Fair Trading Commission Hosts Stakeholder Sensitization Session with the Business Community

June 23rd, 2026    |   Related To: Fair Trading Commission

The Fair Trading Commission (“the Commission”) recently hosted a Stakeholder Sensitization Session with the Business Community under the theme, “Embracing Competition: Building Stronger and More Resilient Markets.”

The session brought together representatives from the business community, industry associations, government agencies, chambers of commerce and other stakeholders to discuss the role of competition in promoting innovation, investment, productivity and economic growth in Trinidad and Tobago.

In her Welcome Remarks, Ms. Nisha Persad, Chairman of the Commission, welcomed participants and underscored the importance of competition as a driver of innovation, efficiency, investment, and consumer welfare. She reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to promoting, maintaining, and protecting competition in Trinidad and Tobago and noted that meaningful engagement with stakeholders remains critical to the Commission’s advocacy and enforcement efforts. Ms. Persad further emphasized that strong and resilient markets are built through collaboration among regulators, businesses, policymakers, and consumers.

Delivering Opening Remarks, Ms. Abigail Bynoe, Permanent Secretary (Ag.), Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism, highlighted the Government’s ongoing efforts to promote economic development, improve the ease of doing business, attract investment, and strengthen Trinidad and Tobago’s competitiveness. She emphasized the important role that competition policy and effective market regulation play in supporting these objectives and fostering a dynamic and resilient economy.

Mr. Bevan Narinesingh, Executive Director of the Fair Trading Commission, delivered a comprehensive presentation outlining the Commission’s mandate, key provisions of the Fair Trading Act, and the role of competition policy in supporting economic development. He highlighted the benefits of competitive markets, the risks associated with anti-competitive conduct and the importance of competition law compliance.

Mr. Narinesingh also provided an overview of the Commission’s priorities and planned initiatives for 2026 and emphasized the Commission’s commitment to stakeholder engagement, business education, advocacy, and collaboration with the private sector.

Ms. Vashti Guyadeen, Chief Executive Officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce, delivered a presentation highlighting the shared objectives of the Chamber and the Fair Trading Commission in promoting open, transparent and competitive markets. She emphasized the importance of competition in fostering business growth, innovation, investment and consumer welfare, while outlining opportunities for greater collaboration between the Commission and the business community through business education, competition advocacy, merger awareness, and ongoing stakeholder engagement.

Subsequently, Ms. Joy Francis, Team Lead – Trade Unit, Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association, delivered a presentation on the role of the manufacturing sector in promoting and supporting compliance with competition law and policy. She highlighted the importance of preventing anti-competitive practices, fostering fair competition and strengthening collaboration between the private sector and the Commission. Ms. Francis also discussed key challenges facing manufacturers and emphasized the need for continued stakeholder engagement, advocacy, awareness initiatives and dialogue to promote a fair and competitive business environment in Trinidad and Tobago.

In her closing remarks, the Chairman in her thanked participants for their active engagement and valuable contributions throughout the session. She emphasized that promoting competitive markets is a shared responsibility and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working collaboratively with businesses, industry associations, government agencies, and other stakeholders to promote fair, transparent, and competitive markets that support innovation, investment, and sustainable economic growth.

The session also provided participants with an opportunity to share their perspectives on a range of competition-related issues affecting businesses and consumers. Discussions focused on challenges facing businesses operating in competitive markets, opportunities for strengthening compliance and awareness, improving stakeholder engagement, and enhancing collaboration between the Commission and the business community. Participants also offered recommendations that may assist in informing the Commission’s future advocacy, stakeholder engagement and policy initiatives.

Stakeholders in attendance represented a broad cross-section of the business community and included representatives from the Trinidad and Tobago Special Economic Zones Authority (TTSEZA), the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA), the Private Sector Organization of Trinidad and Tobago (PSOTT), the Confederation of Regional Business Chambers (CRBC), the Greater San Fernando Area Chamber of Commerce, the Supermarket Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SATT), the Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago, the Trinidad and Tobago Contractors Association (TTCA), the Shipping Association of Trinidad and Tobago, the National Entrepreneurship Development Company (NEDCO), the Association of Real Estate Agents (AREA), the Association of Female Executives of Trinidad and Tobago (AFETT) and Palmar Holdings Limited.

The Commission intends to continue engaging with the business community, industry associations, chambers of commerce, private sector organisations and other stakeholders as part of its ongoing efforts to promote awareness of competition law and policy, strengthen compliance with the Fair Trading Act, encourage greater collaboration and stakeholder engagement, and support the development of fair, transparent and competitive markets that contribute to innovation, productivity and sustainable economic growth in Trinidad and Tobago.