00:00The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce says the upcoming trade mission to Canada will focus not only
00:07on opening doors for local businesses, but also on ensuring that they are ready to compete.
00:14Chamber CEO Dr. Vashti Gayadin says businesses will undergo targeted preparation before traveling, including guidance on market requirements, regulations and
00:26how to successfully enter Canada.
00:28The level of preparation that is going to go into it, as Seiko Allen outlined, we are partnering with Global
00:36Journal in Tobago to do two levels of preparation before.
00:41One is a very strategic, specific by sector, by subsectors for both manufacturing as well as services on doing business
00:52in Canada.
00:53So that's where we look at all the pain points, we look at how do you break into that market,
00:59what type of labeling requirement is required, break it into the different subsectors, what is required for agriculture, what types
01:08of certification is required.
01:11So 99% of the work is done before we actually go, before we travel.
01:17She says the Chamber has recognized that while local companies are producing internationally competitive goods and services, many need support
01:27in learning how to market themselves globally.
01:30We have realized that we are producing globally, internationally ready products, but we do not know how to sell.
01:41So the idea about doing a winning business is to put participants who have registered for the trade mission through
01:48a structured training program.
01:50We're working them through, how do you talk, how do you present, how do you dress, how do you present
01:56your business card, how do you organize your material, your collateral, the ins and outs of breaking into a market.
02:05The delegation will also participate in the Trinbago Festival in Toronto, an event which attracts an estimated 70,000 people.
02:14Meanwhile, Canada's High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago, Michael Callan, says the mission comes at an important time, as countries
02:23look to strengthen trade relationships amid global uncertainty.
02:28It's vital, just absolutely essential for Canada to diversify our trading relationships around the world.
02:33You know, we have such an excellent foundation already with Trinidad and Tobago, with agreements in place, connections and networks.
02:41The strength of the diaspora in Canada is a real engine for ingenuity and access.
02:46So all the elements are there to make it a success.
02:50The High Commissioner says Canadian companies remain interested in opportunities within Trinidad and Tobago, particularly in the energy sector.
03:00Bashana Pagu, TV6 News.
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