Above: Trinidad PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar (centre) in Canada

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Trinidad Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar began an official visit to Canada on Wednesday.

The trip comes following an invitation by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to make an official visit.

Persad-Bissessar’s four-day visit includes a meeting with Harper, a courtesy call on Governor General David Johnston and talks with Opposition Leader Thomas Mulcair.

Harper and Persad-Bissessar will also jointly host a business reception “in the interest of developing trade and investment ties,” according to a statement from Persad-Bissessar’s office.

The two sides, which formed diplomatic ties on the date of Trinidad’s independence in 1962, will discuss areas including energy, trade, national security, public sector modernization and maritime services.

The last Trinidadian Prime Minister to make an official visit to Canada was Eric Williams in 1966.

Persad-Bissessar is being joined by Trinidad’s Ministers of Justice, Trade and Energy on the trip.