The Buy Local, Build Trinbago initiative, led by the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism, is a national economic and cultural programme aimed at shifting Trinidad and Tobago from a nation of importers to a nation of producers.
Speaking on Trinidad and Tobago Today, line Minister, Satyakama Maharaj, said unfair trading practices continue to place local manufacturers at a disadvantage, making it difficult for them to compete with imported goods.
He noted that encouraging consumers to support locally made products not only strengthens the domestic industry, but also helps to conserve foreign exchange by reducing reliance on imports.
“When you buy local rather than foreign, the country saves foreign exchange. That’s called import substitution. So people focus a lot on earning foreign exchange, but we’re also focusing on saving foreign exchange. You buy a local product, you save foreign exchange. But when you make the local producers strong enough and they start exporting, then you earn foreign exchange. But initially, the impact is to save foreign exchange.”
The Minister said the campaign will make it easier for consumers to identify locally produced goods, with branded signage expected to appear in supermarkets and retail outlets nationwide.
He also urged retailers to play an active role by giving locally made products prominent shelf placement and visibility.
“This campaign now, for instance, you go to the supermarkets, we are going to have signs posted, buy local Trinbago, buy everything local. We’re asking retailers, don’t take the local products and put them on top or below, put them at eye level. Give respect to locally produced products. That is how you create economic value in the country, not by promoting imports. And we’re going to encourage every retailer, if you have an option of carrying a local product, please do so.”