Maybe one convention centre for all chambers

THE EDITOR: A newspaper article headed "TT in dire need of a convention centre" covers the TTMA asking the Government for ten acres for a TTMA-owned convention centre.

Bear in mind any government would want to please as many captains of industry as possible, as affordably as possible, so favouring any one business chamber for ten acres would open up the door for all business chambers to ask for their cut: "We represent sector X, contribution to GDP $XXb, you gifted TTMA ten acres, we want our 16.75 acres gift."

TT's various sectors are well represented by industry-specific, international trade and geographical business chambers. TT is represented by the Energy Chamber, TTCIC, TTMA, Amcham, TTCSI and other industry-specific ones.

International trade business chambers exceed ten representing commerce individually with US, UK, EU, India, China, Venezuela, Germany, Saudi Arabia, other trading partners.

Geographical business chambers include Chaguanas, Couva/Pt Lisas, San Fernando, San Juan, Tobago East, Sangre Grande and even Morvant/Laventille.

Collectively, annually the chambers' meetings, incentives, conventions and expositions calendar covers energy, manufacturing, services, health and safety, tech, agriculture and other sectors and niches.

Perhaps all the business chambers can collaborate on a convention centre owned and funded by all them that can hold all the events and perhaps the Government, knowing all the chambers are on board, will fast-track it. The chambers are already united on national issues and on the beauty of Tobago. It will cost less as well. They can even put it to a vote of their members.

It's just good business.

SHANAZ SUKHDEO

accountant