Gopee-Scoon: Consumers must reduce plastic waste
Tuesday 16 March 2021
Solid Waste Management Co Ltd CEO Kevin Thompson points to compressed plastic bottles at the company s recycling warehouse in Sea Lots, Port of Spain. Photo by Roger Jacob-
Plastics make up 19 per cent of all landfill waste and eight of ten items collected on beaches in TT. On World Consumer Rights Day, celebrated on Monday, Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon reminded consumers to be responsible for making purchases that contribute to plastic waste.
In a statement, Gopee-Scoon said the fight toward sustainability is, at its foundation, an individual effort.
“Hence, it requires each of us to make a more conscious effort in being a sustainable consumer to minimise waste in our daily routines. Responsible individuals create responsible families, responsible families create sustainable communities, and sustainable communities create a sustainable nation.”
Businesses encouraged to find niche in garment-making
Thursday 4 March 2021
Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon, right, and TT Manufacturers Association president Franka Costelloe, left, tour Janouras Custom Design Limited in Chaguanas with chairman and managing director George Janoura on Wednesday. - Angelo Marcelle
Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon is encouraging more businesses to get into the garment construction industry.
Gopee-Scoon spoke to the media during a short tour of Janouras uniform factory in Chaguanas on Wednesday afternoon, when she challenged more citizens to find a niche in the sector.
“We re very pleased about this industry and what Janouras has done over the years in terms of the training and also in terms of the infusion of technology into the process of garment manufacturing, and of course with the exports as well – to the extent where now I understand that they are net exporters, so that they are exporting 40 to 45 per cent of what they produce here.”
Trade Ministry allocates $20m for SME certification
Minister of Trade and Industry Paula Gopee-Scoon PHOTO BY AYANNA KINSALE
THE TRADE MINISTRY, in conjuction with the TT Manufacturers Association and ExporTT, on Tuesday launched the National Export Booster Initiative, a suite of 16 programmes to enhance export promotion, capacity building and institutional strengthening within the manufacturing sector. The initiatives are intended to increase TT’s export value by 10 per cent by the end of the 2020/2021 fiscal year, and to double its $2.7 billion dollar input into TT’s economy by 2024. The project will outline how the $50 million allocated to the manufacturing sector by Finance Minster Colm Imbert last October will be spent. (https://newsday.co.tt/2020/10/08/imbert-gives-manufacturers-50m-export-surprise/)
Cabinet approves $50m export booster cnc3.co.tt - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from cnc3.co.tt Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
TTMA ready to go digital for 2021 trade and investment conference TTMA president Franka Costelloe -
As much as it hopes to host a hybrid physical and virtual event for this year’s Trade and Investment Convention (TIC), the TT Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) is prepared to go completely digital if necessary. The association launched its 22nd annual flagship business networking convention on Friday; the actual event will be in August.
Last year, because of covid19 restrictions, the event was forced to be online – but it was still deemed a success. The event had over 50 virtual exhibitors, 4,000 registered users and 30,000 platform hits, TTMA president Franka Costelloe announced, with 90 virtual booths and exhibitor pavilions.