Trinidad and Tobago and Canada are expanding their partnership.
On Tuesday, Acting Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, Dr. Kennedy Swaratsingh, met with the Canadian High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago, Michael Callan, to sign a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC), paving the way for deeper collaboration across key sectors.
According to Dr. Swaratsingh, the CCC has a proven track record of global experience.
“So today, this agreement carries the spirit forward, both with a broader scope and with a deepening sense of purpose. The government’s approach to greater fiscal management through the use of government-to-government arrangements can help secure the completion of unfinished capital projects and the transformation of this country’s path to greater economic progress and development.”
High Commissioner Michael Callan said the bonds between both nations remain strong, with deep cooperation in areas such as security, commerce, and culture. He also noted that the Trinbagonian community in Canada remains one of the largest and most active in the world.
“And for today’s purposes, signing this MOU with the Canadian Commercial Corporation, what it does is it really unlocks the faith and the ambitions between both of our governments. It’s a vehicle for providing additional assurances and allowing us to move ahead with expediency and with the ambition that I know we both share.”
Minister Swaratsingh reiterated the government’s commitment to diversifying Trinidad and Tobago’s economy in a way that promotes greater social responsibility and long-term sustainability.
“In fact, one of the things that we would have spoken about in our manifesto is the development of a cannabis business and Canada has made significant strides in the development of medical marijuana that we can also engage in. So by engaging with Canada as a trusted partner through the Canadian Commercial Corporation, Trinidad and Tobago is better positioned to secure transformative projects that will shape the next chapter of our development story.”
The foundation for today’s expanded collaboration was laid back in 2013, with an agreement focused on strengthening cooperation in defence and security.