Open for Business: Unlocking a Bold New Era for T&T

It is with immense privilege and a profound sense of responsibility that I address you in my new capacity as Minister of Trade, Investment, and Tourism. Having spent over 45 years building and growing a local brand to enter and compete successfully at the international level, I understand firsthand that building a global brand is no easy task to achieve. It requires dynamism, resilience, and boundless determination to fully achieve one’s potential.

This new era presents an unprecedented opportunity to redefine our economic trajectory and solidify Trinidad and Tobago’s position as a regional leader in trade, business and investment. To achieve this, the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism remains resolute in creating a business environment that is conducive to growth, sustainability and global competitiveness. We continue to streamline our trade facilitation processes, enhance support for exporters and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and foster stronger public-private sector collaboration.

While our traditional energy sector remains vital, we also recognise the immense potential within our non-energy sector. The imperative for economic diversification is now clearer than ever. My vision for our nation’s economic future is one of aggressive expansion, strategic partnerships, and a relentless focus on creating an environment where businesses not only survive but truly thrive. We are also empowering our local producers to differentiate their products and services through value, not just price, and to penetrate new markets with world-class products.

Tourism is also a crucial pillar of our economic diversification strategy, and we are committed to unlocking its full potential. This involves upgrading hotels in Trinidad and Tobago, enhancing our room stock, and exploring niche areas such as medical, eco and sports tourism. We believe that by positioning tourism strategically, we can create significant economic benefits and employment opportunities.
We are focused on dismantling bureaucratic hurdles and digitising processes to create a seamless, efficient, and investor-friendly environment. Our aim is to ensure that Trinidad and Tobago is not just competitive, but truly a preferred destination for both local and foreign investment. This means streamlining everything from cargo clearance to online payments and ensuring robust connectivity across government services.

CARICOM remains a vital market, but we are also looking further afield. The Ministry is focused on forging new trade agreements and exploring vast, untapped markets, particularly within Latin America and the African continent, where significant duty-free opportunities await our exporters. We are leading targeted trade missions to unlock these new frontiers for our manufacturers and service providers.

To the business leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors, your innovation, resilience, and dedication are the driving forces behind our nation’s economic progress. The Government remains a committed partner on your journey, and we look forward to collaborating with you to build a stronger, more diversified, and future-ready Trinidad and Tobago. Our clarion call is that Trinidad and Tobago is open for business!

On behalf of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, I congratulate Prestige Business Publications on the 25th anniversary of this reputable publication, which celebrates the success of local businesses and the visionary leaders behind them.

Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism
Level 17 Nicholas Tower
63-65 Independence Square
Port of Spain, Trinidad
Tel: (868) 623-2931-4
Email: [email protected]
Website: tradeind.gov.tt