TTMA Annual Report 2017 E-Mag FAW

agents in these countries whose role is to assist in the
spectrum of sectors were in attendance
exposure of TT goods in these three (3) markets. The
• Held meetings with strategic agencies such as
agents are expected to provide market intelligence,
TTBS and exporTT
identify distributors and even assist in the registration
• Held meetings with several affected members
of products.
to build case studies
• Wrote on several media such as TTMA’s
Trade Mission to Dominican Republic (DR)
newsletter and Business Guardian in order
The TTMA embarked on a trade mission to the
to increase the awareness of illicit trade in
Dominican Republic (DR) from the period September
Trinidad and Tobago.
12th to September 16th. The delegation comprising
TRADE
UNIT
of fifteen participants was led by the Ministry of
Trade and Industry and the Trinidad and Tobago
Manufacturers’ Association. The overall purpose
of the trade Mission was to promote and increase
Trade Negotiations
CARICOM/Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement
The agreement signed in 1999 facilitates trade in goods,
trade in services and also makes special provisions
The mission of the Trade Unit is to provide support
to the members of the Trinidad and Tobago
Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) through trade
facilitation initiatives. TTMA’s trade facilitation efforts
entail representation of its members at the various
domestic, regional, hemispheric and international
trade negotiation meetings. The Trade Unit is the
conduit for trade facilitation and market access
efforts within the TTMA, providing the necessary
infrastructure to encourage market expansion.
trade agreements, trade facilitation issues, regulatory
challenges and concerns. The overall aim of the
committee is to continuously provide dialogue among
affected stakeholders on the opportunities and the
challenges encountered in the trading environment.
The committee hosted informative presentations in
2017 with different agencies such as the Trinidad and
Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) and INVESTT on
several issues including the National Quality Policy and
the Tamana Intech Park.
bilateral relations between Trinidad and Tobago and
DR as well as to secure new business opportunities for
Trinidad and Tobago manufacturers.
The trade mission was a timely opportunity to
reinforce existing customer relationships and
business connections and create new linkages as well
as enable future business transactions. Delegates
gained increased knowledge and confidence about
developing opportunities in the DR market. Delegates
expressed high levels of satisfaction with the mission
for agricultural type goods, investments, double
taxation concerns and many other trade–related
provisions. One major provision in the agreement
is the establishment of the joint council between
the two parties. In early 2017, the joint council was
convened and was able to discuss several issues such
as the list of preferential goods being offered by both
parties and registration concerns for products and the
rules of origin for some products. It is expected that
another meeting is to be held between both parties
to conclude other major issues such as Law 173.
In 2017, the Trade Unit of the Trinidad and Tobago
Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) continued to
assist the trade facilitation efforts in light of many
The committee also facilitated meetings on the food
and drug legislation. The main area of concern was
the food labelling. Feedback is to be provided to the
itself and the outcome of the mission. Many delegates
stated that they would recommend future TTMA trade
missions to business colleagues.
TTMA is eager for the continued negotiations on this
agreement in order to increase the volume of trade
between the parties.
challenges in the business and economic environment.
Ministry of Health.
Illicit Trade
Trinidad and Tobago/Panama Partial Scope Agreement
Committee Meetings
During 2017, the Trade Unit conducted several
committee meetings in an effort to develop an
enabling trade and business environment for the
membership.
Standing Committee on Trade and Related Matters
Members were able to interface directly with the
Ministry of Trade and Industry and other regulatory
bodies through this committee to discuss the current
Export Marketing Committee
In 2017, the meetings under this committee sought
to improve the export potential of businesses.
The committee also addressed trade negotiations,
trade mission activities and problems faced by
manufacturers trading with other countries. The
committee was also able to develop a framework
for members who were interested in trading with
Belgium, Venezuela and Canada. This framework is in
its embryonic stage and entailed the commissioning of
In 2017, the Trade Desk on Illicit Trade was established.
The desk is tasked with the function to assist in
building capacity, strengthening partnerships with
key agencies and implementing strategies to combat
the illicit trade in the Manufacturing Sector. The
officer in charge was able to conduct several activities
to increase the awareness of illicit trade.
These included:
• Hosted a seminar in the first half of 2017 on
illicit trade. A total of 30 persons from a wide
In 2017, this agreement was ratified by the Government
and therefore, companies are able to take advantage
of the Panama market through this agreement.
Many companies were very eager to enter into this
market and therefore, had welcomed the final step
in the implementation of the agreement since more
than 100 goods are given preferential access under
this agreement. This opportunity is added to other
advantages of the Panama market such as its Panama
Canal, it is a major net importer and a major distribution
hub due to the Colon Free Trade Zone.
16 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 17 ANNUAL REPORT 2017