BUSINESS organisations say regional stability is essential even as Trinidad and Tobago seeks to expand its trading market outside of the region. They said they support Caricom as TT’s second-largest non-energy export market.

They made the statements to Newsday on December 23 after comments by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar criticising Caricom, describing it as fractured and an "unreliable partner," were met with umbrage by Antigua and Barbuda PM Gaston Browne, who said Caricom was TT's second-largest export market, behind the US.

“In 2024 alone, TT earned more than US $1.1 billion (7.5 billion) in foreign exchange from trade with Caricom, comprising approximately US$784.7 million ($5.3 billion) in domestic exports and US $501.3 million ($3.4 billion) in re-exports to Caricom states,” he said.