Launch of Centre for Enterprise Development

Minister Bhoe Tewarie turns the sod in 2012. Looking on (l – r) are S Abdool; CARIRI chairman Hayden Ferreira; Ag Permanent Secretary Cheryl Ann Haynes and CEO Liaquat Ali Shah

The media are invited to the official launch of the Centre for Enterprise Development at Innovation Avenue; Friendship Hall Drive, Freeport where the centre will be formally opened by The Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and CARIRI’s Line Minister, Senator Dr The Honourable Bhoendradatt Tewarie will deliver an address.

The sod for the Centre for Enterprise Development (CED) was turned  in June 2012 and  the project was completed in June 2013.  The establishment of the CED forms an integral part of the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute’s (CARIRI’s) new strategic focus for the period 2011 – 2015.  Its focus is building capacity and capability for enterprise creation, consistent with the Government’s strategic priorities of Economic Growth, Job Creation, Competitiveness and Innovation as well as the development of new economic spaces across Trinidad and Tobago.  CARIRI is one of the state bodies under the mandate of the Ministry of Planning and Sustainable Development.

The Centre will accommodate the full gamut of activities along the enterprise creation spectrum that is from Idea to Market. It would provide both accommodation, technical and business advisory support services to individuals and enterprises with innovative ideas/projects wishing to take these through the incubation process to commercialization, enhancing the opportunities for enterprising citizens.
Event: Launch of Centre for Enterprise Development
Date: Wednesday 26 June 2013
Time: 8:45am – 11:30 am
Venue: Innovation Avenue, Friendship Hall Drive, Freeport (map attached)
Feature speakers: The Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Prime Minister and CARIRI’s Line Minister, Senator Dr The Hon Bhoendradatt Tewarie
Dress Code: Business attire

Plans for the Centre comprise the following:

•   Innovation Incubator:   This would cater for pre –incubation activity, where individuals with ideas will be able to secure assistance in developing these ideas into business opportunities.
•    Business Incubator:   This facility will provide an environment in which qualified companies and individuals will be provided access to the full range of business support services necessary to develop their business opportunities/project to pre-commercial stage.
•   Technology Incubator:   This will take the form of technology bays which will accommodate projects currently being incubated by CARIRI initially, including mushroom, garlic, soy-based and pepper-based products. It will cater for incubating and commercializing technologies sourced both locally and from abroad.
Technology Packages (collection of info, services & activities related to the manufacture of the products) will be developed for all of the projects incubated.
•      ICT Centre:   This will accommodate ICT project initiatives being undertaken by the Institute geared towards enhancing the operational efficiency of Small to Medium Enterprises.
•   Display Centre:   The Centre will facilitate the display of the full range of products to be commercialized via the technology packages.

The creation of new economic spaces is a key imperative of the Government’s thrust towards economic growth, job creation, competitiveness and innovation over the medium term, 2011 to 2014.  Five Growth Poles have been identified in Trinidad and Tobago which will contribute to the diversification of the economy within the context of geography and industrial opportunities.

The 5 growth poles are:
            Central Trinidad; Couva, Chaguanas, Carapichaima and Charlieville
East Port of Spain
North-East Tobago
The North Coast of Trinidad
The South-Western Peninsula

These 5 Growth Poles, all targeted for development will make a decisive impact on investment, construction, infrastructure development, jobs, growth and enhancement in a wide range of sectors such as the maritime sector, information technology, food production, financial services, energy, tourism and culture and the creative industries.  The CED falls under the Central Growth Pole.

For any additional information, please feel free to contact Irma Burkett of CARIRI Corporate Communications, UWI Campus, St. Augustine at 662-7161 or 774-3170 or via email:  communications@cariri.com,

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