 EPA PRESS RELEASE
OPENING REMARKS - PS OPENING REMARKS - MINISTER RULES OF ORIGIN PRESENTATION HOW TO DO BUSINESS IN THE EU - GOODS UNDERSTANDING SERVICES SCHEDULES HOW TO DO BUSINESS IN THE EU - SERVICES The Ministry of Trade and Industry, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat “Hub and Spokes” Project conducted the Workshop on “Taking Advantage of the EPA: How to Do Business with the EU”, at the Hilton Trinidad Conference Centre during 2-3 February, 2010. The objective of the workshop was to equip exporters, existing and potential, with the requisite information and tools to help them exploit market access opportunities created by the CARIFORUM-EC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The workshop was facilitated by Ms. Pernille Boulter of Kisserup International Trade Roots, of Denmark and Canada. The Honourable Mariano Browne, Minister of Trade and Industry delivered the feature address during the grand opening of the Workshop. Esteemed members of the business community present at the Workshop included Mr. Greg Laughlin, President of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA) and Mr. Nirad Tewarie, CEO of the Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries among others. In addition, the Workshop was graced by Members of the Diplomatic Corp, including Mr. Stelios Christopoulous, Charge d’Affairs, European Delegation to Trinidad and Tobago and His Excellency Mr. Fernando de la Serna, Spanish Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago. Day 1 of the Workshop was dedicated to exporting Goods to UK and Holland, while Day 2 focused on exporting Services to UK and Germany. Overall, participants deemed the workshop a big success as it provided them with practical tools to enable them to penetrate EU Markets. The workshop also featured the experience of a successful exporter, S.M. Jaleel and Company, exporters of the Chubby Brand. Participants found this aspect an eye opener as the presenter shared with them the benefits of exporting to the EU as well as the practical issues encountered in accessing that market. Another highlight of the workshop was the live Skype Conference with the President of the British Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Denmark, Mr. Mariano Davies. This session provided the opportunity for participants to ask pointed questions on how to do business with the EU. More importantly, this offered participants a contact point for future correspondence regarding doing business in the EU. The Ministry of Trade and Industry is pleased to make available the workshop materials to the business community. | 
