By OSWALD T. BROWN
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 21, 2024 — Representatives from 15 companies that are members of the TT Manufacturers Association (TTMA) recently completed a five-day trade mission to The Bahamas from April 15-19.
The mission, led by CEO Dr Mahindra Ramdeen, sought to “cultivate closer business ties and facilitate fruitful collaborations between TT and Bahamian enterprises,” according to Trinidad and Tobago’s NEWSDAY.
“This mission marks a significant stride towards fostering robust commercial relationships across borders,” the TTMA said.
The mission was supported by key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Export TT and EximBank. It also included companies from diverse sectors such as food and beverage, painting, printing and packaging and chemicals.
Noting trade mission is the first time TTMA is taking a mission to The Bahamas, Ramdeen said, “By fostering meaningful partnerships and nurturing sustainable business connections, we aim to not only bolster economic co-operation but also cultivate a spirit of camaraderie and mutual prosperity. It is also strategically aligned with the Export Booster Initiative, a pioneering endeavour aimed at propelling trade missions and serving as a catalyst for local producers to explore new markets.”
Ramdeen said the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders involved underscored the unwavering commitment to advancing TT’s economic agenda while fortifying bilateral ties with neighbouring nations.
“Through initiatives like this trade mission, TTMA continues to champion the cause of local manufacturers, empowering them to explore untapped markets and seize new opportunities on the global stage,” Ramdeen said.
The Trinidad & Tobago Manufacturers’ Association was founded in 1956 by eight visionaries in the hope of keeping the wheels of industry turning. This group of entrepreneurs recognized the need for a unifying organization. The TTMA was therefore developed for the specific purpose of promoting local industry.
In 1956 the newly established TTMA sought to take advantage of the new industrialization policies instituted by the Government through its implementing agency, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). Today, the TTMA has become an integral part of Trinidad and Tobago’s Manufacturing Sector and is dedicated to the development and promotion of local industries.
The TTMA promotes, encourages and assists the growth and development of manufacturing industries in Trinidad and Tobago. The TTMA also acts as a representative for industries in dealing with Government and in the monitoring of legislation affecting manufacturers. The TTMA is also responsible for the generation of market expansion both regionally and internationally through the mounting of local, regional and international trade fairs, exhibitions and foreign trade missions.
SOURCE: TTMA website
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