PORT OF SPAIN – The Government of Trinidad and Tobago, under the public sector investment program, is advancing its projects for the diversification of the economy.
A major initiative of the project is the development of seven priority industries for investment, including Merchant Marine, Fish and Fish Processing, Music and Entertainment, Food and Beverage, and Film, aimed at creating of new opportunities for business development, expansion and employment generation in the non-oil sector.
To further expand this initiative, Government established several state enterprises to reduce the dependency on the energy sector.
• The Seafood Industry Development Company Limited, which has a mandate to improve the regulatory, institutional and competitive environment of the fish and fish processing industry, through the empowerment of coastal communities, the creation of opportunities for business development, and the hosting of programs on food safety among industry stakeholders.
• The Trinidad and Film Company Limited, which will facilitate the expansion of the local film industry, and the creation of employment and revenue in this sector.
• The Trinidad and Tobago Entertainment Company Limited, which has the tasks of; ensuring that the country is identified as the home of steelpan, calypso, soca, parang and chutney; promoting the arts and culture of Trinidad and Tobago abroad; assisting entertainers and artistes with project funding; and facilitating private sector investment.
The Government Human Resource Services Company Limited (GHRSL), and the Government Information Services Limited (GISL), were also established as part of the Government‘s public sector reform initiative.
• The GHRSL is mandated to fill the skills gap that exist in the public service of Trinidad and Tobago by recruiting professionals (nationals and non-nationals) from abroad, and provide human resource strategic and technical services to public sector departments.
• The GISL will facilitate the transmission and dissemination of information about government‘s policies and programs, and promote the development of quality local programming.
These special State Enterprises are at the forefront of Government‘s thrust to achieve developed country status by the year 2020.
