The Trade Ministry says the first phase of T&T’s National E-Commerce Strategy has been completed.

It says this involved the preparation of the country’s eTrade Readiness Assessment by the UN Conference on Trade and Development, which documented gaps, opportunities and challenges to local e-commerce development, coming out of the National Multi-Stakeholder Consultation Session in March 2024.

Speaking today at the Opening Session of the eTrade Readiness Assessment Validation Session and Workshop on the National E-Commerce Strategy, Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon said, “according to the World Trade Organization, the rise of the digital economy provides a range of new opportunities for small and medium sized firms to play a more active role in global value chains. E-commerce and digital transformation remain a core area of focus for the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, as a strong driving force for innovation, growth, trade and social prosperity.”

She also underscored the Ministry’s commitment to creating an enabling environment to facilitate and promote e-commerce, where businesses can thrive, consumers can shop with confidence and innovation can flourish.

According to the Ministry, the two-day Session and Workshop will provide the opportunity for national stakeholders to discuss and validate the findings of the eTrade Readiness Assessment.

It adds that T&T remains on track to complete the National E-Commerce Strategy 2024-2029 by December 2024.