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Low global oil and gas prices have left Trinidad and Tobago’s energy sector with challenges, and underinvestment in upstream exploration has resulted in declining production and gas availability, leading to downstream industries operating below capacity. Still, the country continues to attract strong investment from oil majors and independent producers. With the government and sector players committed to crafting an equitable new fiscal regime, a strong energy services industry and a new frontier in deepwater exploration, there is good reason to expect the sector to bounce back over the medium term. This chapter contains interviews with Derek Hudson, Vice-President, Shell Trinidad and Tobago; Mark Loquan, President, The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago; and Vincent Pereira, President, BHP Trinidad and Tobago & Chairman, Energy Chamber of T&T.

This chapter examines the laws that affect operations of foreign companies as well as regulative acts that protect land and resources. New securities legislation – yet to be implemented – is also explained. This chapter contains a viewpoint from Michael Sullivan, Partner, Leahy Lewin Lowing Sullivan.

This chapter offers a guide to PNG’s taxation rules and regulations. It also examines the national budget for 2017, which introduces new changes, and explains several credits and incentives available for businesses. This chapter contains an interview with Jonathan Seeto, Territory Partner, PwC.

As one of the world’s most culturally diverse nations, Papua New Guinea offers visitors the chance to experience a country with genuinely unique appeal. Surrounded by coral reefs and volcanic islands, the natural beauty of PNG has seen the country gain international recognition as an increasingly popular tourist destination. However, despite this vast appeal, PNG’s arrival ports continue to be heavily dominated by business travellers, although recent trends have seen an increase in tourists who are venturing in greater numbers to the country to experience its many attractions, consisting of diverse scenery such as mountain ranges, thousands of miles of coastline and dense forests that are home to rare wildlife. This chapter contains an interview with Jerry Agus, CEO, Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority.

Papua New Guinea’s ICT market is in the midst of a dynamic restructuring. Over the last decade the sector has experienced significant growth. However, despite advancements, pockets of isolated communities remain unconnected. As a result, the government has set out to expand the National Transmission Network, and along with the amalgamation of key state entities expected to encourage competition, the cost and availability of ICT services are set to briskly improve. Since the arrival of international competition in 2007, PNG has experienced a major shift in communications technology. Nevertheless, affordability remains a pressing issue and mobile adoption lags behind regional penetration rates, with PNG’s penetration rate representing one of the lowest in the South Pacific region. This chapter contains an interview with Mahesh Patel, Chairman, Telikom PNG.

With a seemingly endless supply of fertile land, the agriculture sector in Papua New Guinea has enormous potential to strengthen the economy and increase the prosperity of local farmers. While a number of challenges stand in the way of these opportunities, PNG’s organic and fair trade credentials are gradually opening high-value niche markets and bolstering export figures. As such, the advancement of crop production is a major priority for the government. As the largest employment sector and the third-largest export revenue generator, agriculture is widely recognised as the country’s best means of diversifying its basket of goods and easing reliance on extractive industries. This chapter contains interviews with Ilan Weiss, Chairman, Innovative Agro Industry and Sir Brown Bai, Director, New Britain Palm Oil.