A Trinidadian trade mission comprising 24 businesses, and 34 persons are in Belize to - as they put it - "reset and refresh" their trade relations with Belize.
It's organized by the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers' Association and Jomarie Lanza attended the welcome seminar today and here's what she saw:
Since 2019, Trinidad and Tobago has been Belize's second largest export market in the Caribbean particularly for agricultural products such as citrus and sugar.
There are four sectors highlighted within this partnership between the two CARICOM countries, being: Renewable energy, Tourism, Agribusiness and education.
And now, both countries want to further explore greater opportunities for trade, GOB is hosting a trade mission in Belize from now to February 3rd
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade
"Our trade relations with the entire region, the entire CARICOM region is small but has growing you know it's an important market for us the CARICOM market with Trinidad I think we export around $97 million so it's not insignificant but certainly we would want to see it grow un expand so we are very very thrilled to have this dedication led by the minister of trade here in Belize as she said they brought in about 34 people some very significant investors in the manufacturing sector in the agricultural sector in Trinidad so I think there is great potential for us collaborating and great opportunities for economic investment in Belize that I am very excited about and I know our team at the ministry of foreign trade is very excited about. So after this, I will hold discussions with the minister and we will get into more details about specific areas particularly agriculture, but also, you know the area of the manufacturing sector. You all know that we've talked about this for a long time in Belize that we have not been able to develop and manufacturing sector in Belize. Canning of goods, canning of fruits we talk about these things but I think there is a real opportunity with Trinidad's help and support that we can achieve this objective, so we look forward to those discussions."
The Trinidad delegation is led by Minister of Trade & Industry Paula Gopee- Scoon. One of areas they will. Be looking at is incorporating their manufacturing sector into Belize's Agricultural industry.
Paula Gopee - Scoon, Trinidad Minister of Trade & Industry
"So we brought to Belize a very strong mission of about 34 persons and 24 businesses, large, small and medium size businesses as well. This is an important occasion for us and I'll tell you why. we came here a long time ago, so Trinidad and Tobago did in fact bring missions to Belize we haven't done so for a while, and I think it is important that we reset and refresh those trade relations, especially in terms of our CARICOM commitment to see if we can deepen the trade and investment relations between both countries. As it is, Belize is a strong trade partner within the region for us. They are fourth in line, and there are a number of products from Belize that we import in terms of your citrus products oranges concentrates, really, and grapefruit pineapple concentrate as well and also red beans and I believe there is also a few other types of beans as well, we feel that there are other things that we can import from Belize but Trinidad has an offer. As you know we have a vibrant manufacturing sector. So we feel that there are a number of items that we can export to Belize but generally it's about increasing our trade and relations and of course deepening our bilateral relations which is already strong and so we are very happy to be here. it's an opportunity for me to meet the Prime Minister who honored us with his presents I am very grateful for that, and I am very happy to be here with minister Fonseca and I will also meet with the minister of agriculture and the minister who has responsibilities for investments as well. We really want to look at the whole approach. We want to think about the connectivity. It will be a lot easier if we can fly from Trinidad to Jamaica, and then Belize, then having to go to Miami Waight, and then come down, so there are a lot of things that we can talk about put on the table exchanges in education and looking at things along the value chain which we can do together and because you have so much line here, you produce so many products, Trinidad and Tobago does not have that luxury. We are very small, so it would really be a good thing. If we could look at the synergies could do where you can do the production and we can do the processing and canning but there are things that we can do and look at and I'm sure that there are lots of ideas that Belize has that they can share with us, and we can see it can mutually benefit both sides, but we are very very pleased to be here with a strong contingent of providers of manufactured products, and some of our services as well."
The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of maintaining these trade relations with Trinidad and other Caricom nations.
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"By collaborating in trade investment and technological exchange we can create a symbiotic relationship that will foster sustainable development and prosperity for both nations, whether it is in the realm of energy agriculture, tourism, like manufacturing or technology there are numerous avenues for us to explore together, with each country bringing it strength to the table. Moreover in today's interconnected world the exchange of cultures and ideas are more important than ever embracing cultural exchange between Belize and Trinidad will not want to enrich our societies, but Bill Bridges of understanding and respect."
