Trinidad & Tobago Country Summary

FATF Status

Trinidad and Tobago is no longer on the FATF List of Countries that have been identified as having strategic AML deficiencies

Compliance with FATF Recommendations

The latest follow-up Mutual Evaluation Report relating to the implementation of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing standards in Trinidad and Tobago was undertaken in 2019. According to that Evaluation, Trinidad and Tobago was deemed Compliant for 26 and Largely Compliant for 9 of the FATF 40 Recommendations. It was also deemed Highly Effective for 0 and Substantially Effective for 0 with regard to the 11 areas of Effectiveness of its AML/CFT Regime.

Trinidad and Tobago faces significant challenges related to crime and corruption, despite having legislation aimed at addressing these issues. While the government has implemented policies to combat organized crime and human trafficking, the effectiveness of these measures is hindered by infrequent enforcement and a perception of high corruption, compounded by a judicial system that is perceived as underfunded and inefficient.

Trinidad and Tobago (TT) has a mixed investment climate shaped by government policies, sector-specific dynamics, and external geopolitical factors, particularly in its energy sector, which has historically attracted foreign direct investment (FDI). While the country offers opportunities in various sectors such as maritime, telecommunications, and manufacturing, challenges like regulatory uncertainty, high crime rates, and fiscal vulnerabilities persist, impacting investor confidence. The government is actively working to improve the investment environment through reforms and initiatives aimed at enhancing transparency and attracting FDI, yet ongoing issues such as a lack of tax incentives for renewable energy and dependency on volatile commodity prices continue to pose risks for potential investors.