Australia not too far away for trade

NEWLY appointed Australian High Commissioner John Mitchell has told businessmen in Central Trinidad that his country is an ideal place to develop trading relations although it is a “long distance away.” Mitchell, who recently met with members of the Couva/Pt Lisas Chamber of Commerce, said the High Commission had relocated from Barbados to Trinidad and Tobago “because of the developmental progress that you have been making, moreso, in the energy sector.”

Although he has been in TT for only seven weeks, Mitchell said he is already convinced that “there are vast opportunities for business between your country as well as the entire Caricom region and Australia.” He emphasised that his role “is to promote trading possibilities and help in extending the breadth of relationship between the Caribbean and us Down Under.” Mitchell urged the business sector not to think of Australia as being too far away since the world is now considered a global village. Mitchell said: “The thought of the Caribbean being too small and too far away is now confined to history. It is not so now. Distance is no longer a problem as far as commerce is concerned and people must recognise that point.” Earlier in the afternoon, the High Commissioner and his wife toured the Pt Lisas Industrial Estate courtesy Plipdeco.