BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Barbados is hoping to strengthen its relations with Togo as officials from the African country are on a week-long visit to the island.

“The purpose of it also this week is to explore how we can now build out, particularly for our business sector in Barbados, what are the opportunities Togo can present for our business sector, and by business sector, I don’t only mean the traditional aspect of business where we mean to establish (large) companies, also our young entrepreneurs must see this an opportunity for them to be able to tap into the fast-growing economy that is Togo,” said Minister of Economic Affairs and Investment, Chad Blackman.

Blackman said Barbados is actively pursuing closer diplomatic relations with the West African country as Bridgetown tries to have greater presence and open new opportunities for trade, cultural exchange and economic growth.

He revealed that there are plans to leverage Togo’s advanced infrastructure and fast-growing economy to benefit Barbadian businesses and entrepreneurs.

He said while diplomatic relations are formalised at the government level, the real focus will be on unlocking tangible benefits for citizens.

“These relationships of course are formalised at the government level, but it’s really now to unlock it for the benefit of the people. Our private sector, our creatives, our young people must now look at what the regulations are. If you are producing goods here, you must now ask yourself ‘how can I get my goods into the Togolese market?” Blackman said.

“Equally, it is about unlocking that partnership like we have never done before. I can tell you there is tremendous excitement certainly on the government’s behalf.

“Now is the time for us to really rekindle our lineage with Africa. Not only in an emotional sentiment because of course that is where we are from, but now do it in a way that brings tremendous success and opportunity to Barbadians and equally on the reverse side to (Togolese),” he continued.

Blackman said Togo is home to the largest port in West Africa, with the capital, Lomé, boasting state-of-the-art facilities.

“Togo has the largest port in West Africa, and when we visited last year (it was) state of the art. They can clear their cargo from the ship to the actual customer in 12 minutes. So these are the sorts of skillsets that we have to now leverage with Togo.”

The French-speaking nation was the site of the signing of the Lomé Conventions, the first regional trade agreement between the European Union and former colonial possessions in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP) Group of States.