Trinidad & Tobago, as a Member State of CARICOM, has negotiated a number of Trade Agreements with different countries. The end result of these discussions allows for goods to be traded between the respective countries either free of customs duty, or on some preferential basis. These Agreements are as follows:

Further details (procedures, documentation and guidance), on these Trade Agreements and the opportunities to be derived from them can be obtained from the BDC’s Trade Certification & Facilitation Department.

In an effort to make your decision easier as to which market to choose as a destination for export, Market Guides and Explanatory Documents have been developed for a number of countries. These documents go into detail in respect of the characteristics of the relevant market and certainly will assist you in your market research efforts. Some of the Documents are as follows:

What tools are these?

Market Analysis tools can assist you in selecting new markets for your products. The tools include:

• Trade Map ­ which provides on-line access to the world´s largest trade database
• Product Map ­ enabling you to access an on-line product database covering 72 categories of products

Both these tools are accessible via a user-friendly website.

What sort of information can be expected from using these tools?

Trade Map & Product Map will suggest:

• the markets you should target
• the characteristics of each market
• how to establish relationships with these markets

How can these tools be accessed?

These tools can be accessed by a simple two-step registration process:

• Step 1 Obtain a user name and password for your Company by sending an e mail to info@tradeind.gov.tt at the Ministry of Trade & Industry
• Step 2 Log on to any of the following websites: www.trademap.org; www.pmaps.org

What is listed in this directory?

The Export Directory is a comprehensive listing of business enterprises that operate in the exporting arena. In the directory you will find names, addresses and contact information for

• Exporters (all sectors)
• Manufacturers (all sectors)
• Agents
• Distributors
• Service providers (shipping, customs brokerage, financial services, advertising & marketing firms, professional services, ICT, tourism, hotels & restaurants, construction & engineering services, transportation, telecommunications, etc.)
• A detailed product index
• Organizations & institutions (State Agencies, International Organizations, Chambers of Commerce & Business Associations, Diplomatic Missions)

What are the benefits of having my Company listed in the Export Directory?

• The directory will be available in CD ROM format and on the internet which will make it widely accessible
• More than 7,000 copies of the CD ROM will be circulated to corporate executives worldwide
• They will be distributed at international trade fairs and exhibitions
• You Company will have the opportunity to be listed among the growing audience of buyers, trade agencies, transnational organizations and diplomatic missions.
• You will be able to establish contact with new business partners since every entry includes the Company location, contact information and the line of products/services in which the Company is involved.
• Your Company will be included in the most comprehensive on-line reference to business in Trinidad & Tobago.

TSSP

What is this programme all about?

The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has received a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) that will provide partial funding for a Trade Sector Support Programme. A Programme Coordinating Unit (PCU) has been established to implement the Programme in the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), the Executing Agency.

The overall objective of the TSSP is to improve the international trade performance of Trinidad and Tobago by strengthening the country´s technical and institutional capacity to formulate and implement trade policy, to participate effectively in trade negotiations, to implement trade agreements, and to increase and diversify exports.

What does the programme hope to achieve?

• To improve the institutional organization of the Ministry of Trade and Industry;
• To develop the technical capacity of human resources in trade related public institutions;
• To improve the technical, analytical, and institutional bases of trade policymaking and
• To provide support to the private sector´s attempts to adjust to the challenges posed by the liberalisation of trade.

How is the programme subdivided?

1. INSTITUTIONAL REORGANISATION AND STRENGTHENING:

This component aims to support the reorganisation and strengthening of the Ministry of Trade & Industry ( MTI), as well as other trade-related institutions, agencies and government departments, in order to improve the Ministry´s capacity to formulate and implement policy, as well as to improve the coordination among trade-related public institutions and with the private sector.

     2.    SPECIALISED TECHNICAL TRAINING:

The aim of this component is to increase and update technical knowledge of trade policy issues that are of strategic interest to Trinidad and Tobago. The activities will help improve the performance of staff of trade-related public institutions by strengthening their capacity to devise and execute policy, to conduct trade negotiations, and to implement agreements.

     3.    TECHNICAL STUDIES:

This component is designed to help provide a sound technical grounding to underpin trade policy positions on priority matters, so that Ministry of Trade & Industry officials and trade negotiators are better equipped to assess options, negotiate effectively, anticipate outcomes, and implement the commitments arising from negotiations.

     4.     INTEGRATED INFORMATION SYSTEMS:

This component will finance an assessment of trade-related information and communication needs, and thereafter the design, acquisition and installation of information and communications systems for processing, updating and transmitting trade data and information.

     5.    ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME:

The main goal of this component is to provide public and private sector agents with the information and tools necessary to understand clearly the effects of trade liberalisation on Trinidad and Tobago; to promote exports and attract investment; and to identify and address the adjustment needs stemming from trade liberalisation.

Is the BDC in any way involved in this Trade Sector Support Programme?

The Trade Assistance aspect of the Programme falls directly under the purview of the BDC. Since BDC has been mandated to deal with a new and expansive trade portfolio, it must take into account the need to view the international trade and investment climate on a realistic basis. The concept of reciprocity is now a reality. International trade agreements are now negotiated to the mutual benefit of all contracted parties. The Trade Assistance Unit has been created as a response to this evolving nature of world trade. Enterprises with a desire to expand will be assisted by the BDC in the following ways:

• providing public and private sector agents with the information and tools necessary to understand the effects of trade liberalisation on Trinidad & Tobago
• promoting exports and attracting investment
• identifying and addressing the adjustment needs stemming from trade liberalisation

There are seven main activities identified by the BDC to assist local business enterprises under its Trade Assistance Programme

• Approved Small Company Status
• Quality & Environmental Management Systems
• Best practices survey and policy formulation
• Market entry/access research
• Export competitiveness study

What are the benefits of participating in a Trade Fair and what is the BDC´s role here?

As a potential exporter, it will be logical to visit the export market in which you are interested. Having done your primary market research, you will need to showcase your products to your prospective customers, and to your potential distributors and agents. Participating in a trade fair provides the ideal medium to achieve these objectives. In addition, you can expect the following:

• to benefit from exposure to international buyers and network with business partners
• to secure solid business leads in target sectors
• to introduce new products/services at the exhibitions
• to benefit from free Exhibition Space
• to obtain customer feedback ­ test the market for demand, acceptance and competitiveness
• to observe new trends, competitive brands, packaging and labeling styles
• to be afforded the opportunity to participate and interact with some of your business peers

What do these services entail?

The services offered by the Trade Certification & Facilitation Department of the BDC are very closely related to any discussion on Trade Agreements or Market Access opportunities. In fact, this is the Department that will give advice on the various Trade Agreements in which Trinidad & Tobago is involved. The advice can range from tariff headings, to Rules of Origin, to export documentation.

Trade Certification Services