May 19, 2017: Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry announced million dollar plans for the Moruga area at a meeting on ‘Development Initiatives in Moruga’ on Wednesday 17th May, 2017 at the St. Mary’s Government Primary School as Government continues its focus on accelerating diversification of the economy.
The Trade and Industry Minister elaborated on the Agro-Processing and Light Industrial Park which will be built on 18.83 acres of State land situated in Saunders Trace, and will initially house five (5) factory shells. The project represents an investment of approximately TT$69.3 million towards the further development of Moruga and environs. The Park, with all required infrastructure, will be sub-divided into eighteen plots (small, medium and large) to cater to businesses of all sizes.
Outlining the specifics of the facility, Senator Gopee-Scoon shared that the facility will allow for ‘the processing of raw materials and intermediate products that originate from agriculture, forestry and fisheries, including the preservation of meats, fish, fruit and vegetables; the manufacture of food products and the conversion of fresh produce into semi-processed raw material or processed products. Targeted business will also include those involved in the manufacture of bakery products, pasta products, confectionary and starch products; the manufacture of beverages, wine and the blending of spirits; and facilities for the canning, bottling and freezing of finished products’.
Senator Gopee-Scoon noted that these initiatives are ‘expected to facilitate economic growth and the development of environmentally sustainable local, regional and international businesses, engaged in downstream activities in the agricultural sector; thereby encouraging the further development of the community and the creation of world class entrepreneurs’. She added ‘The development of this Agro-Processing and Light Industrial Park underscores our commitment to the provision of an enabling economic environment for our investors but more than ever the generation of real and sustainable developmental opportunities for the Moruga community’.
Phase I of the Project is currently being undertaken; and Phase 2 (the construction phase) is set to commence in January 2018. Speaking of the opportunities, the Trade Minister said that ‘the construction phase will provide substantial employment for the residents of Moruga, and once completed and operational, we estimate that the Park will provide further employment for well over 500 persons’.
Also addressing the audience were Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries; Senator the Honourable Kazim Hosein, Minister of Rural Development and Local Government; Mr. Imtiaz Ahamad, Chairman, eTecK; and Mr. Frank Barnes, CEO, UDECOTT who outlined various plans for the area, which include road improvement, port and fishing facility development and agricultural nursery projects, among others.
Dr. the Honourable Lovell Francis, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education and Member of Parliament for Moruga/Tableland indicated to the audience, ‘the kind of development we have been waiting for is finally at our doorstep.’ The meeting included some one hundred (100) key representatives of stakeholder groups and the community.
A Moruga resident makes a contribution during the Question and Answer Segment.
A cross- section of the audience at the St. Mary’s Government Primary School, Moruga.
###
For further information please contact:
The Corporate Communications Unit
Ministry of Trade and Industry
868-623-8480