The local economy is still thriving Minister of Trade Stephen Cadiz has said.

He was speaking last week at the launch of KC Candy's newest chewing gum line at the manufacturing company's Couva factory.

"There has been talk about a slump in the energy sector and in turn the economy, but manufacturing is still thriving. Non-energy sector growth is carrying the economy. The evidence is here today and over the past two years over $2 billion has been invested in improving business facilities by corporations," said Cadiz.

The minister went on to say mid-range real estate was doing extremely well, as was corporate lending.

He was joined at the event by Couva South MP Rudranath Indarsingh and Minister in the Ministry of Local Government; KC Confectioners' executive board as well as Ministry of Trade and Industry staff members.

KC confectionery was praised by Cadiz for employing over 170 workers with sustainable jobs and the high quality of its products.

He also highlighted that 70 per cent of its production was exported, and urged it to keep striving for excellence and improvement.

The manufacturer is celebrating 90 years of successful operations in 2012 and rolled out two new chewing gum products, Ice Blass and Dyno Blass to expand its sizeable market share.

Cadiz also spoke highly of the work being done at the ministry to make the conducting of business easier, and the ministry's commitment to ensuring legislation and policies are implemented to aid the private sector.

He encouraged other companies and national stakeholders to aspire for greatness in industry:

"We must not become complacent; our domestic success will yield the foreign investment in all sectors that will further drive our economy," he said.