H.E Nicholas hosts Honorary Consuls from Europe

High Commissioner Garvin Nicholas hosts TT Honorary Consuls from Scandinavia and Germany for Developmental Briefings

On Monday 22^nd April, High Commissioner Garvin Nicholas together with Trinidad and Tobago Honorary Consuls convened for a day of intensive talks and training at the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission in London.

Discussion centred on the current socio-economic climate, strategic development priorities, trade and investment opportunities and immigration policy.

In attendance were Honorary Consuls Mr. Ingo Meyr, Munich, Germany; Mr. Howard M.S. Kroch, Hamburg, Germany; Mr. Kurt Brusgaard, Denmark and Mr. Rolf E. Holmen, Norway. Mr. Bernd Listner, Cologne and Bonne, Germany, was represented at the conference by his assistant, Ms. Kirsten Ockel.

The Honorary Consuls serve an integral role in the promotion of Trinidad and Tobago in their respective jurisdictions. High Commissioner Garvin Nicholas emphasised the Honorary Consuls’ significant potential for fostering foreign trade and investment opportunities between Europe and the twin island state.

In his Welcoming Address, the High Commissioner highlighted the changing role of diplomacy from mere representation to active economic engagement.  He also noted the responsibility of the Honorary Consuls to act as conduits for trade expansion and promotion, ventures which will be pursued in concert with the Trade and Business Division at the High Commission.

The forum also provided the Honorary Consuls with the opportunity to become acquainted, via web conferencing, with the 2013 strategic plans of ExporTT, as well as the promotional activities of InvesTT and Tourism Development Company (TDC).

The High Commissioner stressed the need for increased communication and knowledge transfer between the Honorary Consuls and Trinidad and Tobago to ensure efficient promotion of the country’s interests.

Mr. Kroch, Honorary Consul for Hamburg, Germany echoed the High Commissioner’s sentiments, remarking, “This has been a very meaningful meeting. We look forward to working more closely with the High Commission on expanding our role as representatives of Trinidad and Tobago to Europe”.