Global Trinidad and Tobago hosted its Exploring Financing and Funding Options for Trinidad and Tobago Companies seminar on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, at the Le Rêve Conference Centre, C3 Centre, San Fernando.
The half-day seminar brought together entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized enterprises, and business leaders from South Trinidad and surrounding communities for practical discussions on accessing the capital needed to strengthen operations, expand production, and pursue new markets.
Building on Global TT’s first financing and funding seminar held in June, the initiative responded directly to a recurring challenge faced by local companies. While many businesses possess strong ideas and clear ambitions for growth, they may lack sufficient information about available financing instruments, the requirements of funding institutions, and the steps needed to prepare a successful application.
The programme helped participants explore the types of financing and funding available at different stages of the business lifecycle. We discussed the documentation required by financial institutions, how businesses can determine the appropriate level of capital, and how funding requests should be linked to clearly defined commercial objectives.
Participants also received guidance on strengthening their financial readiness by building a clear understanding of their operations, financial position, markets, risks, and growth strategies. These capabilities are essential when seeking financing for equipment, certification, technology, packaging, logistics, staffing, working capital or increased production capacity.
The seminar featured contributions from leading financial and business-development stakeholders, including Mr Gary Awai, Chief Executive Officer of Development Finance Limited; Dr Christian Stone, Chief Executive Officer of Term Finance; Ms Dana Seepersad, Manager, Credit at The Export–Import Bank of Trinidad and Tobago Limited; Ms Annesia Grant-Murren, Business Manager at NEDCO’s South Branch and Mr Wayne Elliott, Manager, Technical Programmes at the Caribbean Export Development Agency.
Through expert presentations, panel discussions, Q&A sessions, and direct engagement with participating institutions, attendees raised questions specific to their businesses. They gained a clearer understanding of financing solutions that may be appropriate for their needs.
The accompanying video captures highlights from the event. It includes interview excerpts from Mr Sekou Alleyne, Chief Executive Officer of Global Trinidad and Tobago and Mr Dhanraj Harrypersad, Head of Export Promotions at Global Trinidad and Tobago. Their contributions reinforce the important relationship between access to finance, business competitiveness and export growth.
For companies seeking to enter regional and international markets, identifying an opportunity is only the first step. Businesses must also have the capacity and resources to respond. Export expansion may require investment in production, equipment, certification, product development, packaging, technology, logistics and human resources. Connecting companies with the right financing and expert guidance is critical to turning market opportunities into sustainable results.
This initiative forms part of Global TT’s wider mandate to support the development of competitive, export-ready businesses and contribute to the diversification of Trinidad and Tobago’s economy. It also supports the national ambition to increase non-energy exports by an additional US$2 billion by 2027.
By bringing financial institutions, development agencies and the business community together, Global TT is helping to close information gaps, strengthen financial preparedness and create pathways for productive investment. The benefits go beyond individual attendees, helping a broader business community expand, create jobs, and compete in new markets.
We’re committed to connecting local companies with the information, expertise, financing, and market opportunities they need to grow locally, regionally, and internationally.
