Trinidad and Tobago has been in the limelight in recent times. Between April 17 and 19, 2009, the 5th Summit of the Americas was held in this country. The theme was “Securing our Citizens Future by Promoting Human Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability”. It was attended by the Heads of State of all North, South and Central American countries. Prior summits were held in Miami, Florida (1994), Santiago, Chile (1998), Quebec, Canada (2001), Monterrey, Mexico (2004) and Mar del Plata, Argentina (2005). Trinidad and Tobago received glowing commendation for hosting a successful and positive Summit. The praise came from 17 countries during the Ministerial Summit Implementation Review Group (SIRG) meeting at the 39th Regular Session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States. Secretary General Mr Jose Miguel Insulza congratulated Trinidad and Tobago on a successful Summit and said the choice of the theme had been timely and appropriate. He added that the mandates that emanated from the Summit provided a clear agenda for action. This view was also echoed by Senator the Honourable Dr Lenny Saith, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office in Trinidad and Tobago. Addressing the first meeting of the SIRG he said, “We have the opportunity to build on the very positive tone set by our leaders in Port of Spain and to reinforce our political commitment to the Summit and the mandates emanating from the Summit negotiating process.”
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The Honourable Prime Minister, Mr Patrick Manning, stated that through the CHOGM he was interested in building a stronger CARICOM by accelerating the pace of integration and regional cooperation |
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In November 2009, the Trinidad and Tobago team played some outstanding cricket at the Champions League Twenty 20 tournament, finishing runners-up. They entertained one all with their flair and hard-hitting, a rollback to the heady days when Calypso cricket ruled the cricketing world. The team under Darren Ganga functioned like a well-oiled unit, and had managed to convincingly beat the eventual winners of the tournament, the New South Wales team, at a league encounter. Their performance made this twin-island Caribbean nation very popular among the Indian audience, and the larger global audience that had been following the tournament on television and other Media platforms.
In November 2009, again, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meet (CHOGM) was held in Trinidad and Tobago. It provided an opportunity not just for TnT, but for the Caribbean community to display a high level of cohesion on issues of immediate and urgent concern to all member states, particularly with regard to the pressing issue of climate change and the world economy. The Honourable Prime Minister, Mr Patrick Manning, stated that through the CHOGM he was interested in building a stronger CARICOM by accelerating the pace of integration and regional cooperation.
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As one moves forward, there is tremendous scope for increasing bilateral relations. In fact in the last five years India has now emerged as the 4th largest Investor in Trinidad and Tobago |
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People to people contact between both nations was established on May 30, 1845 when the first batch of indentured immigrants mainly from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were taken to Trinidad to work the sugar cane plantations by the then colonial powers. This day is now a national holiday in Trinidad and Tobago. In 1962, when Trinidad and Tobago became independent, India established its Mission in Trinidad. The Government of Trinidad and Tobago in recognition of the importance of the relationship with India established its Mission in October 1969. The High Commission remains the focal point for Trinidad and Tobago’s representation in Asia as a number of concurrent accreditations are in place including Singapore, Japan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Indonesia.
Turning to business, The High Commission of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has been actively promoting trade and industry. Some of the successes seen in bilateral relations in the last five years include:
· ESSAR Steel 1.8 billion USD investment in Trinidad and Tobago.
· Bank of Baroda establishment of offices in October 2007 and have since expanded to new locations in Trinidad and Tobago.
· The first ever Bollywood film shot on location in Trinidad and Tobago in 2007, the music for this movie was launched in Trinidad on November 22nd, 2008.
· Increase in business travel to Trinidad and Tobago by over 600%.
· On the energy front, ONGC Mittal has won an offshore gas block in Trinidad and Tobago.
· Increased frequency in the Indian Trade Fairs in Trinidad and Tobago at which Indian goods are marketed extensively.
· Signing of the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement in 2007.
In June 2008, the largest Trade Delegation ever from India to Trinidad and Tobago took place. The Indian Delegation was joined by delegates from Singapore and Bangladesh. This Trade Mission organized by the High Commission in New Delhi, and the Buyer Seller Meet hosted by the Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO) in association with the Indian Mission in Port of Spain, highlighted many opportunities for business interactions.
Following on the success of the first Mission, the 2nd Trade and Investment Mission to Trinidad and Tobago in June 2009 was organized. In this mission, members of FIEO took part in the Trade and Investment Convention in Trinidad and Tobago hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA). An India Pavilion was set up by FIEO with the companies using Trinidad and Tobago as a base to access the Caribbean and Latin American Markets. Additionally delegates from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) joined the Mission and also held a separate India – Caribbean Conclave for one day in association with the Indian Mission in Port of Spain. For the first time ever, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka also had country pavilions in the Trade and Investment Convention in Trinidad. Following this the FIEO has decided to establish an India Trade Centre in Trinidad and Tobago, a project that will be commissioned shortly.
As one moves forward, there is tremendous scope for increasing bilateral relations. In fact in the last five years India has now emerged as the 4th largest Investor in Trinidad and Tobago. It will be worthwhile to explore Trinidad and Tobago and use this dynamic, progressive, multicultural and multiethnic nation as your base to interact and do business with the Caribbean and Latin America.
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