The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, just off the coast of north-eastern Venezuela and south of Grenada. It consists of two main islands and shares maritime boundaries with Barbados, Guyana, and Venezuela.
As a leading oil and gas producer in the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago’s energy sector plays a central role in the national economy, contributing approximately 30 - 40% of GDP and 80% of export earnings. Over the past decades, the country has transitioned from oil dependency to becoming a major natural gas exporter, with a well-developed gas-based industrial sector.
Commercial use of natural gas began in the mid-20th century, followed by the development of large-scale infrastructure for gas transmission, processing, and power generation in the 1970s and 1980s. This enabled the growth of downstream industries such as petrochemicals and steel. The launch of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) exports in the late 1990s marked a turning point, positioning the country as a key LNG supplier globally. Ongoing investments in offshore exploration and infrastructure continue to strengthen the sector.
In addition to energy, Trinidad and Tobago exports a range of manufactured goods across the region notably food products, beverages and construction materials. The country also serves as a regional financial hub and maintains a steadily growing tourism sector.