The Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism (MTTI), in partnership with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UN‑ECLAC), hosted the National Validation Workshop on Transport Networks and Logistics for Food Trade on 2 June 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad.
The workshop formed part of the UN Development Account Project aimed at strengthening food security and building resilient, sustainable food supply chains across the Caribbean and Arab regions. As the national focal point, the MTTI coordinated consultations and technical discussions to support the project’s implementation in Trinidad and Tobago. Opening remarks were delivered on behalf of the Government by Mr. Neville Alexander, Director of Trade Facilitation, MTTI.
Participants from government agencies, international organisations, private sector bodies, logistics providers, ports, airports, manufacturers, exporters, and academia reviewed the findings of the National Assessment on Transport Networks and Logistics for Food Trade. Discussions focused on supply chain efficiency, port operations, multimodal connectivity, trade facilitation, and the resilience of the national food system.
Stakeholders provided feedback on priority recommendations and areas for capacity‑building. These inputs will inform the finalisation of the national assessment and guide the next phase of targeted interventions.
The UNCTAD and UN‑ECLAC mission was led by Ms. Frida Youssef, Chief, Transport Section, and Ms. Hassiba Benamara, Economic Affairs Officer, both of the Trade Logistics Branch, Division on Technology and Logistics, UNCTAD and Ms. Miryam Saade Hazin, Officer‑in‑Charge, Infrastructure Services Unit, International Trade and Integration Division, UN‑ECLAC.
MTTI officers and key partners, including GlobalTT and the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards, also participated.
Following the workshop, over the period June 3 – June 5, 2026 the delegation held bilateral consultations with public and private sector stakeholders to further examine sector‑specific challenges and opportunities.
The Ministry reaffirms its commitment to enhancing trade competitiveness, strengthening food security, and supporting the development of sustainable and resilient supply chains.
