Special Economic Zone incentives

Special Economic Zone incentives

for investors in Trinidad and Tobago

Panelists at the SEZ discussion held at the TT Chamber of Industry and Commerce on 19th Sept., 2024. From left to right: Stephen de Gannes - CEO of SEZ Authority; Sekou Alleyne - President InvesTT; Kiran Maharaj - President TT Chamber; Randall Karim - Permanent Secretary (Ag.), Ministry of Trade and Industry; Wade George - Executive Chairman, EY Caribbean.

Private sector opportunities

in the new Special Economic Zone regime

The value proposition for attracting investors into Trinidad and Tobago has been enhanced by the opportunity to offer Special Economic Zone (SEZ) incentives to new investors operating in Trinidad and Tobago's non-energy industries.

The SEZ Act 2022 creates a modern licensing and administrative regime for Operators (e.g. landlords of industrial/ business parks), SEZ Enterprises (e.g. businesses within designated zones) and Single Zone Enterprises (e.g. sole businesses).

The Government's main objective is to incentivize investment and create new jobs across Trinidad and Tobago, including rural communities.

Opportunities exist for manufacturers, business owners and entrepreneurs to apply for the SEZ incentives via the SEZ Authority.

 

Designation of SEZs

Designation of SEZs (quoted from Ministry of Trade and Industry's website)

The designation of various types of Special Economic Zones for specific types of activities enables the government to encourage activities that are critical to national development, and focus these investments in urban and rural communities throughout Trinidad and Tobago.  Special Economic Zones will be designated as one of the following:

  • Free Port: a duty-free area, located at a port of entry where imported goods may be unloaded for warehousing, repackaging or processing of imported goods for value-adding activities, and logistics services and sales;
  • Free Trade Zone: a duty-free area that accommodates specific activities targeted for international trade;
  • Industrial Park: a purpose-built industrial estate that leverages domestic and foreign fixed direct investment in value-added and export-oriented manufacturing industries.
  • Specialized Zone: a place designated for specialized activities including: manufacturing, maritime services, aviation services, fishing and fish processing, agriculture and agro-processing, information and communications technology, creative industries, financial services, medical tourism services, renewable energy, logistics and distribution, and business process outsourcing.
  • Development Zone: area where activities are focused on the development of a specific geographic region with emphasis on factors such as employment, skills training, entrepreneurship and rural development and overall social and economic development of the area.

The SEZ Act 2022 and how to apply for SEZ incentives

Download the SEZ Act here: The Trinidad and Tobago Special Economic Zones Act, 2022 (tradeind.gov.tt)

Further information and requests for application forms can be made via TTBizLink:

Special Economic Zones - Trinidad & Tobago Trade and Business Portal (ttbizlink.gov.tt)

E-mail: applications@seza.gov.tt

OR

Mail/Walk-in:
Chief Executive Officer – Special Economic Zones Authority
Trinidad and Tobago Special Economic Zones Authority
Level 3, Albion Plaza Energy Centre
22-24 Victoria Avenue, Port of Spain, Trinidad