European Business Chamber in Trinidad and Tobago

The European Business Chamber in Trinidad and Tobago (EUROCHAMTT) is a non-profit organisation committed to facilitating European business interests and market entry in Trinidad and Tobago and eventually to the wider Caribbean, as Trinidad and Tobago is often used as a hub for the Southern and Eastern Caribbean countries. EUROCHAMTT promotes business prospects and opportunities for European investment and advocates for the implementation of policy, legislation and regulations aligned to international agreements, towards a more attractive investment environment. EUROCHAMTT also facilitates local companies to partner and trade with Europe by providing information on market entry requirements and opportunities provided under EU-CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement, and by leveraging its own membership and capacity for technical support.

Registered as a non-profit company under the Companies Act in February 2013, EUROCHAMTT became a member of the EBO Worldwide Network in 2014. It is also registered as a non-profit organisation (NGO) under the NPO Act in 2019.

EUROCHAMTT works very closely with and complements the work of the EU Delegation to Trinidad and Tobago and European diplomatic missions in promoting trade and investment. It is well recognised by the local authorities and engages especially with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Planning and Development, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs among other government ministries and state enterprises under those ministries. It also partners and works with international agencies based in Trinidad and Tobago such as the United Nations and organisations under that umbrella and the Inter-American Development Bank.

With a membership consisting of around 40 financial members including large, multinational corporations and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as professional service providers and a much wider network of 100s of companies supported through projects across several sectors such as energy, maritime and logistics, agribusiness, food and beverage, ICTs and tourism, EUROCHAMTT represents the interests of European businesses operating in Trinidad and Tobago. Its core mission revolves around promoting trade and investment, facilitating networking and business development opportunities, and assisting members in navigating the intricacies of the Caribbean business landscape.

To accomplish these objectives, EUROCHAMTT provides its members with a range of services and resources.

Publications

Publications:

Position Papers
Quarterly newsletters
News

Sustainability Awards:

In 2022, EUROCHAMTT introduced successfully in partnership with the UN office in Trinidad and Tobago, its Sustainability Champion Awards. The partnership has now expanded to include the University of the West Indies, Department of Geography and a comprehensive strategy to continue deepening and widening the initiative has been developed.
- Sustainability Champion Awards 2023 - EUROCHAMTT European Business Chamber in Trinidad and Tobago
- Sustainability Champion Awards 2024 - EUROCHAMTT European Business Chamber in Trinidad and Tobago
The awards take into consideration
- UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- The EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
- EU Environmental Sustainability Taxonomy
- TTS/ISO 37000:2022 Governance of organisations – Guidance
- Business for Nature

Services

Trade Services:

In the absence of other active bilateral chambers, EUROCHAMTT supports Business match making and business delegations;
EUROCHAMTT supports European companies including non-members (exporters, importers and investors) to explore the viability of entering the Trinidad and Tobago market. They can also work with their network within the region including other European Based Organisations, to expand the services across other islands of interest within the Caribbean. ( Link) Their services include preparations of:
- Contact list
- Expanded Industry information packages: in addition to contact list, the package may include pertinent legislation, regulations, tax categories and rates and fiscal incentives pertaining to the industry of interest, as well as details on key players, brokers, distribution channels, upcoming projects and other details of interest;
Specific industry market research subject to agreed terms of reference;
Management of inward missions including the hosting and event planning of seminars and professional networking events for inward trade delegations as well as the organisation of B2B meetings and follow up support.

Membership Benefits

Having a voice and opportunity to contribute to government policy, legislation, regulations in Trinidad and Tobago;
Through the EU Transparency Register where EUROCHAMTT is registered, members also have a voice and opportunity to influence policy, legislation, regulations of the EU institutions;
Opportunity for high level dialogue with Government as a group;
Updates on amendments to local and European government policy, legislation, regulations which impact business;
Access to marketing and trade support services through our partnership with Caribbean Export Development Agency for the Trade and Investment Convention, through our network in Europe and through digital marketing directly to members as well as EUROCHAMTT social media outreach and communications services;
Access to pertinent and timely information on Trinidad and Tobago and European affairs;
Invitations to events hosted by the EU community, other international organisations, regional and local community such webinars, training opportunities, business networking events among others;
Access to information on programmes funded by the EU;
Access to information on tenders as the information becomes available;
Newsletters and reports on events hosted by EUROCHAMTT;
Special member costs for any event hosted by EUROCHAMTT;
Networking opportunities with the local business and government community in Trinidad and Tobago as well as access to a network of over 40 European Business Organisations (EBO Worldwide Network);
Opportunities to propose and /or participate in special projects managed by EUROCHAMTT towards climate action, which may also improve the business environment for investment in clean technologies;
Preferred provider status for quotations and bids for services arranged by EUROCHAMTT once the eligibility criteria are met for the goods and services being procured.

Advocacy

Advocacy:

EUROCHAMTT monitors the changing policy, legislative and regulatory environment and the impact this has on the ease of doing business and market access to Trinidad and Tobago and we submit letters and position papers aimed at improvement the environment. (Link)

Climate Action:

Since the formation of the organisation to the present and continuing in the future, climate action is an important theme promoted by EUROCHAMTT. Several EUROCHAMTT members are directly involved in clean technologies and businesses promoting sustainable development. The Chamber collaborates with its members and partners to organise, implement or participate in special projects promoting climate action and the application of clean technologies in business. (Link)

EU Projects

3 major (3-4 year projects: Euro238,000- Tobago Good Foods (2014-2017); USD400,000- Management contract in Shaping the Future of Innovation Project (ongoing).and TT$200,000 - Sustainability Champion Initiative (ongoing).
Over 70 single but related workshops, events, position papers largely under the theme of sustainability impacting 100s of SMEs and building up a network of experts and library of information.