Trinidad and Tobago holds the distinction of being the ONLY Caribbean country to participate in the 60th installation of New York’s Summer Fancy Food Show, from June 30 – July 1, 2014. The objective of Trinidad and Tobago’s participation is to showcase the Trinidad and Tobago brand – the Energy of Trinidad and Tobago, with a special focus on export promotion for the food and beverage and agri-business industries, along with investment promotion for Trinidad and Tobago. Thirteen of Trinidad and Tobago’s outstanding manufacturers will be part of the Trinidad and Tobago Pavilion at the Show.

The food and beverage sector in Trinidad and Tobago boasts of global players with internationally recognized brands and a large cadre of smaller companies specializing in Caribbean based niche products. Additionally, the United States remains one of our major markets for export of specialty food and beverage products.

As a result of the Government’s commitment to the aggressive expansion of this sector, the Minister Bharath will lead the delegation of senior Government officials on this Mission, including Mr. Joel Jack, Secretary of Finance and Enterprise Development and Mr. Robert Tang Yuk, Chairman of exporTT Limited, along with other representatives of the Division of Finance and Enterprise Development, Tobago House of Assembly; exporTT Limited; and the participating companies.

Trinidadian companies are excited to be part of this initiative. “What we really expect is that one-on-one face time with clients. Fancy Food brings targeted customers so we get exposure to the retailers, the suppliers, the decision makers in the business, so it’s very productive and we get to have an international platform for brand exposure” said Natalie Paul, Regional Export Manager, Carib Brewery.

“We are looking at expanding our markets in the US and worldwide. At Fancy Food, you have an audience of different countries and we expect to get at least customers not only from the US but other islands and countries. I expect that we should get other customers and more recognition for our brand” said Ravi Sankar, Director, RHS Marketing Limited of his Company’s Karibbean Flavors brand.

It is an opportunity that provides our local manufacturers with an attractive catchment for real business opportunities. Miguel Bermudez, International Export Executive at KC Confectionery agrees. He said, “We are going to the Fancy Food Show because it is the Show where you get the most exposure for our products. The Fancy Food Show’s approximate visitors would be around 40,000 plus. Also participating is about 15 – 16 nations from all over the world come to this show. This show also has a wide spread of buyers, buyers who come from every nook and cranny.”

His words are echoed by Jeremy Matouk, CEO/President, National Canners “Our Company has been at the Summer Fancy Food Show for longer that I can remember, it’s the best Show, and if you are going to go to one Show, this is it. … I am also delighted that Trinidad and Tobago has taken it seriously, has amassed a significant booth space so we can have an impression and I think we are selling the country and we’ve got a fantastic food sector in Trinidad and I think we will do very well.”

The thirteen (13) participating Companies are ASMA’s Roti; Caribbean Development Company Limited (Carib Brewery Limited); Charles Chocolates (Associated Brands Company Limited); Chatak Foods; Flavour-Me-Rite; Jus Rite Creations; KC Confectionery Limited; National Canners/Matouks International; RHS Marketing; SMAKS Trinidad Ltd; The Roti Factory (Dolly’s Roti); Nola’s; and VEMCO Limited.