Satyakama Maharaj is the new Minister of Trade, Investment & Tourism, while Phillip Alexander is now a Minister in the Ministry of Housing.

Both took their oaths of office during a brief ceremony at President’s House this afternoon.

Mr Maharaj is the award-winning founder of Sacha Cosmetics Limited.

In a statement shared on his Facebook page following his appointment, Mr Maharaj said his focus will be to diversify the economy beyond oil and gas, expand trade and exports, strengthen local manufacturing, drive investment and innovation, and position tourism as a pillar of economic growth.

He expanded on the point about tourism while speaking to the media after his swearing-in.

Under the previous Government, Tourism was in the same ministerial portfolio as Culture and the Arts.

It has been moved to the Trade Ministry by current Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, and Mr Maharaj believes it is in the right place.

Mr Maharaj will be supported in the Ministry by Parliamentary Secretary, Colin Neil Gosine.

Mr Alexander meanwhile leads the PEP, a member of the Coalition of Interests, which won the 2025 General Elections.

Speaking to the media after taking his oath, Mr Alexander says he hopes to address the issue of housing for citizens.

Mr Alexander also explained why he was not presented with a portfolio on Saturday, when the majority of the Cabinet was sworn-in.

The Housing Ministry already consists of Minister, David Lee, and Minister in the Ministry, Anil Roberts.

This story has been updated.