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Investment in the construction of several new health care facilities across the country and the upgrade of ageing infrastructure demonstrates that the public sector is on the right path. However, challenges persist as out-of-pocket spending remains high, partly due to elevated medicine costs. Moreover, greater funds will have to be invested in the training of medical professionals if locals are to fill staffing gaps. Public investment in the education system remains the highest of any sector, while student enrolment across universities and vocational institutions has increased significantly over the last decade. However, slow economic diversification and the oversaturation of certain university programmes have led to a mismatch between graduate skills and the availability of opportunities in the labour market. Focused government funding could encourage the uptake of subjects and the development of skills required in the contemporary labour market. This chapter contains an interview with Gillian Paul, President, College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago.

With the ingredients of a typical Caribbean sun, sea and sand destination, an ecotourism centre and MICE gathering point, Trinidad and Tobago has significant potential to develop its tourism sector further. After a slow start following the creation of two organisations that will promote the islands as independent but culturally interconnected international destinations, progress is starting to be seen. Investment in hotel infrastructure by established global operators and the construction of a new terminal at ANR Robinson International Airport in Tobago is also hoped to spur additional foreign investment. Furthermore, the development of niche tourism through sporting events and ecotourism is likely to attract a new market of travellers looking for something beyond the traditional beach-centric model. This chapter contains an interview with Randall Mitchell, Minister of Tourism.

Trinidad and Tobago’s small size and strategic location in the Caribbean makes it well positioned to serve as a regional transport and logistics hub. However, the country has faced challenges in improving its connections to both surrounding nations and wider global markets. On the domestic level, an increasingly diversified economy will require an upgrade of the country’s road infrastructure and internal connectivity in order to facilitate the growth of non-oil sectors such as agriculture and tourism. While government oversight in the form of infrastructure investment will remain crucial, the role of private operators will also form an important part of the sector’s development. The ongoing efforts to improve and expand the road network will prove crucial to boosting socio-economic growth in rural areas and, as a result, enhancing the county’s wider diversification strategy. This chapter contains an interview with Ashley Taylor, President, Point Lisas Industrial Port Development Corporation.

Drawing on its potential as a services outsourcing centre, Trinidad and Tobago’s ICT sector remains a key contributor to the islands’ economy. In 2018 the telecommunications and broadcasting sector contributed around 3.7% to GDP. Revenue was generated primarily through software development, web design, data processing and training. Looking ahead, regional headquartering, research and development, business process outsourcing and cybersecurity remain key areas open to further development, especially as T&T seeks out private sector investment from around the globe. Adding to its prospects, T&T possesses the best ICT infrastructure in Latin America and the Caribbean, and ranks second in the region in terms of skills readiness among workers. This chapter contains an interview with Kirk Henry, CEO, iGovTT.

Following a period of subdued activity, a steady flow of projects in 2019 has seen Trinidad and Tobago’s construction industry return to healthier growth. Construction activity still remains confined to a small number of projects, which are largely driven by public sector spending. Nevertheless, major developments such as the TAB airport extension, road network upgrades and housing construction initiatives should help the sector to recover, particularly with a slightly higher state budget in 2020. There are signs of recovery in the real estate market, particularly as the need for long-term, affordable housing continues to drive the lower end of the property market. In order for the residential segment to see healthy growth in the years ahead, both the public and private sector will need to ensure that this demand is adequately met. This chapter contains interviews with Jean-Paul de Meillac, CEO, Terra Caribbean; and Emile Elias, Chairman, NH.

Industry and retail, once the focus of diversification efforts, represent important possible revenue generators in their own right. Trinidad and Tobago is one of the larger exporters in the Caribbean region, with total exports for the year to September 2019 amounting to $24.7bn. In an effort to generate foreign exchange, companies are being pushed to increase exports. Significantly, the government also hopes to double manufacturing output between 2020 and 2025. The future for industry is therefore relatively bright despite a number of challenges. The retail sector has been impacted by the national economy’s recent period of slow growth, with consumer behaviour, including reduced consumption and evolving spending patterns, accounting for shortfalls in an otherwise promising sector. However, with new investments and growing penetration of large retailers in the region, the sector is in good health. This chapter contains interviews with Dominic Hadeed, Managing Director, Blue Waters; and Gervase Warner, President and Group CEO, Massy Holdings.