An Australian Trade Commissioner was stationed in Port-of-Spain between 1951 and 1979.  The office of Trade Commissioner was established to encourage and facilitate the efforts of Australian exporters to exploit marketing opportunities in Trinidad by:

  *  advising on opportunities and economic trends;
  *  promoting Australian products and services; and
  *  seeking to maintain and improve conditions of access for
     Australian products in the region.

In introducing the Trade Commissioners Bill 1933 the Minister stated:
 
"For some time the Government has been giving attention to the question of Australian trade representation overseas, for it is realised that the future well-being of the Commonwealth lies largely in consolidating and increasing the export of our products to markets already established, and also in obtaining a footing in overseas countries where Australian products have not penetrated to an extent comparable with the goods of other countries. In persuance of this aim the Government considers that a Trade Commissioners Service should be established..."
 
The Government's intentions were clearly stated in the concluding paragraphs of the Minister's speech:

"It should, perhaps, be made clear that the present Bill is not being introduced solely for the purpose of validating appointments of Trade Commissioners to Batavia, Shanghai or Hong Kong, and New Zealand. It is proposed, as a matter of policy, to introduce an adequate system of Australian trade representation in overseas countries where our trade prospects so warrant. The appointments referred to are the first which it is proposed to make, as it is considered that they are immediately necessary. Later it may be desirable to make further appointments to other countries."

Source:
"Brief History of the Trade Commissioner Service", 16 October 1981. Suplied by Trade Commissioner Services on 23 October 1984.
Historical agency address
1951 - by 1955:  C/- Barclay's Bank, Marine Square
by 1955 - 1979:  Colonial Building, 72 South Quay
Legislation administered
Creation: Commonwealth of Australia Act No. 74 of 1933. Trade Commissioners Act 1933.