Mr.
Mervyn Assam was sworn in as Minister
of Enterprise Development, Foreign Affairs and Tourism on December
22, 2000. In this capacity, Mr. Assam is responsible
for CARICOM Affairs, External Relations, Overseas Missions, Tourism, Trade,
Trade Agreements, Industry, Occupational Safety and Health, Co-operatives,
Credit Unions, Commerce, Enterprise Development and Telecommunications (Business
Development). He is also responsible
for a number of Statutory Boards and Government Enterprises.
Mr. Assam has been a businessman, diplomat, Local Government representative and community worker. He was born on February 1, 1938 and attended the University of Toronto where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Economics and Political Science. He also completed graduate studies in International Relations and is a Canadian Certified General Accountant.
Mr. Assam became involved in Local Government politics in 1983 when he was appointed Chairman of the St George East County Council. He left the Council in 1987 to take up the position of High Commissioner to London, a position he held for two and a half years. On his return to Trinidad in 1990 he entered the private sector as Chairman/President of Clico Investment Bank Ltd. a position he held until his appointment as Minister of Trade and Industry and Consumer Affairs. Mr. Assam was the Parliamentary representative for St Joseph from 1991 to 1995 and is the Parliamentary representative for Tunapuna and is a former Chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association. He has also been involved in United Way, a charitable organisation for many years.
Mr. Assam served previously as Minister of Trade, Industry and Consumer Affairs for the period 1995 to December 2000. He was also assigned responsibility of Ministry of Tourism with effect from May 28, 1998 to his present appointment.