Current Activities

Current Activities

Single Electronic Window (SEW)/TTBizLink

The SEW is an IT-based tool which will allow government based agencies and relevant private sector stakeholders involved in the various elements of trade and cross border transport to lodge standardized information and documents at a single entry point, in order to full all regulatory, import, export and transit-related requirements. Phase 1 of the SEW will be launched in January 2011. The Policy and Strategy Directorate is spearing activities to ensure implementation by this date.

Policy Development

The Directorate is currently finalizing Trinidad and Tobago’s Trade Policy and Strategy for Trinidad and Tobago for the period 2011-2015. The Trade Policy will seek to chart a clear path of T&T’s engagement in trade issues and to grow and diversify trade.

National Industrial Policy 2011-2015: The Directorate is currently assisting the Business Directorate in realizing the formulation of a National Industrial Policy for Trinidad and Tobago. This Policy will articulate the growth path for this country to achieve sustainable economic diversification.

National Services Industries Strategy 2011-2015: This Policy is intended to assist in the growth and development of services exports. The Directorate is currently assisting the Trade Directorate in creating a National Industrial Policy for Trinidad and Tobago.

The Directorate is also assisting on the creation of the new Investment Policy for Trinidad and Tobago to repeal the old Foreign Investment Act (1960) and initiate a new piece of legislation (Investment Promotion Act) which will facilitate the growth and expansion of foreign investment in Trinidad and Tobago.

European Development Fund (EDF)
The MTI is the lead agency coordinating the National 10th EDF, a budget support mechanism provided by the European Union. The objective of the National 10th EDF is to support the economic transition of T&T to a modern and sustainable economy dependent on sectors other than oil and gas. The Policy and Strategy Directorate continues to liaise with the European Commission on the implementation and rolling out of the provisions of the Fund.

Aid for Trade
Aid for Trade consists of all projects and programmes which have been identified as trade-development priorities in the recipient country’s national development strategies. Categories include development projects and programmes in the area of [a] trade policy and regulations (incl. trade facilitation); [b] trade development; [c] trade-related infrastructure; [d] building productive capacity; [e] trade-related adjustment; and [f] other trade-related needs. The World Trade Organisation (WTO) encourages developing and least developed countries to identify projects to seek Aid for Trade resources for donor countries. The Policy and Strategy Directorate is responsible for conducting a needs assessment to craft an Aid for Trade Strategy for Trinidad and Tobago, which will identify possible projects for funding.

International Trade Professional Programme
The International Trade Professional Programme is a pilot project being executed by the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The Programme seeks to strengthen the existing cadre of skilled personnel by providing employment to retuning scholars for a period of sixteen months. This Programme is intended to mentor and train participants in the area of trade-related policy. The Policy and Strategy Directorate takes the lead on identifying the technical training and capacity building needs of participants.

Hubs and Spokes Project
The Hubs and Spokes Project is a Joint Initiative of the European Commission (EC), the Commonwealth Secretariat (ComSec) and the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), with the support of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Secretariat. The aim of the project is to

build the capacity of ACP countries in the formulation, negotiation and implementation of trade policy, thereby integrating ACP countries into the world economy and contributing to sustainable development and poverty reduction in these countries.

Under the Hubs and Spokes Project, Mr. Patrick Kanyimbo has been attached to the Ministry of Trade and Industry as a Trade Policy Analyst for an initial period of two years, which has been subsequently extended. Mr. Kanyimbo offers technical support to the Directorate and facilitates a transfer of knowledge and skill in policy formulation.