Senator the Honourable, Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry, will lead Trinidad and Tobago’s trade mission to Canada from September 23 – 27, 2024. Organized by the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association and supported by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the trade mission aims to explore new business opportunities for Trinidad and Tobago in the Canadian market. This includes sourcing possible raw material and finished products for local producers, making strategic business and logistical contacts (distributors, market agents and companies) and increasing awareness of Canada’s business contacts to Trinidad and Tobago’s available manufactured products.
A diverse group of 20 private sector companies from the food and beverage, chemical and household and construction sectors will participate in the mission. Among the participating companies are Bricha Limited, Christle Limited, United Bearings, DSB Marketing, RHS Limited, Langston Roach Industries, Sacha Cosmetics, Creamery Novelties Ltd. /HADCO Limited, Ramps Logistics, Excellent Stores, New Wave Marketing, Kairi Chocolate, The Herbarium Ltd., Angostura Limited, SM Jaleel and Company Limited, Cargo Consolidators Agency Ltd. Yekof’s General Trading, ASA Enterprises Ltd, and Leisurely Travel & Tours.
The Trade Mission will encompass a Doing Business Seminar, which will feature strategic Canadian stakeholders such as regulatory bodies, government officials and other members of the private sector. Additionally, participants will engage in networking sessions, business-to-business meetings, and tours of Canadian supermarkets and distributor plants.
The Government recognizes the significance of this trade mission, given the potential importance of the Canadian economy to the promotion and expansion of Trinidad and Tobago’s exports. While leading the trade envoy, Minister Gopee-Scoon will engage in a number of bilateral discussions toward strengthening trade and investment relations and advancing the export prospects for local companies.
Through the Caribbean-Canada Trade Agreement (CARIBCAN), which has been in effect since June 15, 1986, imports of eligible products from Trinidad and Tobago have been granted non-reciprocal, duty-free treatment by Canada.
From 2018 to 2022, Trinidad and Tobago maintained a deficit trade balance with Canada, averaging TT$708.2 million in exports and TT$1.5 billion in imports annually. Notably, several of Trinidad and Tobago’s current exports benefit from duty-free treatment into Canada, including methanol, rum, aerated waters, biscuits, mauby syrup, pepper sauce, and pasta.
In recent years, Trinidad and Tobago’s private sector has ramped up its commercial activity with Canada. Presently, 64 companies are actively exporting to Canada, with key players such as Methanol Holdings (Trinidad Limited), Atlas Methanol Company Unlimited, and Eco Scrap Solutions, Sesko (Trinidad) Limited, Eco Scrap Solutions, Maraj and Sons Limited, Caribbean Development Company Limited, Sucro Can Limited, KC Confectionary Limited, Matouk International Limited, Hand Arnold, and SM Jaleel and Company Limited leading the way.
