Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela are exploring opportunities to expand bilateral trade, attract investment and strengthen energy cooperation following a Business Roundtable with a delegation from Sucre State, Venezuela, held today, 27th October, 2026 at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre.
The engagement brought together public and private sector stakeholders to identify opportunities for increased commercial exchange, with a focus on fisheries, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and energy.
Delivering remarks at the event, the Honourable Sean Sobers, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, described the roundtable as an important step in advancing a renewed phase of bilateral relations, highlighting the countries’ geographic proximity, shared history and complementary economic strengths.
“Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela are bound not only by geography, but by history, and by shared economic destiny,” Minister Sobers said, emphasising the significant potential for stronger commercial ties with Sucre State and Eastern Venezuela.
The Minister noted that Trinidad and Tobago’s trade relationship with Venezuela continues to offer considerable scope for growth. In 2025, Trinidad and Tobago exported TT$33.4 million in goods to Venezuela and imported TT$34.7 million. He highlighted the CARICOM-Venezuela Trade and Investment Agreement of 1992 as an important framework for facilitating trade and noted that technical teams from both countries are reviewing the agreement to identify and prioritise products for trade.
Minister Sobers also welcomed the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association’s (TTMA) readiness to explore export opportunities and potential sources of raw materials in Venezuela. The TTMA is expected to host a webinar next month on Doing Business in Venezuela, featuring presentations by the Venezuelan Ambassador and representatives of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago.
On energy cooperation, the Minister underscored the complementary strengths of both countries, noting Trinidad and Tobago’s established energy infrastructure, processing capacity and technical expertise, alongside Venezuela’s substantial hydrocarbon resources. He highlighted opportunities for collaboration in natural gas development, cross-border energy projects, technical knowledge exchange and capacity building to support regional energy security.
He also pointed to the recently signed Letter of Intent between the energy chambers of Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela, which provides a framework for knowledge exchange, mutual support and stronger industry engagement. The Minister expressed optimism that the agreement would facilitate joint industry events, technical workshops and information-sharing initiatives.
Minister Sobers further recalled the September 2026 engagements between the two Governments, including his visit to Caracas on 3rd September, 2026 and the meeting between the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, and Her Excellency Delcy Rodríguez, President of Venezuela, in New York on 23rd September, 2026. He noted that these engagements had helped lay the groundwork for renewed dialogue and cooperation and represented a shared vision for the future of relations between the two countries.
The Minister also welcomed the anticipated resumption of Caribbean Airlines flights from the end of October, 2026, noting that improved connectivity could support business development and strengthen people-to-people ties.
Reaffirming the Honourable Prime Minister’s commitment to expanding trade and investment linkages with Venezuela, Minister Sobers encouraged participants to translate discussions into practical partnerships and tangible business opportunities.
“Let this Business Roundtable be more than a presentation of catalogues. Let it be a marketplace of ideas, a space where partnerships are forged, where a handshake today becomes a joint venture tomorrow,” he said.
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago remains committed to strengthening trade and investment, deepening energy cooperation and advancing mutually beneficial economic opportunities with Venezuela for the benefit of both countries and the wider Caribbean.
– Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs