TTMA president wants International Convention Centre

With over 260 booths and 300 companies exhibiting – ranging from agriculture to transportation and logistics – the Trade and Investment Conference (TIC) opened its doors to exhibitors, buyers and the general public to view the products TT has to offer from July 20-22. This includes large, medium, small and cottage companies.

With this large number of visitors and business enthusiasts, president of the TT Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) Roger Roach said an International Convention Centre must be built since the conference has outgrown the Centre of Excellence, Macoya.

He was speaking at the opening ceremony on Wednesday at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Co-operation.

“We are prepared to enter into a public-private partnership with the government in order to make this a reality. What we need is the state to provide ten acres of suitable land. The TTMA and its membership will bring its financial and other resources to build a world class convention centre in Trinidad. With 160,000 – 200,000 square feet of covered space, the centre will feature adequate parking, best in class lighting, audio visual and exhibition equipment, technologically advanced meeting rooms and the ability to adjust the space based on needs of the user, for any specific event," he said.

What Roach said at the opening was seen at the carpark of TIC on Thursday as it was filled with limited spaces available.

Those entering the conference were also greeted by a 2023 Tesla, where they will learn of its climate-protecting abilities. This electric car is produced by US-based multinational automotive and clean energy company Tesla Inc.

This is in keeping with this year’s theme brought on by the TTMA, Innovation: Revolutionising Business.

Also speaking at the launch, Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon said innovation extends to more than product development as it has become an essential tool for businesses of all shapes, sizes and sectors. It has adapted and grown to meet the unpredictable and ever-changing business environment.

She added that the Central Statistical Office reported that there was a 12 per cent increase in non-energy exports from $15.5 billion in 2021 to $17.5 billion last year.

The trade show had many non-energy businesses, one being Tourism Trinidad Ltd – a body of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts established in June 2017 and was operationalised in January 2018.

Speaking to the media at Tourism Trinidad Ltd's booth, its CEO Carla Cupid said the booth seeks to educate people on what Trinidad has to offer to boost domestic tourism.

Some of which includes Emancipation celebrations on August 1, the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup games, celebrating of steelpan month and foodie tours – which she said became popular after Mark Weins', food vlogger visit to Trinidad last year.

She added, “This is also an opportunity for stakeholders and people who want to get to upgrade their properties and to look at options within the sector.”