A bit of BITS
Here are a few shots from the 2009 combines Buildings and Interiors Trade Show and SIREN (HSSE) Show held at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya, Trinidad hosted by Premier Events Caribbean. Of course, our team was present at the CCD booth to facilitate live enquiries and introduce the magazine to new readers. Highlights included the Shell Formula 1 car at the FT/Farfan booth and various safety, equipment and technology demonstrations and product displays. #gallery-1 { margin: auto; } #gallery-1 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width:... [Read More...]
Why engage a project manager? A client’s perspective
Mithra V Rampersad, MBA B.Eng C.Eng. MICE R.Eng. DipLaw Dip.F.M. Abstract: The use of project management as a tool for execution is quickly becoming globally accepted across many industries. While being increasingly accepted within the local and regional context, there is still a tendency for clients to adopt the traditional hands-on role for the execution of their projects in lieu of the engagement of a specialized project manager. This article seeks to highlight the various factors influencing the need for project management services. Project management has been gaining momentum in Trinidad... [Read More...]
The role of the professional in the building industry in a developing or underdeveloped nation
Canute Edd Spencer, FRICS, FCI Arb, MRSH Email: [email protected] In attempting to write an article on this subject, one must first define the term “professional in the building industry”, “developing and underdeveloped nation” and perhaps one must also explain why “in the building industry”, are they the only professionals with a contribution to make? Last things first, given that I am practicing in the building industry as a Chartered Quantity Surveyor (otherwise known as a Construction Cost Consultant I have been exposed and involved to this industry for many years. Because... [Read More...]
Construction sector outlook: Finding a place in an economic downturn
Kavena Ramsoobhag, MSc. Economics Email: [email protected] The global economic downturn has now engulfed the nations of the Caribbean and has reached the shores of the booming economy of Trinidad & Tobago. This resourced based twin island has come a long way from the 1980’s and today stands in a much better position than many of its CARICOM counterparts in withstanding the global economic slowdown. The sovereign was given an A- rating from international rating houses, such as Moodys’, based on several factors, which included strong growth in its foreign exchange reserves, reduction in... [Read More...]
TTTI Welcomes Caribbean Construction Digest
Victor Hart Chairman, Trinidad and Tobago Transparency Institute. The Trinidad and Tobago Transparency Institute (TTTI) welcomes the launch of the Caribbean Construction Digest (CCD) and the opportunity to contribute to its Pilot Issue. We note the aims and objectives and identify with many of its areas of interest, particularly that of ‘procurement’. If all plans are achieved, CCD will make an important contribution to the development of the construction industry. For those of you who may not be familiar with TTTI, or our parent body Transparency International (TI), I shall introduce both... [Read More...]
Genesis of a Regional Contractors Association
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The contractors associations of Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica and Dominica have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to form the Coalition of Caribbean Contractors Association. Presently sitting on the organization’s steering committee are presidents of the various regional associations Ronald Cooper (Jamaica), Achal Moorjani (Barbados), Mikey Jospeh (T&T), and Stuart Parris (Dominica’s immediate past President). According to Cooper, the committee’s chairman, the coalition was formed with the objective to protect and promote the region’s construction... [Read More...]
Leveraging Project Management
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – On September 15th and 16th this year the Southern Caribbean Chapter of the Project Management Institute will host its 5th Biennial International Project Management Conference at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya, Trinidad. There will be 27 presentations in three tracks by international, regional and local professionals to an anticipated 400 delegates from across Asia, Europe, North America, South America and the Caribbean. The two main keynote speakers will be Dr. Rober K Wyscocki and Gopal K Kapur, both acclaimed writers, trainers and professionals in the field of... [Read More...]
Guyana to build Hydro Power Plant
GEORGETOWN, Guyana – The government of Guyana has given its commitment to pursuing renewable energy in the form of hydro power. Guyana’s Power and Light Inc Chairperson, Winston Brassington has stated that construction of the Amaila Falls Hydro power plant is anticipated to begin by year’s end. The project, which has the capacity to provide over 140 megawatts of electricity will be located along the Kuribrong River in Potaro, Region Eight and will be managed by New York based project developers Sithe Global Power, LLC. Sithe is also willing to provide equity in the sum of US$100M. Guyana’s... [Read More...]
BITS Trade Show
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – From Friday 2nd October to Monday 5th October 2009, the built industry’s highly anticipated annual Building, Interiors, Technology and Safety (BITS) Trade Show will be held in Trinidad and Tobago. The show, which is in its eighth year, will this year be presented by the Trinidad and Tobago Institute of Architects (TTIA) in conjunction with Premier Events Caribbean Limited, the title holders of the event. Of the many benefits and advantages available to participating industry professionals, BITS hopes to provide participants with a unique opportunity to view and... [Read More...]
Jamaica’s Renewable Energy Website
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Since its inception on April 24th, the Caribbean Information Platform on Renewable Energy (CIPORE) has received thousands of hits. The website (www.cipore.org) is a communication portal for the exchange of renewable energy information for the region. Launched by the Scientific Research Council (SRC) in Jamaica, cipore.org is available in the four major languages of the Caribbean; French, Spanish, English and Dutch. The platform includes an information centre with articles and speeches on renewable energy, a projects database, legislation, statistics and an energy calculator. There... [Read More...]
