“Trinidad and Tobago is an ideal location for the setting up of manufacturing enterprises within the Caribbean.”
India and Trinidad and Tobago have shared close economic ties. How have economic relations evolved since then?
The relationship between India and Trinidad and Tobago has significantly evolved over time. The relationship between the two countries dates back to 30th May, 1845 when the first ship, the Fath Al Razack, carrying 225 Indian indentured workers reached the shores of Trinidad from the port of Calcutta. Both countries were under the British Rule at that time. The Indian Indentured emigration system reigned from 1845 to 1917. During that period, approximately 148,000 Indians arrived in Trinidad to work in the sugar cane plantations. The indentured scheme was created due to the British Empire’s desperate need for labour to support the declining sugar industry during the post-slavery period as many estates were struggling. Over the period of indentureship, the contract itself changed. Besides working in the sugar fields, some Indians were assigned to work on cocoa and coconut plantations.
Today, the descendants of those Indian indentured labourers account for almost 42% of the total population. The Indian descendants are fully integrated into the socio-cultural, political and economic landscape that defines Trinidad and Tobago.
The relationship between India and Trinidad and Tobago continues to evolve as the world order changes. Both countries are committed to strengthening cultural, educational and economic ties. The economic relations of India and Trinidad and Tobago are now focused on energy initiatives, joint ventures, financial services, pharmaceuticals, tourism and business process outsourcing. This represents a shift from the era of indentureship to the era of entrepreneurship.
In your view which business areas offer greatest opportunities for Indian investors to invest in Trinidad and Tobago?
Trinidad and Tobago is an ideal location for the setting up of manufacturing enterprises within the Caribbean. Its robust logistics infrastructure, supported by numerous bi-lateral and multi-lateral trade agreements, has consistently created pathways for manufacturers seeking to widen their access to new markets.
Investment opportunities exist for Business Process Outsourcing companies with a large English Voice Service Focus seeking to provide high quality customer interaction, online chat and tech-support services to clients from a nearshore location. Opportunities exist in designated maritime zones in the Gulf of Paria for the establishment of offshore transshipment operations – bulk commodities and energy-related products. Investors will benefit from Trinidad and Tobago’s proximity to source markets in South America, a well-developed maritime infrastructure as well as industry support mechanisms. Trinidad and Tobago is among the world’s top destinations for ship storage and lay-ups due to our naturally sheltered and deep harbour, hurricane safety record and developed infrastructure and support mechanisms.
Other areas of opportunities are (1) Information Technology and Information Technology Enabled Services, (2) Pharmaceuticals, (3) Agriculture and Agro-Biotechnology, (4) New Energy (Wind & Solar), (5) Tourism including Medical Tourism, (6) Textiles and Garments, (7) Higher Education, (8) Automobiles, (9) Ayurveda and Wellness and (10) Films, Music and Entertainment.
India has been a consistent developmental partner of Trinidad and Tobago over the decades. What are some of the major areas with potential for bilateral co-operation between the two countries?
On 3-11 August, 2023, a delegation of officials from the Ministry of Digital Transformation (MDT), inclusive of Senator the Honourable Hassel Bacchus, Minister of Digital Transformation who joined the delegation on 6th August, undertook a strategic visit to India with the purpose of advancing bilateral cooperation in the areas of Digital Transformation and Information and Communications Technology (ICT). The long-term goal of this exchange is to strengthen Trinidad and Tobago’s position in the global e-governance arena.
Within the last decade, India has guaranteed its position as an international leader in the areas of Digital Identity, Digital Payments, Digital Service Transformation, Digital Public Infrastructure, and Digital Public Goods. Its momentous advancement in such areas has propelled India to capture the position as the world’s 5th largest economy and has enabled the creation of revolutionary services such as unique digital identity for all and the opening of zero-balance bank accounts. Furthermore, the Government of India has indicated a willingness to share its solutions and know-how with Trinidad and Tobago. Moreover, there is recognition of similarity in the countries’ approaches to the development and implementation of key projects such as the National Digital Identity (e-ID). Therefore, having noted India’s noteworthy attainments, the MDT has recognised the Government of India as a strategic partner for furthering its development objectives.
Tell us about Trinidad and Tobago as a major tourist destination in the Caribbean with a rich diverse culture to be explored.
Trinidad and Tobago is a beautiful country in the Caribbean, located just off the coast of Venezuela. We are known for our pulsating culture, spectacular beaches, and diverse wildlife. This makes Trinidad and Tobago a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. Trinidad and Tobago is famous for its energetic Carnival celebrations, which take place in February or March. If you love music, dance, and colourful costumes, the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival must be experienced.
Trinidad and Tobago has some of the most stunning beaches in the Caribbean. Popular preferences include Maracas Beach in Trinidad and Pigeon Point Beach in Tobago. Trinidad and Tobago is home to a diversity of wildlife, including birds, monkeys, and sea turtles. You can visit the Caroni Bird Sanctuary in Trinidad to see flocks of scarlet ibis, or head to Tobago to spot leatherback turtles nesting on the beach. Trinidad and Tobago has a rich culinary culture, influenced by African, Indian, and European traditions. Some must-try dishes include roti, doubles and bake and shark. Trinidad and Tobago is a melting pot of cultures, with influences from Africa, India, Europe, and the Caribbean. You can explore the country’s history and culture at museums like the National Museum and Art Galleries in Port of Spain. Trinidad and Tobago is known for its great forestry, waterfalls and hiking trails. Nearby trails are the Pines atop the Chancellor Hill, Bamboo Cathedral and Tracking Station in Chaguaramas. You can enjoy the beauty of our waterfalls and forts. Overall, Trinidad and Tobago offers an inimitable mixture of culture, inherent beauty, and adventure, making it a remarkable destination for any traveller.
India has a longstanding cultural relationship with Trinidad and Tobago, owing to historic, and demographic factors. How have the two countries fostered closer cultural ties in the recent years?
Trinidad and Tobago and India jointly celebrated Independence Day with a cultural exchange in the heart of the Hindustan capital in September 2022. This was a significant year for both countries. Indian celebrated 75 years of Independence whereas Trinidad and Tobago celebrated 60 years of Independence. Additionally, it was a celebration of 60 years of diplomatic relations. The Trinidad and Tobago High Commission to India partnered with the Indian government, and destination promoter Soca on the Seas, to stage “Connection”, an open exchange of music. The Connection concert featured T&T’s two-time former Chutney Soca Monarch NevalChatelal, veteran calypso/soca crooner Roger George, chutney act Savita Singh and pannist Johann Chuckaree. Guyana-born, USA-based chutney soca star Terry Gajraj also performed.
In addition, the Hindu Prachar Kendra, a Ramleela Group from Trinidad and Tobago was invited by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) to participate in the 6th Edition of the International Ramayana Festival and other scheduled performances in India during the period 15 to 27 October, 2022.
Cricket serves as a crucial aspect of people to people connection considering the popularity of the sport in both the nations. How do you look at this shared zeal and passion for cricket in deepening bilateral ties?
Since the 1950s, cricketers of Indian descent from Trinidad and Tobago have made a colossal impact to West Indian cricket. Some of the popular personalities are Sonny Ramadhin, Inshan Ali, Dinanath Ramnarine, Daren Ganga, Sherwin Ganga, Ravi Rampaul, Denesh Ramdin, Sunil Narine, Samuel Badree and Robin Singh. A number of these West Indies cricket legends have established cricket academies to train young people to be professional cricketers and represent the West Indian cricket team.
Cricket is undoubtedly one of the deepest bonds between India and Trinidad and Tobago. This has had the effect of reinforcing people-to-people relations between the countries. Many West Indian cricketers desire to visiting India to play in the IPL. For West Indies cricketers of Indian descent, a visit to India is much more than a sporting experience. Visiting India is a re-discover and appreciation of the strength and richness of their ancestral roots.
On 17th May, 2024 Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago met with Mr. Akash Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Jio Limited and owner of the Indian Premier League cricket team, Mumbai Indians. Prime Minister Rowley and Mr. Ambani are in talks to establish a cricket academy in Trinidad. They spent the afternoon discussing the way forward and touring the Mumbai Indians cricket team training facility.
Dr. Rowley believes that the creation of a state-of-the-art training facility in Trinidad will help nurture young players in Trinidad and Tobago and the wider region. He said this academy will play a critical role in building a foundation for the improvement and restoration of West Indies cricket.
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has already made the land available for the project.
What are the policy measures taken by the government of Trinidad and Tobago in terms of visa facilities and transport connectivity for Indians?
One of the best things about Indian nationals travelling to Trinidad and Tobago is that Indian passport holders do not require a visa for a period of 90 days (3 months). This visa waiver has created an easy entry requirement for Indian travellers travelling to Trinidad and Tobago whether for business or pleasure. Indians can connect directly to Trinidad and Tobago via flights from London, New York or Amsterdam.
Would you like to give any message to our Envoy Excellency readers?
Trinidad and Tobago offers an enticing mix of culture, cuisine and stunning eco-adventure. For Indians, Trinidad boasts of having the tallest Hanuman murti outside of India. The Temple in the Sea is another significant tourist site that expresses the strength and fortitude of the East Indian indentured immigrants. For the Indian investor, Trinidad and Tobago is the ideal investment destination in the Caribbean. Visit Trinidad and Tobago to experience the marvel of the Caribbean.