Transforming cultural heritage into an exportable product, the Musical Instruments of Trinidad & Tobago Company Limited or (MITTCO) is ensuring that the national instrument proudly takes its place in international markets. The Trade and Investment Conference or TIC the largest business-networking trade-show is making this happen.
MITTCO Managing Director and co-founder Akua Leet said the company is using its participation in the TIC to boost the steelpan industry’s profile, expand trade opportunities, and drive international growth.
“What TIC did for us was able to produce or showcase of product in a professional ways in new markets, so we’ve been to India. India was fantastic that’s huge market that we were able to at least showcase the possibilities of pan in schools there yet to have any real traction but definitely looking at that market as a possibility and what Tic did was bring that same energy to Trinidad.”
Alongside this benefit, Mr. Leith emphasized that preserving the craftsmanship and expertise behind steelpan manufacturing is essential to the company’s growth, while creating opportunities for young people to learn the trade and carry the tradition forward.
“We need to set up a profession space that entices the youth to see steelpan manufacturing as a career where you can now go and be an OJT and learn the craft because back in the day manufacturers they never really had the opportunity to share some were actually very protective of that sharing of that skillset and we have a new guys that do that pretty pretty well.”