The 2025 edition of the Trade and Investment Convention is shaping up to be the most successful in its history, with the T&T Manufacturers’ Association expecting to close over US$100 million in confirmed transactions.
This year’s Convention is being hailed as the biggest since it began in 1999, with over 15,000 visitors, 350 booths, and a bold new target.
President of the T&T Manufacturers’ Association, Dale Parson, says they are expecting to hit their goal of US$100 million in “confirmed sales” happening on the TIC floor.
“Previous years we had an average of US$50 to 60 million. I’m talking about US$100 million that will be transacted on the floor.”
He said the growth of TIC is being driven by Small and Medium Enterprises, with many of them showcasing products not yet on the supermarket shelves.
“At TTMA, what we do is we try to help these SMEs so that they can commercialise their business, so that we can get them on to the supermarket shelf and then get them to export. It’s a process, but you know, everybody has to start small one day.”
Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development, Dr. Kennedy Swaratsingh, said he believes much more needs to be done to facilitate the growth of SMEs.
“But we have to be able to give them the kind of access they need, both to local markets as well as international markets. And that’s something that I really would be hoping to bring back to my cluster with the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Trade, and really for us to have that kind of conversation. It’s a wonderful thing to see it, but I think it would be more meaningful if we’re able to create a greater level of engagement for the market inside.”
Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism, Satyakama Maharaj, said the success of the event mirrors the continued growth of the business community.
“Before, when you said 250, everybody said, ‘Wow’. Now, 350, we’re looking for space. I’m just amazed at the high quality of the products, the packaging, the designs, all global, all global. We’re on a powerful platform for global expansion. That’s what the Ministry is facilitating.”
The Minister said he will also be advocating for a TIC version dedicated solely to SMEs.