“The results of the National Service Exporters Survey promises to help move us one step closer to having reliable and accurate data on trade in services and the data gleaned will be a crucial input into the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s strategic initiatives for the sector”
said Mrs. Ayleen Allyene-Ovid, Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Delivering the Feature Address on behalf of Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry at the virtual launch of the Results of the National Services Exporters’ Survey hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services (TTCSI) Industries on Wednesday 30 September, 2020, PS Alleyne-Ovid underscored the MTI’s full support of the initiative. She indicated The National Services Exporters Survey which was executed by the Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business is the first phase/deliverable of the National Services Exporters Registry of Trinidad and Tobago and provides insight on key issues related to the export of services locally. It focuses on modes of exports, geographic spread, trade flows and challenges stakeholders experience in the process of exporting services.
The Registry will provide data on education services, tourism, information and communications technology (ICT), energy services, cultural and creative industries and business and professional services. She commended the TTCSI and the Arthur Lok Jack School of Business in their efforts to complete the National Services Exporters’ Registry. PS Alleyne-Ovid indicated that as the Government and the MTI continues adapt to the challenges presented by COVID-19 while facilitating the growth of the services sector, the MTI will partner with CARICOM partners to develop a strategy for the recovery of the services sector. She added that the Strategy will identify and recommend a plan of action for recovery and growth which would include strengthening governance arrangements at the national and Regional level; enhancing sub-sectoral targeting; and providing more targeted stimuli to aid in recovery efforts. Currently, the services sector in Trinidad and Tobago accounts for more than 60 per cent of the country’s GDP; 10 per cent of exports and employs 70 per cent of the working population.
Ms. Lara Quentrall-Thomas, President of the Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries in her Opening Remarks stated that the National Services Exporters Survey represents a landmark achievement not just for the Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries (TTCSI) but also our country. She said, “It is our intention that these survey results will be used to identify opportunities for institutional strengthening, with strategic and policy related implications at both the private and public sector levels.”
Other presenters at the launch included Dr. Richard Ramsawak, Consultant, Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business and Ms. Allyson Francis, Caribbean Export Development Agency.
