Address by The Hon. Stephen Cadiz . Minister of Trade and Industry

We believe that public recognition of the individuals and firms who excel in the services sector will go a long way to encouraging greater national appreciation of the sector and its unique needs.

This year’s topic “Services Driving Development” is truly relevant in light of the current world economic climate and indeed in terms of our own objectives for long term economic growth.

The establishment of the Office of the Special Ambassador for Trade and Industry is expected to lend strategic advantage to our diplomacy and our investment and trade promotion.

National Innovation Council Needed

This National Services Week and the ones to follow in coming years will be critical in demonstrating that our confidence in the service providers of Trinidad and Tobago is in no way misplaced.

We therefore see this services symposium as the first step towards reversing our history of poor implementation of regional decisions. At the end of this meeting we should leave not only understanding more about the needs of the regional service sector