The Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism has expanded support for the Buy Local, Build Trinbago campaign, with the Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries (TTCSI) and eleven affiliated organisations formally committing to greater support for local businesses and service providers.
The organisations signed the Buy Local, Build Trinbago Charter on Tuesday 7 July, 2026, at the Ministry’s Head Office in Port of Spain, bringing the total number of Charter signatories to twenty-nine. The signing represents an important step in strengthening opportunities for local enterprises, encouraging greater use of locally provided services and keeping more economic activity within Trinidad and Tobago. Increased support for capable local businesses can contribute to business growth, job creation, skills development and a more resilient national economy.
The Charter was signed on behalf of the Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries by its President, Ms. Dianne Joseph, formalising the organisation’s commitment to the Buy Local, Build Trinbago campaign. She said the Charter recognises the critical role of the services sector in national development and creates an opportunity to place capable local firms at the centre of economic activity.
“When state and corporate procurement policies intentionally prioritise a qualified local service firm, the macroeconomic benefits are profound. It optimizes national balance sheets by reducing foreign exchange outflows, preserves high-value human capital within our borders, and directly stimulates domestic employment. Furthermore, providing local firms with primary domestic contracts establishes the necessary track record and baseline operational scale required for these enterprises to successfully scale into international markets.” Ms. Joseph said.
Individual representatives from the Greater San Fernando Chamber of Industry and Commerce (GSFCIC); the Human Resource Management Association of Trinidad and Tobago (HRMATT); Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation (TUCO); Trinidad and Tobago Contractors Association (TTCA); Trinidad and Tobago Institute of Architects (TTIA); International Facility Management Association (IFMA), Caribbean Chapter; Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA); Shipping Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SATT); Trinidad and Tobago Group of Professional Associations Ltd (TTGPA); and Caribbean Institute of Management Consultants CIMC) also added their signatures to the charter.
Delivering remarks at yesterday’s signing ceremony, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism, Dr Colin Neil Gosine, highlighted that local must never mean less.
“It must mean capable, competitive, trusted and ready. Our businesses must therefore continue to raise standards, strengthen quality, embrace technology, build partnerships and prepare to export.
“This Charter moves us from advocacy to action. It provides a platform to make local service providers more visible, strengthen confidence in their capabilities, and encourage both public and private-sector purchasers to look locally first wherever the competence and capacity exist.” Dr Gosine further expressed.
Dr. Gosine also issued two challenges to service providers and buyers. “To our service providers: organise, certify, innovate, collaborate and export. Build firms that can win business not because they are local, but because they are excellent.
To our buyers in both the public and private sectors: give qualified local firms a fair opportunity. Assess their capacity on evidence, not assumptions. Before you look abroad, look here.”
The Buy Local, Build Trinbago Charter was launched in January 2026 by Senator the Honourable Satyakama Maharaj, Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism. The initiative is intended to increase the visibility and competitiveness of locally produced goods and services, strengthen consumer confidence and support the development and expansion of local businesses.
As part of the campaign, the Ministry has also launched dedicated Buy Local, Build Trinbago social media platforms to promote local products, services and businesses. Business owners are invited to register for inclusion in a digital catalogue of local goods and services, which will be promoted nationwide.
Follow the Buy Local Build Trinbago Campaign on Instagram, Facebook, and Tik Tok @buylocalbuildtt
