Senator the Hon. Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry, today toured the award-winning manufacturing company Creamery Novelties Ltd., alongside officials from the Ministry of Trade and Industry and representatives of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA). The tour is the fourth in a series of visits to local manufacturing firms coordinated by the TTMA.
Minister Gopee-Scoon noted that the company has grown exponentially over the years. She also praised Creamery’s mentorship of another smaller market entrant, Half Moon, saying “that’s the kind of collaboration which will help SMEs grow.”
Creamery Novelties Ltd. is a recipient of the TTMA Most Successful Market Entrant Medium 2023, which was presented in 2024. With exports reaching 14 countries —CARICOM being the top overall market—the company is proudly a net foreign exchange earner.
The Company credits programmes from EximBank, T&T Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (formerly ExporTT), the TTMA, and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
See video highlights for more.
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Mr. Randall Karim, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), participated in the Ministry of Digital Transformation’s (MDT) panel discussion on Citizen-Centered Digital Government during their 2025 Symposium. Titled “From Ideas to Action”, the event, held on February 12, 2025, at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre, also marked the launch of MDT’s National Digital Transformation Strategy (NDTS) and the Citizen Engagement Platform.
The MTI is proud to support the MDT in advancing the NDTS, especially in the area of Digital Government. This initiative aims to enhance service delivery, streamline public sector operations, and foster an enabling environment for digital governance. A key example of this effort is the MTI’s TTBizlink, the first Single Electronic Window (SEW) in the Caribbean. This secure business portal offers 24/7 access to a range of trade and business-related government services, linking multiple partners through a single electronic platform.
Another core area of focus for the Government of Trinidad and Tobago is e-commerce, a strong driving force for innovation, growth, trade and social prosperity. The MTI’s National E-Commerce Strategy is expected to launch in the near future, toward facilitating conditions where businesses can thrive, consumers can shop with confidence and innovation can flourish.
Here are some highlights.
#HappeningNow Day two of #Catalyst2025 SME Conference is underway at the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce, “Propelling SMEs for Success in 2025” and focusing today on creative and agricultural sectors.
Bringing remarks on behalf of Senator the Honorable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry, Deputy Permanent Secretary Mrs. Ava Mahabir-Dass shared on government’s ecosystem for supporting SMEs, a combination of initiatives which span areas such as access to finance, capacity building, and market access toward stimulating the growth and sustainability of all types of firms, building their #resilience to future challenges.
“The ecosystem is not purely conceptual; it is a fully functioning system, encompassing several government ministries and agencies , educational institutions, and business organizations working together, directly and indirectly, to advance #innovation and #entrepreneurship,” she said.
The Deputy Permanent Secretary emphasized the importance of such initiatives given the US Department of Labour’s finding that about half of small businesses fail within the first five years.
“Our projects and programmes are not simply meant to help entrepreneurs and #SMEs start-up and survive, but to assist them in developing the wherewithal to continue year after year, through ups and downs, and ultimately to stand on their own as stable pillars of our economy.”
Delivering further on government’s efforts, feature speaker Senator the Hon. Kazim Hosein, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, detailed a number of grants and subsidies offered for agriculture-related equipment, vehicles, security systems and more. He also encouraged participants to buy fresh, local produce and to “sow local, reap global.”
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MAP: Investing in You
Electronics engineering and industrial maintenance technology trainees share their motivations and experiences
The Manufacturing Apprenticeship Programme (MAP), a collaboration between the Ministry of Trade and Industry, MIC Institute of Technology, Ministry of Youth Development and National Service and the Trinidad and Tobago Manufactures’ Association, is supporting the nation’s thrust for diversification by supporting the development of human capital in the non-energy manufacturing sector. In this entry, we hear directly from MAP trainees, Ciara Forbes and Samuel Weekes as they share their motivations and experiences.
Check out our spotlight blog at https://tradeind.gov.tt/map-investing-in-you/
Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry, delivered remarks at the commissioning of the Gran Chemin Fishing Centre in Moruga on Friday 31 January, 2025. This fishing centre offers market stalls, storage units for boat engines, equipment, and fishing supplies, a CCTV system, chillers and cold storage, and water storage, among other facilities. With economic diversification remaining a key factor for growth and sustainability for Trinidad and Tobago, this centre is expected to create valuable opportunities that will boost the development of the local agriculture and fishing sectors. It will also contribute to the overall prosperity of the Moruga community, and Trinidad and Tobago as a whole. Here are some highlights.
#CourtesyCall Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry, received a courtesy call from His Excellency Jon Dean, High Commissioner for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, today, Wednesday, 29 January, 2025, at the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s Head Office, Port of Spain.
This meeting facilitated the introduction of His Excellency Jon Dean, who assumed his role as High Commissioner in December 2024, succeeding Her Excellency Harriet Cross.
Since establishing diplomatic relations on August 31, 1962, Trinidad and Tobago and the United Kingdom (UK), have maintained strong ties through the British High Commission in Port of Spain and the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission in London.
In 2023, Trinidad and Tobago further strengthened its relationship with the UK by appointing a Commercial Officer in London, tasked with expanding non-energy exports and attracting investment.
#MomentsAgo Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry, and other Ministry officials toured The West Indian Tobacco Company Limited (WITCO), winner of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturer’s Association’s (TTMA) Excellence in Leadership 2023 award presented in 2024. The tour, which is the continuation of a series of visits organised by the TTMA, was accompanied by Mr. Roger Roach, President of the TTMA and other TTMA representatives.
Addressing the media during the tour the Minister recognized WITCO’s role as a leading manufacturer and contributor to this country’s export growth.
She congratulated the company on its 120th anniversary, its continued excellence in its factory operations and its efforts to remain in conformity with the regulations of CARICOM Member States. She also noted the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to combat illicit trade through the Anti-illicit Trade Taskforce and its Working Groups on Tobacco and other products.
The Minister also made it clear that she does not endorse smoking and noted its effects are made clear on the packaging of tobacco products as is required by law. Consumers have the right to information and the right to choose.
Ministry officials today toured Blue Waters Products Limited. The company is the recipient of Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association ‘s (TTMA) Large Manufacturer of the Year 2023 award, which was presented in 2024, and remains a leading contributor to T&T’s non-energy and food and beverage sectors.
Speaking during a meeting following the tour, Senator the Hon. Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry, recognized the company for its excellence and celebrated its receipt of the award:
“We are proud to visit this exceptional factory and to listen to what is in store and understand their growth levels and what is driving it. With 600 happy employees, we know that says something good about its management.”
The Minister also commended the company for its contribution to community and to the economy of Trinidad and Tobago.
Exports from the food and beverage sector in Trinidad and Tobago have demonstrated remarkable growth over the past five years, with total exports increasing by over 30 percent, from TT$2.45 billion in 2019 to an estimated TT$3.22 billion in 2023. Notably, exports of water and water-related products reached an impressive TT$521 million in 2023, underscoring the sector's ability to capitalize on growing global demand. Products contributing to this success include aerated waters, mineral waters, and natural waters, both sweetened and unsweetened.
Also attending the tour, which was organized by the TTMA, were Mr. Roger Roach, TTMA President, Mr. Emil Ramkissoon, TTMA Vice President, and other TTMA representatives.
See video highlights.
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T&T’s very own “Mustapha Chrome” has returned with the relaunch of Chrome Furnishers Limited, allowing steelpan manufacturers to readily satisfy the growing demand for quality chromed steelpans locally and abroad at a lower cost and over shorter production times than having it done overseas.
In delivering Remarks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion today, Senator the Hon. Paula Gopee-Scoon said, “Chrome Furnishers has been a part of the business community in El Socorro for several decades. With a combination of perseverance, commitment, as well as support from the Government, this business has literally risen from the ashes to once again serve the community and the people of Trinidad and Tobago.”
With the help of the MTI Steelpan Manufacturing Grant Fund Facility, which covers new equipment, Chrome Furnishers Ltd., a third generation, family-owned company, was able to officially resume operations on Jan 6, 2025. The company had ceased operations following a devastating fire in 2021.
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The Ministry of Trade and Industry today joined in commemorating Angostura’s
third large-scale shipment of products to China under a distribution agreement with Caribbean Commercial Management (Hangzhou) Company Ltd., a subsidiary of First Caribbean Marketing Company Ltd./ FCMC, signed in July 2024.
#MomentsAgo Senator the Hon. Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry, placed the seal on the containerised, large-scale shipment, symbolising the Ministry’s support and ongoing dedication to facilitating the growth of exports for local manufacturers.
In delivering Remarks, Minister Gopee-Scoon said, “The event is a momentous occasion for both company and country as the company expands its reach in the global market. The shipment to China is a strategic move by Angostura to strengthen trade relations and showcase craftmanship, quality and the heritage of the company’s products on the world stage.”
This shipment is valued at approximately TT$1M and contains Angostura orange bitters, aromatic bitters and various premium rums.
Also in attendance were Her Excellency Analisa Low, Ambassador of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to the People’s Republic of China; Mr. Yang Han, Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Trinidad and Tobago; Mr. Charles Xiang Cheng, Founder, FCMC; Mr. Terrence Bharath, S.C., Chairman of Angostura Holdings Ltd.; and Mr. Rahim Mohammed, Executive Manager, Business Efficiency and Shared Services, Angostura Ltd.
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#HappeningNow The Second Round of Negotiations for the Trinidad and Tobago- Curaçao Partial Scope Trade Agreement draws to a close at the Ministry of Trade and Industry as delegates from both sides participate in the final session in this round. #trade #export #growth
The Second Round of Negotiations for the Trinidad and Tobago- Curaçao Partial Scope Trade Agreement is underway at the Ministry of Trade and Industry as delegates undertake discussions to resolve positions in the areas of #MarketAccess, #RulesofOrigin, Technical Barriers to #Trade, #TradeFacilitation, Trade Remedies, Cooperation, Competition Policy, Legal and Institutional Arrangements, Dispute Settlement and #Investment.
During the Opening Session, Permanent Secretary and Chief Negotiator for T&T Mr. Randall Karim said, “The successful completion of the negotiations is expected to increase trade between our two countries and to increase utilization of the recently launched shipping route between Trinidad and Tobago and Curaçao. At the end of these discussions, we hope to be one step closer to seeing more of Trinidad and Tobago products available in the #Curaçao market and the diversification of our export base to Curaçao and vice versa.”
Negotiations are scheduled from Dec. 9-13.
See video highlights from today’s meetings.
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Responsible for driving the non-energy sector of Trinidad and Tobago's economy to achieve long term growth and development.
