Category: Business

China (Zhejiang) - Trinidad & Tobago International Trade Fair | Economic & Trade Exchange Conference

China (Zhejiang) - Trinidad & Tobago International Trade Fair | Economic & Trade Exchange Conference

Lots 20-22 Trincity Business District, Zone 6, Trincity was a blaze on Saturday as hundreds of persons visited the First Caribbean Marketing Company (FCMC) compound to catch a glimpse of the 19 Chinese businesses and 7 local exporters showcased while taking advantage of the one-day unrestricted shopping at the main store. This event was kicked off in style the evening before with the conference which allowed the audience to learn of the export and investment opportunities available in both Zhejiang and Trinidad and Tobago. Visitors were later treated to local cuisine and some of Angostura’s premium rums. 

Through a partnership with the First Caribbean Marketing Company Limited, the Department of Commerce of the Zhejiang Province, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, exporTT and invesTT, this international fair saw businesses from Zhejiang Province, China and local non-energy manufacturing companies creating a stir that yielded increased brand awareness as well as sales for many companies showcased. 

 

Zhejiang exhibitors and visitors to the fair had the chance to savour the flavours of the sweet and tangy sauces and spicy aromatic seasonings produced by local exporters: RHS Marketing Limited, Habanero Trinidad Peppersauce and Chief Brand Products.   Sampling and purchasing sweet treats of chocolate made from fine flavour Trinitario cocoa by Trinidad and Tobago Fine Cocoa Company, Montano’s and SugarCane Rum Cakes was also a highlight of the day.  

Angostura’s Chill line of Lemon Lime & Bitters, tangy Blood Orange & Bitters and Sorrel & Bitters was a welcomed feature on the exporTT / InvesTT information desk as it aided in drawing the crowds.  Staff from both entities were present to field inquiries and recommend opportunities for trade and investment between China and Trinidad and Tobago as well as the world.

A diverse product portfolio was exhibited by Zhejiang exporters this included but is not limited to disposable tableware, home goods, outdoor equipment, textiles for garments, uniforms, and other apparel, industrial & electrical equipment and tech accessories.

 

Many were seen leaving with among other things clothes, plants, crockery, office furniture and décor pieces as they made their way out of the compound. 

This Trade Fair and conference occurred right on the heels of another visit from principals of the Shanghai-based Global Orient International Company. This company is one of the organisers of the China International Import Expo and has been instrumental in exporTT’s participation in 2021 and 2022. During a short welcome reception at Hyatt Regency Hotel on Wednesday 29th March. At this event, Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Trade and Industry confirmed our participation in CIIE 2023.   

 

This group had a packed agenda including Visits to the Chinese Embassy / Shanghai Construction / FCMC / TT Fine Cocoa Company’s factory before leaving on Friday 31st.  The activities culminated in the Trade Fair and Exchange on Saturday 1st April 2023.

 

exporTT looks forward to its continued partnership with Mr. Charles Cheng CEO of First Caribbean Marketing Company Limited (FCMC) and the Chinese Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago as together we forge deeper trade ties with China and Trinidad & Tobago.

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JAMPRO details export objectives

JAMPRO details export objectives

General Manager Client Services, Dhanraj Harrypersad
It was an honour to attend JAMPRO’s cocktail reception at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad last Thursday. JAMPRO’s new President, Shullette Cox, and Senator The Honourable Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Jamaica, shared exciting facts about JAMPRO’s current activities and plans. 
 
They also delved into the Special Economic Zone and the Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation.

Did you know?

The Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation is the one of the very few in the world that can accredit labs for testing related to international standards, including those related to the FDA.

Key initiatives were discussed that should contribute significantly to the Jamaican export thrust. These were:
  • Improvements in the ease of business – so that all approvals and licenses can be attained online, without the intervention of the Minister.
  • Reduction in taxes related to investments. 

Minister Hill’s presentation was captivating. Coming from the private sector, he connected well with the audience, understanding businesses’ pain points and clearly articulating what Jamaica is doing to relieve them. 

Finally, networking was a highly enjoyable end to this event as I was reunited with contemporaries whose faces I had almost forgotten and made new acquaintances I intend to keep in touch with.

At exporTT, we are actively working towards improving our ease of doing business and we will continue our efforts in taking our companies to key export markets.

Next up will be The Dominican Republic and Colombia in May!

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exporTT supports TTMA’s Grenada Mission

exporTT supports TTMA’s Grenada Mission

2023 commenced with exporTT accompanying its strategic partner the Trinidad and Tobago’s Manufacturer’s Association (TTMA) on its planned Mission to Grenada.  Partly funded under the Export Booster Initiative, this Mission also saw the physical presence of the Minister of Trade and Industry, Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Mr. Randall Karim, exporTT’s General Manager Dhanraj Harrypersad and exporTT’s Client Services Officer Antoinette Spencer, along with a delegation of 35 participants.

Participating manufacturers benefitted from Business to Business (B2B) meetings to maximise and strengthen trade relations with their Grenadian counterparts. They also learned about doing business in the country from key agencies such as the Port Authority, Customs and the Bureau of Standards. There were also ample opportunities for participants to network with their would-be partners as well as each other to identify and realise synergies for exports like the consolidation or shipments or the offering of complimentary goods or services. 

Speaking on behalf of Minister Gopee-Scoon at the seminar, Mr. Karim shared “We have identified that Grenada is an essential market for the following sectors; chemicals, printing and packaging, construction products and most importantly, food and beverage. From the Government of Trinidad and Tobago’s perspective, this visit is timely as it aligns with our strategic efforts to increase the value of non-energy exports over the next three years.”  “This visit would serve to reinforce the principles underlying the revised Treaty of Chagaramas which is aimed at promoting the regional production of goods and services, especially with a view to maximising foreign exchange on the basis of international competitiveness.”

Grenada and Trinidad & Tobago have long enjoyed trade relations with Trinidad and Tobago emerging as Grenada’s largest exporter.   This is substantiated by data from the Central Statistical Office of Trinidad and Tobago that ranks Grenada as the fifth largest CARICOM export of Trinidad.

exporTT looks forward to supporting under the Export Booster Initiative further partnerships with the TTMA and other strategic partners in alignment with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago’s strategic initiative geared towards increasing the value of all non-energy exports over the next three years.

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Earn marketable international business credentials

Earn marketable international business credentials

WHO CAN APPLY?

This programme is designed for anyone who works within the exciting, yet demanding, area of International Trade. With FITTskills online courses, you can build your skills and knowledge anytime, anywhere, no prior learning or pre-requisites required.

Learn the essential skills you need to succeed and avoid costly errors in international business with real-world training from top quality instructors and certified experts with exceptional experience and knowledge in international trade

FITT STRUCTURE
  • FITT participants will learn practical international business skills through comprehensive courses, in a flexible, self-paced environment.
  • FITTskills participants will have 3 months to complete each course from the time of registration.
  • FITT participants are supported through topic-specific textbooks in eBook format, guiding notes, case studies, sample exam questions and the answers to the exercises are included in the textbook. These additional resources provide participants with an opportunity to apply their learning and verify their progress.
COURSE CONTENT

The FITTskills Certificate in International Trade, is self-paced and self-led. Therefore, participants can complete the course at any time during the allotted three-month period. This type of flexibility is an added benefit to clients who tend to have an extremely hectic lifestyle. Each course consists of modules and units, all focused on specific areas within International Trade. Participants will earn the FITT Certificate in International Trade upon completion of 3 of the 6 FITTskills courses identified below.

Modules:

  • Situational Analysis
  • Cost and Pricing Analysis
  • Risk Analysis and Management

Modules:

  • Planning for International Market Strategy
  • Implementation of Market Entry Strategies
  • Law and Ethics 
  • Intercultural Competence

Modules:

  • International Procurement
  • Inventory Management
  • International Distribution
  • Document Management

Modules:

  • Product Development
  • Service Development

Modules:

  • Marketing Products and Services
  • Selling to International Markets
  • eCommerce
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT

Participants will have three months to work through the self-led course and complete the final assessment. The time required may vary from person to person depending on how well you study or prepare and your pre-existing knowledge in international trade and business.

We generally estimate that it will take 30-45 hours to complete a course if you are completely new to international trade, or closer to 15-20 hours if you already have 2 or more years of experience.

The course assessment is an open book multiple choice exam.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

This course is open to individuals working in the area of International Trade or Business.

COURSE FEES

exporTT will provide scholarships to exporters, both manufacturers and service providers.

Participants will have access to:

  • Scholarship offered by exporTT
  • All course materials
SELECTION CRITERIA

To access exporTT’s scholarship programme participants must:

  • Be a national of Trinidad and Tobago
  • Must have a diploma, associates, bachelor degree or equivalency
  • A minimum of one year employed at a Exporting Firm
  • Submit one reference from your employer
  • Commit to refunding exporTT $600CAD per course, for funds incurred due to drop out or if programme is incomplete within the stipulated three month period.

For more information on the courses, please contact us at fitt@exportt.co.tt or 612-3988 ext 7947 or 7912

Application Form
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