Trinidad body distances itself from comments made by director

The Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries (TTCSI) has distanced itself from seemingly threatening comments made by one of its directors Jaishima Leladharsingh at the just concluded Guyana Basins Summit in Kingston, Georgetown.Speaking in his personal capacity, Leladharsingh, based on reports, said that Trinidadian companies will move from Guyana to Suriname if Ramps Logistics does not receive its Local Content Certificate.Ramps, a now divested Trinidadian-owned company, was initially denied a local content certificate which is needed to operate in Guyana's nascent oil and gas sector in a major way, benefitting from preferential treatment in some respects.The company has since reapplied for that certificate.See below full release from the Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries (TTCSI):The Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries (TTCSI), the national umbrella body for services associations in the country, wishes to emphatically distance itself from the views expressed by a TTCSI director, Mr. Jaishima Leladharsingh, at the Guyana Basins Summit (GBS).At the time, Mr. Leladharsingh spoke in his personal capacity and as such, the statements made are not—and do not—represent the view of the TTCSI.Trinidad and Tobago has been pursuing the introduction of local content and participation legislation and the TTCSI continues to be supportive of this process.Six energy services companies that recently completed TTCSI's Gateway to Trade Export Accelerator Programme 2021/2022—Damus Limited, North West Maritime Limited, Kronus Geological Services Limited, Epic Maintenance Limited, Weldfab Limited and Phillips General Contracting Limited—are in Guyana attending the GBS.The TTCSI is pleased that accomplished presenters have been scheduled to address various options for investment opportunities that may be of benefit to the above referenced companies and areas in which they can participate in neighbouring Guyana.Several of the firms on the mission indicated that the Summit provided an excellent forum for networking and engagement and presented opportunities for integration between both Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.The TTCSI commends the organisers of the Guyana Basins Summit for a strong agenda and one that is well-placed to achieve excellent results.We look forward to future partnerships and collaborations as the Caribbean region continues to grow and develop a cadre of globally competitive companies within the Services Sector.