IX.  Business travel

Business customs:

Outside of common courtesy, no special local customs exist for visiting
businesspeople.  Dress is basically European in style.  Standard office wear
for men is shirt and tie, or business suit.  Women generally wear dresses,
skirts or pant suits.

Travel advisory and visas:

For travel information compiled by the Department of State's Bureau of
Consular Affairs, telephone (202)647-5225.  To access the consular affairs
bulletin board and obtain a copy of the consular information sheet for
Trinidad and Tobago, telephone (202)647-9225.

US Citizens must have a passport to enter Trinidad and Tobago.  Visas are
not required for tourist or business stays of up to two months.  Work
permits are required for certain types of compensated and non-
compensated employment, including missionary work.  The immigration
regulations of Trinidad and Tobago have been amended to allow persons
entering the country to engage in gainful employment in any trade,
profession or occupation without a work permit for a period not exceeding
30 days.  For further information, travelers may contact the embassy of
Trinidad and Tobago at 1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC
20036.  Tel:  (202)467-6490

Holidays:

Official national holidays

New Year's Day     January 1
Good Friday        April 1
Easter Monday      April 4
Whit Monday        May 23
Corpus Christi     June 2
Labour Day         June 19
Emancipation Day   August 1
Independence Day   Augutst 31
Republic Day       September 24
Divali             To be determined
Christmas Day      December 25
Boxing Day         December 26

Note:  The dates for Carnival Monday and Tuesday (the Monday and
Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday) change from year to year.  Carnival
Monday and Tuesday are not official public holidays but most businesses
remain closed.

Business infrastructure:

Trinidad and Tobago has a well-developed infrastructure including
paved roads and highways.  Goods and services are regularly
distributed throughout the island even to the most remote areas.
Driving is on the left side of the road.  Telecommunications networks are
reliable and users can access the US and other countries by direct dial.

A wide range of housing is available from large, modern houses with
yards to condominiums or townhouse apartments.  Residential areas are
within convenient commuting distance  of all commercial and industrial
areas.  Rental and purchase costs vary.  Reputable real estate agents are
available.  An international school, with a predominately US curriculum
for kindergarten through grade 12, will open in Port of Spain, Trinidad
in September 1994.

Business and investment advice is available from the US Embassy in Port
of Spain or the active American Chamber of Commerce in Trinidad and
Tobago (AmCham) with a membership of about 120 businesses.  See
Appendix C for contact information.

Trinidad and Tobago's cultural diversity is manifested in the variety of
restaurants available including East-Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern,
Creole, Italian and French.  Tap water is potable.