The Energy Chamber usually has a policy of not commenting on the appointment of ministers or senators or on Cabinet reshuffles. However, with the appointment of senator Kevin Ramnarine to the post of Minister of Energy and Energy Affairs, the Energy Chamber has decided to set aside its usual policy, given that Ramnarine is a former employee of the chamber. It would be, therefore, remiss of the Energy Chamber not to comment on his appointment and to congratulate him.
On behalf of the entire sector we would like to commend Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan for her stewardship of the Ministry and thank her for all of her hard and dedicated work over the past 13 months as well as for her achievements in moving the energy sector forward. We wish to congratulate the outgoing minister on her new appointment as Minister of Public Administration. Ramnarine joined the staff of what was then known as the South Trinidad Chamber of Industry and Commerce in May 2004, and worked with us for four years as a senior research specialist, before moving on to a post at BG T&T.
Ramnarine was an integral part of the Energy Chamber team during a period of growth and change for the organisation. With an unusual background combining petroleum engineering with journalism and policy advice, Ramnarine had the ability to both understand the technical aspects of the energy sector and to communicate well.
Honing skills
During his time with the Energy Chamber, he developed a broad knowledge of the sector and, in particular, honed his skills in the economic and financial analysis of the sector. He became well known for his ability to pull together data in new and interesting ways to make policy recommendations. His ability in this area helped the Energy Chamber become more focused and relevant to its membership during this period. He conducted wide-ranging research for the Energy Chamber, focussing especially on issues of local content, downstream industrialisation, fiscal reform, the independent oil producers and the environmental impact of on-shore oil production.
Ramnarine is stepping into one of the most important roles in all of T&T. The Energy Chamber's strategic plan for the sector looks both inwards and outwards, promoting energy investment through an efficient business sector as well as exporting energy services to foreign markets. Currently, the country is competing with neighbours such as Brazil and Colombia for upstream investment, seeking ways to create linkages with the manufacturing sector through downstream expansion and also export our local energy services skills to different markets. In order to attract investment and export our services, the Government must help create the enabling environment and the Energy Ministry portfolio is critical to these developments and the entire country's long-term development as well.
Given these variables, this portfolio is a step up for Senator Ramnarine and it will certainly be challenging. However, he has many well wishers and supporters in the sector and he will certainly have the support of many people in the industry. The Energy Chamber again wishes Senator Kevin Ramnarine best of luck in his new post and we look forward to continuing our long-standing and close working relationship.