Permanent Secretary Simeon Yearwood, left, Registrar General Susan Francois and Legal Affairs Minister Peter Taylor attend the launch of Companies Registry Data Capture Project, at Teak Room, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain, yesterday. Photo: Michelle Loubon

A Penal resident can stay at home and access information on ANSA McAL Company Limited via Companies Registry Data Capture Project. He or she can also source information on about 45,000 companies and about 81,000 businesses from an electronic file. Deeds, birth certificates and land documents can also be accessed. Legal Affairs Minister Peter Taylor launched the technological initiative at Teak Room, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain, yesterday.

Among those present were Permanent Secretary Simeon Yearwood, Public Education Officer Ray Coward, Registrar General Susan Francois, and manager of the Corporate Communications Unit Michael Lewis. Taylor said, “The registry data is intended to make the ministry service oriented and available to members of the public. It is meant to be user friendly. It would put an end to having to go to the office. You can stay at home in the comfort of your home and office and access information.”

The customer can gain an insight into whether the company meets regulatory compliance, conduct investigative searches and access information conveniently. He offered a practical example of his trying experiences as an attorney seeking information for a client. “I had to join the line…walk down two to three flights. I had to wait for someone to get the file. They might stop to talk to two people along the way. There was a loss of time. Almost an hour had gone. It is no longer governed by 8am to 4 pm limitations,” said Taylor.

Among the other benefits Taylor pointed out, were integrity of documents preserved, unalterable images being easily determined and archiving of authentic documents. It was also a more efficient retrieval service and faster way to verify information in keeping with the demands of a knowledge-based society. When Taylor wound up his remarks, Francois undertook an Internet presentation on the companies’ registry. She said it cost $500 to access the service and it can be used at the rate of $20 per search. There is a minimum subscription fee of $2,000. The document is available for 24 hours.

It contains both historical and current information on existing companies and “dissolved” companies have been struck off. Francois said that after validation checks, information would be updated by a day or two—especially in situations where the information needed to be corrected. The project began in 2004 and included the creation of textual images, databases and information on ownership of businesses.