PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning yesterday announced the creation of over 1,500 new jobs in the manufacturing sector, and the establishment of five new industrial parks this year as part of Government‘s continuing commitment to economic diversification and the creation of a new manufacturing economy in Trinidad and Tobago.

At the time, he was addressing the second day of an Industrial Innovation Entrepreneurship Symposium hosted at the Hilton Trinidad by the University of TT, TT Manufacturers Association and Evolving Technologies and Enterprise Development Company (E-Teck), the Prime Minister said Government is cognisant of the reality that TT must seek parallel growth in the non energy sector (specifically manufacturing and services) to match the rapid growth of its energy sector over the last 20 years which has placed TT "in a leadership position in the production of ammonia, methanol and LNG." "Notwithstanding our achievement (in energy), there is still that significant gap between our potential and what we can achieve," Manning stated.

Noting the potential of small and medium enterprises to create "the greatest number of jobs" and significantly reduce poverty, the Prime Minister said this was the reason why entities such as E-Teck, the National Entrepreneurship Development Company and the Business Development Company. Manning said Government will intensify its drive to create additional non-energy jobs through the establishment of 12 new technology centres which will be managed by the National Energy Skills Centre and the Metal Industries Company Ltd.

"The initiative will see an intake of over 1,500 within the next two years. Sites have already been located (for the 12 centres) at Point Fortin, La Brea, Couva, Chaguanas, Tunapuna, Diego Martin and Cove in Tobago. These new centres will be equipped with the most modern equipment," the Prime Minister declared. Technology centres currently exist at Point Lisas, Laventille, Sangre Grande and Macoya.

Referring to agreements signed last year to develop downstream industries in aluminum, steel and petrochemicals, Manning said Government will establish five new industrial parks in TT this year "to provide the infrastructure to accomodate the anticipated expansion of this sector and lead to new business." "The manufacturing sector has always been an important factor in the economy of TT. It now has a tremendous opportunity to expand and deepen its activities and become more competitive," the Prime Minister said.

Observing that innovation and entrepreneurship have been the hallmarks of every civilised society and TT was not short of either one, Manning said: "What distinguishes one nation from another is not merely the extent to which these have been promoted but perhaps even more importantly, the extent to which they have been brought together."