GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
The Flag of Trinidad & Tobago
The flag of Trinidad and Tobago is tricolored and consists of three diagonal bands running from the top left corner to the bottom right corner. The background of this flag is red in color, which has a single, black stripe with thin, white stripes running along each side.
It was officially adopted on August 31, 1962, when the country gained its independence back from the crown of the UK.
The colours of the flag have specific meaning:
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- Red – stands for the sun, a symbol of bravery. In addition, this color represents the energy of the people of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as their welcoming and friendly attitudes.
- White – represents the water surrounding the islands of the country. The water is said to be a representation of purity and innocence. This color also stands for the unity between the islands that make up this country.
- Black – stands for the land of this country, symbolizing the commitment the people of Trinidad and Tobago have for their society.
Some interpretations suggest that the three colors also represent the past, present, and future of this Caribbean nation.
Profile of the President
Her Excellency Paula-Mae Weekes
Her Excellency Paula-Mae Weekes ORTT is the 6th and current President of Trinidad and Tobago. She took office on 19 March.
Her Excellency was called to the Bar in 1982, appointed to the judiciary in 1996 and to the Court of Appeals in 2005, where she served until her retirement in 2016. She served briefly as acting Chief Justice in 2012. In September 2016, she was appointed to the appeals court in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
HE Paula-Mae Weekes is a qualified judicial educator, a Fellow of the Commonwealth Judicial Education Institute since 2000. She has been deeply involved in training for various levels of judicial officers and has conceptualised, designed and facilitated a wide range of training programmes both locally and regionally.
President Weekes received the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the highest national award on 14th September 2018. She is a member of the Platform for Girls’ Education, which is a global body comprised of 12 influential people aimed at securing 12 years of quality education for girls across the world.
President Weekes is an avid cultivator of orchids and enjoys exploring foreign lands.
Profile of Prime Minister,
The Honorable Dr. Keith Christopher Rowley
Dr. Keith Christopher Rowley was born on October 24th 1949 in Mason Hall, Tobago, and was raised by his grandparents, who were prominent Tobago farmers.
Dr. Rowley completed his secondary schooling at Bishop’s High School, (BHS) Tobago and his sterling academic performance saw him capture the prestigious Sylvan Bowles Scholarship at BHS. He then commenced his studies at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica, from where he graduated with a BSc. Geology (First Class Honours), Geography (First Class Honours); MSc in Volcanic Stratigraphy, UWI, St. Augustine.
He is a Volcanologist who obtained his Doctorate in Geology, specialising in Geochemistry.
He is a known nature lover, who enjoys gardening, hiking and is an avid golfer.
As a Research Scientist he held the positions of Research Fellow and later Head of the Seismic Research Unit at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. He was also the General Manager of State-owned National Quarries Company Limited.
He first ran for political office in 1981, where he contested the Tobago West seat. To date Keith Rowley has the distinction of being the only Peoples National Movement (PNM) candidate to have contested a seat in a General Election in both Tobago and Trinidad.
Dr. Keith Christopher Rowley is the Member of the House of Representatives for Diego Martin West in the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago, where he has represented that constituency since 1991 having been re-elected in 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2007 and 2010.
Dr. Rowley first served in Parliament as an Opposition Senator from 1987-1990.
He later served at Cabinet level holding, at various times, the portfolios
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- Minister of Agriculture, Lands and Marine Resources,
- Minister of Planning and Development,
- Minister of Housing
- Minister of Trade and Industry.
- Governor of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
- Trinidad and Tobago’s representative Governor of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
Following the People’s National Movement (PNM)’s defeat in the Trinidad and Tobago General Election, 2010, Dr. Rowley was appointed Leader of the Opposition of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and was elected Political Leader of the People’s National Movement in 2010.
On September 7th, 2015 Dr. Rowley led the People’s National Movement to general election victory, to become the 7th Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
Profile of High Commissioner (Resident in Abuja),
His Excellency Wendell Vincent Carlton De Landro
His Excellency Wendell Vincent Carlton De Landro was appointed High Commissioner for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to the Federal Republic of Nigeria in March 2018.
HE De Landro presented his credentials to the President of the Republic of Ghana on Wednesday November 6th, 2019.
He is accredited to Republic of Ghana, Algeria, Cameroon, Cote D’ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, United Republic of Tanzania and Uganda.
BUSINESS & FINANCE
Trinidad and Tobago is rapidly emerging as the preferred investment destination in the Caribbean.
Conway Inc., experts in global corporate investment, brings credence to this fact with top rankings awarded to Trinidad and Tobago in the categories of Global Best to Invest locations and Top Investment Promotion Agencies.
InvesTT is Trinidad and Tobago’s national Investment Promotion Agency. They work in partnership with investors from the beginning of their site selection process straight through to the establishment of business and successful operations.
InvesTT focuses on the country’s key non-energy sectors such as:
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- ICT
- Agriculture
- Agro-processing
- Maritime Services
- Creative Industries
- Manufacturing
- Financial Services and
- Tourism
Trinidad and Tobago has identified and is actively promoting the development of niche markets for Cruise, Festivals and Events, Dive, Ecotourism, Weddings and Honeymoons, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE), Shopping, Sports and Yachting.
Contact them via info@investt.co.tt
Level 18, Tower D,
International Waterfront Centre,
Wrightson Road,
Port of Spain,
Trinidad W.I
- +1 (868) 225-5819
- +1 (868) 225-4688
- +1 (868) 225-5820
TRAVEL & TOURISM
Trinidad and Tobago offers a diversified mix of products specific to each island.
Trinidad is associated with the country’s carnival celebrations. It is the commercial and entertainment center of the Caribbean poised with an energized and fast-paced environment.
Tobago is a prime ecological destination that beckons you to partake in its adventure and relaxation.
The country has 2 international airports, Piarco International Airport in Port of Spain (POS) and ANR Robinson International Airport, Crown Point, Tobago.
POS operates with 14 international airlines serving 29 international destinations. POS connects Trinidad and Tobago to North America, Latin America, and Europe by direct flights from major cities in UK, Germany, Scandinavia, USA, Panama, and Barbados.
Most lodging in Trinidad comprises hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfast facilities.
In Tobago, hotels, villas and apartments makes up majority of its lodging facilities. There are approximately about 7,000 rooms for lodging in Trinidad and Tobago.
HEALTH & EDUCATION
The Ministry of Health is responsible for leading the health sector of Trinidad and Tobago. The Ministry operates under a two-tier healthcare system with both private and public facilities. The Ministry is mandated to provide a functioning healthcare system to benefit all citizens.
The Ministry of Education is the government organ responsible with overseeing the planning and implementation of educational policies and practices.
Education in Trinidad and Tobago is free and compulsory between ages 5 and 16. The education system generally starts at Pre-School at the early age of two and a half years. Trinidad and Tobago is considered one of the most educated countries in the world with a literacy rate exceeding 98%. English is the official language of instruction in all public schools.
Higher education is provided through a variety of institutions, including the University of the West Indies (UWI), the St. Augustine Campus, the National Institute for Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (NIHERST), Technical Colleges, Teachers’ Colleges, and a range of private, tertiary institutions. The academic year lasts from September to July, and the entire month of August is a time of vacation.
AGRICULTURE
The main crops grown include cocoa, citrus, sugar, coffee, coconut, rice, sweet potato, cassava and fruits and vegetables such as breadfruit, tomatoes, hot peppers, cucumber, watermelon, eggplant, hot peppers, pumpkin, pigeon pea, banana, mango, pineapple, and pawpaw. Most agricultural holders were engaged in crop activity.
The cocoa industry of Trinidad and Tobago has been revitalised by a state-of-the-art cocoa processing facility producing 500 metric tonnes of gourmet chocolates. These are favoured by international restaurants and hoteliers.
The major animal products are poultry, meat and pork.
The fisheries sector includes marine fisheries, aquaculture, inland fisheries and an ornamental fish trade. Snapper, flying fish, kingfish, carite, croakers, bechine and shrimp are also important export species. Shrimp represents about 40% of fisheries export value.
The apiaries sector is small but vibrant with about 450 beekeepers and 7,000 colonies in the country.
