Foresight, Growth & Innovation

The Vision 2020 Sub-committee on Science, Technology and Innovation made recommendation for a foresight study to be undertaken in order to inform policy and priority for science and technology education, training, research and development in Trinidad and Tobago to ensure the attainment of Vision 2020. In 2005, NIHERST pioneered a series of workshops on strategic future planning tools with the aim of sensitising key persons in business, academia and government to the potential of these new tools. A cadre of professionals received training in technology mapping and technology foresighting. The training and sensitisation activities were conducted by Prof. Anthony Clayton from ISER, Mona and the NEXT Corporation in New Zealand spearheaded by Dr. Nick Marsh and Mr. Ian Ivey.

Related Links Overview Project Outcomes Vision 2020 Businesses Renewable Energy

To complement these activities, NIHERST piloted an innovation survey of companies in the food and beverages sector. The study identified the key constraints and enablers of innovation in that sector, as well as the gaps in policy measures that should be corrected. The survey was extended to the Chemical and Non-metallic Industries in order to build understanding of innovation in other sectors of the national economy. This second study is still in progress.

Research on successful innovators across the whole economy was also undertaken and a publication was issued highlighting the success stories of 15 entrepreneurs. Also supporting the Trinidad & Tobago foresight and innovation thrust is the web site www.ttfi.net, which was launched in April 2006 and is currently supported by eTecK.

At the start of 2006, some sector foresight, growth and innovation studies were initiated. Their aim was to identify the options and long-term future prospects of new competitive niche areas of the Trinidad and Tobago economy outside of the hydrocarbon sector. It is hoped that the studies will inform the policy for human resource development and science and technology research to support export-led business development in the selected niches. Five sectors were selected for study based on their current and historical importance to the country, future prospects based on global consumer and technological trends, and their potential contribution to social and economic development. The sectors complement government’s trade and investment priorities and are as follows:

• Biotechnology

• Food and Beverages

• Tourism

• Creative Industries

• New Manufacturing

The studies proceeded in five phases as follows:

• A global sector foresight to 2016 (an analysis of key global trends such as markets, consumers, technology etc.)

• Sector Capability in T&T (SWOT, key skill sets, entrepreneurial prospects for export-led growth, IP infrastructure and other enabling infrastructure etc.)

• Best-bet niches in T&T and development roadmaps (i.e. best bet niches within sector, destination by 2016, investment roadmap etc.)

• Economic analysis of outcomes for T&T

• Summary of Scenario Story

A team of local researchers worked with the NEXT Corporation on the various sector studies. The sector team leaders were Andre Vincent Henry (manufacturing), Steve Maximay (biotechnology), Larry Placide (food & beverages), Colin-Dale Marcelle (tourism) and Keith Nurse (creative sector). Two representatives from NEXT, Nick Marsh and Ian Ivey, worked with the local team leaders to convene a series of intense
1-day sector workshops with key stakeholders from business, industry, government and academia. The workshops identified over 30 best-bet niches and proceeded to develop roadmaps for 15 of these niches.

Updated: April 2009