Energy Investment: Trinidad and Tobago’s upstream push stays in focus as the Energy Minister signs a Production Sharing Contract for an ultra-deepwater block with ExxonMobil and Occidental Petroleum, a move the Energy Chamber calls a major step forward. Regional Trade & Industry: The TTMA is leading trade momentum with a Guyana and Suriname mission, while Guyana’s Finance Minister highlights investment in infrastructure, energy, healthcare, education and industrial development as job and business catalysts. Local Business & Security Policy: Business chambers are urging that any extension of the State of Emergency be backed by clear results, not just emergency powers—so firms can plan and investors can stay confident. Agriculture & Food Security: CARDI hosts an international delegation to deepen agricultural innovation ties, showcasing climate-resilient crops and high-yield outputs from CARDI-IICA cooperation. Finance & Governance: Parliament is set for debate on the Finance Bill 2026 and a proposed SoE extension, with the bill covering amendments across multiple laws and changes to fines, taxes and pensions. Corporate Moves: Seprod-owned A.S. Bryden & Sons expands in the Eastern Caribbean, buying two Barbados firms for US$3.6m to strengthen distribution in food service and consumer goods. Human Interest: A post-mortem confirms 12-year-old Mercedez Layne died from blunt force injuries after her body was found near an oil well site.