Expanding export potential

摘要

Trinidad and Tobago is increasingly introducing its products to the world, with exports growing by nearly 22 percent in 2017 to reach over $9 billion. Leading the way is family-owned S.M. Jaleel & Company Ltd., the islands' largest exporting firm, which has been manufacturing soft drinks for 95 years and distributes to over 60 countries. Domestically, its brands, including Chubby and Fruta, outstrip international household names. Partly, this is due to quality-it is the only Caribbean Community manufacturer with SQF Level 2 food-safety certification. But chairman Mikaeel Mohammed believes: "S.M. Jaleel's core strength is to be innovatively disruptive. Through our innovation, we can offer unique flavors and packaging that appeal to each market." By constandy innovating, the company adapts quickly to trends-it was the first in the Caribbean to reduce sugar levels in drinks, for example.