00:00The Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange wants sustainable finance to move beyond an idea and into actual transactions.
00:10The TTSC launched its Green Social and Sustainability, or GSS Plus, bond guidelines at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad on Tuesday.
00:20Chief Executive Officer Eva Mitchell says the framework creates a formal pathway connecting projects in need of financing with investors
00:30looking for credible opportunities.
00:32Mitchell says, quote,
00:34Today is not simply about launching a document. It is about creating another avenue through which capital can support the
00:43development of TNT.
00:44The success of what we launch today will not be measured by the publication of these guidelines.
00:51It will be measured by the transactions that follow. End quote.
00:56She says projects in renewable energy, climate resilient infrastructure, affordable housing, health care, education and transportation will require significant investment.
01:09But she says the government cannot finance all of these needs on its own.
01:14She says, quote,
01:15Renewable energy requires capital. Climate resilient infrastructure requires capital.
01:22Affordable housing requires capital. Health care and education require capital.
01:28Modernizing transportation, industry and our communities require capital.
01:34And the reality is that a public purse cannot finance all of it. End quote.
01:39Mitchell says, TNT already has examples of sustainable financing, including social bonds issued by local mortgage institutions.
01:49She says the framework will give investors clearer information on how funds are allocated and what results are being achieved.
01:58IDB Invest Director of Financial Institutions for the Caribbean, Stephen Thomas says capital markets have an important role to play
02:08in closing the region's financing gap.
02:11Leonardo Garva, Deputy Head of Latin America and the Caribbean at Climate Bonds Initiative, said the guidelines should make thematic
02:20financing easier to understand for issuers and investors.
02:24While reducing uncertainty around the requirements for labeled instruments.
02:30Kishana Pagu, TV6 News.
