The 2026 Trade and Investment Convention is bringing together manufacturers, entrepreneurs and key stakeholders from across the region.
Despite ongoing economic challenges, TTMA President Emil Ramkissoon says that, with 411 exhibitors, the Convention remains a vital platform for businesses to build sales, expand export markets and create new opportunities.
“Given the concerns, manufacturers and business people know how to navigate. I wouldn’t say we are accustomed navigating. Given the outlook of TIC, I guess when you have concerns in the business sector, use every opportunity to get your products, to build sales, to build export markets, to network. And that is why TIC exists. That’s why we have been doing this since 1999. This is our 27th instalment. So I would say that the concerns are still concerning, but we have to pivot as a business community.”
The Tobago House of Assembly is also making a major impact with its largest pavilion at the Convention. Secretary of Finance Petal Ann Roberts says that, while only a limited number of entrepreneurs could be sponsored, many Tobago businesses are now participating independently as they seek opportunities to export, scale up and grow.
“We have so many more entrepreneurs in Tobago, but we can only have so much space here. We also have entrepreneurs who Tobago House of Assembly have not sponsored. So, they used to be sponsored in the past, and they are now here on their own. And I’m very proud of what they have been doing, but we are just here to showcase what we have to offer and to leverage on the opportunities for export, for scaling up, and for growth.”
Among the exhibitors was Courts Optical, showcasing its mobile eye care services. The company says it can bring comprehensive eye examinations directly to workplaces, making quality eye care more accessible for businesses and their employees.
“What it is really want to show with the use of our team, including our optometrist, is to show the business community of the accessibility and the availability of doing business with us. Meaning on site you would see we don’t just have our autorefractors, we actually showing persons the actual set up we could come to your location and do. So it’s really a 360 we want to send home to different persons. We could actually come to your business, do an eye exam, full comprehensive, and also be able to close sales with you.”
Days 1 and 2 of TIC are dedicated to buyers and business networking, while Day 3 opens the convention to consumers to explore the products and services on display.