BELTRAIDE hosts T&T mission
A trade and investment mission from the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago is in Belize today to promote stronger business relationships between the countries. Represented in the mission are the Trinidad branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia, members of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA) and the Tourism and Industrial Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago (TIDCO). Vice President for TIDCO, Andre Henry, says Belize can learn from Trinidad’s experiences.
Andre Henry, V. P. for Trade and Industry, TIDCO
“In Trinidad and Tobago you know we have a range of products. We have products from food and beverage manufacturer to construction products to personal care items. You think about it and we manufacture it in Trinidad. So the manufacturers have determined who will come. My job representing a government agency is to provide support for the manufacturers and then to provide an outreach to the country. We’re visiting because we believe that we’ve learnt some lessons over the last 5, 6 years and we believe these lessons are valid for the countries that we trade with and as a CARICOM country, we want to share those lessons.”
Eamon Courtenay, Executive Chairman, BELTRAIDE
“First of all I think we need to clear up the impression that Trinidad is so far away, as it is we are already doing trade with Trinidad and Tobago, we want to increase it. Key to this is we see is establishing air and or sea transportation. It is not too difficult; BWI already flies to Kingston Jamaica. What we would like to see if it is possible for them to come over to Belize, even if it’s just for two or three flights per week and then return. As you know this is critical because even by air, it is virtually impossible to travel to the Eastern Caribbean in the same day and we need to have that corrected.”
Eamon Courtenay
“We have very similar trade and investment policies throughout the Caribbean so there’s not much of a difference between us. But I do wish to say that the government and the manufacturers association in Trinidad are very aggressive. They are perhaps the biggest country in Cuba, they are already moving into the Dominican Republic and they are here in Belize. We have got to get our export enterprises with that same type of mindset that we don’t only look to domestic market but to move into the Caribbean and Central America for that matter.”
While in Belize, the Trinidadian representatives will meet with members of the business community to discuss trade and investment ventures. The exhibition of products at the Radisson will end on May 10th.
