Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry is leading a delegation from the private sector on a Trade Mission to Grenada during the period 31 January to 3 February 2023. The Trade Mission, organized by the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) and ExporTT, the National Export Facilitation Organization of Trinidad and Tobago comprises twenty-six (26) companies from the transportation and logistics, marketing, health services and manufacturing sectors. Over forty (40) persons from the private sector will form the delegation. Mr. Randall Karim, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Industry would accompany the Minister.
Grenada is a significant trading partner for Trinidad and Tobago, ranking as its 15th export destination in 2022 and 5th top export destination within CARICOM. Over the period 2018 to 2022, Trinidad and Tobago maintained a favourable trade balance with Grenada with the main exports being cement, biscuits, cigarettes, aerated beverages, cereals and toilet paper. The main imports include beverages, nutmeg and mace. The average annual volume of trade between both countries during this period was approximately TT$604 million per annum. Whilst Grenada has a population size of only 125,000 persons, its tourism population is quite substantial with approximately 500,000 visitors per annum, hence a growing market for Trinidad and Tobago’s exports.
The Trade Mission is geared towards determining business opportunities within the Grenadian market for Trinidad and Tobago companies and establishing and deepening strategic business and logistical relationships between manufactures and buyers. This Trade Mission to Grenada is a key project under the Export Booster Initiative, which is a strategic initiative of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago geared towards increasing the value of all non-energy exports over the next three (3) years.
In addition, the Honourable Minister of Trade and Industry will engage in bilateral discussions with her Ministerial counterparts in Grenada and other key business officials. These discussions will seek to strengthen trading relations between Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago which will advance the export prospects for local manufacturers.
