CONTACT Magazine (Vol.18 No.3 – December 2018)

Vol.18 No.3 – December 2018 

The Voice of Business in Trinidad & Tobago 

Looking 

Outwards 

The art and science of exporting 

Champion exporter: SM Jaleel 

Export markets | Trade deals 

Non-tariff barriers | Support agencies

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Contents 

ON THE COVER 

Directors of SM Jaleel: Dr Mikaeel 

Mohammed (seated) and Eesa 

Mohammed, Vice President, Marketing 

(Photo courtesy TTCIC) 

07 

A note from the editor 

Natalie Dookie introduces this 

issue of CONTACT 

08 

SM Jaleel: 

global exporter 

Kalifa Sarah Clyne profiles the 

winner of the T&T Chamber’s 

prestigious annual award and its 

global brands 

14 

The will to export 

Joel Henry sits down with the CEO of 

exporTT to talk about the agency’s 

activities and plans, and detects a new 

energy in the national export drive 

20 

Know your 

export markets 

Every overseas market has its own 

characteristics. Lisa Douglas-Paul 

looks at our main target areas and 

what to expect from each one 

SPECIAL CONTACT SURVEY: LOOKING OUTWARDS 

25 

29 

32 

Breaking into Europe 

The European Union is a 

particularly complicated 

market, with 28 countries (soon 

to be 27) involved. The regional 

agency Caribbean Export 

provides an introduction 

Who do we have trade 

deals with? 

Trinidad and Tobago has 

negotiated trade agreements 

with many of its trading 

partners. The Ministry of Trade 

and Industry sets out the 

possibilities of each 

Non-tariff barriers – the 

exporter’s nightmare 

Usha Samsundar explains 

how even the best-prepared 

exporter can be ambushed by 

unexpected obstacles 

04 

Trinidad 

and Tobago Chamber 

of Industry and Commerce 

www.chamber.org.tt/contact-magazine


The Voice of Business in Trinidad & ToBago 

Published by 

The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of 

Industry and Commerce 

Looking 

Outwards 

The art and science of exporting 

Champion exporter: SM Jaleel 

Export markets | Trade deals 

Non-tariff barriers | Support agencies 

44 

46 

48 

The economic outlook 

Prospects for Trinidad and 

Tobago, the Caribbean, and the 

global economy in the year ahead 

Energy update 

The state of the energy sector 

in figures 

Welcome to new 

members 

Columbus Circle, Westmoorings, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago 

PO Box 499, Port of Spain • Tel.: (868) 637-6966 • Fax: (868) 622-4475 

Email: chamber@chamber.org.tt • Website: www.chamber.org.tt 

Tobago Division: 

ANSA McAL Building, Milford Road, Scarborough, Tobago 

Tel.: (868) 639-2669 • Fax: (868) 639-2669 

Email: tobagochamber@chamber.org.tt 

Produced for the Chamber by 

MEP Publishers (Media & Editorial Projects Ltd) 

34 

Where to go for help? 

A checklist of private sector 

and government agencies 

which can supply export 

guidance, information and 

documents 

6 Prospect Avenue, Maraval, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago 

Tel.: 622-3821 • Fax: 628-0639 

Email: info@meppublishers.com • Website: www.meppublishers.com 

Editor Natalie Dookie 

Consulting editor Jeremy Taylor 

Online editor Caroline Taylor 

General manager Halcyon Salazar 

Page layout & design Bridget van Dongen 

Advertising Evelyn Chung, Tracy Farrag, Mark-Jason Ramesar 

Production Jacqueline Smith 

Editorial assistant Shelly Inniss 

38 

The voice of experience 

Six successful exporters – 

old and new, large and small 

– tell their stories to Natalie 

Dookie 

DISCLAIMER 

Opinions expressed in Contact are those of the authors, and not 

necessarily of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce 

or its partners or associates. 

CONTACT is published quarterly by the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and 

Commerce (TTCIC). It is available online at www.chamber.org.tt/contact-magazine. 

© 2018 TTCIC. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any 

form without the written permission of the publisher. 

www.chamber.org.tt/contact-magazine 05 

Trinidad and Tobago Chamber 

of Industry and Commerce

A note from 

the editor 

Exports play a crucial role in Trinidad and Tobago’s economy. They influence 

economic growth, employment, and our balance of payments. They earn 

essential foreign exchange. As we adjust to a low-price energy environment, 

there needs to be an even greater focus on growth opportunities for exports. 

We are the largest oil and natural gas producer in the Caribbean, and our 

hydrocarbon sector has dominated our exports. But in recent years we have become 

more diversified, with a greater reliance on services. 

There are several factors which determine our level of exports: competitiveness, 

quality, value added, the exchange rate, productivity, and the economic prospects 

of our export markets. We can work towards raising this level through private sector 

innovation, reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers, and by pursuing supply-side 

policies to increase our competitiveness. Exporting provides real benefits for firms, 

including longer-term security, by spreading risk over a wider customer base – and 

of course increased sales and profits. 

In this issue of CONTACT, we 

are Looking Outwards 

In this issue of CONTACT, we are Looking Outwards. Our team of experts from 

Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean provides guidance on export planning, and 

identifies where and how to access support locally. ExporTT’s CEO sets the stage 

by charting the size of our exports, what we export, where to, and what are the 

most promising opportunities in 2018. Trade agreements can be complex, but the 

Ministry of Trade and Industry helps us to penetrate the legal jargon and translate it 

into competitive advantage. Exporters are often presented with unexpected market 

challenges, but one of our trade specialists outlines how to overcome non-tariff 

barriers. 

Which market conditions present key opportunities for local exporters, in which 

country and in what sector? The Chamber’s Trade & Research Economist guides 

us through their recommendations. Learn from organisations that are exporting 

successfully, and be inspired as they share their journey. 

Exports have a major impact on our economy. They are one of the biggest 

determinants of Trinidad and Tobago’s economic performance. Growth in exports 

can also advance our domestic economy by creating a knock-on effect for related 

industries. Recognising the importance of this for our future sustainability, we look 

forward to your feedback: share your export experience, tell us if you agree with 

our experts’ advice and recommendations, and what else you would like to see us 

add to the conversation. 

Editor 




looking outwards 

SM Jaleel: 

global 

exporter 

This year’s prestigious Chamber award 

“Internationally Known … T&T Owned”, 

sponsored since inception by First 

Citizens, was won by a company with 

extraordinary international reach 

WORDS By: Kalifa Sarah Clyne 

photos courtesy: sm jaleel 

After almost a century in business, SM Jaleel is a proud locally-owned player 

with a strong presence on the global stage. It is the largest manufacturer 

of non-alcoholic drinks in the anglophone Caribbean. 

Its many brands – fruit juices, soft drinks, flavoured water, energy 

drinks – are distributed around the world by nearly 100 distributors, and can be found 

in over 30,000 wholesale and retail stores, including Walmart in the United States. 

The company manufactures its own PET containers, a technology it pioneered 

in the Caribbean in the 1980s. Its staff has grown from 25 to 1,378 located in ten 

different countries in five continents. 

Evolution 

The family-owned business of SM Jaleel was founded in 1924 by a young visionary 

entrepreneur, Sheik Mohammed Jaleel. He used to make the company’s first product, 

Jaleel Beverages, under his house in San Fernando, and marketed it to clients from a 

traditional horse and cart. 

08 

Trinidad 




Jaleel Beverages were followed by 

a string of other brands. Wonder in the 

late 1930s, Applette, Joe Louis Punch 

(after the famous boxer whom Jaleel 

brought to Trinidad), Red Spot. Dixi Cola 

successfully expanded the portfolio 

in 1968. By the time Red Spot hit the 

market, SM Jaleel was operating ten 

trucks and an automated production 

line. The company could produce about 

90 cases an hour, and a case of sweet 

drink cost 24 cents. 

The export journey began in the 

1950s, when Jaleel built a factory in 

Grenada, run by his son Zaid, to produce 

The first product, Jaleel 

Beverages, was made under 

the founder’s house in San 

Fernando, and marketed to 

clients from a traditional 

horse and cart 





A new generation took over 

the business and revived both 

the founder’s vision and the 

company’s fortunes 

Red Spot in glass bottles. The company’s 

fortunes dipped somewhat from the 

late 1960s, and Sheik Mohammed Jaleel 

died in 1977, after selling the business 

to Shaffikool Mohammed, the husband 

of his daughter Salaha. 

So a new generation took over the 

business and revived both the founder’s 

vision and the company’s fortunes. 

Aleem Mohammed, Jaleel’s grandson, 

joined the company and rose to 

become chairman. The business moved 

to Otaheite Industrial Estate, where it is 

still headquartered today. New products 

were introduced – Pear D, Cole Cold, 

Fruta, the large bottle, Caribbean Cool. 

The company earned franchises from 

well-known international companies – 

7-UP, Capri Sun, Cadbury Schweppes. 

By 1988, market share had grown to 

30%. 

The first export shipments had 

been made from Trinidad and Tobago in 

1983. The main export markets were the 

UK, the USA, Canada, Jamaica, Antigua, 

Dominica, and Barbados. SM Jaleel 

began awarding its own franchises: 

third party manufacturers produced 

and distributed the Caribbean Cool 

brand, for instance, in Canada, the USA, 

England, Scotland and Malaysia. 

The business grew and grew. It 

continued to produce new brands, 

notably Chubby (1993) in its specially 

designed chubby bottle aimed at 

children. The company started winning 

awards for exports and innovation. 

Busta followed, and Viva flavoured 

sparkling water. With the help of 

subsidiaries, joint ventures and 

franchisees, SM Jaleel was doing good 

business everywhere from Barbados, 

Jamaica and Guyana to Haiti, Mexico 

and Brazil, Guatemala and North 

America. 

As the brand list continued to 

swell, the company added Fruta Kool 

Kidz, Oasis bottled water, Caribbean 

Cool drinks, 1-litre Fruta, and Turbo 

energy drinks. It acquired the franchise 

for Tampico. It set up a plant in Saudi 

Arabia to export to the Middle East, and 

another in Durban to market Chubby in 

South Africa. It acquired fruit juice 

concentrate manufacturing companies 

in Trinidad and Jamaica, adding Trinidad 

Reconstituted juices and Juciful juices 

to the portfolio. These factories allowed 

10 

Trinidad 




vertical integration by buying fruit 

from local farmers and converting it 

into frozen orange and grapefruit juice 

concentrate for use throughout the 

year. 

The export team 

Today, SM Jaleel’s Caribbean sales export 

team is led by Clint Villafana, Vice 

President of Export Sales (Caribbean and 

Third Party). It includes Amir Hosein and 

Aaron Logie. At an extra-regional level, 

Brian Erdelyi (Chief Revenue Officer, 

based in Canada) leads a team supported 

by Suneeta Hosein and Michelle Grant. 

The team is focused on the company’s 

continued growth and market expansion. 

In an interview, Clint Villafana 

confirmed that working with his team 

has been a very rewarding experience. 

They were instrumental in the growth 

of the department, and in the expansion 

of the company’s footprint into more 

new markets in recent years, such as 

Ghana, Puerto Rico, Holland, Bonaire, 

Belize, and Aruba. “They have been key 

in the expansion of our existing SMJ 

portfolio within existing markets, and 

increasing overall market share for the 

company’s brands.” 

Part of SM Jaleel’s success is 

surely due to the judicious selection 

of export models and products, 

based on careful market research. A 

franchise agreement? A new affiliate 

or subsidiary? Exclusive agreement 

with an experienced distributor? 

Outsourced production? The decision, 

Villafana explained, depends partly on 

the size of the country and its distance 

from Trinidad, which will affect 

shipping costs. “We perform a value 

chain analysis to determine the best 

approach.” 

Local costs matter too. “Markets 

have different duty structures,” Villafana 

pointed out, “and as such can make 

our products uncompetitive due to 

price sensitivity. To address this in the 

Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States 

(OECS), many years ago we introduced 

a production facility in St Lucia, which 

allows us to benefit from a lower duty 

structure since we are selling from a Less 

Developed Country (LDC).” 

Villafana continued: “Markets 

have different regulatory requirements 

in terms of labels and ingredients, so 

in entering markets we have had to 

work closely with our Research and 

Development team to customise some 

of our existing brands to meet these 

requirements.” 

SM Jaleel makes good use of the 

Caricom free trade agreement, and is 

now expanding into Costa Rica, where 

Michelle Grant, Finance and Operations 

Manager, SMJ Procurement and 

Marketing, Inc 

Brian Erdelyi, Chief Revenue Officer, SM 

Jaleel 

From left to right: Export Managers Aaron Logie and Amir Hosein; Suneeta Hosein, Manager, Centralised Planning Unit; 

Clint Villafana, Vice President, Export (Caribbean and Third Party) 





it will benefit from concessions available under the trade 

agreement that country has with Trinidad and Tobago. 

Flexibility 

SM Jaleel has an excellent track record in responding to 

changing market conditions and innovating to support 

growth. 

In 1984, for example, when the economic climate 

demanded a container that would bring consumers both 

savings and convenience, the company introduced the 

revolutionary Jaliter bottle (Jaleel + litre), and became the 

pioneer in large-format 2-litre soft-drink packaging. In 

conjunction with Reynolds Metals Company, it was the first 

company in the world to market fruit juices in two-piece 

aluminium cans using nitrogen technology, thus eliminating 

the need for artificial preservatives. 

Chubby is another example of flexibility. It was born 

when SM Jaleel observed that children were being given soft 

drinks in large bottles which were cumbersome for them to 

hold: so it filled that gap in the market by introducing the 

flagship brand in its characteristic chubby bottle. 

Chubby changed the market and created a global 

transformation for SM Jaleel. Today, it is sold in over 60 

countries and is manufactured on four continents around 

the world; it has proven to have almost unrivalled global 

reach in terms of penetrating new markets and countries. 

Responsibility 

SM Jaleel is notable for its response to environmental 

challenges too. In Trinidad, it recycles all its cardboard, cans, 

plastic bottles, shrink wrap, cardboard, pallets, metal drums, 

and unused tetra packs. It is in the process of building a waste 

water treatment plant. It is working to reduce the materials 

in its packaging, and lowered the weight of its plastic water 

bottles by half in two years. 

It takes corporate social responsibility very seriously 

too. One of its recent projects has been to partner with Vitas 

House Hospice during Cancer Awareness Month (October), to 

raise funds to promote cancer awareness through education, 

early detection, and treatment. In another project, the 

company was one of the first to respond to hurricaneravaged 

Dominica last year, sending over 200 tonnes of 

drinks, water, food, toiletries and groceries as part of the 

relief effort. 

Reaching out 

One of SM Jaleel’s current objectives is truly remarkable: it 

wants to leverage its export success so as to give a platform 

to other Trinidad and Tobago manufacturers and exporters. 

SMJ Director Dr Mikaeel Mohammed told a business 

audience earlier this year that the company wanted to help 

exporters get things done, and was already working with one 

of Trinidad and Tobago’s best-known brands, using SM Jaleel’s 

existing distribution and marketing network. “We want to 

help each and every company here [to] reach destinations you 

never dreamed of,” he declared. “Caribbean brands are just as 

good [as international ones], if not better.” 

It sounds like the same sort of innovative thinking 

that has marked out SM Jaleel since its earliest days in 

San Fernando. While it pursues its aggressive growth 

campaign, takes care of its corporate social responsibility, 

and continues to innovate, SM Jaleel has placed its brands – 

and Trinidad and Tobago – in the hands of consumers across 

the world. 

12 

Trinidad 




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The will to 

export 

For decades, T&T has dreamed about a big jump in nonenergy 

exports, enough to break dependence on oil and 

gas. Is that about to happen at last? CONTACT sat down 

with exporTT’s CEO Dietrich Guichard to find out 

WORDS By: Joel Henry 

photos courtesy: exportt 

courtesy exportt 

“ 

The current environment,” says Trade and Industry 

Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon, “requires a more 

aggressive approach to implementing government 

policy aimed at growing exports to lessen the 

country’s vulnerability and dependence on oil and gas.” 

The Minister was speaking in November 2017 at the 

National Export Facilitation Organisation of Trinidad and 

Tobago, otherwise known as exporTT. New signage was 

being unveiled at its Charlotte Street headquarters, which 

was being renamed “Export House.” A symbolic change, but 

symbols have meaning. And the change in signage reflects a 

new approach and outlook for exporTT. 

“Our approach is much more aggressive,” says Dietrich 

Guichard, Chief Executive Officer. “There are a lot of things 

that we are doing differently internally, and we are trying to 

engage our clients more intimately.” 

In this era of uncertain prices for Trinidad and Tobago’s 

energy exports, a foreign exchange crunch, and the critical 

need for diversification of the economy, the nation needs new 

sources of export revenue. 

The most recent figures out of the Ministry of Trade and 

Industry (for October 2016 to September 2017) show that 

TT$37 billion of the total TT$41 billion worth of exports were 

energy-related. That’s 88%. This needs to change. 

So what is exporTT doing to make it happen? 

Dietrich Guichard, CEO, exporTT 

14 

Trinidad 




“For the first time the macroeconomic 

situation is pushing business in a particular 

direction” 

What is exporTT and what does it do? 

Dietrich Guichard: ExporTT officially is the sole national 

export facilitation organisation for Trinidad and Tobago 

outside of the oil and gas and petrochemical sector. Our 

focus is the development and promotion of the export of 

goods and services, regionally and internationally. 

Trinidad and Tobago’s top 

non-energy exports, 

October 2016 – September 2017 

“Facilitation” is a broad word. What does it entail? 

DG: Facilitation can be broken down into various areas. 

We have an export promotion division, a research 

division, a capacity building division (including standards 

implementation), and a training division. In general 

our activities are dedicated to growing exports and 

diversifying the economy in a very real and practical way. 

Can you give me an example of exporTT’s activities? 

DG: One programme we have in place is taking the top 120 

exporters and working with them in their organisations. 

This includes diagnosing where they are in their financial, 

marketing, and human resource capability, and identifying 

their strengths and weaknesses. Really we are diagnosing 

all aspects of their business operations, including the will 

to export. Many people say they want to export, but is it 

really true? 

Then we are developing robust export plans with 

them. If they wish to get into a market or markets we 

will provide the necessary information and contacts – 

importers, market prices, the contacts to get you there. 

If you do not have the wherewithal, we will work with 

you to build your firm’s capacity, including training, 

research, and even funding for machinery. 

How far along is this programme? 

DG: We will complete 30 companies at the end of this 

fiscal (September 2018). 

You mentioned the “will to export”. It seems there is 

a new energy and willingness to get things done. 

DG: When I took up the post of CEO at exporTT the 

Chairman said, somewhat tongue-in-cheek: “ExporTT is 

Trinidad and Tobago’s best kept secret”. So we made a 

conscious decision to change that. We have been much 

more aggressive in our marketing. And we have made 

a conscious decision to change the way we do things. 

We have moved our officers from being office-based 

most of the time to being out there in the market. It is 

Toilet tissue 

Cigarettes 

Cereals, precooked and otherwise 

Building cement (grey) 

Aromatic bitters 

Biscuits, unsweetened 

Sweet biscuits 

Other chocolate in blocks, slabs or bars 

Other sugar confectionery 

Prepared foods from cereals 

Beer 

Bottles for soft drinks, beers, wines, spirits 

Other detergents 

Aerated beverages 

TT$253 million 




TT$97 million 

TT$89 million 

TT$87 million 

TT$84 million 

TT$79 million 

TT$77 million 

TT$73 million 

TT$72 million 

TT$60 million 

TT$59 million 





Trinidad and Tobago’s top ten non-energy export markets, 2016 

Guyana 

US$243 million 

Suriname 

US$66 million 

USA 


UK 

US$40 million 

Jamaica 


Saint Lucia 

US$40 million 

Barbados 

US$70 million 

Netherlands 

US$30 million 

Grenada 

US$68 million 

St Vincent & 

the Grenadines 

US$28 million 

“Our 

approach is 

much more 

aggressive” 

a much more aggressive approach in terms of interventions and support for local 

manufacturing. 

Then there is the state of the economy and the lack of foreign exchange. Money 

drives everything. The traditional importers and distributors are starting to feel the 

crunch. Getting hard currency to restock and so on, and continue operations in the 

traditional way, is becoming harder and harder. For the first time the macroeconomic 

environment is pushing business in a particular direction to help with their foreign 

exchange requirements. 

Who are some of our major exporters? 

DG: Carib Brewery and SM Jaleel and Company have major investments in the islands. 

SM Jaleel goes even further with a presence in South Africa and Saudi Arabia, with 

actual production facilities in these territories. Carib has investments up the islands 

and acquired a brewery in Florida a few years ago. The ANSA McAL Group of Companies 

(owners of Carib) is setting up business in Cuba, in the Mariel Special Economic Zone. 

What are the most promising export markets? 

DG: The Latin American market seems to have regions which are growing. Our 

manufacturers, through exporTT, are aggressively seeking to maximise those territories 

where we have existing trade agreements – Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, Haiti and 

Cuba. Cuba has taken a lot of time, but we are now seeing tremendous benefits from 

our investments in the island. 

16 

Trinidad 








Major Trinidad and Tobago non-energy 

companies exporting to CARICOM 

Over US$20 million per year 

SM Jaleel 

WITCO 

Associated Brands Industries 

Trinidad Cement 

Nestlé Caribbean 

Trinidad Distillers 

Electrical Industries Group 

Caribbean Development Company 

Holiday Snacks 

Between US$10 million and US$20 million 

per year 

Angostura 

Bermudez Biscuits 

Baker Hughes 

Grand Bay Paper Products 

Trinidad Tissues 

Universal Foods 

Carib Glassworks 

John Dickinson 

Between US$5 million and US$10 million* 

VEMCO 

IAL Engineering 

Unilever 

Advance Foam 

NFM 

Century Eslon 

Chief Brand Products 

* There are about 50 firms in this category in total. 

“We are now 

the number one 

exporter into Cuba 

from the Caribbean 

and Latin America” 

ExporTT (in its prior incarnation as the Business 

Development Company) and the Ministry of Trade and 

Industry have had a trade facilitation office in Cuba for 

over ten years. We are now the number one exporter 

into Cuba from the Caribbean and Latin America. 

That’s impressive. 

DG: In fact Carib Glass has just shipped their first major 

shipment of glass bottles for the largest local rum 

producer in Cuba. Carib beer has signed a distribution 

agreement with the largest liquor company in Cuba to 

supply the finished beer product to the market. Angostura 

has well over 10,000 points of sale on the island, working 

closely with exporTT trade facilitation. Sacha Cosmetics 

is a major exporter to Cuba. Trinidad Tissues and Grand 

Bay Paper and Care Products (makers of tissue paper and 

tissue paper pulp) are major suppliers into Cuba. 

It has been a bit of a wait, an over 10-year 

investment, but we are seeing tremendous growth in the 

Cuban market. 

What about exporting to the diaspora? 

DG: There is a high demand for local products in our 

diaspora – New York, London, Toronto and Miami. 

Caribbean products are growing in prominence, and while 

Jamaica has been able to benefit immensely from this, we 

have been a bit lagging. 

But we are targeting the diaspora market. In 

November we will be in Canada on a trade mission. 

Targeting the importers who service the diaspora market 

will be a major focus for us. Earlier this year, during the 

Trade and Investment Convention (TIC), exporTT was 

responsible for bringing international buyers. We brought 

in the purchasing manager for the GraceKennedy Group 

from Canada. 

GraceKennedy is well-established, not only in 

the diaspora market in North America, but they have 

grown and are in the mainstream distribution sector. 

18 

Trinidad 




Export House, head 

office of exporTT, 

on Charlotte Street, 

Port of Spain 

courtesy exportt 

He met with the major local suppliers to discuss 

utilising GraceKennedy’s distribution channel. We had 

very fruitful meetings and hopefully we will see some 

traction in increasing our exports to the diaspora in 

North America. 

Sounds like progress is being made. What of the 

challenges? 

DG: The challenges are well-known – crime, the 

productivity and availability of labour, the lack of foreign 

exchange to invest in new or expand existing business. 

Companies are not happy with the pace at which they 

receive their VAT (value added tax) refunds. Many of them 

use it as the liquidity to run their business. 

The government understands the problems and 

they are working on them. The Ministry of Trade and 

Industry is working very hard to improve the ease of 

doing business, getting businesses up and running, 

getting all the approvals much more easily. 

And on a personal level, how do you deal with the 

challenges? What motivates you? 

DG: I’ve always liked the export arena. My first job, straight 

out of university, was travelling up and down the islands 

selling construction material for a local company. I just 

reached a point in my life and maturity where I wanted 

to use my experience to help in nation-building, and give 

back to the manufacturing and export sector that has 

been good to me. When the position became available I 

felt it was an ideal fit with my practical export experience 

to bring that understanding to the public sector. 

Is there anything you would like to tell potential 

exporters? 

DG: Don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid to go out there. 

What holds back a lot of business people is the fear of 

the unknown. ExporTT is here to demystify your business 

expansion aspirations. We are very open. We are very 

responsive. We are here to help. 

Special resources for companies 

• “The Ministry of Trade and exporTT have a 

fund of TT$25 million whereby we assist 

small and medium-sized manufacturers 

to purchase plant and equipment. This 

is a grant. You don’t have to pay it back. 

You must satisfy the requirement that you 

are able to increase your exports or prove 

that you are having an impact on import 

substitution. You are eligible for this grant 

up to $250,000. It is a matching grant, 

meaning it will pay the supplier half of the 

cost for the equipment up to that amount.” 

• “Companies can also access a research and 

development grant of up to a million dollars 

per company. The grant includes concept 

development for an innovative product or 

service, commercialisation of the product, 

and assistance in marketing the new 

product.” 

• “ExporTT doesn’t only deal with exporters. 

We even have an entrepreneurship 

programme for people who are now starting 

up, moving them along the developmental 

process to one day becoming exporters. 

We have a cohort now in Tobago of about 

12 indigenous manufacturers who in some 

instances are not even exporting to Trinidad. 

We are training them in marketing, labelling, 

finance and business planning.” 





Know your 

export 

markets 

Every export market has its own character. Get to know 

the possibilities, the hazards and the quirks of each one 

WORDS By: Lisa M. Douglas-Paul 

Trade and Research Economist, Trinidad and 

Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce 

For many countries, the economic outlook in 2018 has been quite positive, 

given the changes in the international trade environment. Some of these 

changes have opened the way to new opportunities and improved access in 

Trinidad and Tobago’s traditional export markets. But political developments 

in other traditional markets may threaten the favourable access which many Trinidad 

and Tobago companies enjoy. 

Caricom, Latin America, the United States and the European Union collectively 

accounted for over 80% of Trinidad and Tobago’s exports in 2017. Given the economic 

importance of these trading partners, exporters should watch for new opportunities 

there. Similarly, experienced exporters will note the changing dynamics in existing 

markets that will affect their trade beyond 2018. 

Let’s take a look closer look at the changing conditions that occurred in some 

of Trinidad and Tobago’s traditional markets and examine their possible impact on 

our exports. 

Caricom 

The United Nations Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNECLAC) 

stated in its 2018 Economic Outlook that Caribbean economies have exhibited 

improved growth and resilience in 2018. Two economies stood out in this regard: 

Jamaica and Guyana. 

As a result of improvements made to its investment infrastructure, Jamaica 

established itself as the top economy in Caricom for ease of doing business in 2018. 

It was also ranked as the fifth easiest place to start business in 2018 by the World 

Bank Group. 

As the largest English-speaking territory in the Caribbean, with more than 

double the population of T&T, Jamaica holds great potential for local businesses 

seeking to expand their product and service outreach. 

20 

Trinidad 




Travel mania/shutterstock.com 

In the case of Guyana, the 

estimated 4 billion barrels of oil found 

offshore since 2015 could transform the 

economy beyond the projected growth 

rate of 3.3%. Guyana is expected to 

generate increased demand for business 

support services well beyond 2018 in 

order to sustain the increase in market 

activity, particularly in the areas of ICT 

and business consultancy. 

Latin America 

Latin America is seen as the new 

horizon for global trade. Trinidad and 

Tobago’s exporters can already benefit 

from preferential trading arrangements 

with Colombia, Venezuela, Costa Rica, 

Cuba, the Dominican Republic and 

Panama. This access advantage can 

have a positive impact on the Trinidad 

and Tobago manufacturing sector. 

The Dominican Republic, a 

significant trading partner for Trinidad 

and Tobago, has the highest projected 

growth rate for 2018 in Latin America 

and the Caribbean. There is much 

untapped potential and existing 

demand for manufactured products, 

particularly inputs for value-added 

production for re-export. 

In Central America, the market access advantage provided by the TT-Panama 

Partial Scope Trade Agreement, coupled with the improvements made to the Panama 

Canal, can give T&T manufacturers increased access to greater volumes of cheaper 

inputs from global markets for their value-added manufactured products. 

Cuba 

It has been perceived as difficult to penetrate, but Cuba continues to pique interest. 

It has undergone significant changes since 2014 and continues to open up its 

economy. Trinidad and Tobago businesses continue to pursue opportunities in the 

Cuban market, with varying levels of success. 

Restrictions on financial transactions continue to affect the ease of doing 

business in Cuba, but the support provided by Trinidad and Tobago’s Trade Facilitation 

Office in Havana has made navigating the business landscape significantly easier. 

The US and the EU 

The changing political landscape in T&T’s traditional export markets has caused 

established exporters to feel concerned about the possible impact on preferential 

access to the United States and the European Union. 

For the past 18 years, T&T exporters have enjoyed duty-free access to the 

US through the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA). However, this 

arrangement is due to expire on September 30, 2020. There is healthy caution about 

its prospects of renewal, given recent developments in US foreign policy under the 

Trump administration. This is particularly important as the US is the largest export 

market for T&T products. 

On the other side of the Atlantic, the infamous Brexit vote sent shockwaves 

through the international community in 2016. The United Kingdom announced that 

it would be leaving the European Union in 2019, arousing immediate concern as to 

how Trinidad and Tobago – and by extension Cariforum – will continue to benefit 

from preferential access for its exports. 

Brexit could affect not only the remaining 27 EU member states but also 





Trinidad and Tobago exports 2012-2017 (US$ million) 

18000 

16000 

14000 

12000 

10000 

8000 

6000 

4000 

2000 

0 

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017p 

Non-energy Energy Total 

The Trinidad and 

Tobago Chamber 

of Industry and 

Commerce, as a key 

business support 

organisation, helps 

T&T companies to 

take advantage 

of export 

opportunities, and 

continues to be a 

key partner in the 

national export 

thrust. 

Source: Government of Trinidad and Tobago, Review of the Economy 2018 

Caricom, Latin 

America, the 

United States and 

the European 

Union collectively 

accounted for over 

80% of Trinidad and 

Tobago’s exports in 

2017 

trade with the United Kingdom, which happens to be T&T’s 

fourth largest trading partner. This is particularly important 

since the current Economic Partnership Agreement with the 

EU provides preferential market access for both goods and 

services from Trinidad and Tobago. 

Non-traditional markets 

Although market access to traditional trading partners is of 

key importance to Trinidad and Tobago, exporters should also 

consider opportunities that are developing in non-traditional 

markets. 

Distance and logistical challenges normally dissuade 

smaller exporters from prospecting for opportunities in such 

markets. However, ICT and energy-related developments in 

Asia and Africa hold some potential for service exports. 

Market intelligence 

Having an idea of where the global opportunities are is just 

the beginning. Making the best decision depends on a sound 

market penetration strategy that involves continuous market 

intelligence gathering. It also requires an understanding 

of your product’s uniqueness, and how it meets existing or 

potential demand in your market of interest. 

Trade missions and trade expositions offer perfect 

opportunities for learning about developments in new and 

existing markets. In addition, companies which are interested 

in securing preferential access for their products – whether 

in a new or an existing market – should continuously engage 

in stakeholder consultations with the Ministry of Trade and 

Industry. 

22 

Trinidad 





Breaking 

into Europe 

Exporting to the European market can be a 

formidable challenge, even without the threat 

of Brexit in March 2019. The key is thorough 

preparation and reconnaisance, understanding the 

Economic Partnership Agreement, and making use 

of the many available sources of guidance and 

advice 

WORDS BY: Caribbean Export 

The European Union (EU) is one of the world’s largest trading blocs, with over 

500 million consumers. It is an ideal market for Caribbean firms wanting 

to trade and grow their businesses, because the Economic Partnership 

Agreement (EPA) negotiated between the Caribbean Forum (Cariforum) and 

the EU is designed to enable increased trade, investment and development between 

the two regions. 

Preparation is key to breaking into any new market, and there are many factors 

to consider as you embark on this journey. Here are our top tips for succeeding in a 

competitive business environment. 

Be completely knowledgeable about the product you are offering 

A lack of detail and poor communication about your product’s ingredients, sources of 

inputs, safety, shelf life etc., can put you at a big disadvantage with a serious buyer. 

Make sure you have product information factsheets on hand when engaging potential 

buyers. 

Identify a specific country in the EU with a strong and growing demand for what 

you can supply 

Stay up to date on industry trends and consumption patterns, and identify any special 

market niches. Consider who you want to sell to, what consumers may want, and 

how best your product can meet their needs. The Caribbean Export Intelligence Portal 

(www.ceintelligence.com) can help in identifying the target markets with the highest 

demand for your goods, and allows you to generate market profiles. 

24 

Trinidad 




BANKING THAT 

HELPS YOUR 

BUSINESS REACH 

NEW HEIGHTS. 

Our Corporate and Investment Banking Division 

offers an expansive range of intelligent business 

solutions. Staffed by a team with decades of 

experience, we will take your business to the 

next level. 

• Working Capital Financing 

• Plant and Equipment Financing 

• Construction and Commercial 

Mortgage Loans 

• Bonds and Guarantees 

• Investment Banking 

• Project Financing


EU-Caribbean: trade in goods 2015-2017 (billion euros) 

Year EU imports EU exports Balance 

2015 4.6 7.4 2.9 

2016 3.6 7.0 3.4 

2017 4.0 7.2 3.2 

EU-Trinidad and Tobago: trade 2015-2017 (million euros) 

Take steps to 

protect your 

intellectual 

property (IP) 

in each target 

market 

2015 1243 660 -583 

2016 684 595 -89 

2017 1139 513 -626 

Source: ec.europa.eu, retrieved on 3 October 2018 

Find out about the rules and requirements for exporting to 

the EU 

There are several non-tariff measures, such as technical 

regulations and standards, which must be adhered to when 

exporting to the EU. They may vary according to your export 

sector. For instance, if you are a food exporter, you will need to 

ensure that your product meets the health and safety standards 

of the EU: products can be rejected at EU borders for noncompliance. 

You will also need to identify any additional, nonlegal 

buyer requirements that can enhance your chances of 

successfully exporting. These may include quality management 

systems, certification (HACCP, Global GAP), and sustainability 

standards (Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance). Additionally, make 

sure that you are familiar with the documentary requirements 

for export, such as the Commercial Invoice, Customs Value 

Declaration, and the Single Administrative Document (SAD). 

Develop a strategic export/market entry strategy 

Determine the best buyers for your products, and research the 

appropriate market segments to ensure that you can meet 

the quality and quantity demands of the EU market. Consider 

partnering with like-minded suppliers who can help you to meet 

quantity requirements and find the best channels to penetrate 

the European market. Caribbean Export’s Distribution Channel 

Mapping Tool on the CE Intelligence Portal provides guidance 

to SMEs on profiling, approaching, and selecting a suitable 

distributor. 

Participate in trade shows and undertake missions to your 

target market 

While this may be a costly undertaking, it is always useful to 

get a first-hand view of how business is done in the country 

you have selected. Check out your main competitors, review 

prices for similar products, and begin to introduce your 

product to potential consumers. 

Protect your intellectual property 

Both goods and services exporters should take steps to 

protect their intellectual property (IP) in each target 

market. This can be achieved through various tools such as 

trademarks, patents, copyrights, industrial design rights, and 

geographical indications. 

Use available resources 

Taking the first steps to exporting to Europe can be a 

daunting process. But there is a wealth of information and 

support to help you on your journey. Caribbean Export 

has developed a short, practical, commercially-led export 

guidance manual which begins by assessing your export 

readiness and provides information on how best to profile, 

approach and select a suitable distributor. 

There is further advice and information on breaking 

into EU, US and other markets, as well as financing 

and investment, on the Caribbean Export website 

(www.ceintelligence.com). 

26 

Trinidad 




Caribbean Export 

The Caribbean Export Development Agency, established by 

inter-governmental agreement, promotes trade, exports 

and investment in the countries of Cariforum. 

Who’s who? 

Fairtrade 

The International Fairtrade Certification Mark guarantees 

that specified products meet the sustainability standards 

set by Fairtrade International (FLO). 

Cariforum 

The Caribbean Forum, comprising the countries of 

Caricom plus the Dominican Republic, serves as a conduit 

between the Caribbean and the EU. 

Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) 

The agreement signed in 2008 between Cariforum and the 

EU, designed to develop trade and investment between 

the two regions. 

European Union 

The 28 states of western and central Europe within which 

the free movement of goods, services, money and people 

is being developed. The combined population is over 510 

million. The United Kingdom plans to withdraw from the 

Union on 29 March, 2019. 

Global GAP 

An international agricultural certification scheme setting 

standards for “good agricultural practice” (GAP) and 

unifying requirements for suppliers and retailers. 

HACCP 

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points, a scheme to 

monitor and prevent biological, chemical and physical 

hazards throughout the food production chain. 

Rainforest Alliance 

The New York-based Rainforest Alliance certifies 

sustainable agriculture and forestry among other things, 

and awards a seal for products meeting its criteria. 

Single Administrative Document (SAD) 

This is the main customs document used for trade into or out 

of the EU customs area. It is known in the UK as Form C88. 





Who do we 

have trade 

deals with? 

Trinidad and Tobago already has trade 

agreements in place with many of its 

regional and international partners, all 

designed to boost exports and make them 

easier and less costly 

WORDS BY: The Ministry of Trade and Industry, 

Trinidad and Tobago 

Trinidad and Tobago has trade agreements with trading partners both as 

part of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and on its own (bilaterally). 

These agreements facilitate market access for local exporters to third 

countries, and also provide for the opening up of the Trinidad and Tobago 

market, except in the case of the USA, Canada and Venezuela, which are one-way 

agreements in favour of Caricom. 

These arrangements provide dual benefits to local companies, by facilitating 

the importation of cost-effective inputs and assisting with price-competitiveness 

in foreign markets, while providing opportunities for growth through exports. The 

table outlines the ten preferential trading arrangements to which Trinidad and 

Tobago is a party. 

These agreements recognise the importance of trade in services as well as 

goods, and thus in some cases include provisions for future negotiations in this area. 

Economic and technical cooperation is a key feature of the trade agreement with 

Colombia, as it promotes cooperation in a number of areas such as human resource 

development, science and technology, and tourism, through exchanges among local 

universities. 

In addition, Trinidad and Tobago, as part of Cariforum, receives development 

cooperation assistance under the European Development Fund for projects related 

to economic development, social and human development, regional cooperation 

and integration. 

Challenges 

The main issues encountered by 

exporters when trading include access 

to market information, difficulties in 

meeting standards for products, access 

to foreign exchange, and in some 

instances distributor laws which act as 

a deterrent. 

Among other things, the Ministry 

of Trade and Industry is actively seeking 

to assist exporters with addressing 

these issues through: 

• trade missions, which provide 

opportunities to gather first-hand 

information 

• exporter training and workshops, 

to build capacity and share 

information 

• the implementation of lines of 

credit for specific markets 

• the strengthening of its Single 

Electronic Window, TTBizLink, to 

facilitate and simplify trade 

• and the development and 

implementation of policies. 

Additionally, the agreements 

provide a structure for the establishment 

of a joint institution to address any 

challenges which may arise between 

the parties during implementation of 

the respective agreements. 

See following pages for details of the current 

trade agreements 

28 

Trinidad 




30 

Trinidad 


of Industry and Commerce www.chamber.org.tt/contact-magazine 

Country/ 

country 

grouping 

United States 

of America 

Market 

size 

(2017, 

millions) 

Name of trade agreement/date of 

signature 

325.7 Caribbean Basin Economic 

Recovery Act 

Signed: January 1984 

United States-Caribbean Basin 

Trade Partnership Act 

Signed: October 1, 2000 

Date of expiry: September 30, 2020 

Canada 36.7 Caribcan 

Signed: November 28, 1986 

Date of expiry: December 31, 2023 

Caricom 18.2 Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas 

establishing the Caribbean 

Community (Caricom), including 

the Caribbean Single Market and 

Economy (CSME) 

Signed: July 5, 2001 

Costa Rica 4.9 Caricom-Costa Rica Free Trade 

Agreement 

Signed: March 9, 2004 

Dominican 

Republic 

10.8 Caricom-Dominican Republic Free 

Trade Agreement 

Signed: August 22, 1998 

Type of 

agreement 

Unilateral 

One-way 

arrangement 

in favour of 

Caricom 

Unilateral 

One-way 

arrangement 

in favour of 

Caricom 

Free trade 

agreement 

Two-way 

arrangement 

Free trade 

agreement 

Two-way 

arrangement 

Main provisions 

The agreement contains chapters related to: 

establishment of common external tariff, rules of 

origin, product specific rules of origin, freedom 

of transit, internal taxes and other fiscal charges, 

quantitative restrictions, subsidies and dumping 

safeguards. 

The agreement and its protocols contain articles 

related to: market access, temporary admission 

of goods, rules of origin, product specific rules of 

origin, customs procedures, sanitary and 

phytosanitary standards, and technical barriers 

to trade 

The agreement contains articles related to: 

market access, rules of origin, product specific 

rules of origin, technical barriers to trade, 

sanitary and phytosanitary measures, safeguards, 

unfair trade practices, anti-competitive business 

practices, and customs cooperation 

Opportunities available 

• Duty-free access for goods into the United 

States 

• Duty-free access for most goods into 

Canada (does not cover textiles, footwear, 

luggage, leather garments, lubricating oils 

or methanol) 

• Free movement of skills/labour, goods, 

services, capital, and the right of 

establishment among all Caricom member 

states (except The Bahamas and 

Montserrat) 

• Free trade in all products among Caricom 

member states 

• Framework for the regional harmonisation 

of issues such as government procurement 

and e-commerce 

• Free trade in a wide range of goods and 

elimination of non-tariff barriers 

• Duty-free access for a selected list of 

agricultural products on a seasonal basis 

• Duty-free access for electrical products 

produced in free trade zones 

• Mechanism for settlement of disputes 

• Joint Council framework to facilitate 

expansion of the agreement and address 

trade issues 

• Free trade in a wide range of goods 

• Future negotiation of access for service 

providers in various sectors such as 

tourism, financial and professional services 



trade issues 


agricultural products on a seasonal basis


Country/ 

country 

grouping 

Market 

size 

(2017, 

millions) 

Name of trade agreement/date of 

signature 

Cuba 11.5 Caricom-Cuba Agreement on Trade 

and Economic Cooperation 


European 

Union 

508 Cariforum-European Union 

Economic Partnership Agreement 


Type of 

agreement 

Partial scope 

agreement 

Two-way 

arrangement 

Free trade 

agreement 

Two-way 

arrangement 

Main provisions 


market access, rules of origin, technical 

standards, safeguards, unfair trade practices, and 

anti-competitive business practices 

The agreement contains articles related to: trade 

in goods – market access, rules of origin, product 

specific rules of origin, customs duties, antidumping 

and countervailing measures, 

safeguards, and technical barriers to trade 

Opportunities available 

• Duty-free access on a selected list of 

products 

• Access to market support through the 

Trade Facilitation Office in Cuba 

• The most comprehensive trade agreement 

signed by T&T; offers preferential access to 

a list of products 

• Affords development assistance to fund 

key projects within the region under the 

European Development Fund 



Venezuela 31.9 Caricom-Venezuela Agreement on 

Trade, Economic and Technical 

Cooperation 


Colombia 49.1 Agreement on Trade, Economic 

and Technical Cooperation 

between Caricom and the 

Government of the Republic of 

Colombia 


Panama 4.1 Trinidad and Tobago-Panama 

Partial Scope Trade Agreement 


Partial scope 

agreement 

One-way 

arrangement 

in favour of 

Caricom 

Partial scope 

agreement 

Two-way 

arrangement 

Partial scope 

agreement 

Two-way 

arrangement 


market access, rules of origin, safeguards, and 

unfair trade practices 

The agreement and its protocols contain articles 

related to: market access, treatment of used 

goods, rules of origin, technical standards, 

safeguards, and unfair trade practices 


market access, rules of origin, safeguards, antidumping 

and countervailing measures, sanitary 

and phytosanitary standards, technical barriers 

to trade, and trade facilitation 

• Elimination of tariffs on a selected list of 

Caricom products 

• Provides mechanism for settlement of 

disputes 



trade issues 


products; opportunity for future 

liberalisation of trade in services 

• Future negotiation of a bilateral 

investment treaty 

• Promotes technical cooperation in a 

number of areas such as human resource 

development, science and technology, and 

tourism, through exchanges among 

universities 



trade issues 


products 

• Development of a technical cooperation 

work programme to improve trade 

facilitation between the two countries 

• Future negotiation of a bilateral 

investment treaty within one year 

• Future liberalisation of trade in services in 

sectors such as ICT, financial services, 

education and transport services, within 

two years


Non-tariff 

barriers – 

the exporter’s 

nightmare 

As if exporting wasn’t enough of a challenge already, 

the exporter can easily be ambushed by unexpected 

traps and pitfalls in the target market. Here’s how to 

deal with them 

WORDS BY: Usha Samsundar 

Business Development Consultant – Exports 

Quotas 

Ask a group of manufacturers why they haven’t been able 

to reach their desired level of export growth despite the preferential 

agreements now in place with extra-regional markets, and someone will 

mention non-tariff barriers. 

Non-tariff barriers have long been considered the villain of the piece. They are 

one of the key contributors to the gap between where many Trinidad and Tobago 

exporters actually are, and where they want to be – expanding significantly, even 

aggressively, into extra-regional markets. 

But we must be careful not to use “non-tariff barrier” as an umbrella term to 

refer to any and all issues which challenge exporters and delay or frustrate their 

attempts at new market development. 

Sanctions 

Demystifying the terms 

Non-tariff measures (NTMs) and non-tariff barriers (NTBs) are impediments to trade. 

They are the result of actions and policy measures beyond what seems to be 

reasonable. They are more complex and confusing than they need be. And 

they are non-proportional to the risk involved. 

Defining NTBs and NTMs is challenging because of the scope and 

complexity of the many items they can cover. For example, an exporter 

32 

Trinidad 




attempts to register product under sanitary and 

phytosanitary (SPS) regulations in a particular 

country, and is faced with a flood of onerous and 

ever-expanding requests for more information, 

maybe confidential or proprietary information 

not part of the listed requirements and apparently 

unwarranted, plus inexplicably lengthy delays as the 

process drags on. This exporter has stumbled on an NTB. 

What they are not 

The challenging and time-consuming processes associated with 

sanitary registration and labelling requirements in the Latin 

American region are not NTBs or NTMs. 

Those processes have long been in place there, and the 

extensive paperwork, the documentation required and the 

related costs incurred should not come as a surprise. They are 

just part of the entry requirements for doing business there. 

The registration process may be a bit cumbersome, but in most 

cases registrations are achieved once the required paperwork 

and documentation are supplied. 

Other regions or markets that continually 

challenge our exporters are the USA, 

Forex 

restrictions 

Canada, Europe, and the UK, with their 

stringent requirements for product labelling 

and packaging, quality standards and 

certification. All this has been cited as a 

significant impediment to local exporters 

trying to doing business, but it cannot be considered an NTB 

or NTM, because the standards and processes are transparent, 

well-documented and clearly defined. 

Inaccurate information 

Sometimes incomplete or incorrect information can create 

misunderstandings that lead exporters to conclude that they 

are being confronted by an NTB. 

In a recent case, an exporter complained to a trade 

facilitation organisation about an NTB related to the sanitary 

registration process in a Central American market. After 

investigating, the said organisation concluded that the 

exporter had been misled by inaccurate information 

from point persons they had contracted locally to 

assist with the registration process. 

Getting accurate information from trusted 

sources about technical and SPS measures is crucial 

to minimising costly delays and avoiding unnecessary 

expense. 

An exporter’s guide to successful market 

entry 

Above all, be proactive, do due diligence, and network. 

Obtain as much data as you can on technical and sanitary 

requirements, and on standards and regulations, through the 

Enquiry Point on the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards 

(TTBS) website, or through the Ministry of Agriculture, Land 

and Fisheries. 

Subscribe to the ‘ePing’ online alert system on the TTBS 

website: it alerts you with an email when foreign regulators 

Customs 

Levies 

change their requirements. 

Access trade facilitation assistance, information 

and guidance from the various organisations that 

work closely with exporters, like exporTT, the TTMA, 

and the TT Chamber of Industry and Commerce. They 

can recommend legal resources, and advise on how to 

navigate the market. They can also refer you to other local 

companies that may already be in the market. 

Note that other companies already in the market may be 

in different industries, and the NTBs and levels of competition 

may differ by industry, so use the information gained from 

them as a guide, and not as a blueprint. 

A call to exporters: dealing with NTBs 

To ensure that NTBs do not continue to be a significant 

barrier to trade expansion, we need to create a comprehensive 

mechanism for resolution. 

At present, exporters seek assistance in one of several 

ways: through the Ministry of Trade and Industry (Trade 

Directorate Division) if there is a trade agreement in place, 

for example, or by contacting one of the trade facilitation 

organisations. 

This ad hoc arrangement is not an ideal mechanism, since 

it diffuses information among many 

different agencies and organisations. 

There is no central point where 

complaints can be logged to create a 

viable database. 

We need a more sustainable 

solution that can help the various 

Regulations 

stakeholders to understand which markets and industries are 

the key offenders, in order to focus on those areas. 

A national committee 

One recommendation is to create a national committee to 

deal with trade issues/NTBs. This initiative could be led by the 

Ministry of Trade and Industry/TTBS, and bring together the 

key stakeholders from trade facilitation organisations and the 

private sector. When a complaint is lodged and found to be 

valid, this committee could then escalate the issue at the 

Caricom/Joint Council level, and ultimately to the World 

Trade Organisation if necessary. 

A study commissioned by the Caricom Secretariat in 

2014* noted that “trade has become more difficult recently 

despite agreements being in place because of a perceived 

surge of protectionist behaviour by import administrations”. 

Exporters must therefore demand a solution as a unified 

group. We cannot sit idly by, unable to take full advantage 

of trade liberalisation and the potential for significant export 

growth, at a time when the country desperately needs it. 

* Caricom Secretariat Report entitled “Identification and Assessment 

of the Underlying Reasons Affecting Caricom’s Trade Performance 

Under the Existing Bilateral Trade Agreements with the Dominican 

Republic, Costa Rica, Colombia, Cuba and Venezuela” (BKP Research and 

Consulting, March 2014) 





Where to go 

for help? 

A checklist of private sector and government agencies 

which provide assistance, advice, information and 

documentation for exporters 

Government agencies 

Organisation Location Contact Function 

Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries 

Animal Production and 

Health Division 

80 Abercromby St., 

Port of Spain 

625-5997, 625-1473, 

669-6623 

• Export Health Certificate: meat, poultry and 

dairy products 

Plant Quarantine Division 

• Phytosanitary Certificate: unprocessed plant 

products 

World Trade Organisation 

(WTO) Sanitary and 

Phytosanitary Enquiry 

Point 

Ministry of Finance 

Research Division, 

Central Experiment Station, 

Centeno 

646-4334/7 

Internet site where enquiries about Trinidad and 

Tobago’s agricultural health and food safety 

requirements/legislation and changes that can 

affect trade are published, for the information and 

comments of affected countries or countries that 

are members of the WTO. Established in fulfillment 

of Trinidad and Tobago’s obligation as a member of 

the WTO 

The Customs and Excise 

Division 

Customs House, 

Ajax Street, 

Port of Spain 

612-7010 

By monitoring compliance with trade-related 

rules and agreements, plays an important role for 

businesses accessing imported raw materials and 

inputs. Tries to assist the public with determining 

import duties before the delivery of goods, though 

the list of available options is skewed towards oneoff 

imports by consumers. 

Also issues Certificates of Origin for goods exported 

to the United States and the European Union 

34 

Trinidad 





Ministry of Health 

The Chemistry, Food and 

Drugs Division (CFDD) 

92 Frederick St., Port of 

Spain 

800-CFDD (2333), 

627-0010 

Provides laboratory services and analytical and 

advisory support to the Customs and Excise Division. 

Any person, broker or business wishing to import, 

manufacture or sell food or drugs in Trinidad and 

Tobago must have them inspected and approved by 

the CFDD. 

• Export Health Certificate: food, fish and fishery 

products 

• Export Free Sale Certificate 

Pharmacy/Drug 

Inspectorate 

92 Frederick St., 

Port of Spain 

624-5968, 

623-5242 

• Licence to export antibiotics 

The Pesticides and Toxic 

Chemicals Inspectorate 

3rd Floor, 

92 Frederick St., 

Port of Spain 

623-7544 • Export Licence for toxic chemicals 

Ministry of Trade and Industry 

TTBizlink 

Level 9, Nicholas Tower, 

63-65 Independence 

Square, Port of Spain 

800-4739 

Single Electronic Window: a secure, user-friendly, 

online interface giving businesses and individuals 

24/7 access to applications for government’s trade 

and business services, such as: 

• E-Certificate of Origin 

• E-Import/Export Permits and Licences 

• E-Maritime Services 

• E-Goods Declaration 

The Trinidad and Tobago 

Bureau of Standards 

(TTBS) 

1-2 Century Drive, Trincity 

Industrial Estate, 

Macoya 

662-8827 

Deals with the dissemination of information on 

international standards and technical regulations, 

training in ISO 9000 total quality management and 

ISO 14000 environmental management systems, 

testing of raw materials and finished products, 

inspection of consumer items 

Trade Licence Unit (TLU) 

Ground Floor, TTMA 

Building, 

42 Tenth Avenue, Barataria 

674-3545, 675-8242 

PBX: 638-9151 

TradeLicenceUnit@gov.tt 

Responsible for conducting investigations, 

submitting reports and issuing Import and Export 

Licenses in respect of goods which are still subject to 

import/export control 

• An export licence must be obtained PRIOR 

to the shipment of any item on the export 

negative list from Trinidad and Tobago 

• Applications may be submitted to the TLU via 

TTBizLink 






Ministry of Trade and Industry 

exporTT Ltd. 

151B Charlotte St, 

Port of Spain 

612-3988 

The national export promotion agency in T&T. 

• RDF Financing Programmes 

• Co-Financing Programmes 

• Grant Fund Programmes 

• Export Market Research 

• E- Certificates of Origin 

Eximbank 

30 Queens Park West, 

Port of Spain 

shthomas@eximbanktt.com 

eximbank@eximbanktt.com 

The official export credit agency; provides trade 

finance products to the export sector, ranging from 

export credit insurance to asset financing 


Free Zones Company Ltd. 

Albion Court, 

2nd Floor West, 

61 Dundonald St., 

Port of Spain 

625-4749, 

623-8363 

Approved enterprises engaged in exporting from 

a free zone to a territory, other than the customs 

territory, will be exempt from: 

• import and export licensing 

• corporation tax 

• business levy 

• withholding tax or any other tax or levy on 

sales, receipts, profits or gains in respect of those 

exports 

Applications to become a Freezone member are 

judged on a case-by-case basis, but it is advisable 

that: 

• the company’s business plan clearly outlines 

how it intends to add value to the local market 

• roughly 80% of the company’s product is 

exported 

• the company is locally incorporated 

Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs 

The Intellectual Property 

Office (IPO) 

11-13 Frederick St., 

Port of Spain 

625-9972, 

625-1907, 627-0706 

Ensures that creativity and ingenuity is protected by 

registering intellectual property such as trademarks, 

designs and patents 

Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs 

Levels 10-14, 

Tower C, International 

Waterfront Centre, 

1A Wrightson Rd., 

Port of Spain 

623-6894 

• Overseas diplomatic missions 

• Certificate of Recognition of Caribbean 

Community Skills Qualification 

36 

Trinidad 




Private sector agencies 



Chamber of Industry and 

Commerce (T&T Chamber) 

Columbus Circle, 

Westmoorings, 

Port of Spain 

637-6966 

Lobbying & advocacy on behalf of the private sector 

Hosts outbound Trade Missions 

E-Certificate of Origin for non-preferential access 

The American Chamber of 

Commerce of Trinidad and 

Tobago (Amcham) 

62 Maraval Rd., 

Newtown, 

Port of Spain 

622-4466, 

622-0340, 

628-2508 

Lobbying & advocacy 

Trade Missions 


Coalition of Services 

Industries (TTCSI) 

18 O’Connor St., 

Woodbrook, 

Port of Spain 

622-9229 

Lobbying & advocacy on behalf of the services sector 

Certificate of Registration as a Caricom Service Provider 

The Trinidad and 

Tobago Manufacturers’ 

Association (TTMA) 

2 Tenth Avenue, 

Barataria, 

Port of Spain 

675-8862, 

675-0095 

Lobbying & advocacy on behalf of the manufacturing sector 

Hosts the Trade Investment Convention 

Organises outbound Trade Missions 

Source: Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce 

REGIONAL OPERATIONS 

GUYANA , FRENCH GUIANA, SURINAME , BRAZIL 

COLOMBIA , PERU, VENEZUELA . 

Products & Services 

Cargo Carrying Equipment (DNV) 

CARGO CARRYING EQUIPMENT 

PORTABLE STORAGE 

Offshore and Onshore Automated Tank Cleaning & 

Traditional 

Hazardous and Non-Hazardous Waste Management 

& Disposal 

WASTE MANAGEMENT 

Vacuum Tanker Services 

Hazmat and Oil Spill Response Services 

Cooling Tower Cleaning 

Port Logistics Management & Services 

Thinking Outside 

The Tank. 

Lot #22B, La Brea Industrial Estate, La Brea , Trinidad , W.I. l Office# (868) 651-1544 /0130/1460 l sales@tigertankstrinidad.com 

tigertankstrinidad.com 





The voice of 

experience 

Six successful T&T exporters describe the 

export journey they have taken, and offer 

encouragement and advice for those who are 

starting out 

WORDS BY: Natalie Dookie 

Writer/Business Development Consultant 

Full Circle Animation Studio: build trust 

and reliability 

courtesy full circle animation studio 

Jason Lindsay, Managing Director, Full Circle Animation Studio 

Full Circle Animation began its export journey in 

2012, supplying animation production services in the 

Caribbean, North America, and the Far East. Today, its 

annual exports account for more than 50% of sales. 

In 2018 it secured a contract from Big Jump Entertainment in 

Canada to supply animation for the HBO show Animals. 

Although the digital services economy is borderless, 

exporting from Trinidad and Tobago has been tough, says 

Jason Lindsay, Full Circle’s Managing Director. “Most local 

business infrastructure facilitates product export,” he warns, 

“and is geared to medium and large companies.” 

Full Circle is an SME, operating in an industry (animation) 

which does not have enough local demand to make the 

business viable. “Many local agencies that support, promote 

and finance exporters still have not caught up with the 

services sector,” Lindsay says, “and do not fully understand 

how the digital economy operates. We were born locally but 

are sustained globally.” 

So Full Circle is pushing ahead with its export drive, 

and plans to add intellectual property development to its 

portfolio. Investing in digital properties, such as TV shows, 

will allow the company to benefit from ownership value on 

the same product. 

Lindsay encourages other digital services exporters to 

emphasise trust, effective communication, and reliability as 

core values, in order to build confidence with clients in the 

world of borderless animation. 

38 

Trinidad 




courtesy tobago cocoa estates 

Tobago Cocoa Estate: product quality is key 

Duane Dove, founder/owner of Tobago 

Cocoa Estate 

Duane Dove, founder/owner of Tobago Cocoa Estate, is often credited with putting 

Trinidad and Tobago’s cocoa back on the world map. 

He began trading with Scandinavia in 2010, and currently produces a 

range of different chocolate products. Tobago Estate exports almost 95% of its 

production, using a combined model of direct trade along with local distributors 

and representatives. 

As a chocolate maker working in the European Union for more than 20 years, 

Dove felt that exporting to Europe would be made easier by his experience there. 

He stresses that product quality is a critical factor when exporting to developed 

markets. Tobago Estate regularly enters international competitions to sanction 

its brand – in 2018 its Laura 45% chocolate bar secured silver in the plain/milk 

chocolate category at the 2018 European Bean-to-Bar competition. 

Dove’s advice to local firms: “Invest in market research when exploring new 

markets, and undertake feasibility studies. You need to plan your export journey 

carefully and thoroughly.” 





courtesy sacha cosmetics 

Kama Maharaj, the founder of Sacha 

Cosmetics 

Sacha Cosmetics: take advantage of T&T’s 

trade agreements 

Sacha Cosmetics first exported 15 years ago, to Caricom. It has also exported to Cuba 

for over ten years now, and has made inroads online, selling on Amazon in Canada, the 

European Union, the UK and the USA. 

In 2015 Sacha entered the Latin American market, operating first in Panama 

where it now owns five stores. Recently it signed an agreement to position its 

makeup products in 115 retail outlets of the Colombian-based La Riviera Group, and 

it plans to further increase its outlets worldwide using a franchising model. 

Kama Maharaj, Sacha’s founder, says: “The major challenge of exporting to 

Latin America is the time and costs required for completing regulatory and product 

registrations. However, we persisted because Trinidad and Tobago has duty-free or 

partial scope agreements with several of these markets.” In Colombia, import duties 

on American and European brands are 15-20%, while Sacha can enter the market 

duty-free. 

Maharaj encourages exporters to identify their competitors, and to differentiate 

their products and services. Sacha is positioned as a high-end brand in its export 

markets, and as the only makeup line made specifically for multi-cultural women 

with light, medium and dark complexions. 

As Sacha looks to new markets in Africa, Maharaj recommends that local firms 

should not restrict themselves to Caricom, as it’s a small market with limited growth 

potential, and nearby Latin America provides additional scope. 

40 

Trinidad 




Trinidad Tissues: use the trade support 

agencies 

Trinidad Tissues Limited (TTL) first exported paper products to 

Cuba in 2014, using a local broker. In preparation for their first 

visit in 2015, they met with the Cuban Ambassador, which was 

crucial to gaining approvals and market entry. 

TTL’s CEO, Kevin Marcilliat, also credits exporTT’s Trade 

Facilitation Office in Cuba for helping the company to gain 

direct entry by arranging documents and registrations. 

TTL offers bilingual customer service, which has been a 

tremendous asset in trading with Cuba. Eventually it formed 

a partnership with a small paper manufacturing plant, and 

started shipping semi-finished products in 2016. 

Sallyann Rampat, Director of Sales & Marketing, says: 

“Since then we have doubled sales to Cuba year over year. 

We have also exhibited annually at FIHAV (the Havana 

international trade fair) since 2015, in order to maintain 

market visibility, and we have built excellent relationships 

with the main agencies in Havana.” 

TTL now exports to over 25 countries in the Caribbean, 

Central and South America. Export sales have tripled in the 

past five years, and now account for 50% of revenue. Rampat 

urges exporters to Cuba: “Invest in bilingual ‘hunters’ and 

have patience. While payments may be challenging, you will 

get paid.” 

“Invest in bilingual 

‘hunters’ and have 

patience” 

The Cuban ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago 

receives a donation for hurricane relief from Sallyann 

Rampat, Director, Sales and Marketing, and Kevin 

Marcilliat, CEO of Trinidad Tissues 

courtesy trinidad tissues 





courtesy ramps logistics 

Shaun Rampersad, Chief Operating Officer, Ramps Logistics 

Ramps Logistics: invest in a local presence 

Ramps Logistics began their export journey with Haiti, Guyana 

and Suriname in 2013. 

Ramps exports integrated oil and gas logistics services, 

including freight forwarding, customs brokerage, shore base, 

and visas and work permits. Preferring to establish local 

offices, it now has a presence in Guyana, Suriname, Miami 

and Houston. 

Shaun Rampersad, Chief Operating Officer, says: “Every 

country has a different model of operating and culture, and 

you need to fully understand this. Guyana is culturally similar 

to Trinidad, which made it easier for us.” 

Ramps is proud that its Guyana office is fully staffed by 

Guyanese, and that it is now the largest employer of Guyanese 

in the oil and gas sector there. 

Rampersad advises: “Just do it! Go, open an office, 

develop relationships, tell people what you are doing and 

ask for help. Speak to others who have done it already, and 

ensure you are well enough capitalised to be able to make it 

through the tough times. Once you start exporting you can 

standardise your format and develop a model which can be 

replicated in other markets.” 

Rampersad says his leadership team would be happy 

to share their exporting lessons with any exporter. For the 

future, Ramps is targeting the Latin American and West 

African markets, and will be further exploring Mexico and 

Colombia in the next few months. 

42 

Trinidad 




Lake Asphalt of Trinidad and Tobago: do your market 

research, find partners 

Lake Asphalt of Trinidad and Tobago (LATT) has been exporting Trinidad Lake Asphalt 

(TLA) since the early 1900s. It also exports refinery bitumen, bitumen emulsions, and 

the LASCO range of sealants/coatings to the Caribbean. 

TLA is exported through a network of international distributors. In 1996 LATT 

began exporting TLA to China, and because TLA is a specialised asphalt modifier, the 

company needed to partner with a local distributor to develop national standards, 

connect with paving contractors, and obtain country approvals. 

China has since become LATT’s largest international customer, using TLA on 

high profile projects, including the world’s longest bridge. 

CEO Roger Wiggins points out that China is a huge market with tremendous 

potential, but business, cultural and political differences make entry challenging. He 

encourages exporters to engage with T&T’s Embassy in China, as they can assist with 

due diligence on business partners. 

“Research your market, your competing products, and be aware of all barriers 

to trade and how to overcome them. Determine the best choice of market entry 

and consider a distributor, agent, or licensing arrangement if a partner is needed,” 

Wiggins advises. 

He strongly recommends using the export support services of exporTT, the 

Ministry of Trade & Industry, the Ministry of Foreign & Caricom Affairs, and lending 

agencies such as the Eximbank. 

In the long term, LATT wants to strengthen its presence in China and Brazil, 

while pursuing market development in India and Africa. 

Roger Wiggins, CEO, Lake Asphalt of 

Trinidad and Tobago 

courtesy lake asphalt of Trindad & tobago 




STATE OF THE NATION 

The economic 

outlook 

The region: Latin America and the Caribbean 

According to International Monetary Fund (IMF) reports, challenges have 

been mounting in a number of emerging markets and low-income countries, 

including some in Latin America. 

Many of these economies are feeling pressures from a stronger US dollar and 

a tightening of financial market conditions. Facing capital outflows and trade 

disputes, they could deliver a shock to a wide range of emerging and developing 

economies. 1 

For example, Argentina recently experienced a currency crisis, and Brazil has 

faced lower business confidence and continued political uncertainty. 

Prospects for FDI in Latin America and the Caribbean are expected to improve 

in 2019. The IMF has a slightly more optimistic projection than the World Bank. 

FDI growth forecasts, Latin America and the Caribbean (%) 

2018 2019 

IMF 2.0 2.8 

World Bank 1.7 2.3 

The domestic landscape 

The IMF has predicted that the energy sector will grow by 6.0% in 2018 and 2.4% 

in 2019 (Article IV Mission Concluding Statement for Trinidad and Tobago). But the 

non-energy sector was predicted to contract by 1.8% in 2018 and show zero growth 

in 2019. 2 

Trinidad and Tobago growth forecasts (%) 

Real GDP growth 2018 2019 

IMF 1.0 0.9 

World Bank 1.6 1.9 

Sector growth (IMF) 

Energy sector 6.0 2.4 

Non-energy sector -1.8 0.0 

2019 budget 

Trinidad and Tobago’s national budget for the fiscal year 2018-2019 was presented on 

1 October by finance minister Colm Imbert. 3 He estimated total revenue at TT$47.724 

billion (oil revenue $9.518 billion, non-oil revenue $35.197 billion, capital revenue 

$3.009 billion). 

The IMF has 

predicted that 

the energy 

sector will 

grow by 6.0% 

in 2018 

Expenditure was estimated at 

$51.776 billion (see sidebar) net of 

capital repayments and sinking fund 

contributions. The fiscal deficit for 

2019 is expected to narrow to $4.052 

billion or 2.5%. 

Major projects announced in 

the budget are expected to stimulate 

economic activity and contribute to 

economic transformation. They include 

the Sandals Golden Grove project in 

Tobago, a competitively-priced steady 

supply of natural gas from Venezuela’s 

Dragon Field, two new fast ferries 

for the seabridge, radical changes at 

Petrotrin (the Petroleum Company of 

Trinidad and Tobago), and a new dry 

dock and ship-building/ship-repair 

facility at La Brea. 

The last is a collaboration with 

China Harbour Engineering Company 

Limited (CHEC), and was signed on 7 

September. It is projected to generate 

approximately US$500 million annually, 

which would represent a 2.4% addition 

to T&T’s GDP. During the four-year 

construction period, it is expected that 

3,500 direct and 5,700 indirect jobs will 

be created. 4 

The finance minister maintains 

that the creation of a growth-inducing 

environment that promotes macroeconomic 

stability and confidence 

is a key condition for ensuring that 

recovery takes hold in the non-energy 

sector. 

44 

Trinidad 




Trinidad and Tobago: expenditure 2018-2019 

TT$ billion 

7.392 

6.120 

5.695 

3.546 

3.182 

1.760 

1.033 

0.780 

EDUCATION 

& TRAINING 

NATIONAL 

SECURITY 

HEALTH 

WORKS & 

TRANSPORT 

PUBLIC 

UTILITIES 

RURAL 

DEVELOPMENT 

& LOCAL 

GOVERNMENT 

HOUSING 

AGRICULTURE 

The global context 5 

Global growth was projected to reach 

3.8% in 2018 and 3.9% in 2019, 

according to the IMF’s April 2018 

World Economic Outlook (WEO). But 

growth seems to be slowing, and the 

outlook is becoming less certain. The 

rate of expansion appears to have 

peaked around July 2018 in some major 

economies, and growth has become less 

synchronised. 

The United States 

In the US, near-term momentum is 

strengthening in line with the April 

WEO forecast, and the US dollar has 

appreciated by around 5% in recent 

weeks. The recent tariff increases 

on Chinese products and retaliatory 

measures by trading partners have 

increased the likelihood of escalating 

trade actions. These could derail the 

recovery and depress medium-term 

growth prospects, both through their 

direct impact on resource allocation 

and increased uncertainty for investors. 

As for oil prices, the US Energy 

Information Administration has 

estimated in its short-term energy 

outlook that West Texas Intermediate 

oil will average US$67.36 per barrel in 

2019. The World Bank is forecasting a 

similar WTI oil price of US$67.40. 

The rest of the world 

Growth projections have been revised 

downwards for the Euro area, Japan, 

and the United Kingdom, reflecting 

negative shocks to economic activity in 

early 2018. There have been escalating 

trade tensions and market pressures 

on the currencies of some economies 

with weaker fundamentals. The UN 

states that intensifying trade tensions 

between the major economies pose a 

significant risk to the global growth 

outlook. 

Foreign direct investment 

(FDI) 

According to UNCTAD’s 2018 World 

Investment Report, weak FDI growth 

rates will continue for 2018 and can 

still result in an upswing in the global 

economy. In practice, FDI in LDCs 

remains heavily concentrated in a few 

countries, especially in the extractive 

industries. Directing FDI towards 

the longer-term infrastructure and 

diversification needs of LDCs remains 

an important policy challenge. 

Debt 

Global debt, both public and private, 

has reached an all-time high of 

$182 trillion, almost 60% higher 

than in 2007. This buildup has left 

governments and companies more 

vulnerable to a tightening of financial 

conditions. 

Emerging and developing 

economies are already feeling the 

pinch as they adjust to monetary 

normalisation in the advanced world. 

This could lead to market corrections, 

sharp exchange rate movements, and 

further weakening of capital flows. 

Emerging economies, excluding 

China, could face debt portfolio 

outflows of up to $100 billion, which 

would broadly match outflows during 

the global financial crisis. 6 

1 Lagarde, Christine, and IMF. “‹Steer, Don›t 

Drift›: Managing Rising Risks to Keep 

the Global Economy on Course.” IMF, 1 

October 2018. www.imf.org/en/News/ 

Articles/2018/09/27/sp100118-steer-dontdrift. 

2 “IMF Executive Board Concludes 2018 

Article IV Consultation with Trinidad and 

Tobago.” IMF, 25 September 2018. www. 

imf.org/en/News/Articles/2018/09/25/ 

pr18356-trinidad-and-tobago-imfexecutive-board-concludes-2018-articleiv-consultation. 

3 Budget Statement 2019. Ministry of 

Finance, 1 October 2018. www.finance.gov. 

tt/budget-statement-2019/#estimates. 

4 Paul, Anna-Lisa. “La Brea, Point Fortin 

Residents Anxious for Dry-Dock Project.” 

Trinidad Guardian, 22 September 

2018. www.guardian.co.tt/n/la-brea-pointfortin-residents-anxious-for-drydockproject-6.2.673878.fa99ee0e28. 

5 “World Economic Outlook Update, July 2018: 

Less Even Expansion, Rising Trade Tensions.” 

IMF, July 2018. https://www.imf.org/en/ 

Publications/WEO/Issues/2018/07/02/ 

world-economic-outlook-updatejuly-2018. 

6 Lagarde, Christine, and IMF. “‘Steer, Don’t Drift’: 

Managing Rising Risks to Keep the Global 

Economy on Course.” IMF, 1 October 2018. 

www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2018/09/27/ 

sp100118-steer-dont-drift. 




STATE OF THE NATION 

Energy Update Update 

A comparison of Q1 2017 and 2018 production and export 

levels for energy and downstream products 

Local crude oil and natural gas production and usage 

In Figure 1, where Q2 2017 and Q2 2018 are compared, the top three producers have remained unchanged with one 

notable switch in the rankings. It is important to note that for the same periods in both 2017 and 2018, Trinidad and 

Tobago was actually a net importer of crude oil, as shown in Figure 2. 

Fig. 1: Top local oil producers 

(average bopd) 

Q2 

2018 

Q2 

2017 

18,773 

12,553 11,524 

Trinmar Petrotrin Perenco 

19,951 

12,032 11,702 

Trinmar Perenco Petrotrin 

Fig. 3: Natural gas utilisation by sector 

Q2 2018 

3,412 

Fig. 2: Imports vs 

exports of crude oil 

(BBLS) 

Q2 


Q2 

2017 

Imports 

Exports 

7,992,239 2,242,026 

Imports 

Exports 

7,284,302 2,807,918 

increased 

Fig. 4: Top local natural 

gas producers, ● Downstream Q2 

(average mmscf/d) 

● From Q1 2017 

to 2018, 

natural gas 

production 

levels 

products also 

had modest 

increases in 

2018 2017 

production 

1,937 543 502 244 71 115 

2,103 1,723 

● Crude oil 

production 

BPTT continues BPTT on a 

downward 

537 trend 522 

Shell 

EOG 

As can be seen in Figure 1, when comparing Q2 data from 2017 and 2018, between the top 

three producers there was an average decline in oil production of 1.9%, while over the 

same time period there was an average 14.49% increase in natural gas output (Figure 4). 

Figure 3 also shows that the LNG sector continues to be the major user of natural gas 

locally, accounting for almost 57% of total production . 

509 506 

EOG 

Shell 

Source: MEEI Consolidated Report 2017 & 2018 

46 

Trinidad 




Contact Magazine Energy Statistics Revamp (pg. 2) .pdf 1 07/11/2018 3:40 PM 

Energy Update Update 

A comparison of of Q2 Q1 2017 and 2018 production and and export 

levels for energy and and downstream products 

C 

M 

Y 

CM 

MY 

CY 

CMY 

K 

● From Q2 2017 

● From Q1 2017 

to to 2018, natural 

gas natural production gas 

production 

levels levels have 

improved. increased 

● 

● 

● 

Downstream 

Downstream 

products also 

had modest 

products on 

increases in 

average production have 

shown 

Crude oil 

increases production in 

production 

downward 

level. 

continues on a 

trend 

Source: MEEI Consolidated Reports 2017 & 2018 

● 

Crude oil 

production 

continues on a 

downward 

trend. 




the chamber and its members 

Welcome, new members! 

The Chamber extends a very warm welcome to all those companies and individuals who have become Chamber 

members in recent months 

Armoredeagle Security Services Limited 

5 Sixth Street East, Beaulieu Avenue, Trincity 

488-2405 

lyndon30@hotmail.com 

Charles Pashley 

Westmoorings 

charles.pashley1000@gmail.com 

GO4 Delivery Service 

23 Lucknow Street, St James • 235-3551 

go4delivery@yahoo.com 

QURE Limited 

2 Randolph Telesford Street, Arima • 225-6678 

jjoseph@qureltd.com 

Regulated Industries Commission 

1st & 3rd Floors, Furness House, Corner Wrightson Road & 

Independence Square, Port of Spain 

625-5384 

leeyoungj@ric.org.tt 

Tobago Hospitality & Tourism Institute 

Blenheim, Mount St George, Tobago 

660-2196 

stephen.sheppard@thti.edu.tt 

Visto Enterprises 

Building 1B, Milford Industrial Park, Shaw Park, Tobago 

718-0347 

kristopher.warner@hotmail.com 

48 

Trinidad 




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10/08/2018 1:39 1:39 1:39 PM PM PM 

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