MTI participates in conference to connect the Caribbean and Central America

Major business entrepreneurs from both the Caribbean and Central America met last week in Trinidad to attend a 1-day conference designed to identify and promote business opportunities between the two regions. Held at the Hyatt, the conference entitled “Connecting the Caribbean and Central America: Exploring and Seizing New Opportunities” provided participants with insights into the economic and competitive landscape of the regions and facilitated matchmaking meetings with the top-level executives of the Caribbean and Central American companies.

The conference was hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce (TTCIC) and the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) along with the Guatemala Chamber of Commerce. In addition to providing participants with the chance to explore business opportunities in both regions, the conference also featured presentations by the owners of well-known local businesses who have had success in foreign markets – Kama Maharaj of Sacha Cosmetics; Aleem Mohammed of SM Jaleel; and Arthur Lok Jack of Associated Brands Industries Limited – to serve as exemplars of what needed to be done to succeed internationally.

The day-long conference was preceded by a cocktail reception on October 19th at the Diplomatic Centre, St. Ann’s, where participants were able to interact with each other in a more relaxed atmosphere. Prime Minister the Hon. Kamla Persad Bissessar as well as Minister Cadiz were present to address the audience.

Given the limited size of our domestic market, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) recognizes the importance of exploring business opportunities in foreign markets and has already worked with CARICOM to secure bilateral trade agreements with several Latin American countries. MTI was therefore one of the major exhibitors and sponsors of the Caribbean-Central America Conference and several MTI staff took part in the event including Ramesh Sarabjit, Tanya Carr, Timitra Williams, Charla-Marie Douglas, Reakha Maharaj, Donna Marshall-Elias and Kateri Johnston. The participants were able to find out information about the Ministry from the MTI booth on display at the conference and they were also given the chance to win a bottle of local rum in a prize draw held by MTI on the same day.

The following are some key facts about Central America:

• Central America comprises the countries in the isthmus connecting North and South America – Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.

• Population: 42.1 million

• Regional GDP: US $ 132 850 million (2009)

T&T Artistes a big hit at Expo Shanghai 2010

As most of you should already know, T&T week took place in late September at the World Expo in Shanghai, China. This was a very exciting week for all as our Expo organizing team scheduled a number of events during this time to showcase the country’s exceptional talent and rich culture.

The main highlights of the week, however, were performances from some of T&T’s major artistes – Kes the Band, Maximus Dan, Rikki Jai, Nadia Batson and pannist Noel La Pierre – who gave the international crowd at the Expo a taste of what the entertainment industry in T&T has to offer. Expo visitors were very impressed by our artistes and although for most of them it was their first experience of Trinbagonian music, they thoroughly enjoyed the vibrant performances.

According to Dionne McNicol, CEO, Trinidad and Tobago Entertainment Company (T&T EnT), “the music transcended the language barrier and culturally the artistes represented Trinidad and Tobago brilliantly”. She also noted the positive response of the crowd to the steelpan and it confirmed her belief that our national instrument has the potential to become the festival instrument of the world – featuring at all prominent World Festivals and Expositions. Given the positive response by the Chinese to T&T music, T&T Ent plans to market our local entertainers in Asia.

T&T week did not only comprise performances by our local artistes but also featured many interactive activities with the Expo visitors, including face painting and the chance to try on Carnival headpieces and take pictures.

Have fun looking at the photos taken at T&T week to truly experience the excitement that took place at Expo Shanghai! (You can click on the photos to enlarge them)