It has been suggested that The Energy Sector and the Trinidad and Tobago Economy be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since April 2012.

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Trinidad and Tobago is one of the wealthiest and most developed nations in the Caribbean and is listed in the top 66 High Income countries in the world. In the Caribbean, it is one of the richest countries, with a per capita GDP of USD $28,400 (2009). In November 2011, the OECD removed Trinidad and Tobago from its list of Developing Countries. Trinidad and Tobago has earned a reputation as an excellent investment site for international businesses and has one of the highest growth rates and per capita incomes in Latin America. Recent growth has been fueled by investments in liquefied natural gas (LNG), petrochemicals, and steel. Additional petrochemical, aluminum, and plastics projects are in various stages of planning. Trinidad and Tobago is the leading Caribbean producer of oil and gas, and its economy is heavily dependent upon these resources but it also supplies manufactured goods, notably food and beverages, as well as cement to the Caribbean region. Oil and gas account for about 40% of GDP and 80% of exports, but only 5% of employment.

Regional Financial Center [edit]

The country is also a regional financial center, and tourism is a growing sector, although it is not proportionately as important as in many other Caribbean islands. The economy benefits from a growing trade surplus. Economic growth reached 12.6% in 2006 and 5.5% in 2007 as prices for oil, petrochemicals, and LNG remained high, and as foreign direct investment continued to grow to support expanded capacity in the energy sector.

Trinidad and Tobago's infrastructure is adequate by regional standards. A major expansion of the Piarco International Airport in Trinidad, the country's main airport, was completed in 2001. There is an extensive network of paved roads, and utilities are fairly reliable in the cities. Some areas, however, especially rural districts, still suffer from water shortages. The government is addressing this problem with the construction of additional desalinization plants. Infrastructure improvement, especially rural roads and telephone service, drainage and sewerage, are among the government's budget priorities.

Communications and Mobile [edit]

Telephone service is relatively modern and reliable. Mobile phone service is widespread and has been the major area of growth for several years. Digicel and Laqtel were granted cellular licenses in 2005, breaking TSTT's monopoly. The Internet has come into widespread use, although service can be slow at peak times. The government has been slow to open up this market to competition as well.

Energy Sector [edit]

The Nation of Trinidad and Tobago has enjoyed a thriving economy (which is based on energy and oil) from recent oil finds (48 million barrels)^[3] to oil finds dating back to the 1950s.

Job Market [edit]

The Job market in Trinidad and Tobago stands at a very lucrative position. According to the^[4](OECD) Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, in October 2011 when its Development Assistance Committee (DAC) released its list, Trinidad and Tobago were no longer on that list for the first time in history. In essence this means that the nation of Trinidad and Tobago is no longer considered a developing nation, but can be enlisted among the developed nations of the world. In addition the thriving energy sector, the nation controls 0.25%^[5] of the world's natural gas with a whopping GDP of twenty (US$20.5b) billion US dollars.^[6] These factors are quintessential in driving the demand for quality labor, especially in specialized area as it pertains to the energy sector. Such area of specialization are for the first time in history being sort after in this little nation, but requires the expertise of ex pats to fill. According to former Prime Minister Patrick Manning,^[7] the nation is the financial capital of the Caribbean, and being so heavily reliant on the oil and energy sectors, fosters and facilitates an environment of constant demand for specialized jobs.In addition, the Natural Gas sector is for the first time facing competition from countries such as Qatar and the United States. All these factors are stimulating the need to produce local specialist as the demand increases.They are also clear indications that the nation is at the end of an economic downturn and poised for a period of economic boom.

A wealth of Jobs would be created in the short run to feed a diversity of economic demands across all sectors of the economy. Finance Minister Winston Dookeran unveiled the largest Budget (TT$54Billion) in the history of the nation in October 2011, re iterating the Government's resolve to transform the economy, which will boost investor confidence in the nation. This process of transformation will create a hosts of jobs and numerous foreign investor opportunities.^[8] The proverbial wheels of the economy are being oiled the economy and other areas of the economy such as the Financial and Manufacturing Sectors will benefit tremendously from the spin offs.

Government Ministers have already made plans to facilitate viable tools in assisting with the roll out. Within the past couple years Government agencies have begun to utilize recruitment tools such as Agencies and job boards.^[9] The government have recognized the usefulness in sourcing and outsourcing labor from different areas. Recruitment on the whole in Trinidad and Tobago have experienced huge strides, from the traditional snail mail to company's emails and job boards. Local experts have mentioned that moving forward in such a small area, is a big tool to in executing and rolling out macro plans smoothly.

Tourism [edit]

Tourism is another area that is poised to see a quantum leap and the demand for a plethora of jobs. The European Union Council on Tourism and Trade(EUCTT)has also awarded the nation as being "The Best Tourist Destination for 2012". Local hotels have already began to make plans to facilitate an influx of European tourists upon the nation receiving the prestigious designation.^[10]

Miscellaneous [edit]

Economic aid - recipient: $200,000 (2007 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $6.761 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Currency: 1 Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TT$) = 100 cents

Exchange rates: Trinidad and Tobago dollars (TT$) per US$1 :

6.4200 (2011 est) 6.3337 (2010) 6.3099 (2009) 6.2896 (2008) 6.3275 (2007) 6.3107 (2006) 6.2842 (2005), 6.2990 (2004), 6.2951 (2003), 6.2487 (2002), 6.2332 (2001), 6.2697 (2000), 6.2963 (1999), 6.2983 (1998), 6.2517 (1997), 6.0051 (1996), 5.9478 (1995)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $12.44 billion (2007)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $1.419 billion (2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares: $15.57 billion (2006)

Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September

See also [edit]

• Trinidad and Tobago dollar
• Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago

References [edit]

To meet Wikipedia's quality standards, this article may require rewriting and/or reformatting. The current version of the article was imported from the CIA World Factbook. Please discuss this issue on the talk page. Editing help is available.