THE first export of luggage from Trinidad and Tobago represents a significant step in ongoing efforts by the Government to diversify the economy and attract new investments.
Trade and Industry Ministry permanent secretary Randall Karim expressed this view when he witnessed the first export of 4,700 pieces of luggage by Summit (TT) Luggage Company Ltd from the Phoenix Park Industrial Estate on Friday.
The estate is managed by eTeck (Evolving TecKnologies & Enterprise Development Co. Ltd).
Headquartered in Guangdong, China, Summit is the first business to occupy the estate.
The company has established a manufacturing assembly line at the estate that will produce 90 per cent hard-shell luggage using polycarbonate and polypropylene inputs.
Summit will export its products from TT mainly to North American and European corporate clients, which include well-known brand names in the luggage and retail industries.
Founded in 2001, Summit is one of the leading luggage enterprises in China with approximately 1,200 workers. The company's annual output is up to three million pieces of luggage and bags, which are sold in more than 80 countries.
Before sealing the container laden with the first cargo of luggage from Summit, Karim said, "This is a wonderful achievement."
He recalled that TT was the first Caribbean country to sign on to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global infrastructure development strategy adopted by the Chinese government in 2013 to invest in more than 150 countries and international organisations.
One of the BRI's objectives is to "to construct a unified large market and make full use of both international and domestic markets, through cultural exchange and integration, to enhance mutual understanding and trust of member nations."
TT is one of 154 countries that have signed on to the BRI. Others include Argentina, Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana, Venezuela, Egypt. South Korea and Russia.
Karim said Summit is also the first company based at the estate to export its products. Newsday understands that two-thirds of the warehouses located at the estate are occupied.
[caption id="attachment_1048055" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Randall Karim, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Industry congratulates Jack Lui manager Summit TT luggage company limited and his team on their first export of luggage to Canada from their factory at E TecK’s Phoenix Park Industrial Estate, Point Lisas -[/caption]
Karims said, "This is the first time that luggage manufactured in TT will be exported to North America."
He added, "That alone speaks volumes about this accomplishment and points to the joint efforts of the govt of TT and Summit Luggage in creating something new and innovative."
Karim was confident that this was a good sign ahead of the estate being fully commissioned in early January as the flagship BRI initiative in the Caribbean.
He said the Summit's export also highlights the strong performance of the domestic manufacturing sector in recent times.
"Over the last yea
