Andrew Sabga, president of the T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce, has called on local businessmen to prepare themselves for the wave of exciting enterprise opportunities that awaits them: the world economy recovering from its present turmoil. "Businesses around the world are being affected by the continuing global economic recession. However, it is often said, that during the darkest moments, you are nearest to the light and therefore, we must remain brave, confident and optimistic about the new opportunities that we can create to build a new and improved business landscape, particularly during these times." Sabga gave the optimistic forecast while speaking at Saturday's Seventh Annual Business Hall of Fame 2011 induction ceremony and gala dinner, produced by the chamber and sponsored by First Citizens.
The venue was the ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Trinidad hotel, located on Dock Road, Port-of-Spain.
Sabga said: "We must ensure that above all things, new pioneers and leaders will take up the mantle towards carrying our country towards excellence and success." It was precisely for this reason, said the chamber executive, why the Business Hall of Fame initiative had so much significance. He explained that in addition to saluting excellence the area of commerce, the event served as a beacon to inspire business leaders of today and those of the future. Peter July, former chairman of RBTT Financial Holdings, Conrad O'Brien, past chairman and chief executive officer at McEnearney Motors, and Nazir Ahamad (posthumously) former chairman and managing director at Southern Sales, formed the honour roll.
They received glowing tributes before a large gathering of family, friend and peers that included Dr Anthony N Sabga, chairman, emeritus, ANSA McAL Group; Larry Howai, group chief executive officer, First Citizens; Gerry Brooks, chief operating officer, ANSA McAL Group; David Inglefield, sector head, media, retail and services ANSA Mc AL Group; Arthur Lok Jack, chairman, Guardian Holdings Ltd; David Lewis, managing director, Label House Group, and Sir Kyffin Simpson, chairman, Simpson Group, Barbados. A special award was bestowed onto longstanding chamber member and attorney Andrew Johnson, who was once tipped to lead the country's largest lobby group, but declined for family reasons. Sabga (Andrew) said the honourees positively impacted the economy, community and the nation and like those who went before, they had wondrous stories of enterprise, and hard work, but, most importantly: success.
"We will continue to openly celebrate our business leaders, who continue to carry the blazing torch of strong corporate governance, sacrifice and initiative, resilience and ingenuity that build brands that transcends generations." The Business Hall of Fame awards, said Sabga, was founded in 2005 and was aimed at filling, what was considered to be a major void in the local business landscape. In just seven short years, however, the country now looked to one of the most anticipated and prestigious events on the business calendar.
He expressed delight that past Business Hall of Fame inductees: Dr Anthony N Sabga, Robert T Yorke and Helen Bhagwansingh, were all recipients of national awards, too, at the 2011 Independence Day national award ceremony.
Turning his focus back to this year's hall of famers, Sabga said: "They have also been known for their philanthropy. These three men have been chosen for their significant contribution to our nation and its citizens and for the examples they have set for others. All of our inductees exemplify a vision for prosperity. We recognise these three men as mentors and role models for T&T's future business leaders." The glitzy affair was filled with charmed performances, too, from the Celestial Quartet, soloist Lesley Lewis-Alleyne, and the renowned duet, Eddie Cumberbatch and Glenis Yearwood.