Caption: Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism Neil Gosine, left, former energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine, centre, and President of the Confederation of Regional Business Chambers Vivek Charran. AZP News/Prior Beharry
By Prior Beharry
FORMER energy minister Kevin Ramnarine says the private sector is the “saving grace” for Trinidad and Tobago.
He also said there will be an increase in natural gas production by the end of 2027.
Ramnarine spoke on Friday evening at the Confederation of Regional Business Chambers Christmas Cocktail Evening at Passage to Asia in Chaguanas.
He said, “We are at a time in the country’s history, with what is happening next door with the US presence and so on, but I remain very optimistic about Trinidad and Tobago.
“My optimism is grounded in the private sector of this country. I have always said that the redemption of Trinidad and Tobago or the saving grace of Trinidad and Tobago is the private sector.”
Ramnarine, who recently submitted a report on the restart of the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, said gas production will increase in 2027. He was the chairman of the Refinery Reactivation Committee.
He said, “Gas production will increase by late 2027 into 2028. I think there are a lot of positive things happening in the ministries.
“New fresh ideas are beginning to flow, so I remain optimistic about Trinidad and Tobago. I know there is a lot of pessimism in some quarters, but I generally remain optimistic about the country. By 2027… we will get by and things will be okay. But I think we have to empower the private sector; we have never empowered the private sector before if we are to take this country forward.”
Also speaking at the event was President of the Confederation of Regional Business Chambers Vivek Charran.
He said, “The past couple of years were tough, with tight foreign exchange, rising costs, and uncertain demand in a global environment that has tested even the most resilient enterprises.
“Despite these challenges, businesses are still operating, people are still investing, still employing, still adapting, and still showing determination to make things work—and that matters.”
Also present at the event were Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism Kama Maharaj; Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism Neil Gosine; and Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Khadijah Ameen.
