Former Government Minister and MP, Mervyn Assam, was honoured with the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ from the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association during its Dinner and Awards ceremony on Tuesday evening.
Mr. Assam, who served as TTMA President from 1977 to 1979, was instrumental in transforming the organisation, including changing its name from the then ‘Trinidad Manufacturers’ Association (TMA)’ to what is now known as the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA).
He described the Lifetime Achievement Award as an “unexpected surprise” and recalled his move back then to strengthen the Association’s membership and intensify its collaborative relationship with Government, Ministries, and Agencies.
“This evening is another such unexpected surprise to be conferred with this prestigious Life Achievement Award. Perhaps it may have escaped you when I said Trinidad Manufacturers’ Association earlier in my remarks, but it was during my Presidency in 1977 to 1979 that we changed the name from TMA to TTMA.”
He noted some of the strides made during his tenure as TTMA President in the late 1970s.
“During my Presidency, importers faced serious delays at the Port of Port of Spain, leading to heavy demerit charges. Mr. Hector Mclean, then Minister of Works and Transport, appointed a committee to investigate and make recommendations to alleviate this problem. I was appointed Chairman of this committee and our recommendations were taken into consideration and some form of alleviation did take place.”
During his career, Mr. Assam held positions as Minister of Trade and Industry, as well as the MP for St Joseph from 1995 to 2000, and the MP for Tunapuna in 2001.