AGP Executive Report

Digital Infrastructure: Trinidad and Tobago’s 2027 development estimates list $15 million spent in fiscal 2026 on a Tier 4 data centre, amid questions over the project and separate proposals for two large facilities. Connectivity: TSTT says its Mausica Data Centre has four international certifications, while TATT and iGovTT are partnering to advance the country’s digital future. Skills: Twenty-three people have completed fibre-optics technician training, adding in-demand expertise for network expansion. Health: The EWMSC blood bank plans to extend collection hours to 8 p.m. to encourage donations; it currently collects 600 to 700 units monthly and screens blood for several infections. Sleep Science: Trinidadian respiratory-care specialist Gregory Arneaud’s new book highlights obstructive sleep apnoea, a condition that repeatedly interrupts breathing during sleep and can affect health and daily life.

Sleep Health: Trinidadian respiratory-care specialist Gregory Arneaud’s new book spotlights sleep apnoea, a condition that repeatedly interrupts breathing and can affect health and daily life. Touring Technology: Soca band Kes used compact DiGiCo digital mixing consoles on tour, cutting setup and travel demands while supporting its live sound. Archaeology Research: A field school in southern Trinidad is uncovering overlooked histories and training local university students in excavation, mapping and artefact preservation. Health Services: EWMSC plans to extend blood-donation hours to 8 p.m. to help meet demand; the bank collects about 600–700 units monthly. Digital Infrastructure: Government estimates show $15 million spent in fiscal 2026 on a Tier 4 data centre, with $10 million planned for 2027. Separately, TATT and iGovTT are partnering to advance the country’s digital future, while TSTT’s Mausica data centre has earned four international certifications. Skills Training: Twenty-three people have completed a fibre-optics technician programme, adding locally trained workers for communications infrastructure.

Archaeology: A field school in southern Trinidad is uncovering the histories of Indigenous people and indentured workers while training local students in excavation, mapping and heritage conservation. Blood Services: EWMSC plans to extend blood-donation hours to 8 p.m. to boost collections; its bank currently gathers about 600–700 units monthly. Digital Infrastructure: Government estimates list $15 million in fiscal 2026 spending on a Tier 4 data centre, as questions remain about the project and the status of existing facilities. Tech Skills: Twenty-three trainees have completed fibre-optics technician training, adding local skills for telecommunications and digital infrastructure.

Digital Infrastructure: Budget papers show $15 million spent in fiscal 2026 on a Tier 4 data centre, with a further $10 million projected for fiscal 2027. Separately, TSTT says its Mausica data centre holds four international certifications. Health Services: EWMSC plans to extend blood-bank collection hours to 8 pm to encourage donations; the facility collects 600–700 units monthly and screens donations for several diseases. Skills Training: A TVET caravan brought training opportunities to Sangre Grande, while 23 participants in St Vincent completed fibre-optics technician training led by instructors from a Trinidad and Tobago company. Environment: A Tobago meeting brought 12 countries together to discuss harmful chemical management, and a documentary spotlighted threats to the country’s wetlands and scarlet ibis.

Health Services: EWMSC plans to extend blood-donation hours to 8 pm to help meet demand. The bank collects 600–700 units monthly and screens donations for diseases including HIV, hepatitis and Chagas. Telecommunications Skills: Twenty-three participants in St Vincent and the Grenadines completed fibre-optics technician training led by instructors from a Trinidad and Tobago company. Digital Infrastructure: TATT and iGovTT have formed a partnership to advance the country’s digital future, while TSTT’s Mausica Data Centre has earned four international certifications. Environmental Management: Representatives of 12 countries met in Tobago to discuss managing harmful chemicals.

Fibre-Optics Training: Twenty-three Vincentians completed a technician programme led by Trinidad and Tobago instructors, gaining practical skills for the telecommunications industry. Digital Development: TATT and iGovTT have agreed to work together on broadband access, cybersecurity, digital inclusion and policies for emerging technologies. Chemical Safety: Representatives from 12 countries met in Tobago to discuss the management of harmful chemicals. Wildlife and Wetlands: A new documentary spotlights threats to Trinidad and Tobago’s wetlands and the plight of the ibis. Resilient Connectivity: Digicel has added satellite backup for business customers in Trinidad and Tobago, while TSTT’s Mausica data centre has earned four international certifications.

Digital Infrastructure: TATT and iGovTT have signed an agreement to advance broadband access, digital public services, AI and satellite policy, cybersecurity and ICT training. Chemical Safety: Representatives from 12 countries met in Tobago to strengthen science-based rules for managing harmful chemicals, with the regional project extended for two years. Public Safety Technology: T&T has allocated $10 million for police drone units to monitor crime hotspots and help prevent prison breaches. Research and Innovation: UWI St Augustine unveiled plans for its EDGe Centre and launched the PANPRO Fellowship, part of a pandemic-preparedness project. Connectivity: Digicel is adding satellite backup for businesses in T&T, while TSTT’s Mausica Data Centre has earned four international certifications. Wildlife Research: Contributors to a new Scarlet Ibis documentary say an existing management plan must be put into action to protect the bird’s wetlands.

Digital Infrastructure: TATT and iGovTT have signed an agreement to work on broadband access, digital public services, cybersecurity and training, while developing policy for AI, satellite connectivity and cloud computing. Chemical Safety: Representatives from 12 countries met in Tobago to strengthen chemical management across the Caribbean. The project, focused on science-based rules and safer disposal, has been extended for two years. Wetland Conservation: Researchers say saltwater is reaching freshwater feeding areas used by juvenile Scarlet Ibises. An Ibis Management Plan is ready, but has yet to be put into action. Research Capacity: UWI St Augustine unveiled plans for its EDGe Centre and launched a fellowship programme linked to the pandemic-fund-supported TT ONE LAB+ project.

Chemical Safety: Representatives from 12 countries met in Tobago to strengthen regional systems for managing harmful chemicals. Organisers say the initiative is updating outdated rules and promoting science-based safeguards, with the project extended for two years. Wetland Conservation: Researchers and conservation advocates are urging action to protect the Scarlet Ibis and its habitat. An Ibis Management Plan has been prepared but not implemented, while saltwater is entering freshwater feeding areas used by young birds. Digital Resilience: TSTT’s Mausica Data Centre has earned four international certifications, while Digicel has added satellite backup for businesses in Trinidad and Tobago. Research Capacity: UWI St Augustine has unveiled plans for its EDGe Centre and launched a pandemic-response fellowship through the TT ONE LAB+ project.

Chemical Safety: Tobago hosted representatives from 12 countries working to strengthen rules and systems for managing harmful chemicals. Organisers say the regional project will be extended for two years, with a focus on science-based policies and safer disposal. Wetland Science: Researchers and conservation advocates are urging action to protect the Scarlet Ibis and its habitat. Saltwater is entering freshwater feeding areas, while an Ibis Management Plan remains unimplemented. Digital Services: Trinidad and Tobago has begun procuring an electronic passport system, but the government has yet to disclose its cost or timeline. Connectivity: Digicel has added satellite backup for business customers in T&T, while TSTT’s Mausica Data Centre has earned four international certifications.

Drone Surveillance: Police used drones to search coastal and forested areas during an operation that detained 25 people off Trinidad’s western peninsula. Digital Identity: Procurement has begun for T&T’s e-passport system, but officials have not disclosed its cost or timeline. Connectivity: Digicel has added satellite backup to its managed business services, pairing it with fibre to help organisations stay connected during outages. Data Infrastructure: TSTT’s Mausica Data Centre has earned four international certifications, a regional milestone for the country’s digital infrastructure. Energy Engineering: Shell’s Manatee platform has arrived in T&T, marking progress on a major offshore gas project.

Digital Identity: E-passport procurement has begun, but the government has yet to disclose the project’s cost, timeline or tender details. Business Connectivity: Digicel has added satellite backup to its managed services in Trinidad and Tobago, offering businesses another connection if their main service is disrupted. Data Infrastructure: TSTT’s Mausica Data Centre has earned four international certifications, strengthening its regional standing. Research-Informed Policy: Trinidad and Tobago officials joined the Caribbean Development Bank’s first Evaluation Space forum, focused on using evidence and learning to improve public decisions. Energy: Shell’s Manatee platform has arrived in T&T, but dependable gas supply will still depend on timely project decisions and planning. Regional Investment: A US$340-million US package for Caribbean energy, ports, critical minerals and digital infrastructure includes Trinidad and Tobago, though local projects have not been specified.

Business Connectivity: Digicel has added satellite backup to its managed services in Trinidad and Tobago, giving businesses a second connection if fibre fails. Digital Infrastructure: TSTT’s Mausica Data Centre has become the first in the Caribbean to earn ISO/IEC 22237 certification, and the region’s only facility with its combination of four infrastructure, operations and security certifications. Marine Research: Venezuelan officials say a research vessel is conducting seabed and bathymetry studies near the maritime border with Trinidad and Tobago under diplomatic and technical protocols. Energy Engineering: Shell’s 4,600-tonne Manatee platform topside has arrived in Trinidad ahead of installation for the project’s planned 2027 start-up. Health Research: Trinidad and Tobago is among 17 countries in a PAHO study on healthcare workers’ mental health and working conditions; the survey is open until October 30.

Digital Infrastructure: TSTT’s Mausica Data Centre is the first in the Caribbean to earn ISO/IEC 22237 certification and now holds four international standards covering resilience, operations and information security. Marine Research: Venezuelan officials are monitoring a month-long BP research survey near the maritime boundary with T&T, using seabed scans and bathymetry to study the continental shelf and ocean floor. Energy Engineering: Shell’s 4,600-tonne Manatee platform has arrived in T&T ahead of installation, advancing the cross-border gas project toward its planned 2027 start-up. Health Data: A national assessment involving the Ministry of Health, PAHO and CARPHA reviewed mortality-recording systems as T&T prepares to adopt ICD-11. Cybersecurity: A Dutch security assessment warns that damage to Curaçao’s undersea cables could disrupt communications across the Caribbean, including T&T.

Offshore Engineering: Shell’s 4,600-tonne Manatee platform topside has arrived in Trinidad and Tobago, advancing the cross-border gas project toward its planned 2027 start-up. Health Research: Trinidad and Tobago is among 17 countries in a PAHO study on healthcare workers’ mental health and working conditions; the survey closes October 30. Digital Infrastructure: A Dutch security assessment warns sabotage of Curaçao’s undersea cables could disrupt communications in Trinidad and Tobago and elsewhere in the Caribbean. AI Security: Liberty Caribbean is urging customers and staff to verify unusual messages and requests as AI makes impersonation scams harder to spot. Earthquake Readiness: UWI seismologists are urging people to prepare for earthquakes.

Regional Tech: PBS Group has acquired a 70% stake in Barbados technology firm TSL, adding to its recent purchase of Trinidad Systems Limited and expanding its regional payment-services capabilities. Caribbean Connectivity: A Dutch security assessment warns that sabotage of undersea cables in Curaçao could disrupt communications in Trinidad and Tobago and other islands; the report describes a hypothetical scenario, not an actual attack. Health Research: Trinidad and Tobago is among 17 countries in a PAHO study of healthcare workers’ mental health and working conditions. Eligible nurses and doctors can complete the survey until October 30. Homegrown Innovation: Trinidadian developer Jason Cox created Zuko, an app designed to ease co-parenting stress and reflect local family and legal realities. Public Safety Tech: Budget plans include $10 million for drone units intended for crime hotspots and to help curb prison breaches. Disaster Readiness: UWI seismologists are urging people to prepare for earthquakes.