Trade and Industry Ambassador Mervyn Assam has praised the initiative of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) in introducing a �100 rebate to British travellers as an incentive to visit Tobago on a two-week holiday. "The tourism industry, as you know, is going through some very difficult challenges, particularly because of certain taxes by European countries, particularly the United Kingdom. I thought it was a very good initiative to introduce that �100 rebate which hopefully would be an incentive to attract more UK visitors to Tobago," Assam said at the end of a 45-minute meeting with THA Chief Secretary Orville London on Tuesday. Assam, who carries the title of Ambassador Extraordinaire and Plenipotentiary responsible for Trade and Industry in the Foreign Affairs Ministry, also spoke of the possibility of getting free-zone status for the Cove Eco-Business and Industrial Park at Lowlands, Tobago, as well as incentives for setting up business at the park.The two also spoke of Tobago's fishing and cultural industries. He said they discussed the whole question of better communication and a more effective delivery system because "we talk a lot, we write very beautiful reports but we don't go beyond that sometimes.
Therefore, we need to increase the capability of delivering to the people of Trinidad and Tobago and we must have more effective communication among the various agencies." Assam said he had committed himself to working closely with the THA Chief Secretary and to communicate with him and to involve the THA which was very important in whatever initiatives he (Assam) would like to pursue with his co-operation and his consent. He said it was very important that he met with the Chief Secretary and secretaries from the assembly soon after he assumed his responsibility because it was "very important to hear from you and for you to hear from me, the things I would like to do and how we can co-operate and collaborate to be of mutual benefit to each as we chart the course for promoting trade and industry for Trinidad and Tobago."
Chief Secretary London noted that they had a very cordial and very informative first meeting when the ambassador pledged his commitment to the assembly's efforts to get involved in more intensive industrialisation, taking into consideration the protection of its environment. London said Assam gave some indication of the initiatives the assembly could pursue in relationship to enhancing the fishing industry and also some agricultural incentives. "I think the most important aspect of that is that he has indicated that his ministry intends to set up a delegation which would involve Assembly representation. That delegation will be charged with the responsibility of ensuring that we will be able to look at, to investigate and try to derive optimum benefit from our relationship with the countries of the world.
He added: "I think all in all it has been a very encouraging first meeting and we expect that this relationship will be encouraged, will be intensified as we go forward. "The Ambassador has given his personal commitment and his unit to involve the THA in all activities that can impact on Tobago and I think that is very a heartening commitment and a very heartening positive," London said.