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 Developing Vision 2020 Oriented Businesses Sector Workshops Project Outcomes

To complement these activities, NIHERST piloted an innovation survey of companies in the food and beverages sector that will identify the constraints and enablers of innovation in that sector, as well as the gaps in policy measures that need to be corrected. The survey will be extended to other sectors in order to build understanding of innovation in the national economy. Research on successful innovators across the whole economy was also undertaken and a publication is being prepared to highlight the success stories of 15 entrepreneurs. Supporting the Trinidad & Tobago foresight and innovation thrust is the web site www.ttfi.net, which was launched in April 2006.

At the start of 2006, some sector foresight, growth and innovation studies were initiated. They aim 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. 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 are proceeding 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 is working with the NEXT Corporation on the various sector studies. The sector team leaders are Andre Vincent Henry (manufacturing), Steve Maximay (biotechnology), Larry Placide (food & beverages), Colin-Dale Marcelle (tourism) and Keith Nurse (creative sector). Two representatives from NEXT will be working 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 will focus on best-bet niches and the development of roadmaps.