Energy
remains catalyst for development says Dr Saith
Ian Gooding
President
of the South Trinidad Chamber of Industry and Commerce Rampersad
Motilal, right, hands a copy of the Local Content and Local
Participation Policy & Framework to Energy Minister Dr Lenny
Saith at the opening day of the Chamber’s Energy Conference
yesterday at the Hilton Trinidad.
The Trinidad Guardian
Port
Spain
Petroleumworld.com 02 12 06
Sustainable
development continues to be a major pillar on which the overall
policies of the government are built, with the energy sector
acting as a catalyst for the achievement of this goal, said
Minister of Energy Lenny Saith yesterday.
Saith
was addressing scores of local and international oil and gas
executives gathered at the Hilton hotel for the annual energy
conference sponsored by the South Trinidad Chamber of Industry
and Commerce (STCIC) and the Geological Society. The theme of
the conference was “Harnessing the gas economy.”
“The
increasing demand for clean burning fuel; spiraling gasoline
prices in the global market; our proximity to major geographical
centres, our liberal economy; and transparency in the conduct
of our business affairs, together with our natural resource
endowments continue to align T&T favourably, in terms of
attracting projects for monetising our natural gas resources,”
Saith said.
Dr
Saith said that a major thrust involved the gradual progression
from first stage petrochemical production involving ammonia,
methanol and urea to secondary production to produce melamine,
urea-ammonia nitrate, acetic acid and polypropylene. The government
was at the same time working to expand the iron and steel industry
and establish the aluminium industry, he said.
“The
government is currently developing legislation to streamline
developments and enhance the operation and interest of all stakeholders
in the energy sector,” he said.
“In
our bid to properly harness the gas economy, we have had to
look at what is being attempted elsewhere and to share our experiences
and learn from other gas producers.
“T&T
therefore maintains an active membership in the major international
energy organisations.”
Following
his short presentation, the government’s policy on local
content and local participation was finally launched and copies
distributed to participants. (IG)
The
Trinidad Guardian
Tuesday 7th February, 2006
