Annual General Meeting
Press Release
Chairman's Statement
President's Statement
CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT
"You think of yourselves as humans searching for a spiritual awakening, when in fact you are spiritual beings attempting to cope with a human awakening. Seeing yourselves from the perspective of the spirit within will help you to remember why you came here and what you came here to do."
—The Group
On reflection of the first year of operation of the Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries (TTCSI), I am humbled but proud to see so many things which were mere concepts and ideas more than two years ago come into existence. We have seen the successful collaboration between the private and public sectors in the creation and operation of a professionally administered Secretariat. We have witnessed the coming on board of twenty premier service provider Associations, from very diverse areas, in the interest of a common cause and we have seen service sector representatives take their place at the Trade Negotiations table, alongside other sectors of the economy. Clearly, while much has been achieved, even more work lies ahead, as the Coalition moves from establishment and awareness into full operation through deeper lobbying and advocacy and the exploitation of external markets, for the services sector of Trinidad and Tobago.
TTCSI has very quickly become a feature in the local, regional and international trade in services arenas through the dedication and direction of a group of public and private sector officials that carried the TTCSI torch forward in the first leg of its journey. For this, I unreservedly thank the Ministry of Trade & Industry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, my fellow Directors, the Secretariat’s staff and a supportive Membership.
The Coalition has established a solid platform in its first twelve months for future growth and development, in addressing the interest of its Members and the wider services sector in Trinidad and Tobago. What lies ahead will be challenging yet opportune times for Trinidad and Tobago, and in particular the ability of the services sector to increase the trade value of its tremendous productive capacity. I have no doubt that the incoming Board will continue to steer the ship in a direction beneficial to the Membership, even as it beats it own trail.
As Majjhima Nikaya is quoted as saying “ If you want to know the past, to know what has caused you, look at yourself in the PRESENT, for that is the past’s effect. If you want to know your future, then look at yourself in the PRESENT, for that is the cause of the future.”
It was a pleasure serving as Chairman of the Interim Board of the Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries, in the initial year of its existence and I wish the TTCSI good fortune in its future endeavours.
DAV-ERNAN KOWLESSAR