More Filters
There were 672 results found for:

All Regions and All Sectors

Analysis

Banks turn to financial technology in Trinidad and Tobago
OBG
plus

The financial services industry in Trinidad and Tobago is one of the most developed in the Caribbean; however, the country still falls behind other emerging markets in its approach to online banking and digital payments. In 2020 customers continue to contact their banks by telephone to perform routine services, such as balance inquiries. As such, there is vast scope for digital reform and an opportunity…

Analysis

Commodities investment important for diversified portfolios in Trinidad and Tobago
OBG
plus

Despite being a commodity-based economy – indeed, 36.1% of Trinidad and Tobago’s GDP is from the energy sector – local capital market investors have traditionally shied away from commodities investing. The asset class worldwide has underperformed compared to traditional investment vehicles such as stocks and bonds. The Bloomberg Commodities Index had an average annualised return of -5.7% from…

Analysis

Trinidad and Tobago's debt market dominated by government bonds
OBG
plus

While Trinidad and Tobago’s primary bond market has seen 59 issuances since 2013, fewer than 15% were private corporate issuances. The government, either directly or through state-owned enterprises, has maintained a dominating presence in the debt market, which it taps to borrow the funds needed for infrastructure development projects and recurrent expenditures such as salary payments. Diversification…

Analysis

Wealth management services grow in Trinidad and Tobago
OBG
plus

Wealth management divisions have become an integral part of business models for the majority of commercial banks and non-bank financial institutions in Trinidad and Tobago. Initially created to cater to the needs of institutional investors – particularly those of employee benefit plans – wealth management services have now expanded to include high-networth individuals. T&T’s economy grew…

Analysis

Trinidad and Tobago builds on successes of neighbouring stock exchanges
OBG
plus

The Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange (TTSE) is the largest and among the most important stock markets in the Caribbean. However, it was out-performed by the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE), whose impressive headline growth since 2015 has led some in T&T to draw lessons from the smaller but more dynamic bourse. “We should look to the expansion in Jamaica’s capital markets as an example in the…

Analysis

Caribbean body facilitates integration
OBG
plus

In order to fulfil the aims of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and the wider CARICOM policy of further economic integration, officials in the Caribbean have identified a number of key sectors that form the backbone of regional convergence, from financial services to transport and education. In 2006 a revised Treaty of Chaguaramas came into force that turned CARICOM – formerly a common…

Analysis

Oil discoveries in Guyana present Trinidad and Tobago with opportunities in value-added services
OBG
plus

The IMF estimates that Guyana will be the fastest-growing economy in the world in 2020, with projected growth of 84% for 2020 – up from 4.4% in 2019. The jump in growth is attributed to the fact it began oil production in December 2019. Guyana is looking to tap its natural resources, as it has the highest amount of oil reserves per capita – while Saudi Arabia has 1900 barrels per person, Guyana…

Analysis

Trinidad and Tobago looks to international investment and renewables to grow energy sector
OBG
plus

With an energy system entirely dependent on natural gas, the transition to cleaner energy generation has emerged as a pressing priority in Trinidad and Tobago. Indeed, per capita carbon emissions from energy-related activities in T&T are nearly 2.5 times greater than the world average, according to the Inter-American Development Bank. In June 2019 the government reaffirmed its commitment to generating…

Analysis

New hydrocarbons discoveries boost Trinidad and Tobago's energy market
OBG
plus

A number of recent oil and gas discoveries in Trinidad and Tobago bode well for the energy industry over the medium term, with the country well positioned to attract further investment from international operators. This comes at a time when energy multinationals are increasingly turning their interests to the Caribbean region, buoyed by an uptick in similar discoveries in neighbouring Guyana and Suriname. Nevertheless,…

Analysis

Trinidad and Tobago restructures state oil firm
OBG
plus

In December 2018 Petrotrin – Trinidad and Tobago’s state-owned oil and gas company – completed a major restructuring drive, aimed at streamlining the company’s operations and cutting costs. While the move resulted in major job losses and faced opposition, it was seen as essential, both in order for the company to regain profitability and for the country to successfully revamp its hydrocarbons…