Caribbean Export OUTLOOK 2014 - 2015 (SPANISH)

Red Tape to

Red Carpet

COMMUNICATING THE PROCESS OF CHANGE TO ATTRACT GLOBAL BUSINESS

Industry, Investment and Communications in a forum that is aimed at confirming and supportingtheteamapproachtoactionplanning, expediting and facilitating collaboration. “Red tape to red carpet” has evolved into a comprehensive multi-media programme aimed at communicating the changes taking place across Government agencies in support of a business-like attitude. It includes the use of traditional media (press, radio, television, billboards); and explores new social media such as Facebook and youTube. The corporate press advertisement has been placed in key local and regional business magazines. InvesTT Limited’s One StopShopandFacilitationDepartment are the key deliverable for the promotion of the red carpet treatment to the investor.

There’s a fresh wind blowing through the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Investment and Communications. New Government agencies have been formed to lead initiatives that will attract foreign direct investment. All are revitalizing the approach to business and seeking partnerships between private and public sector; between global and local producers. Initiatives like this publication, the re-focusing of the primary investment promotion agency – invest TT Ltd - and the aggressive outreach of new companies like the International Financial Centre and CreativeTT are aimed at evoking positiveresponsesfromTrinidadandTobago,and fromtheworld.Theysay,wearestreamliningour approaches, we are eager to do business. Trade, Industry and Investment. He believes that to effect change, one must at times be prepared to move in leaps and bounds. To assure customers, local and international, that the country is open for business, indeed serious about efficiency and good governance even as it sweeps away unnecessary bureaucracy, he declared themove “fromred tape to red carpet.” The “red tape to red carpet” campaign is based on the trend towards enhanced collaboration amongGovernmentministries and agencies. It reflects the efforts to do better faster even as it drivesimprovementsinservicedeliveryacrossall interactions inTrinidad andTobago. Hopefully, a virtuous cycle of continuous improvement is being created. It is newbranding that indicates energy, urgency and efficiency in the country’s business interactions. We are, youmight say, on red alert. Red, now, is the colour of vibrancy, movement. Across many Government ministries, the move is on. It was recently given an identity by the Minister himself. Senator theHon. Vasant Bharath holds portfolios of

To date, the agencies that have initiated activity in support of this move include:

Trade Licence Unit;

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Animal Production andHealthDivision;

Plant Quarantine Services;

Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division; exporTT Ltd—the export company of Trinidad and Tobago; Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce;

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Ministry of Legal Affairs;

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Work Permit Secretariat at the Ministry of National Security.

The vision is to create an expectation of premium service on the part of the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago; and exceed the real expectations of the businessman or investor, local or international.

Somesignificantspecificoutcomesareefficiencies and reduction in the time elapsed between

application and registration or certification results. For example, time taken for procurement of a construction permit should be reduced. Some processes which should be achieved in shorter time frames include:

The vision is to create an expectation of premium service on the part of the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago; and exceed the real expectations of the businessman or investor, local or international.

the goods declaration service (via Customs and Excise); registering a property; and enforcement of contracts, or dealing with bankruptcy and insolvency. Acouple counties inCalifornia—SiliconValley and Orange County –have “red tape to red carpet’’ initiatives. These have evolved over time to includemeasurable objectives, incentives and annual awards which celebrate the efforts of Government and other agencies in continuous improvement, to do better faster. In time, “red tape to red carpet” will be a significant element of the Trinidad and Tobago brand. (Information provided by Yolande Agard- Simmons - Manager, Communications and Events, Ministry of Trade, Industry, Investment and Communications)

Within the Government agencies, employees are motivated to provide service to the private sector, in the spirit of collaboration. Leading the reform process is Randall Karim - Director, Policy and Strategy of the Ministry of Trade, Industry,InvestmentandCommunications.Heis responsibleformultiplestakeholderengagements all aimedat brainstorming solutions for reducing bureaucracy and other issues. Once solutions are presented, the process drives early adoption of plansandprogrammeswhichmayincludebetter communications,computerizationandefficiency targets among others. Karimleadsanaction-orientedgroupcomprising representatives of all the active subscriber agencies(listedabove)withclearlydefinedtargets and delivery dates. He reports regularly to the executivemanagement of theMinistryofTrade,

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