TSTT delivered a powerful message at the recently concluded Supply Chain and Logistics Expo, hosted on 15th and 16th August at the Couva/Pt. Lisas Chamber of Commerce. As flagship sponsor of the inaugural two-day event, TSTT showcased the role of digital procurement as a national growth lever, emphasizing the power of its e-Tender platform to modernise operations, drive cost savings, and unlock opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Revolutionising Procurement Through Technology

Keino Cox, Acting CEO, TSTT in his address, highlighted, "At TSTT, we have made it our mission to redefine what procurement can do, not just for our business, but for the nation. Through our e-Tender platform, we’ve introduced a bold, tech-driven approach to procurement that is already transforming how services are delivered across the country.”

TSTT’s e-Tender is a secure, cloud-based procurement platform developed in-house by a cross-functional team of supply chain, IT, cybersecurity, and operational professionals at TSTT. Designed to streamline public and private sector procurement, the system enables electronic tendering, contract management, supplier onboarding, and transparent evaluation processes, all while reducing manual interventions and improving auditability.

Today, e-Tender powers procurement for all 24 divisions and state companies under the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), while also serving several private and public-sector organisations in Trinidad.

National Impact: Billions in Potential Savings and SME Empowerment

As flagship sponsor of the Expo, TSTT underscored not only how e-Tender is reshaping its own procurement processes but also how digital procurement can serve as a lever for national growth.

Beyond operational efficiency, platforms like e-Tender hold the potential to deliver significant economic impact for Trinidad and Tobago. According to the World Bank, digital procurement systems have delivered 5-10 percent savings on national spending globally.

Additionally, in the UK, the Government Digital Marketplace (G-Cloud) channelled 38 - 45 percent of contract value directly to SMEs. If Trinidad and Tobago were to achieve even 30 percent SME participation through digital procurement, it would open the door to greater innovation, job creation and more inclusive economic growth.

Industry Leadership at the Expo

The Supply Chain and Logistics Expo 2025 connected over 1,000 participants, including procurement leaders, logistics professionals, engineers, and project managers from energy and non-energy sectors across the Caribbean. Hosted by the Supply Chain Hub (SCH), the event provided a premier B2B platform for showcasing innovation, building partnerships, and facilitating real-time dialogue between suppliers and decision-makers. The SCH is a supply chain and logistics community and B2B marketplace with 2,500+ supply chain members and followers from 20+ countries across all platforms.

TSTT’s sponsorship and presence at the expo reflects its broader evolution from a traditional telecoms provider to a digital enabler for Trinidad and Tobago.

Cox closed his remarks with a call to elevate the profession: "Let’s take these two days to innovate, collaborate, and advocate. Let’s show the CEOs and Chairpersons of this country the value Supply Chain brings to every business, not just in savings, but in strategy, service delivery, and long-term growth."