On Friday 12th September, 2025, the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning Economic Affairs and Development, the European Union of Trinidad and Tobago and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Lab successfully hosted the Driving Innovation through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) Conference at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad.
The one-day conference, held under Component Three (3) of the Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development/IDB-EU Project “Shaping the Future of Innovation”, brought together leaders from government, industry, academia and civil society to explore how PPPs can transform Trinidad and Tobago into a more competitive, diversified and resilient economy.
Throughout the day, participants were engaged with insightful presentations that explored themes such as the contributions of PPPs to building a vibrant innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, the ease of doing business and the innovation imperative and even how innovation can be effectively measured. The programme sparked thought-provoking discussions and concluded with an interactive session, “Designing the Future Together,” where attendees collaborated to develop practical solutions to real-world challenges.
While dialogue is important, the true purpose of this conference lies in moving beyond conversation to generate concrete, actionable solutions. CARIRI’s commitment is to ensure that the ideas shared translate into clear follow-up steps that drive implementation. In this way, the conference stands not only as a platform for knowledge-sharing but also as a catalyst for meaningful change and measurable outcomes. Real solutions emerge when people and sectors come together in genuine collaboration.
Feature speaker, Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development, Senator Dr. the Honourable Kennedy Swaratsingh underscored the progress being made to enhance Trinidad and Tobago’s ease of doing business ranking. He pointed to several key initiatives already underway, including the government’s transformation of the National Payments and Innovation Centre of Trinidad and Tobago, and the re-establishment of the Economic Development Board.
The Minister also highlighted collaborative efforts with the Ministries of Trade and Finance, citing Cabinet’s approval of an establishment agreement between the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and the World Bank Group. Once vetted by the Attorney General’s Office, this initiative will pave the way for the World Bank to establish a presence in Trinidad and Tobago, further strengthening the country’s development agenda.
In his address, Chief Executive Officer of CARIRI, Hans-Erich Schulz emphasized the importance of collaboration for national development, stating “Around the world, countries are leveraging digital technologies, data and design thinking to tackle age-old development challenges. Innovation is no longer optional, it is the engine of competitiveness, economic diversification and national resilience. But innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It thrives in ecosystems, and ecosystems thrive through partnerships. That is why this event is so important. Today’s conference is not simply a conversation, it is a call to action. As part of the national innovation ecosystem, CARIRI stands ready to serve as a bridge between sectors. We believe that through collaboration, knowledge-sharing and the strategic use of data and technology, we can help shape a more agile and responsive innovation ecosystem.”
The Driving Innovation through Public-Private Partnerships Conference reaffirmed the value of collaboration in shaping an innovation-driven future for Trinidad and Tobago and highlighted actionable steps toward enhancing the ease of doing business, strengthening ecosystems and supporting entrepreneurs.
