The government of Trinidad and Tobago has extended an invitation to Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller to visit the twin-island republic as soon as possible.

The invitation was issued last week by Trinidad's High Commissioner to Jamaica, Dr Iva Gloudon.

According to Gloudon, it is hoped that Simpson Miller will visit Port-of-Spain at her earliest convenience for formal discussions on areas of mutual interest.

Gloudon was speaking during a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade A.J. Nicholson, where issues related to trade and cooperation between the two countries were discussed.

"The current trade deficit which Jamaica has with Trinidad and Tobago is too wide and needs to be reduced. In addition, we need to work together at resolving the various issues that have negatively affected our trade relationship over the years," said Nicholson.

He argued that both countries needed to be more active in exploring closer and more positive trade relations.

Nicholson further argued that increased collaboration between CARICOM countries, especially Jamaica, Trinidad and Barbados, "on certain critical issues, will certainly push the regional integration process further along".

Gloudon echoed Nicholson's sentiments while pointing out that her government had already begun the process towards heightened trade relations with Jamaica.

According to Gloudon, a trade desk has already been established in the offices of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers' Association that deals specifically with trade issues with Jamaica.



