00:00Work is underway for a partnership with the private sector organization of Trinidad and Tobago that is going to be announced soon. I don't want to reveal that. As we view this public-private partnership as essential to building a resilient, competitive, future-ready economy.
00:22The announcement by Trade, Investment and Tourism Minister Satyama Maraj on day one of the 2025 annual International Finance and Accounting Conference hosted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Trinidad and Tobago at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain. Minister Maraj later gave further details in response to a question from TV6 News while he spoke with the media.
00:45In terms of your portfolio as Minister of Trade and so on, the biggest challenge that you are facing presently?
00:50Mr. We are being approached by a fragmented private sector. You have the TTMA coming one day, the chamber coming one day, the showrunners chamber coming one day, the amalgamation of chambers coming, and they're all coming.
01:14But we are solving that. I have initiated the formation of the private sector organization of Trinidad and Tobago, and that's going to be launched next month.
01:27The Trade Minister said the initiative is also to include the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Trinidad and Tobago, also known as ICAT.
01:34Where we combine all these chambers, all the accounting firms, ICAT, all the top legal firms, including relationships with the embassies.
01:47So we are going to have a private sector speaking with one voice, just like the inter-religious organization speaks with one voice, the private sector is going to speak from PSOTT.
01:59So one person coming to me, you all sort it out and come to me afterwards. You come to Minister of Finance afterwards with one voice.
02:07Many of the lessons Minister Maraj provided to the business community in his speech were based on his past business experience.
02:14As Minister of Trade, should anyone be concerned that you're using the company you founded as an example in your speeches or not?
02:22No, I don't think the company is now owning my son. I've transferred the ownership to him. But I have a private profile that is as big as my public profile.
02:35The Trade Minister said he is not concerned at all.
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