Build a business to solve a problem. The greater the problem you solve, the greater the opportunity to be successful.
Senator the Honourable Satyakama Maharaj, Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism offered this advice to young entrepreneurs and students of the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) as he delivered the feature address at the opening of the UTT’s two-day leadership and career development forum titled The Leader in YoU.TT, held at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) on Thursday, May 22nd, 2025.
Minister Maharaj, who was invited to speak in recognition of his previous leadership in the manufacturing sector, welcomed the opportunity to mentor emerging entrepreneurs and engage stakeholders in academia.
During his address, the Minister cautioned attendees about the risks of relying on a single income in today’s continuously evolving global economy. He encouraged them to embrace entrepreneurship and emphasised the value of persistence and discipline in the face of challenges.
Sharing stories from his own entrepreneurial journey, Minister Maharaj revealed that he often faced uncertainty in business, and endured and overcame many challenges.
“Dreams are easy,” he said. “Execution is hard… Passion starts the fire. But only persistence keeps it burning. What it takes is relentless discipline, courage to leave comfort behind, and the will to keep going long after the excitement is gone.”
The Minister also underscored the importance of being alert to global shifts in business and technology, and adaptable to change.
Reaffirming his commitment to mentorship and enterprise development, he told the attendees, “Now, as Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism, my mission has expanded. … I intend to help you build what matters to you. I am committed to removing the barriers that stand in your way by improving access to funding, creating better support systems for startups, and making it easier to do business in Trinidad and Tobago.”
Hosted by UTT’s Foundations and Prior Learning Unit, the forum themed Leading and Inspiring Sustainable Development in T&T: Learning from Yesterday to Make Tomorrow Better, brings together students, young professionals, and mentors for sessions focused on purposeful leadership, innovation, and career readiness.
The forum continues on May 23rd and features a mix of plenary discussions, mentorship opportunities, and breakout sessions designed to equip participants with the tools to lead in both the private and public sectors.
The Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism remains committed to collaborating with stakeholders across academia, industry, and civil society to ensure that national policies are responsive to the needs of the population and aligned with the country’s sustainable development goals.
