Senior Reporter
andrea.perez-sobers@guardian.co.tt
Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon says work on an e-commerce strategy 2024 -2029 will commence next month and is expected to be completed by August 2024.
Gopee-Scoon made the comment during her contribution to the 2024 Budget debate yesterday in the Senate.
She noted that the e-commerce strategy will be based on the outcome of an e-trade readiness assessment, which will analyse the e-commerce ecosystem to create a strategy that is well suited to T&T.
Further, the minister said the strategy will focus mainly on supporting the use of e-commerce by local businesses to service domestic, regional, and international markets.
Gopee-Scoon mentioned that the strategy will contribute to efforts by the Government to use technology to accelerate change and development through economic diversification, job creation and increased trade.
Implementation of a
Port Community System
The minister told the Senate that to assist with the backlogs at T&T’s ports, in June the ministry signed a US$9.8 million contract with SOGET, a global leader in the development of Port Community Systems, for the implementation, maintenance and support of a Port Community System for this country.
She said implementation will continue for two years with five modules expected to be completed within the first six months.
Some of the features of the System will include:
• Provision of real-time exchange of data and streamlined and improved efficiency of import, export, maritime and road transport-related activities;
• Tracking and managing of vessel arrivals and departures;
• Facilitation of communication between vessels, port authorities, regulatory agencies and Customs;
• Control and recording of entry and exit of trucks and containers to the port; traceability of transactions and improved transparency in the goods clearance process.
Automated construction
permit system
On the DevelopTT platform, which was launched in March 2020, the minister said by this December, the ministry will implement electronic payments for services on the platform and in 2024 will launch the following:
• The car rental e-service (development of this e-service was completed in fiscal 2023)—for the use of land/site as a small car rental facility;
• Variation e-service—for minor variations to the land use policy or site development standards;
• Mining e-service—for planning permission for mining and processing activities;
• Advertisement e-service—for permission to display advertisements.
Linkages
Also, she said the reports on strengthening sectoral linkages and regional value chains for the manufacturing sector have been received and are being reviewed by the ministry.
Gopee-Scoon revealed that discussions are being held with the consultants to finalise the submissions.
The Study on Sectoral Linkages, the minister said, is aimed at developing local value chains by identifying and exploiting forward and backward linkages within the non-energy sector.
“The local value chains identified related to poultry, fish, cocoa, film, fashion, music, food processors, fresh produce and events/festivals.”
The Study on Regional Value Chains, Gopee-Scoon explained, aimed at identifying new and alternate suppliers of inputs in Caricom for the manufacturing sector.
“Products recommended for the development of regional value chains include poultry, cocoa, and juices. In fiscal 2024, the MTI will take a targeted approach to value chain development aimed at increasing efficiencies and developing value-added products and services in the non-energy sector—working in tandem with particular/pertinent ministries,” she highlighted.