Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry, received a courtesy call from His Excellency Efthymios Efthymiades, Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic (Greece) to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, today, Wednesday 16 October, 2024, at the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s Head Office, Port of Spain.
This marked the first official meeting between Minister Gopee-Scoon and Ambassador Efthymios Efthymiades, who presented his credentials to Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo, O.R.T.T., President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, on October 15, 2024.
The meeting focused on enhancing bilateral relations between Trinidad and Tobago and Greece and explored opportunities for trade between both countries.
During their discussions, Minister Gopee-Scoon and the Ambassador discussed potential collaborative initiatives in the maritime sector such as furthering maritime connectivity, setting up ship yards and maritime education training.
Both parties expressed a commitment to facilitating future dialogues and initiatives that promote economic cooperation and growth.
The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the Hellenic Republic (Greece) established diplomatic relations at Ambassadorial level on October 10, 1980, with trade between the two countries taking place under the CARIFORUM-European Union (EU) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
Trinidad and Tobago exports a variety of non-energy products to Greece including juice mixtures, orange juice, apple juice, plastic mattresses, film plastics and steel flanges, binders, aluminium structures, plastic bottles and banners.
Trinidad and Tobago’s imports from Greece comprise both energy and non-energy products such as jet fuel, dried grapes, cheese, medicaments, plastic bottles and skip hoists.
Also, in attendance at the meeting were Mr. Antonio Taquis, Greek Businessman, Mr. Randall Karim, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and other Officials from the Ministry.
