Government is moving to expand the small business sector and create a more enabling environment for entrepreneurs, making it easier for businesses to start, grow and compete locally.
That’s according to Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism Satyakama Maharaj, who addressed the Entrepreneurship Forum 2026 on Wednesday.
He said micro and small businesses remain the backbone of T&T’s economy, adding that the Government remains committed to creating more opportunities for entrepreneurs to grow and succeed.
“Micro and small businesses in this country are 95% of all businesses. You know that? Hiring over 300,000 people. That’s a big sector, and the government is determined to expand that sector and make it easier for you to do business.”
He said the ‘Buy Local, Build Trinbago’ initiative is aimed at strengthening local enterprise by giving greater support to domestic producers and small business owners.
“We are going to institute a policy where all Government departments have to buy from you and not something foreign. Give you priority; give priority to what we make locally. So there is a chance because the largest buyer in the country is the Government, right? We have to encourage the retailers to carry our local products from the little entrepreneurs because that is where it starts, you know.”
Turning to tourism, Minister Maharaj highlighted Trinidad and Tobago’s diverse attractions and said the country’s natural and cultural assets provide significant opportunities for growth in the sector.
“We have biodiversity in this country that is unprecedented. We have chronicled 498 bird species in this country, you know? You know that? We have almost 500 sites and attractions and festival events that we can market. Of course, we have the Trinidad Carnival that brings people here.”
The forum explored key issues affecting entrepreneurs, including global expansion, access to foreign exchange and strategies for sustainable business growth.