Trinidad and Tobago is taking another step towards greater connectivity with the African continent.
This, as the Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism, Satyakama Maharaj, announced the government’s commitment to weekly flights to the African continent.
As he addressed the opening ceremony of the 23rd Annual Transatlantic Trade and Investment Symposium, Minister Maharaj said he took an expensive trip, with almost two days of travel, to get to one of the African countries. He said if a businessman cannot easily access a market, he cannot effectively do business there.
“Direct connectivity between our regions is not only possible but practical. As Minister of Trade, Investment, and Tourism, I am fully committed to engaging the relevant authorities and stakeholders to facilitate the establishment of a weekly or bi-weekly direct flight between Trinidad and Tobago and Ghana.”
The Minister noted that when the Prime Minister of India recently visited Trinidad and Tobago, his direct flight only took about seven and a half hours.
“These flights would unlock a new frontier of opportunity for our exporters, lower entry costs for investors, and strengthen the people-to-people ties that form the foundation of lasting partnerships between our nations.”
Meanwhile, Sierra Leone’s Consulate to the Caribbean, Dr. Rosalea Hamilton, highlighted the significant investment opportunities in Africa.
“There is access to other markets that’s also significant given the position of Sierra Leone. The Mano River Union has a population of 54 million people, GDP of about $96 billion. ECOWAS, 490 million people, GDP of $683 billion. And, of course, there is the African Continental Free Trade Area, a population of 1.5 billion, GDP of 3.4 trillion.”
The theme of the annual symposium was “Creating Opportunities for Economic Diversification and Resilience through Expansion of Trade and Investment in West Africa.”