A Community of Businesses Seeking to Enhance the Environmental, Economic and Social Performance of Tobago
Originated from a study conducted by the Savonetta Group on “Development Opportunities for Tobago using Natural Gas 1998”. With the discovery of oil and gas in the waters of Tobago, the need for an industrial estate was made clear. This concept was ideally designed with the overall objective of diversifying Tobago's economy from its over-reliance on tourism to light, medium and heavy manufacturing activity at Cove. Eventually, this was amended to include businesses that support or enhance tourism. In 2003, while not by any means abandoning its tourism thrust, the Tobago House of Assembly decided to diversify its economy into such areas as Manufacturing, Agro-processing and the Arts and Culture by establishing the Cove Eco-Industrial and Business Park (Cove Tobago). In 2007, after the necessary approvals were received, infrastructural work commenced on the Park, and by July 2009, the Eco-Industrial Development Company of Tobago (E-IDCOT) Ltd was established.
E-IDCOT's initial mandate was the development and management of Cove Tobago in keeping with Tobago’s mantra of “Clean, Green, Safe and Serene”. However, E-IDCOT's management considered the development of Tobago's entrepreneurs to be an integral part of the country's economic evolution . Hence, its mandate was later expanded to lead the diversification and transformation of the Tobago economy through the sustainable development of goods and services. Between 2010 and 2012, major construction work took place at Cove Tobago including road works and the addition of vital infrastructure to house the Park's amenities and utilities. The built development stage began with the construction of two (2) factory shells. By early 2016, the Cove Tobago facilities were expanded with two (2) Multi-Producer Units (MPU’s) all designed with modern amenities and utilities ideal for the light manufacturing sector. In the coming years, E-IDCOT Ltd is expected to complete two (2) additional Factory Shells, a Shared Business Centre, an Innovation Centre and an Administration Building all of which are to be located at Cove Tobago.