Hardbeatnews, NEW YORK, N.Y., Mon. June 27, 2005:

Aiming to assist in the expansion of Trinidad and Tobago's trade in goods and services and promoting the islands as a preferred location for investment, trade and tourism, a group of T&T New Yorkers will launch the Trinidad & Tobago Business Association on Saturday July 16.

Minister of Trade and Industry for Trinidad and Tobago, Kenneth Valley, is slated to help kick off the launch. TATBA's president is Jude Alibey, while the vice-president is Gail Yvett. Other members of the Board of Trustees are Anthony Emmanuel, Deo Gosine, Mohan Jaikaran, Terrance Joseph, Ron Lammy, Horace L. Morancie, Edrich Semper and Leisa Smith.

Additional details of the TATBA will be announced at a press conference slated for this morning at the T&T Consulate in NYC, 475 Fifth Avenue at 41st Street, from 10 am.

Meanwhile, the group is seeking sponsors for its inaugural journal. For more information, call 718-495-4977.

- Hardbeatnews.com

T&T Minister Declares NY Biz Association Open

Minister of Trade and Industry for Trinidad and Tobago, Kenneth Valley, (I.) and Consul General to New York, Dr Harold Robertson at the TABTA launch on July 16, 2005.
(HBN Photo)

Hardbeatnews, NEW YORK, N.Y. Tues, July 19, 2005:

Saying organizations like the Trinidad & Tobago Business Association serves to deepend and strengthen the business social and cultureal relationships between T&T and citizens across the globe," Minister of Trade and Industry for Trinidad and Tobago, Kenneth Valley, on Saturday declared the group officially launched.

Valley told the more than 100 people who showed up at the T&T New York Consulate early on Saturday morning, July 16, that in the current liberalized environment, prganizations such as TATBA "have become even more critical as nations try to enhance their status and create a positive brand and image to attract investors."

T&T Consul General to New York, Dr Harold Robertson, reiterated similar sentiments in his remarks, saying "Caribbean governments have officially recognized the potential and promise of nationals resident abroad and are beginning to seek the kind of engagements which can only be mutually beneficial in the future."

TATBA states its goal is to assist in the expansion of Trinidad and Tobago's trade in goods and services and promoting the islands as a preferred location for investment, trade and tourism.

TATBA's president, Jude Alibey, stressed that the group is "private sector focused and business driven and committed... to connecting communities to build better businesses... (while) growing and developing business relationships with government institutions on both sides of the divide."

He added that TATBA will form relationships with organizations committed to the wellbeing to Trinidad and Tobago in particular and the Caribbean in general wherever thet may be, stating, "An economically stronger T&T is a necessaity to a stronger Caribbean."

The vice-president of TATBA is Gail Yvett while other board members are Anthony Emmanuel, Deo Gosine, Mohan Jaikaran, Terrance Joseph, Ron Lammy, Horace L. Morancie, Edrich Semper and Leisa Smith. The group is incorporated as a non-profit and membership fees range from $250 - $1,000 depending on the size of the business. For more information, call 718-495-4977.

- Hardbeatnews.com