The Caribbean island republic Trinidad and Tobago, whose economy is based on petroleum, natural gas reserves and mining, is seeking to import food items such as milk, fruits and other food products from India.
The island, with a population of over 10 million also aims at greater trade cooperation with India in areas of agriculture, fisheries and financial services.
?Due to commonality of culture, the trade opportunities with India is also very critical,? Kankana Dubey, trade officer with the High Commission of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to India, told FE. She said that island country is eager to import milk and fruits as India is one of the biggest producers of food items.
?We also intend to import fruits such as mangoes, grapes and oranges from India,? Dubey. She said that due to affinity in food habits and culture, the trade ties could be further strengthened.
Admitting that exports to Trinidad and Tobago may not be that ?lucrative due to small market size?, she said that Indian companies could use the island nation as base for further export to entire South American region.
She said that Indian exporters of fruits and milk products could use Trinidad and Tobago for entering the Latin American market. Besides the food products, the island nation is already importing products like pharmaceuticals, ayurvedic & herbal products, garment and accessories and spices.
Bilateral trade has risen from $8.8 million in 2001 to $ 45 million in 2004. ?We have witnessed a rising trend in the trade since 2004,? Dubey said.