In delivering the Opening Remarks at the Inaugural Great British Food and Drink Showcase, Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry, expressed gratitude for the event as it serves to amplify efforts for the promotion of greater trade in food and beverage products between both the United Kingdom (UK) and Trinidad and Tobago.
Hosted by the British High Commission on Wednesday, the event aimed to exhibit and promote current and new UK Food and Drink brands, helping to generate business and allow companies to connect to potential partners.
As it relates to Trinidad and Tobago’s overall trade performance, the Minister said that the Ministry continues to work toward increasing figures particularly on the non-energy side. “We too will be working to ensure that we get some more of our brands into the UK, in addition to brands such as Angostura and Chief Brand Products that are already successfully exporting to the UK,” she said.
Within the Food and Beverage sector, for the period 2022 and 2023 (Jan–Aug), Trinidad and Tobago has been a net importer from the UK. While Trinidad and Tobago’s main exports to the UK are Methanol and energy-related products, some food and beverage products, such as the world-renowned Aromatic Bitters and some alcoholic beverages, have been quite successful in penetrating the UK market. Top food and drink imports from the UK include whiskey, chocolate and cheese.
The Minister highlighted that the Government has established a commercial presence through the establishment of a Commercial Attaché in the UK toward facilitating and promoting Trinidad and Tobago’s export profile and expanding market access to the UK. The Officer is responsible for boosting food and beverage exports with key strategic trading partners in the UK.
Minister Gopee-Scoon added that the Ministry is utilizing the formal relationship formed through the CARIFORUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which, amongst other benefits, permits Trinidad and Tobago exporters’ preferential, duty-free market access opportunities into the UK.
The Inaugural GREAT British Food and Drink Showcase featured Opening Remarks from Her Excellency Ms. Harriet Cross, British High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago, a special presentation from Mr. Stephen Twinings, global ambassador for the brand Twinings Tea; live sampling and booth tours.
High Commissioner Cross encouraged attendees to use the event to engage in networking toward forming relationships. “The contacts that we have here this evening have an appetite for partnership,” she said. “We hope we will see some partnerships blossom from the conversations this evening.”
Some of the brands present were Twinings Tea, Beanie’s Flavour Coffee, Dash Sparkling Water, Bombay Gin, Whitley Neill Gin, Highclere Castle Gin, Johnnie Walker Gold Label Whisky, Wee Smoky Scotch Whiskey, Tunnock’s Wafers, Cadbury, Campbell’s Shortbread, Grandma Wild’s Biscuits and Kestrel Liner Agencies.
