Trinidad and Tobago´s strategy to achieve its Trade and Investment Policy objectives is to position the country as a manufacturing base and as the commercial, trans-shipment and financial hub of the Caribbean and the Americas. Emphasis is therefore, being placed on expanding the country´s trade frontiers and promoting investment in human and physical capital with the aim of improving overall economic efficiency.

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has recognized that as a result of the changing global economic climate, and the move from preferential to reciprocal trade agreements for international trade, the country must make the necessary adjustments to successfully meet the challenges of trade liberalization. This realigning of the country´s trade and investment focus in keeping with the qualities of the new world economic order has called for a more dynamic and interactive responsibility from the Business Development Company Limited (BDC).

As a result, a new mandate was given to the BDC to re-position itself as the Government's development agency responsible for the continuous growth and empowerment of ALL sizes of businesses within the economy. This therefore, has propelled the Trade Assistance Unit of the organization into the forefront of its operations as it moves forward to assist local businesses to be better prepared to face the challenges of economic globalization.

The BDC has positioned the following seven (7) main activities to assist local businesses under its Trade Assistance Unit:

1. Standards Implementation
2. Innovation, Research and Development
3. ICT Adoption
4. Export Training
5. Trade Promotion
6. Best Practices and Benchmarking
7. Business Mentorship.
   

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has identified key sectors in the Trinidad and Tobago economy ear-marked for sustainable development. These Sectors include:

1. Food and Beverage
2. Printing and Packaging
3. Merchant Marine
4. Yachting
5. Film
6. Music and Entertainment
7. Seafood Processing
   

The development of these Sectors is an integral part of Trinidad and Tobago achieving its 2020 vision as well as achieving first world status. These activities are driven mainly by the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

The BDC being a para-statal organization has the Ministry of Trade as its umbrella Ministry. This being the case the BDC was afforded a budget to carry out the Trade Assistance function.

The Trade Assistance Unit of the BDC, as the name suggests has been mandated therefore, to assist small, medium and large companies in the afore-mentioned sectors who are desirous of expanding, to locate themselves on the trade continuum and determine what their next step would be in the fulfillment of the goals they have set as it relates to expansion into foreign markets.

In response to the challenge, this Department has harnessed a wealth of resources, knowledge and expertise to ensure only the best service is afforded to its clients.

Contact our Trade Assistance Unit for more information or email info@bdc.co.tt