PM Kamla leads powerful trade/investment team on india State Visit

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar left on Monday for an historic State Visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. Her official schedule includes a courtesy call on the President of India, Pratibha Patil.

Members of her delegation include:

• Minister of Energy Kevin Ramnarine
• Minister of Foreign Affairs and Communications, Dr Surujrattan Rambachan
• Minister of Trade and Industry, Stephen cadiz
• Minister of Food Production, Vasant Bharath
• Minister of Tertiary Education, Fazal Karim
• Minister of Public Utilities, Emmanuel George
• Representatives of key agencies under the portfolio of these Ministries
• Prominent members of the business community 

The theme of the visit is: Trinidad and Tobago–India 2012: Partnering for Diversification, Innovation and Investment.

A release from the office of the Prime Minister Monday said the bilateral state visit "is set to engage several private and public sector companies and agencies in discussions targeted to attract investment and technical co-operation to Trinidad and Tobago." 

It added, "The state visit to India aims to capitalise on Trinidad and Tobago’s favourable investment climate and ideal geographic position as a gateway to Caribbean, Latin American and European markets."

The Prime Minister has also been bestowed the honour of Chief Guest at the 10th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), becoming the first female Head of Government in the Diaspora and the first dignitary of Trinidad and Tobago to be conferred this privilege.

Commenting on the visit, Persad-Bissessar said she hopes it would improve the bonds of friendship between the two nation.

She said the excellent diplomatic and cultural relations already enjoyed between the countries have created a solid foundation "upon which we may develop stronger, more resilient and concrete trade and investment ties for the mutual benefit of all the citizens of both nations."