It is indeed my distinct pleasure to open this training session, where we will explore the practical applications of Satellite Data and Geographic Information Systems. Today, we are not merely discussing imagery but we are also advancing our broader mission of advancing our national development through digital transformation.

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The Forum will examine the region’s economic outlook and development priorities in a context of heightened global uncertainty, with discussions spanning macroeconomic stability, sustainable growth, productivity, investment, climate resilience, infrastructure, innovation, and regional integration. The programme includes plenary sessions, thematic panels, closed-door ministerial dialogues, and a business matchmaking forum aimed at strengthening investment and commercial ties across the region.

Featured speakers will include, His Excellency, Jose Raul Mulino Quintero, President of the Republic of Panama, His Excellency, Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness.

The Finance Minister will also be participating in the Caribbean Ministerial Dialogue titled- Accelerating Development Financing for the Caribbean: Agility, Flexibility, Impact scheduled for Thursday 29th January, 2026. The session is designed to nurture a solution-oriented exchange with a view to signing CAF’s development financing with national development priorities, strengthening implementation of existing projects, and positioning CAF as a long-term strategic partner for advancing sustainable and inclusive growth in the Caribbean.

Minister Tancoo is currently the Chairman of CAF’s Board of Directors until March 31st,2026, having assumed the position in April 2025.

For additional information about the International Economic Forum, including the agenda, speakers, panelists, please access the following link: https://www.caf.com/…/international-economic-forum…/

Earlier Today, Wednesday 28th January, 2026, Finance Minister, The Honourable Davendranath Tancoo participated in CAF’s International Economic Forum – Latin America and the Caribbean Plenary Session titled ‘Economic Outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean: Between Stability and Growth |Session 2: The Growth Agenda Investment, Productivity, and Productive Transformation.

The plenary session offers a broad comparative view of the region’s economic outlook towards 2026, in a context of rising demands on economic policy and the growing attention to the sustainability of public finances. The discussions examined the key balances shaping today’s agenda: how to preserve creditability and predictability through solid fiscal frameworks, responsible debt management and improvements in the quality and efficiency of public spending, while rebuilding room to foster more dynamic and sustainable growth.

Session Two (2) explored productivity and investment as key drivers of sustainable growth, linking macroeconomic fundamentals with the conditions needed to strengthen competitiveness, diversification and economic performances over the medium term.

Panellist also included, Ms. Denisse Azucena Miralles, Minister of Economy and Finance of Peru, The Honourable Dennis Cornwall, Minister of Finance, Grenada, Mr. Jorge Quiroz, Head of Economic Program of Chile’s President -elect- Jose Antonio Kast and Mr. Felipe Larrain (Moderator), Former Minster of Finance of Chile and Director of the Latin American Center for Economic and Social Policy at the Pontifical Catholic University.

See video clipping attached to view the Honorable Minister of Finance Presentation at the session.

For additional information about the International Economic Forum, including the agenda, speakers, panelists, please access the following link: https://www.caf.com/…/international-economic-forum…/

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The global financial landscape is moving quickly and, Trinidad and Tobago cannot remain still.

In fact, later today in Parliament, I will have the privilege of piloting the Virtual Assets and Virtual Assets Service Providers Bill, 2025 a key step toward modernising our legislative framework and keeping pace with digital monetary developments.

In this rapidly changing world, we must remain vigilant and adaptive, to stay one step ahead of those who would use emerging innovations to exploit our systems.

This year’s theme speaks directly to the moment we are in: Future Ready. Innovation. Transformation. Resilience.

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In delivering the feature address at the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange Limited Capital Markets Conference 2025, Finance Minister, the Honorable Davendranath Tancoo said, a strong and dynamic capital market is at the heart of the transformation that we envision for Trinidad and Tobago.”
He further stated, it is one of the most powerful mechanisms for mobilising savings, directing investment and generating wealth. A modern, deep, and liquid stock market provides the foundation for business expansion, innovation, and long-term economic growth. It can also provide citizens a direct stake in national progress.

The Minister also encouraged individuals to save, invest and build their own personal wealth and retirement security, independent of government. With respect to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Minister Tancoo indicated, that Government will be reviewing and enhancing the tax incentives for small and medium enterprises that are listed on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange.
“Our goal is to encourage greater participation on the Exchange and to support the growth of local businesses” he said.

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These two vital Bills provide strong protection against both crime and criminality. With their passage, Trinidad and Tobago will have a robust legislative framework to properly deal with the proceeds of crime including, cross-border activities, and the kind of white-collar crime that has already robbed this nation of billions of dollars and destroyed thousands of lives.

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“I am honored to stand here today at the historic celebration of the practical completion of the construction of the new terminal building at the A.N.R. Robinson International Airport: a moment that marks a new era of connectivity and growth for Tobago and our country. This is the fulfillment of a promise made by this Administration to the people of Tobago. For decades, Tobago has yearned for an international airport facility that matches its status as a premier destination; now, the vision has become a reality.
You may wonder what is the role of the Ministry of Finance in this project, since the ministry is not normally responsible for airport development. The answer is straightforward – after a number of stops and starts and several unsuccessful attempts over the years to construct a modern international airport in Tobago, Cabinet decided in December 2017 that the Ministry of Finance should be take the lead as the Client Ministry in this project because of its complexity and cost, especially since significant land acquisition, costing hundreds of millions of dollars, was required. Initially the project was envisaged as a Public-Private-Partnership, using a Build-Own-Lease-Transfer (BOLT) arrangement. However, it soon became clear that that approach, although less onerous on the Treasury, would take a long time to develop into an actual construction project.”

It is my distinct honour to stand before you today at this landmark event—the commissioning of state-of-the-art Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) scanners at the Port of Port of Spain. This event confirms the Government’s commitment to strengthening national security, enhancing trade facilitation, and ensuring efficiency in our port operations.

With more than 300,000 containers passing through the Port of Port-of-Spain, the smuggling of illegal items is a significant National Security concern. In response, the Government has taken a proactive approach by acquiring specialized equipment in accordance with the highest international standards to combat this threat.

The procurement process for these new Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) systems to strengthen the Customs & Excise Division’s border security operations began in 2023. This entailed a comprehensive assessment of the required specifications and design of the request for proposals, followed by a rigorous evaluation of proposals from prospective suppliers as well as overseas site visits to assess this highly rated inspection equipment in actual operation at international commercial ports.

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As we are all aware, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are critical to the development of Trinidad and Tobago. At present, there are approximately 20,000–25,000 SMEs, representing roughly 95% of the registered businesses in the country, and they employ nearly 200,000 persons in the workforce. They also contribute significantly to employment and innovation in Trinidad and Tobago and span various sectors, including manufacturing, retail, agriculture, technology, renewable energy, and creative industries. SMEs are the cornerstone of the Government’s diversification and sustainable development plans.

We can also attest that the COVID-19 pandemic was a defining moment for economies worldwide, exposing vulnerabilities and reshaping the way nations approached economic resilience. Over the past five years, SMEs have left an indelible mark on the global and local economic landscapes, emerging as critical drivers of recovery and growth.