Have T&T manufacturers made the most of Canada’s open door?

Forty years ago, Canada initiated the Caribbean-Canada Trade Agreement, known as CARIBCAN. This program, launched in 1986, has served as a cornerstone for commercial relations between Canada and Commonwealth Caribbean countries, offering preferential trade terms.

The agreement is a unilateral initiative by Canada, designed to foster trade and development within the region. It has provided a framework for economic cooperation, aiming to benefit participating Caribbean nations by facilitating access to the Canadian market.

As the 40th anniversary of CARIBCAN is observed, a key question arises: Have manufacturers in Trinidad and Tobago, specifically, capitalized on the opportunities presented by Canada's open-door policy under this agreement? The article seeks to explore the extent to which these trade preferences have been leveraged to bolster manufacturing output and export capabilities.