A trade mission from the twin-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago is now in Dominica seeking to create opportunities for commerce between the two countries.
The mission is led by Minister of Trade, Paula Gopee-Scoon, and is organized by the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) with support from the Ministry of Trade.
“The delegation will consist of 29 companies across the food and beverage, printing and packing, chemical and household, construction and services sectors. These companies will participate in organised business-to-business meetings in their respective markets,” the ministry said in a statement.
The statement said participating companies include Advanced Commercial Equipment Ltd, Angostura Ltd, Aviaire Body Products, Blue Waters Ltd, BriCha Ltd, Cargo Consolidators Agency Ltd, DSB Marketing Ltd, Electrical Industries Group, Half Moon Vegan Ice Cream, Kennedy Agro Processing, New Wave Marketing Ltd, Novo Farms, Pepe’s Marketing Ltd and Premier Label Company Ltd.
The ministry hopes the mission will further penetrate the Dominican market.
“Trinidad and Tobago currently maintains a positive trade balance with Dominica, presenting a significant opportunity to boost exports. The trade mission will create avenues for these companies to further penetrate the Dominican market and provide the opportunity for them to gain useful market intelligence,” the ministry’s statement said.
Also, discussions will be held with ministerial counterparts and other officials in Dominica.
“These discussions will seek to strengthen trade relations between Trinidad and Tobago and Dominica,” the statement said. “The discussions will also aid in advancing the export prospects for local companies.”
Gopee-Scoon is expected to meet with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy, the Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce, and the Dominica Manufacturers Association.
The mission arrived in Dominica on Sunday and is expected to remain till January 22.
“The mission arrived in Dominica on Sunday and is expected to remain till January 22.”
So they arrived yesterday?
Trinidad and Jamaica use the smaller member countries of CARICOM as one big supermarket. We in the smaller islands have produce or manufacture nothing on a large scale for export. Consequently, trade with these two countries is similar to a one way street.
Even though the idea of trading with our sister members in CARICOM is a noble thing to do, the quality of their goods is usually substandard and the prices exorbitant.
Until we can manufacture and produce locally made goods in quantities that would substantially reduce the immense trade deficit, our aim and objective should be to grow and produce more of what we consume and use.