Gopee-Scoon: Export Tobago's unique treats

Tobago has a variety of options to satisfy snack cravings including sugar cake, nut cake, toolum, red mango, bene ball, paw paw ball and fudge. These items can be found at all ports of entry and most tourist spots, but what about internationally?

Minister of Trade and Industry Paula Gopee-Scoon made the suggestion at last Monday’s launch of the national export booster initative for the manufacturing sector at the Victor E Bruce Financial Complex in Scarborough.

Gopee-Scoon called on those who make and sell the confectioneries to develop a posture of confidence and pursue opportunities to monetise what they do best to secure their presence in the international market.

She noted that every time she visits Tobago, she never leaves without the confectioneries.

"Of course, no Trinidadian leaves without confectioneries from the airport; the sugar cake and the bene ball and so on," she said.

“Tobago is well known for these confectionary products, but I really feel strongly and I talk to it every time I come to (Tobago). Joel Jack (THA Finance Secretary) and the Chief Secretary has gotten it as well – that you have to not only think of selling these products domestically, but you have to export it to the rest of the world because it is a quality exportable product.”

She said with the support of the export initiative to establish proper packaging and labelling and product testing, this can become a reality.

“So, we can see them nicely packaged in boxes ready for sale in the export market; bene balls and sugar cakes with different local flavours and so on. Put them up on those aircrafts to be served to business-class passengers and so on – that is what we’re hoping for, using some of our locally-grown products,” she said.