Trinidad trade show defies recession with record buyers

In the face of gloomy developments in the international and local economies, there is some positive news on the horizon. Organisers of the Trade and Investment Convention (TIC 2009) say that more international buyers have registered for TIC 2009 than ever before.

In fact, business buyers from 39 countries have registered for this year’s Convention, which takes place at the Centre of Excellence in Trinidad from June 24-27, 2009.

TIC organisers admit to some surprise at the response from international buyers, given current global economic conditions. So much so, that they polled buyers to research reasons for the increased interest in business-to-business opportunities in Trinidad and Tobago.

“We thought that overseas buyers would pull back from events like TIC given the global recession,” says TIC Chairman Anthony Aboud, “but what we discovered is that international buyers are seeking out new suppliers because of the global economic recession. We discovered that they are actively looking for new competitive sources of raw materials, products and services to ride out the recession and to position themselves for the future."

A “buyer” as defined by TIC is a prequalified business that is actively seeking new products and suppliers. For the last two years, Convention organisers have placed increasing emphasis on increasing the number of new geographic markets for exhibitors. Last year buyers from 30 countries attended the business-to- business event.This year, the 39 countries registered to attend span the globe. Most countries of the Caribbean will be at TIC and several new countries will be coming from Africa, including South Africa and Niger. The Asian contingent includes buyers from China, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Traditional markets like the US, UK and Canada will participate alongside new European markets like France. Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago’s position as a North-South business hub seems to be paying off in the form of strong Central and Latin American representation, including Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama and Uruguay.

To make direct contact with a Buyer or Exhibitor and to begin business-to- business negotiations, one must be a registered participant, TIC said. TIC also offers matchmaking and networking services to help exhibitors meet international buyers.

Buyers include corporate and industrial purchasers, agents, distributors, importers, wholesalers and retailers from both the private and public sector.

TIC has also negotiated with trade organisations and governments abroad to bring special country buyer missions to the Convention this year.

TIC, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, is the flagship inward trade mission of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association, and is sponsored by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, TSTT and First Citizens.

BUYERS HAVE REGISTERED FOR TIC 2009 FROM THESE COUNTRIES

Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Barbados, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Ghana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Netherlands Antilles, Nigeria, Niger, Pakistan, Panama, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, USA, Venezuela, Virgin Islands (British), Virgin Islands (US).




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CREDITS:

- Photo of recently opened flyover at Grand Bazaar by Don Harry