The Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries (TTCSI) yesterday distanced itself from comments by one of its members who stated that if Ramps Logistics does not get Local Content Certification here, other Trinidad and Tobago businesses will leave this country for Suriname.
During a session of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI)-organized Guyana Basins Summit, which concluded yesterday at the Pegasus Hotel and Suites, TTCSI director, Jaishima Leladharsingh, expressed that he did not feel this country should have local content legislation.
“I do not agree with the legislation of local content. I do not believe that that encourages investment. In my opinion, it is a big deterrent to business. We are observing what’s happening with Ramps in Trinidad, and I am seeing it clear here that if Ramps does not get its Local Content [Certificate] approved, a lot of Trinidad companies will go to Suriname. I suggest that they have a rethink of that policy. It is not in keeping with the CSME [CARICOM Single Market and Economy] spirit and it is not going to encourage investment,” he posited.
The Trinidad and Tobago-headquartered Ramps Logistics has moved to the High Court seeking judicial review against the Local Content Secretariat over its application for certification, sources told Stabroek News.
The move comes some 41 days after the company submitted additional documents to the secretariat where its application for a Local Content Certificate is pending.
Explaining that Leladharsingh spoke in his personal capacity, the national umbrella body for services associations in the country said that it “wishes to emphatically distance itself from the views expressed by a TTCSI director, Mr. Jaishima Leladharsingh, at the Guyana Basins Summit (GBS).”
“At the time, Mr. Leladharsingh spoke in his personal capacity and as such, the statements made are not – and do not – represent the view of the TTCSI,” the statement added.
According to the organization, Trinidad and Tobago has been pursuing the introduction of local content and participation legislation and the TTCSI continues to be supportive of this process.
“Six energy services companies that recently completed TTCSI’s Gateway to Trade Export Accelerator Programme 2021/2022 – Damus Limited, North West Maritime Limited, Kronus Geological Services Limited, Epic Maintenance Limited, Weldfab Limited, and Phillips General Contracting Limited – are in Guyana attending the GBS. The TTCSI is pleased that accomplished presenters have been scheduled to address various options for investment opportunities that may be of benefit to the above referenced companies and areas in which they can participate in neighbouring Guyana.”
“Several of the firms on the mission indicated that the Summit provided an excellent forum for networking and engagement and presented opportunities for integration between both Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago,” it added.
The organisation stated that it was looking forward to future partnerships and collaborations as the Caribbean region continues to grow and develop a cadre of globally competitive companies within the Services Sector.
