CTTRC Local Economic Development Unit

📽️𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐝

This morning, we met with Mrs. Leslie-Ann Wills-Caton and Ms. Danielle Romany of the Film and Folklore Festival to explore a potential partnership aimed at preserving and celebrating the rich cultural heritage, traditions, and way of life of rural Trinidad.

The proposed immersive storytelling experience will recreate the warmth and charm of the traditional village setting, where children gather around elders in a community centre or courtyard, to hear stories passed down through generations.

We look forward to the opportunity to collaborate on this meaningful initiative that celebrates our cultural heritage through the power of storytelling.

🤝𝐂𝐓𝐓𝐑𝐂 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐘𝐓𝐄𝐏𝐏 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐜𝐨-𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦

This morning, we had the privilege of welcoming representatives of YTEPP Ltd. to the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation for a productive discussion on strengthening the municipality's tourism sector through entrepreneurship training, and community empowerment.

Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Simone Huggins; Vice Chairman Henry Awong, and Local Economic Development Officer, Seema Kadir, welcomed the Director (Ag.) of EDSS, Mr. Montgomery Guy; Curriculum Specialist, Mr. Marlon Indar Persad; Business Development Officer, Mr. Darren Wi******er, and members of their administrative team.

Mr. Guy acknowledged the Corporation’s longstanding commitment to Community-Based Eco-Tourism development, noting that the 𝑪𝑻𝑻𝑹𝑪 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒍 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝑷𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒕 𝑬𝒄𝒐-𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒎 𝑬𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒎𝒎𝒆.

Discussions focused on curriculum development encompassing training, and mentorship, with key areas including tourism product development, access to funding opportunities, marketing, web design, environmental stewardship, and tour guide training—all aimed at equipping entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to succeed in the tourism industry and contribute to a stronger, more sustainable tourism sector.

Together, we are working to strengthen the tourism ecosystem, empower communities, and create sustainable economic opportunities in the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Region, thereby contributing to Trinidad and Tobago’s national economic diversification agenda.

Hidden among the rolling green hills of Tabaquite, where mist sometimes settles gently over cocoa fields, and forests whisper with the sounds of birdsong, stands one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most remarkable reminders of a vanished age.

For more: https://www.guardian.co.tt/article/the-tunnel-that-time-couldnt-forget-6.2.2607606.e5c8fed3b3

💥𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐢 𝐀𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

This morning, we were graciously hosted by the President of the China Society, Mr. Charles Cheng, as discussions continued on the proposed Dai Ailian Heritage Project.

Joining the discussions were Deputy Head of Mission at the Chinese Embassy, Mr. Yang Han; Treasurer of the China Society, Mr. Albert Allum; and President of the Dai Ailian Foundation, Mr. Adrian Isaac.

The engagement provided a valuable opportunity to finalize the collaborative efforts aimed at preserving and celebrating the remarkable legacy of Madame Dai Ailian, a distinguished daughter of Isaac Settlement whose contributions to the world of dance continue to inspire generations.

🐠🛶𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲

This afternoon, we had the privilege of meeting with representatives of the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA), led by Dr. Rahanna Juman, Deputy Director with Responsibility for Research, along with Research Officers Rugayyah Thompson and Kahlil Hassanali, as they continue to advance the 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐁𝐄+ 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 – 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥.

Welcoming the team was Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Simone Huggins, who reaffirmed the Corporation’s commitment to collaboration and sustainable development initiatives within the municipality.

The PROCARIBE+ initiative seeks to build resilience and support region-wide investments for sustainable blue socio-economic development across the Caribbean.

Discussions focused on 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑰𝑴𝑨 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒇 𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒅 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝑺𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒑, 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒂 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝑮𝒆𝒐𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒉𝒊𝒄 𝑰𝒏𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑺𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒎 (𝑮𝑰𝑺) 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒑. These engagements aim to sensitize stakeholders, and capture and map key coastal activities within the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo region, including fishing, cultural and heritage sites, religious activities, industrial operations, and other uses along the municipality’s coastline.

Also in attendance were Councillors, representatives of the Corporation’s Technical Department, and the Local Economic Development Officer, reflecting a collaborative commitment to sustainable coastal management and informed spatial planning.

Together, we continue to strengthen partnerships that promote sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and the protection of our valuable coastal resources for future generations.

💫𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐨𝐰‼️ 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐈𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐥𝐞⭕️

This evening, we continue with 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟑, where participants work together under the Mentorship of SME advisor, Mrs. Ladi Franklin, to address common MSME challenges to build stronger, more focused businesses.

The session began with participants sharing how 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒎𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒚 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒋𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒚𝒔. The excitement in the room is undeniable, with growing confidence, clearer direction, and a renewed sense of purpose.

The participants are also recapping key concepts, including Value Proposition & Competitiveness, Defensible Market Positioning, Effective Marketing Messages, and the Application of Value Elements. They are reflecting on how these tools can help them better understand customer needs, strengthen their brands, and create greater value in the marketplace.

Participants are now 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒕 𝑫𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚, gaining valuable insights into customer demand and positioning their businesses for sustainable growth.

🎯𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌-𝒕𝒐-𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒎𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒄𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒏 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑳𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝑬𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒄 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒗𝒂/𝑻𝒂𝒃𝒂𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒕𝒆/𝑻𝒂𝒍𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏

🙌This morning, our Tourism and Local Economic Development Committee met to review ongoing initiatives and discuss upcoming projects aimed at advancing economic growth and community development throughout the municipality. Key discussions included the Dai Ailian Heritage Project, CTTRC branding initiatives, and the continued rollout of our Business Enhancement and Support Services (BESS).

💥This afternoon, Chairman Ryan Rampersad, Vice Chairman Henry Awong, Alderman Wazim Dill Mohammed, Chief Executive Officer Ms. Simone Huggins, and LED Officer Dr. Seema Kadir met with the Ministry’s Local Economic Development team for a productive discussion on the purpose and structure of the recently established LED Unit, as well as opportunities for greater collaboration and support for LED initiatives at the municipal level.

💪These engagements reflect our continued commitment to building partnerships, preserving heritage, supporting entrepreneurship, and driving sustainable local economic development across Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo.

💥𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐲 𝐈𝐏𝐎 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐓𝐓𝐑𝐂'𝐬 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 & 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 (𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐒)

Another historic milestone for the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation as our Local Economic Development Unit partnered with the Intellectual Property Office of Trinidad and Tobago (IPOTT), simultaneously launching CTTRC's Business Enhancement and Support Services (BESS).

Leading the distinguished delegation from IPOTT was Controller of Intellectual Property, Mr. Regan Asgarali, SC, alongside Deputy Controller, Dr. Kavish Seetahal, and Manager of Technical Examination, Mr. Richard Aching.

Chairman Ryan Rampersad and Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Simone Huggins, delivered remarks underscoring the Corporation’s unwavering commitment to empowering entrepreneurs, supporting MSMEs, and driving sustainable local economic development throughout the municipality.

Mr. Asgarali commended the initiative, noting that this collaboration represents a first for the Intellectual Property Office and serves as a model he hopes to replicate with Municipal Corporations across Trinidad. Drawing on international examples, he highlighted the critical role innovation and intellectual property protection play in driving economic transformation.

Session highlights included:
• Presentation on Intellectual Property Rights
• Exploring opportunities for branding the CTTRC
• One-on-one advisory sessions with 10 MSMEs
• Tours of the Couva Railway & Sugar Heritage Site, Montserrat Cocoa Farmers at San Antonio Estate, and the Cocoa Panyol Museum

Together, we continue building pathways for innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic growth within our municipality.

Step into the rich history and heritage of the Indo-Trinidadian community at the May edition of the Toute Bagai Lecture Series, hosted at the Exchange Shiv Mandir in Couva. 🌺✨

Join National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago Heritage Preservation Research Officer and PhD candidate Karishma Nanhu as she explores the history of Indians in Trinidad, the significance of the Exchange Sewala, and the important work of the Tapestry Initiative in preserving community heritage and stories for future generations.

📅 Saturday 30 May 2026
🕙 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
📍 Exchange Shiv Mandir
🎟️ Admission: $100 TTD

Come and experience heritage where it lives — in our communities, sacred spaces, and shared traditions.

Our May edition of the Toute Bagai Lecture Series takes us to the Exchange Shiv Mandir in Couva for a special lecture exploring the history of Indians in Trinidad, the significance of the Exchange Sewala, and the role of the Tapestry Initiative in preserving and sharing community heritage.

The lecture will be delivered by Karishma Nanhu, Heritage Preservation Research Officer at the National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago and PhD candidate whose research focuses on Trinidad’s Indo-heritage and sugar production.

This is an opportunity to experience heritage where it lives: in communities, in sacred spaces, in stories, and in the places maintained across generations.

Event Details
📅 Saturday 30 May 2026
🕙 10:00 a.m. – 12 noon
📍 Exchange Shiv Mandir, Exchange Village, Couva
🎟️ $100 TTD
📍 Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/r1oyeg1VfnrsGYJr9

Please walk with water to stay hydrated and dress comfortably and respectfully for the venue.

Register here: https://nationaltrust.tt/product/toute-bagai-lecture-series-indian-arrival-community-heritage-the-exchange-sewala/

💡💫Energy, ideas, and community spirit filled Los Attajos as the 𝟑𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞 (𝐋𝐄𝐃𝐏𝐀𝐂) came to life under the gracious hosting of our Vice Chairman Henry Awong in his home community.

🗣️Lively discussions focused on upcoming projects, shaping an eco-tourism experience rooted in the area’s natural beauty, and strengthening support for local farmers for the benefit of both the community and the wider municipality.

🚘After the meeting, members explored T&T's Doppler Weather Radar Facility and the Cocoa Panyol Museum before enjoying a hearty, garden-to-table Ital soup with fresh juice.🍲🍹

🙏Heartfelt thanks to the Vice Chairman and the people of Los Attajos for their warm hospitality and vibrant welcome.