As part of its drive to increase understanding of Trinidad and Tobago’s obligations under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) held an EPA Information Session in October 2009, targeted at Trade Related Institutions (TRIs), agencies and government departments designated to carry out trade facilitation. The session was designed to provide participants with information on the benefits and obligations under the EPA and their role in the Implementation process. This particular interactive session dealt with trade in goods.

Mr. Norris Herbert, Director, Trade, MTI chaired the session and Trade and Industry Minister, Senator the Hon. Mariano Browne delivered the feature address. Ms. Trudy Lewis, Senior Trade Specialist and Ms. Krysta Ramrattan, Economist I, MTI delivered the presentations.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat Hub and Spokes Project and the Business Development Company hosted a two-day awareness session on the Economic Partnership Agreement entitled: ‘Taking Advantage of the CARIFORUM – European Union Economic Partnership Agreement – How to Do Business in the EU’ in February 2010 at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre. The sessions were designed to inform existing and potential exporters to the EU about the benefits under the EPA for them. Day 1 dealt with exporting goods while Day 2 focused on the export of services.

Among those addressing the audience were the Senator the Hon. Mariano Browne Mariano Browne, Permanent Secretary Carl Francis, Mr. Stelios Christopoulous, Chargé d’Affaires, Delegation of the European Union, Mr. Sheldon McLean, Regional Trade Policy Advisor, Commonwealth Secretariat Hub and Spokes Project and Mr. Norris Herbert, Director, Trade, MTI. Ms. Pernille Boulter, CEO, Kisserup International Trade Roots Europe Aps, conducted the sessions which provided the audience with a better understanding of the European market for goods and services.