June 28, 2016:- A team of thirty-two (32) business men and women from China’s Building Materials Federation are currently in Trinidad and Tobago, being hosted by the national investment promotion agency, InvesTT Limited.
Addressing the visiting delegation Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry noted that ‘early on I set out to share the plans of the Ministry on the Government’s trade agenda. I met with your ambassador, His Excellency Huang Xingyuan. Our agreed imperative, coming out of that meeting, was to improve our relationship through increased investments. His Excellency expressed his commitment and China’s willingness to assist Trinidad and Tobago in the areas of agriculture, financial services, manufacturing and tourism. During that meeting, I invited the Ambassador to lead a delegation to explore the many available opportunities in Trinidad and Tobago, particularly the Tamana InTech Park. What started with a conversation between your Ambassador and myself, a few short months ago, has culminated in your visit here today. I thank the Ambassador and the China Building Materials Federation for their efforts in putting this delegation together’.
Referencing the PwC’s Global Construction 2030 forecast, the Trade Minister stated that ‘the global construction industry is known to be crucial to the evolution of prosperity [and moreso it is anticipated that there will be] an 85% growth in construction output; … with three countries expected to lead the way – China, US and India. The growth rate of 3.9% per annum in the construction industry is expected to outpace global GDP growth by more than a percent per year. This growth is projected to be driven both by developed countries in economic recovery and further industrialization in emerging economies’. All of this translates into tremendous opportunities for cooperation between Trinidad and Tobago and China’s building materials manufacturers.
The Trade Minister also touted the attractive benefits of Tamana InTech Park, saying that the ‘Park is the largest Science and Technology Park in the region. This 1,100 acre park is an ideal location for high value manufacturing. There are 21 market ready lots available in this eco-friendly environment’.
She concluded with the words ‘working together we have the ability to develop new linkages and business relationships for the betterment of both of economies and our people’.
Also at the brief Welcome Ceremony held on Tuesday 28 June, 2016, were Mr. Imtiaz Ahamad, Chairman, eTecK; Mr. Robert Salandy, President, eTecK; and Mrs. Racquel Moses, President, InvesTT Limited.
The visit included tours of the City of Port of Spain, Chaguaramas, the Caroni Bird Sanctuary; and site visits to Frederick settlement, Tamana InTech Park and Cove Estate, Tobago.
