Consulting with and listening to the local private sector is a major goal of the Trinidad and Tobago government.
That’s according to the Ministers of Planning and Trade as they addressed the opening ceremony of the 2025 Trade and Investment Convention on Wednesday.
Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development, Dr. Kennedy Swaratsingh, said one of the main tenets of the new government is to harness the power of the private sector to drive the local economic engine.
“Both the Minister of Finance and myself have been engaging with international agencies. It is our intention not to engage those agencies only to put sovereign space but to engage those agencies to make sure that not only will they make you the centre of economic activity, but to make financing available to you through IDB Invest, through the World Bank, and other agencies.”
Minister of Trade and Investment, Satyakama Maharaj, further highlighted the government’s private sector push by sharing some recent activities.
“Discussions are underway with former TTMA presidents and key stakeholders on the establishment of the Private Sector Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago. This umbrella body is envisioned to unite chambers of commerce, financial institutions, law firms, and professional associations under one banner.”
He noted that this new agency would have a specific mission.
“Its mission is clear yet powerful: to reduce fragmentation, strengthen collaboration, and provide a unified voice to help drive national competitiveness. We believe that this will be a critical step in building a genuine partnership between the Ministry and the private sector, one that supports meaningful economic transformation and national development.”
The Trade Minister added that the Ministry will launch a new Buy Local campaign in the coming weeks.