C’bean business forum coming

The Forum is targeted to businesses, organisations and investors in the 28-member states of the ACS, which includes CARICOM and most of the non-English speaking Caribbean, and is designed to provide regional entrepreneurs with the opportunity to establish contacts with their counterparts through direct business meetings, based on the interests of the participants.

An integral part is a trade exhibition, which targets companies in a range of sectors including manufacturing, retail, distribution, and services. Companies are encouraged to rent booth spaces in order to promote their products and services to prospective clients.

According to Trade and Industry Minister, Kenneth Valley, hosting the forum is a distinct opportunity for us to further promote Trinidad and Tobago as a regional business, commercial and industrial hub and to enhance regional business linkages and is a critical component of our drive to strengthen the regional integration process.

Six Business Fora have taken place so far. The first was held in Margarita Island, Venezuela (2000), the second Forum was convened in Mexico City (2001), the third was held in Costa Rica (2002), the fourth in Santiago de Cuba (2003), while the fifth event was convened in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (2004). Last year’s was organised in Pointe-a-Pierre, Guadaloupe (2005).

The forum is an activity of the ACS, held under the mandate of the Heads of State and government of the association, as part of their objective to consolidate an enhanced space for trade and investment within the region.