Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon has called on women to “develop a posture of confidence and pursue opportunities to monetise what they do best to secure their presence in the international trading place.”
Gopee-Scoon made the statement on Wednesday as she addressed the International Trade Centre’s (ITC) Virtual Good Trade Summit panel discussion titled “Women and trade at the heart of the pandemic recovery” .
Gopee-Scoon said that countries, especially small developing states must invest in creating an enabling digital environment which will provide the foundation for the creation of a fully digital economy.
“The Government is pursuing the implementation of Electronic Funds Transfer which allow all payments to Government, such as taxes and custom duties to be made electronically. We are also pursing the Automation of all government services where practicable and enhancing co-operation between stakeholders to modernize, upgrade and automate import procedures to reduce the time and cost associated with import and export of goods”.
She underscored the importance of Government financial support and incentives to ensure the survival of existing businesses as well as to encourage the proliferation of new business ventures and the development of the manufacturing sector.
Gopee-Scoon said that as Trinidad and Tobago responds to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, priority will continue to be placed on creating the facilitative environment for e-commerce to grow and thrive.
She said COVID-19 acted as an impetus to get e-commerce moving with entrepreneurs finding innovative ways to conduct their business online.