SEW Implementation Moves Ahead

Since the launch of the SEW project in October, MTI and Crimson Logic have been working together to meet with relevant stakeholders, assess their current situation and lay the groundwork for introduction of new business systems and processes for the successful establishment and operation of the SEW. Members of the Ministerial Committee charged with SEW implementation met at MTI’s Level 16 Conference Room on January 29th for a presentation and status update on the SEW by Director of Policy and Strategy Randall Karim and Naveen Bhat, SEW Project Manager, Crimson Logic.

Just to refresh your minds about the SEW, - It is an online portal through which trade and business activities as well as related tasks can be transacted and is aimed at increasing the efficiency with which business is conducted in Trinidad & Tobago, especially the trade process.

After a number of meetings with over 60 agencies such as Customs, the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Port of Port of Spain and the Port of Point Lisas, Chemistry Food and Drugs Division, the TTBS and many others, the Crimson Logic/MTI team is moving into a phase of reviewing the policies and legislation that will enable the formal establishment of the Single Electronic Window here in T&T.

So until next time….

International Technical Expert visits MTI

During the week of January 18th to 22nd, MTI will host Dr. Leilo Fellows Filho, International Technology Consultant and expert in the area of Technology Foresight. Dr. Fellows is scheduled to meet with Minister Browne as well as key stakeholders in the private sector to share his experiences and provide advice on how to make their businesses more internationally competitive. Dr. Fellows will be working in conjunction with staff of the Business Development Department to meet with stakeholders at the Macoya offices of the Trinidad & Tobago Bureau of Standards.

I’m sure you’re wondering, what Technology Foresight (TF) is all about. Well TF, is a systematic process designed to identify those technologies that can generate economic and social benefits in the long term, incorporating elements of Science, Technology, Industry, Economy and Society. Once all the benefits are determined the findings are used as the basis for policies that would improve business development. As our businesses improve we then enhance our capacity to trade internationally and of course to attract greater levels of foreign investment.

This project is in keeping with MTI’s mandate to grow the non-energy sectors of Trinidad & Tobago’s economy. MTI believes that this visit will certainly be an aid to our business community as we collaborate with them to improve trading capacity in keeping with our Vision 2020 responsibility of Enabling Competitive Business.

Dr. Fellows holds an undergraduate degree from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Metallurgical Engineering. He also holds post graduate qualifications in Materials Science and contributed to a number of publications and academic papers on sustainable development and competitiveness. Dr. Fellows currently heads the Technical Office at the Centre for Strategic Studies and Management in Brazil where he is responsible for Future Analysis centered in Technological issues and is a technical expert attached to the Knowledge Bank Programme of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.

It's that time again, lets decorate!!

The Christmas holidays have come and gone, and we're now assiduously back to work, right?? However the season could not have passed with out MTI's annual Christmas Decor Competition. Giving the floors ample time to decorate, judging took place on Tuesday January 5th at 1PM. The competition was on as levels 11-16, Nicholas Tower was perused by the judges to determine a winner. Our licensing Unit was unfortunately unable to participate this year.

After viewing each floor, our judges came to a unanimous decision that it was level 12 with their home made manger and bubbly Christmas spirit that were the winners. They were closely followed by level 15 in second place and level 16, who copped the 3rd spot.

Congratulations to level 12 !! We look forward to doing it again next year....