Research on policies and institutions to support small and medium scale enterprise in the Caribbean: Trinidad and Tobago report

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago continues to provide support to SMEs in order to enhance their
international competitiveness. The increasing effects of globalization and the reality of several trade
agreements require that local businesses attain and maintain a level of competitiveness which ensures
their continued survival and growth. This report examines in detail the policy environment within which
these enterprises operate. It also examines the role of the key implementing agencies such as the BDC and
NEDCO for government’s policy on the sector and also the role of the respective line ministries. These
organizations strive to deliver value added technical, financial and export promotion services to its clients
on a subsidised basis.
The services offered reflect five key business areas such as financing, training, technical
assistance, trade assistance, business re-engineering, project management and export promotion. In the
case of the BDC its services target six sectors: food and beverage, metal processing, leisure marine,
including yachting, information and communication technology/electronics, printing and packaging and
entertainment. These said sectors are identified by the government, on the basis of a study which was
done by TIDCO, for the promotion of a cluster development strategy. In the case of NEDCO it targets the
following sectors: art and craft, food and beverages, fashion and fashion accessories, culture and ecotourism,
bed and breakfast operations, indigenous entertainment and light manufacturing.