleagues some breakfast foods and beverages. Make the menu simple.

Nutrition take home message: eat breakfast daily, adding local produce to your meal plan.

Claudette Mitchell, PhD, RD – assistant professor, University of the Southern Caribbean, School of Science, Technology, and Allied Health.

Easy to laugh now but when we have to face the fact of a possible government wage freeze, even for sea-bridge workers, will Duke throw a tantrum and start to cry? The sea-bridge woes will eventually be fixed but stark reality says the sea bridge is gradually fixing itself, bar all the political grandcharging.

Tobagonians are not fools.

They have to be smart. They have to realise that with the advent of Sandals they are going to have to realise that the glory of a working sea bridge rests with a successful transition into being a top tourism destination.

Workers from both Tobago and Trinidad have to be punctual, smart and always smiling with every single passenger, foreign or local. Image is everything.

With an almost inevitable wage freeze, the cynical side of me says that if Duke or any other trade unionist expects to direct traffic regarding who works at Sandals and who gets paid what, everything will turn old mas.

The whole world will be watching as with no other meaningful diversification of the economy, we try to make style. We could destroy the important tourism sector by attempting to control the proverbial little piece of the action. It is only in TT that we encourage the stupid to be powerfully stupid indeed.

With the Public Services Association’s election due in November, Duke needs to get rid of his wetsuit. The home boy might be Pied Piper in Tobago but Trinidad is not going to be a pushover.

The other 70,000 PSA voters reside in Trinidad and some of them allegedly dislike the political jet ski and pirogue used to get what he wants.

LYNETTE JOSEPH Diego Martin