00:00Trade Minister Sacha Kama Maharaj outlines that the implementation of the 24-hour online payment system
00:06for the navigational aid's dues in the maritime sector continues to benefit the country.
00:11He says revenue is up from the $861,000 from 266 port calls announced on February 28th of this year.
00:21I am pleased to announce that to date this has facilitated the online collection
00:26of approximately $1,000,000 in revenues across 400 port calls.
00:32The Ministry is collaborating closely with the Customs and Excise Division and our port operators
00:39to integrate the PCS with the Customs ISC system and the Port Navis system.
00:46Speaking at Day 2 of the Shipping Association's 88th Annual General Meeting Shipping and Logistics Conference,
00:53Maharaj indicates that it is to promote more efficient clearance of cargo through single submission and data sharing.
01:01According to him, it will increase supply chain visibility and reduce duplications as well as delays.
01:07The Trade Minister refers to the theme of the conference,
01:10Driving National Trade Efficiency Through Shipping and Logistics, APT,
01:15as he says shipping and logistics are serious issues for a modern economy.
01:19They are central to trade, investment, competitiveness and national growth.
01:26In a country like Trinidad and Tobago, a small country, they are absolutely critical.
01:33Shipping is the bloodstream of global commerce.
01:37Approximately 80% of world trade is undertaken via sea.
01:41He foresees regional traffic increasing as he states that geographical proximity is becoming more and more valuable in today's climate.
01:50Trinidad and Tobago has not been a passive observer in these shifts and developments.
01:56We recognize that our traditional strength in oil and gas provides the foundation.
02:01But our future prosperity lies in our ability to leverage our geographic location,
02:09our industrial expertise and our human capital to become the premier logistics hub of the Southern Caribbean.
02:18Maharaj also reiterates the idea to have TNT connect Africa to India.
02:22He states that the Port Health Initiative is to be launched either next week or the week thereafter.
02:28As for the Library Dry Dock facility.
02:31We're looking at that, but the Minister works very carefully.
02:34Represent a billion dollar leap forward.
02:37We have people all down in Point Fortune.
02:40Give us, come in their own money here,
02:44to open marine marinas.
02:48All around the coast, the San Fernando coast, all around the coast.
02:51Maharaj says once operational, the facility will service vessels traversing the Atlantic Ocean and the Panama Canal.
02:58He also gives a little insight into what is being contemplated for TNT
03:02in relation to what is taking place in Suriname and Guyana's energy sectors,
03:07saying it is not competition but rather opportunity.
03:11In this regard, Trinidad and Tobago is positioning itself as a logistics back office
03:17for this anticipated energy boom.
03:22The winds are blowing very favourable in our direction right now.
03:26And we have to prepare and capitalise upon it.
03:29Minister Maharaj is calling for the silos which he says exist in the maritime sector to be dismantled.
03:35In this regard, he outlines the private sector organisation of TNT,
03:39which was created to unify the business sector.
03:42And I would like to invite the shipping association to become members of the private sector organisation.
03:49Day two of the conference focused on trade facilitation,
03:52business sector needs, the role of customs and excise,
03:56marine operations and safety, leveraging technology and logistics,
04:00legal and insurance issues, as well as capacity building in the maritime sector.
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