Over 27 companies part of Suriname, Guyana & Trinidad trilateral mission

More than 27 companies from Suriname, Trinidad and Guyana are participating in a trilateral trade mission expected to provide opportunities for stronger relations and business ventures.

The Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce (SGCC), in collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA), launched the event, on Tuesday at the Pegasus Corporate Suite, Georgetown.

The TTMA-SGCC Trade Mission aims to create pathways to bridge the challenges companies face. It is said to embody what the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) regional trade agreement among the CARICOM member states, aims to do.

President of the TTMA, Dale Parson, said the opportunities that can arise from companies to benefit each participating country is significant and with areas untapped, the participants are urged to hold meaningful discussions in Guyana.

He also said these countries’ partnership with the TTMA, inter-regional trade can be improved.

“With the growing opportunities in Guyana, there’s a huge gap that needs to be filled out of demand because it’s a fast growing economy and it’s an opportunity for all of the manufacturers here to take advantage of,” Parson said.

Director of TTMA, Navin Dookeran echoed sentiments of trade improvement and business ventures that will benefit the participating companies.

Rahul Lildhar, Chief Executive Officer, the SGCC, said by the end of this mission forms a space for unified economic growth.

“In terms of CARICOM, trade still accounts for 13-15 per cent among its member states that figure to us could be a challenge but it could also be an opportunity,” Lildhar said.

Guyana offers investment business opportunities and through this trade mission, it is expected that multiple areas of trade will be discussed and eventually developed.

As the nation develops, demand, needs and gaps that need to be bridged can become a reality. Participating companies hail from the manufacturing, logistics, energy, health, beauty, and consumer goods areas. Participating companies will undergo training, strengthened relationships with companies from neigbouring countries and improved trade relations

One such challenge that may soon be tackled involved logistics and according to Vishnu Doerga, the Chair of the SGCC, with the introduction of a ferry system between Guyana, Trinidad and Barbados that will accelerate trade between Caribbean countries.

Additionally, he encouraged persons to tap into areas of tourism and support Guyana’s development.