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)
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