In a significant diplomatic and economic development, Trinidad and Tobago hosted a high-level delegation from the United Arab Emirates on January 24th to advance foreign investment opportunities and strengthen bilateral relations. The UAE delegation, led by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, engaged in substantive discussions with Trinidad’s ministerial team headed by Works and Infrastructure Minister Jearlean John.
The engagement represented a continuation of Trinidad’s global economic development strategy, particularly building upon recent ministerial outreach to Middle Eastern nations. During the meetings, Minister John presented the government’s comprehensive Revitalisation Blueprint—an ambitious infrastructure program encompassing over 129 projects designed to drive economic diversification and enhance national resilience in an increasingly volatile global landscape.
Minister John emphasized Trinidad’s openness for business, highlighting the nation’s strategic geographic positioning, competitive advantages, and ongoing regulatory improvements designed to facilitate foreign investment. The discussions focused on identifying mutually beneficial partnership opportunities aligned with Trinidad’s national development priorities.
The UAE delegation conducted firsthand inspections of several major national projects, including the Invaders Bay Development Project in Port of Spain, the Port of Point Lisas, and the Couva Children’s Hospital. These site visits provided concrete examples of development areas with significant investment potential.
Foreign Minister Sean Sobers contextualized the visit within Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s broader vision of expanding Trinidad’s global relationships. He noted that the UAE’s outreach followed the Prime Minister’s “clarion call” for enhanced international engagement, with initial contacts established around mid-2024. Sobers highlighted the UAE’s significant economic stature as one of the world’s top ten oil producers and its substantial sovereign wealth funds managing approximately US$1.5 trillion in assets.
The meeting built upon previous discussions held in the Middle East on November 24, 2025, where both nations explored establishing a Trinidad and Tobago diplomatic mission in the UAE and identified specific investment opportunities within the Revitalisation Blueprint Initiative. The visit concluded with the delegation experiencing local culture through sampling doubles, a popular Trinidadian street food.