PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – On January 24, 2026, Salam Q. Ali Hassan, vice president of Dalil Technologies, paid a courtesy visit to senator Dominic Smith, Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence (MPAAI), at the ministry’s head office located at Tower C, International Waterfront Centre in Port of Spain. The meeting facilitated high-level dialogue on opportunities for foreign direct investment and the strengthening of diplomatic relations between Trinidad and Tobago and the United Arab Emirates.
The engagement at MPAAI formed part of an official visit to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago by a UAE delegation, led by Her Excellency Noura Al Kaabi, minister of state at the ministry of foreign affairs, from 23 –25 January 2026. During the visit, the delegation participated in a series of ministerial meetings.
In addition to senator Dominic Smith, minister of public administration and artificial intelligence, meetings were facilitated by Jearlean John, minister of works and infrastructure; Saddam Hosein, minister of land and legal affairs and minister in the ministry of agriculture and fisheries; Barry Padarath, minister of public utilities and minister in the office of the prime minister; and Sean Sobers, minister of foreign and CARICOM affairs.
The delegation was also treated to several countrywide visits, including Invaders Bay, the Point Lisas Industrial Port Development Corporation (PLIPDECO), the Couva Children’s Hospital and Fort King George.
This visit underscored the strong and evolving bilateral relationship between Trinidad and Tobago and the UAE. In November 2025, minister Smith, together with the permanent secretary of MPAAI, Cory Belfon visited the UAE, where a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed. The MoU is intended to support the advancement of Trinidad and Tobago’s Official Policy Framework for Digital Transformation, which is anchored on three key pillars: Digital Services, Smart and Efficient Government and Digital Nation.
Minister Smith stated:
“This engagement reflects Trinidad and Tobago’s growing interest in forging strategic international partnerships that support innovation, investment and public-sector modernisation. Our discussions with representatives of the United Arab Emirates highlighted meaningful opportunities for collaboration in technology and digital governance and reaffirmed the value of strong diplomatic relationships in advancing shared development goals.”
The conclusion of the UAE’s official visit reaffirms the ministry of public administration and artificial intelligence’s commitment to delivering a world-class, technology-enabled public service and establishes a clear trajectory for Trinidad and Tobago to emerge as the premier digital hub of the Caribbean.
