Manufacturing

Businesses/companies/firms involved in physical or chemical transformation of materials, substances or components into new products. Materials, substances or components are products of large scale agricultural, forestry, fishing, mining or quarrying or other manufacturing activities.

Agriculture & Agro Processing

Small businesses involved in the small-scale production of crops, aquaculture, animals and/or agro-processed products. These may include: Jams and Jellies, Sauces, Fruit Mixes, Salted fish and Sea Foods, Juices, Packaged Eggs, Local Sweets, Chips, etc.

Services

Businesses/companies/firms that earn revenue through providing intangible products and services. Activities in this business include banks, hotels, education, health, ICT services, communications, telephone services, electrical services, fuel distribution, shipping and transportation, etc.

Micro, Small & Medium Sized Enterprises

Small enterprises involved in the small-scale production of goods (Furniture, Crafts, etc.) or services (Medical Laboratories, Electrical Services, Plumbing, Transport etc.). Enterprises qualify if they possess; 25 or fewer employees, turnover $8 million or less per annum and have assets of $1 million or less.

General Entry and Evaluation Criteria

1. Have a valid Business registration from the Registrar General of the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs;
2. Be majority Trinidad and Tobago owned (≥51%);
3. Valid tax compliance from the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority;
4. Valid National Insurance compliance from the National Insurance Board;
5. Approval of completed application; and
6. Willingness to have Business assessed.

Statutory Documents (Must be submitted with application form)

• Certification of Incorporation / Continuance / Registration
• Valid Income Tax Clearance Certificate
• Valid Value Added Tax Clearance Certificate or a Letter from the VAT office indicating that the firm is not required to be VAT registered.
• Valid National Insurance Board Compliance Certificate
• Valid Annual Return or Proof of ownership (Majority Trinidad and Tobago Owned)

Quality System Documents (Sample of documents must be submitted with application form)

All businesses must also possess at least one of the following or have them in place by the close of the application period:

1. Documented Standard Operating Procedures
2. Documented Processes
3. Quality Manual/Policy Manual
4. Agro-processors – Best Practices Manual or Flowchart or some form of documented evidence to illustrate consistency
5. Ability to demonstrate compliance to quality requirements