Trinidad and Tobago explores Colombia’s IT, BPO sectors

PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO — Trinidad and Tobago is eyeing investment opportunities in Colombia’s booming information technology (IT) and business process outsourcing (BPO) sectors.
A recent Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries (TTCSI) webinar guided local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on tapping Colombia’s growth.
“Colombia has Latin America’s third largest software and IT market,” said ProColombia’s Rosa Garzon, citing government efforts to expand its sizable pool of IT talent.
She also called Colombia “a spectacular outsourcing location.”
Garzon added that the BPO sector enables inclusive growth by creating jobs for diverse communities.
Expert Gustavo de la Vega advised Trinidad and Tobago entrepreneurs to visit Colombia for in-person networking at key industry events to build partnerships and boost exports.
Meanwhile, TTCSI President Mark Edghill noted that both governments recognize services trade as vital for post-pandemic resilience. Priority sectors include tourism and software development.
Colombia’s 2022 services sector contribution was 54.8% of its trillion-dollar gross domestic product (GDP). Edghill believes engaging with Colombia can strengthen Trinidad and Tobago’s services sector, which is currently 11% of its GDP.
Edghill shared that reciprocal investment agreements are also being discussed to facilitate opportunities with greater confidence.
He added that direct flights between both countries could further enable trade ties. Current available routes to travel to Colombia from Trinidad and Tobago include stopovers at Panama, Miami, or Venezuela.