The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA) will lead its largest trade mission to Jamaica since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

So far, the TTMA has registered 22 companies for the mission to Jamaica, from May 12 to 16, in a significant move to deepen economic ties and foster greater regional collaboration. The delegation spans a diverse range of industries, including fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), hardware products, engineering services, digital services, and more.

Business-to-business meetings and networking events are planned for both Kingston and Montego Bay, providing ample opportunities for Jamaican and Trinidadian enterprises to forge new partnerships and explore joint ventures.

The mission’s broad industry representation reflects the growing need for Caribbean economies to diversify and strengthen their intra-regional trade networks. Notably, the Tobago House of Assembly, through its Incite programme, has facilitated the participation of five Tobago-based companies marking their first official business mission to Jamaica. This inclusion highlights Tobago’s commitment to expanding its export footprint and integrating more fully into the regional market.

Dr Mahindra Ramesh Ramdeen, CEO of the TTMA, who will be accompanying the delegates, is excited to deepen commercial ties with Jamaican counterparts.

“This trade mission represents an exciting opportunity to foster meaningful partnerships and pursue business ventures that bring mutual benefit to both our countries. We are committed to building lasting relationships that support growth, innovation, and shared prosperity across the region,” he stated.

Responding to global trade uncertainties

This trade mission comes at a critical juncture, as businesses across the Caribbean face mounting challenges in sourcing raw materials and exporting to traditional markets such as the United States. The mission is designed to help companies navigate these uncertainties by identifying new suppliers, distributors, and partners within the region. By bolstering South-South trade—trade between developing countries—Caribbean nations can enhance their economic resilience and reduce dependence on external markets.

South-South trade has emerged as a powerful engine for export development and diversification in Latin America and the Caribbean. According to the World Economic Forum, “exports to the South have been growing at a higher rate than exports to the North in nearly all LAC countries, and exports to partners within the region account for over half of LAC South-South trade. These exports are more diverse and more concentrated in manufacturing… Thus, South-South trade, in particular regional trade within LAC, holds the potential to become an important avenue for export development and diversification for the countries of the region”.

Championing regional integration, economic growth

Through this trade mission, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago are uniquely positioned to drive regional integration and economic growth. This mission aims not only to expand market access and facilitate knowledge transfer but also to lay the groundwork for long-term, mutually beneficial relationships between businesses in both countries.

The trade mission’s agenda includes targeted business-to-business meetings, networking events, and opportunities to explore investment incentives and distributorship arrangements. The mission is set to provide valuable insights into Jamaica’s business landscape and regulatory framework.

As global supply chains remain volatile, the importance of robust regional trade cannot be overstated. The upcoming Trinidad and Tobago trade mission to Jamaica represents a timely and strategic effort to harness the strengths of both economies, foster innovation, and ensure that Caribbean businesses remain competitive on the world stage.

The visit of the TTMA will coincide with the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association’s observance of Manufacturers’ Month.