00:00 The Phoenix Park Industrial Estate is the result of the partnership between Trinidad and Tobago and China.
00:07 The project is under the state-owned Evolving Technologies and Enterprise Development Company Limited, or E-Tech.
00:14 It was officially opened by Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley.
00:19 This physical structure, however, is only part of the wider vision of this government
00:25 that seeks to form enduring relationships where our partners not only share a common goal
00:32 but also have a stake in the long-term success of the projects in which we engage.
00:39 The Prime Minister then spoke about the importance of Trinidad and Tobago's bilateral partners within CARICOM.
00:46 Only recently you would have heard of the closing of discussions
00:52 and the readiness to establish a regional cargo ferry service between Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados.
01:01 This is a decision which is driven by the need to move raw materials and fresh produce
01:08 from the producing areas to the consumption and manufacturing areas within this sub-zone of CARICOM.
01:16 Dr. Rowley then made a major announcement confirming the involvement of one of Trinidad and Tobago's inter-island ferries, which was made in China.
01:25 Tomorrow, Thursday, the Cabinet will sign off on this decision.
01:32 And only this morning, the Minister of Transportation was instructed to ready the Galleon Passage for the inaugural trip
01:41 as soon as that documentation is ready and the vessel is ready.
01:47 The Express newspaper reported in March of 2018 that the government purchased the Galleon Passage for US$17.4 million,
01:56 about TT$117 million, but an additional US$350,000 or TT$2.35 million was required for retrofitting.
02:09 The Tobago House of Assembly had said the Galleon Passage made its first official trip from Port of Spain to Tobago on October 8, 2018.
02:18 According to the Trinidad and Tobago Inter-Island Transportation Company Limited's website,
02:22 the Galleon Passage is a catamaran rural passenger ferry built according to Lloyd's Register Rules and Regulations for classification of special service craft.
02:33 The Inter-Island Transportation Company also said the vessel can accommodate 400 passengers and 60 cars
02:39 and added that on board facilities include a cafeteria, a bar and a VIP lounge.
02:46 The Prime Minister said the outcome of a transportation service between Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados
02:52 "can only improve our food security, stimulate production across the region, create jobs and support affordable prices
02:59 of the many agricultural products which we desire at our tables and in our hotels."
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