LOCAL BUSINESSMEN and representatives of other sectors are planning to visit India at the end of this year as part of a series of efforts to further deepen bilateral trade relations, it was disclosed yesterday.

The plan regarding the proposed trip of a mixed T&T mission to India was revealed at a tea meeting hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce in honour of the visiting Indian Parliamentary delegation, which was headed by the Speaker of the House of Parliament of India, Shri Somnath Chatterjee.

It was announced at yesterday's meeting that a Trinidad and Tobago delegation will head to India in December for three weeks, in an attempt to further cement trade ties between the two states.

Chatterjee told leaders of the local business community, that there is "tremendous scope for development" in the sphere of business.

Chatterjee commented that "in these days of globalisation, no country can remain aloof from development", since it is in each country's interest to inculcate attitudes of growing commerce and maximising trade.

He said: "We have a very long-standing relationship, not only because there is a large number of people of Indian origin here, but it is a country which has believed in democracy...democratic principles and policies, principles which are very dear to us also.

"There is nothing between us which can stand in the way of growing interests," Chatterjee said.

He also revealed that it was the first time an Indian Speaker of the House of Parliament had visited a Chamber of Commerce on a trip away from his homeland, saying that this is a direct sign as to the importance his country viewed trade with this Caricom state.

Vice president of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Ian Welch, said that in 2002 alone, US$20 million worth of goods were imported from India, while Trinidad and Tobago exported approximately US$1.4 million in goods to India.

Welch added: "In terms of education, India has been a strong supporter of tertiary education for our young people and has been offering 10 training slots to Trinidadian candidates every year for the past 10 years, under the Indian Technical and Economic Programme (ITEC).