Under the theme “Accelerating Action”, Prime Minister Rowley sat down for an Energy Town Hall interview with the President and CEO of the Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Thackwray Driver.  Dr Rowley congratulated the Energy Chamber for working together with the Government and highlighted that numerous achievements stemmed from effective collaboration and strong relationships.

Sharing his vision for this country’s energy sector, Dr Rowley expressed hope that, notwithstanding the requirement to respond to the climate change existential threats, the hydrocarbon industry will remain an industry in the world’s economy.

Prime Minister Rowley said, “There is serious European interest in what is happening in Trinidad and Tobago as it attempts to bring to market resources from northern South America. So, given what the world’s geopolitics has turned out to be, a lot of interest exists now in having security for fuel out of an area that is traditionally stable. So, these are the positives for us, and we should exploit them to our benefit.”

When asked about being the number one salesperson for Trinidad and Tobago when approaching international investors/ Prime Minister Rowley remarked it is done on the basis of mutual respect. He said, “We like to respect the people who come to us as visitors, as investors, and we also would like them to respect us. So, I keep telling them, you have your shareholders, I have my shareholders too, and my shareholders are the people of Trinidad and Tobago, and they must share in whatever profits come out of our efforts.”

Prime Minister Rowley further noted, “A lot of people know us by name, and we have done well in telling them that people of Trinidad and Tobago are not just colonials who are happy to be there. We are here to participate and sometimes as owners.”