Leading a twenty nine (29) member delegation to Dominica, Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry engaged in several bilateral meetings with key stakeholders aimed at strengthening the bilateral relationship between both countries and creating potential business opportunities for T&T’s manufacturers.
At the Opening of the Trade Mission, Minister Gopee-Scoon had the opportunity to address a Business Forum in Dominica on January 20, 2025. In her opening remarks, Minster Gopee-Scoon noted that Dominica is seen as a market of interest for Trinidad and Tobago’s manufacturers with opportunities for growth and great potential for increasing Trinidad and Tobago’s exports.
The Minister also expressed the expectations of increased imports from Dominica, particularly in raw materials to be used in the manufacturing process and for further processing in Trinidad and Tobago. Beyond raw materials, she also expressed anticipation of an increase in the imports of Dominican services, including tourism services for which Dominica is well-known.
Dominica is presently ranked as Trinidad and Tobago’s eighth largest export market and 10th largest source of imports in CARICOM, “our meeting over the next few days heightens the importance of the CARICOM Treaty and also the CSME, which we are embolden to ensure that it works for the benefit of both countries–and of course the people of both countries.”
The Opening set the atmosphere for the proceedings over the next two days where participants will be engaged in discussions with Dominican companies and be provided opportunities for the initiation and continuation of trading relations as well as be provided with practical tips and general information about the requirements for companies doing business with Dominican enterprises.
Also in attendance was Dr. the Honourable Vince Henderson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy, Dominica. In his contribution, Dr. Henderson highlighted that transportation and logistics is important to ensure that trade can grow and be sustained between the two islands. Dominica’s Chief Cultural Officer Mr. Earlson Matthew and President of the Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce (DAIC) Mr. Brenton Hilaire were also on hand to welcome delegates and wish them full success.
Following the launch of the mission, Minister Gopee-Scoon also met with representatives of the Dominica Export Import Agency/DEXIA, the statutory government organisation responsible for the promotion, development and export of agricultural, agro-processing and manufactured products, as well as the importation of bulk rice and sugar, to discuss trade opportunities and possible areas of trade complementarity between both countries. Minister Gopee-Scoon also met with a number of private sector representatives from Dominica including, Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce and the Dominican Manufacturers Association.
Also during day one of the mission, Minister Gopee–Scoon met with the Honourable Roland Royer, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy and officials from the Ministry, as well as Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy to discuss deepening commercial ties and expanding trade opportunities between both countries especially in agriculture products. Also in attendance were Mr. Roger Roach, President of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA) and Dr. Mahindra Ramesh Ramdeen, Chief Executive Officer of the TTMA.
President of the TTMA Roger Roach described the mission as very favourable for the Trinidad and Tobago delegation, noting that the mission includes 29 participants from 23 different companies in the Food & Beverage, Printing & Packaging, Chemical, Electrical and Logistics sectors. Further he noted that whilst the mission included some business that already have products in the Dominica market and they are taking part in the mission to deepen existing relationships, other business are new to the market and were in search of opportunities to establish a presence.
The trade mission is expected to continue until Wednesday, January 22, with a Doing Business Seminar, which will provide an overview of doing business in Dominica, and the continuation of B2B sessions, which will allow the private sector to engage in discussions with Dominican companies and will provide opportunities for the initiation and expansion of trading relations between companies of both countries.
