April 7, 2017: Speaking at the Media Launch of Regus Business Centre Trinidad and Tobago located at Invaders Bay Tower, Port-of-Spain on Wednesday 05 April, 2017, Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry congratulated the company on its expansion. She said “the selection of Trinidad and Tobago as a location for the establishment of this business centre in the Caribbean, is a true testament to the appeal that we are, to global companies. With Trinidad and Tobago now being part of your global network of business centres, we can look forward to businesses that are a part of the Regus international network utilizing the centre at Invaders Bay and seeing Trinidad and Tobago as the opportunity that it is”.
Noting that the Government will continue to make all effort to create an enabling environment to allow for new and existing businesses to flourish, Senator Gopee-Scoon announced that the Cabinet has before it a comprehensive implementation plan that will holistically address and significantly improve the domestic business and investment climate. She stated that “the Plan was developed in collaboration with several Ministries and Government Agencies and is expected to be implemented over a forty-four month period (approximately 3½ years), achieving major deliverables every six (6) months. It includes a series of administrative and legislative reforms which address several areas pertinent to business operations, such as trading across borders; paying taxes; starting a business; registering property; electronic payments; dealing with construction permits; resolving insolvency and getting credit”.
Additionally, Senator Gopee-Scoon informed the audience that an analysis of the existing free zones regime was currently being undertaken and the Government has agreed to the development of a Special Economic Zones Policy. She said “this Policy will “modernize Trinidad and Tobago’s economic/free zone regime; increase the economic and social impact of economic zones in Trinidad and Tobago; enhance the international appeal of Trinidad and Tobago’s economic zone regime; and improve existing and advance new mechanisms and procedures to effectively develop and manage economic zones”. She also affirmed that Trinidad and Tobago will continue to be attractive to investors due to its easy access to the Americas; strategic location as a transshipment hub for exports; preferential access to the markets of CARICOM and other regional and international markets through trade agreements with the United States of America, Canada and the European Union; low cost energy; and access to generous fiscal incentives, among other attributes.
Mr. Mark Linehan, Managing Director, Regus Franchise Partner Caribbean in his Address expressed pleasure in opening its first Regus Business Centre in Trinidad and Tobago. He said “we are excited to bring our cutting edge work space solutions to Trinidad which is fitted with the latest technology to meet the needs of small, medium and large businesses. There is tremendous potential for Regus in Trinidad and Tobago”.
Also speaking at the Media Launch were Mr. Ralph ‘Bizzy’ Williams, Chairman, Williams Industries Incorporated and Mr. Dominic Hadeed, Chairman, Domhad Properties Limited who both indicated their pleasure in partnering with Regus to bring world class products and services to Trinidad and Tobago.
Regus Business Centre offers office space, meeting rooms, co-working facilities and a business lounge to suit the needs of small, medium and large businesses.
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For further information please contact:
The Corporate Communications Unit
Ministry of Trade and Industry
868-623-8480