Buy Local Charter Links Innovation With Growth for Local Businesses

The Buy Local, Build Trinbago initiative has taken another step towards strengthening local enterprise, with a Charter signing at Queen’s Hall bringing together Government, businesses and members of Trinidad and Tobago’s innovation community. The event, held on Friday, October 2, focused on strengthening the relationship between innovation, entrepreneurship and greater support for locally produced goods and services. Deputy Permanent Secretary (Ag.) in the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism, Neville Alexander, highlighted the role innovation can play in helping local businesses become more competitive. Alexander noted that innovation does not necessarily require creating an entirely new product. It can include improving an existing product, using technology more efficiently or developing new ways of bringing locally produced goods and services to market. The Charter is intended to encourage greater collaboration among Government, businesses, entrepreneurs, innovators and other stakeholders, while creating an environment in which ideas can be developed into viable commercial ventures. The initiative also places emphasis on helping Trinidad and Tobago businesses strengthen their capabilities and pursue opportunities beyond the domestic market, including regional and international markets. The Buy Local, Build Trinbago campaign was launched in January 2026 by the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism. Its objectives include increasing the promotion of locally produced goods and services, strengthening consumer confidence, improving competitiveness and supporting the expansion of local enterprises. Several business and industry organisations have signed the Charter during 2026 as the Ministry seeks to encourage both consumers and organisations to give capable local suppliers greater consideration. The latest signing places innovation alongside local purchasing as part of the wider effort to strengthen businesses, commercialise local ideas and create additional opportunities for Trinidad and Tobago products and services.