Trinidad and Tobago mainly exports natural gas and oil (80 percent of total exports). Others include ammonia, alcohols, iron, fertilizers, and iron and steel. Trinidad and Tobago’s main exports partner is the United States, accounting for around 52 percent of total exports. Others include Jamaica, Spain, Mexico, the Netherlands, the Dominican Republic, Barbados, France and the United Kingdom.

A meeting point for cultural traditions preserved by migrants from around the world, Trinidad is constantly abuzz with artistic and cultural activity — music, dance, theatre and drama, fashion, literature, and much more.

There are exceptionally talented local craftsmen in Trinidad working in leather, clay, fabric, copper and other raw materials like seeds, shells and gourds. And you can find just about anything mainstream, from clothes, houseware and aromatherapy candles to fancy local foods, fashion and jewellery.

In an effort to undergo economic transformation through diversification, the government has identified the creative industries, particularly the music, film and fashion sectors, as pivotal to long-term economic sustainability. As such, the Trinidad and Tobago Creative Industries Company Limited (CreativeTT) was established in 2013 to oversee the strategic and business development of the three (3) niche areas of film, fashion and music.

CARIFESTA, the Caribbean Festival of Arts, is the region’s premier multi-disciplinary Arts and Culture Festival.  From August 16 till 25, 2019, CARIFESTA XIV will be hosted by Trinidad and Tobago .

This roving Festival usually attracts Artists, Artistes and Culture Professionals from over thirty (30) countries.

This Festival of Arts,  has assumed a pre-eminent place among the elements that define and give expression to the uniqueness of the Caribbean reality. Like other significant institutions such as cricket, CXC, and CARICOM that symbolize a Caribbean commonality, the Festival reinforces our unity in the midst of the Caribbean splendid diversity.

“CARIFESTA embodies Caribbean integration. It is here that the people of the Region come together; co-mingle, creating one community, one people. That is integration. Further, this event strengthens the bonds between us, displays our creativity and ingenuity and demonstrates to the world the best that this Region has to offer. CARIFESTA celebrates our Caribbean being in a way that no other single event can.”

The theme this year is :

The Tangible and Intangible

The theme focuses on both the tangible and intangible aspects of cultural heritage and development and seeks to embody and facilitate the objectives of CARIFESTA XIV, that is:

Finding the ways and means for Caribbean people, artists, and cultural practitioners to Connect with each other, Share ideas and information, and Invest in the development of our cultural explorations, products and exchanges thus building stronger national, regional and creative industries.

The Festival has evolved and transformed over its forty-six-year history and it is expected that CARIFESTA XIV will ‘generate greater value for key stakeholders like artists, cultural entrepreneurs, host and sending governments, and the CARICOM Secretariat’.

For whom? Participation in this mission aims to further inform and facilitate entrepreneurs in their further entry into international trade outside the Dutch Kingdom.

The program of this trade mission places a substantive emphasis on entrepreneurs / self-employed persons / companies from, among others, the following sectors:

• Creative industry (top sector) (Dance, Film, Visual Arts , Literature)
• Agri & Food (topsector),
• Consumer goods and retail
• Tourism recreation and hospitality
• Clothing and textiles 
• Service sector
• Fashion
• Culinary Sector
• Art & Culture promotion

Joining the trade mission will bring the participating companies companies into contact with potential buyers, agents, distributors,international joint venture partners, licensees, other Caribbean businesses and businesses within the Dutch Kingdom, and government contacts.

Besides the program is crafted to provide the following:

• one-on-one appointments with potential business partners
• growth of your international network
• knowledge exchange
• raising your Business profile
• market briefings
• networking receptions
• selective sessions on local business practices
• site visits
• and save transportations to the selected CARIFESTA XIV events

This program of this trade mission has been put together especially for  entrepreneurs in the creative sector , who would like to further explore the business possibilities in the Caribbean region.

We welcome entreprenuers from from Curaçao, Aruba, Bonaire and the Netherlands to participate.The pre-mission and post- mission activities are in line with practicalities from within the Dutch Kingdom.

SME and startups are just as welcome on this trade missions as multinationals.

Participation in this trademission includes:

• Pre-mission activities to prepare the participants on the trip to Trinidad and Tobago.
• Participation in matchmaking sessions of the organization.
• Company visits specially arranged for the delegation.
• Presentation an Q & A session with succesfull local entreprneurs from the creative sector of Trinidad and Tobago.
• Attendance to the CARIFESTA Festival with a group of Dutch Entrepreneurs
• Participation in CARIFESTA workshops
• (Possibility for a shared or own booth stand at during the Grandmarket )

The costs  will cover the following:

• Organization of the mission and implementation of the program
• Pre mission activities
• Matchmaking costs
• Partisipation to the Opening event and Q & A session in Trinidad and Tobago.
• Transport to visit companies and from to festival activities as a group

For the ones that want to participate to the Grandmarket with a booth

• Shared Booth or own booth costs (We are looking into possibilities for 2 packages)
• Coordinate logistics and shipment of goods for the exhibition
• Post mission support and assistance.

Participants can choose from 2 programs:

1. Festival visitor, from 15 to 23 August 2019
2. Festival & participant, from 15 to 26 August 2019

Participants can choose from 2 programs:

1. Festival visitor, from 15 to 23 August 2019
2. Festival & participant, from 15 to 26 August 2019

Please note the program is subjected to changes.

Finally and most importantly, you need to have the financial resources to participate. It is possible to request financing at Qredits to help you cover the cost. Reach out to us if you need help with this.