WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
21 February 2023 
(23-1245) Page: 1/46 
Trade Policy Review Body  
25 and 27 October 2022  Original: English/ anglais/ inglés  
 
 
  
TRADE POLICY REVIEW  
BARBADOS  
MINUTES  OF THE MEETING  
Addendum  
Chairperson: H.E. Mr. Ángel Villalobos Rodríguez (Mexico)  
This document contains the advance written questions  and additional questions by WTO 
Members , and replies provided by  Barbados .1 
 
 
Organe d'examen des politiques commerciales  
25 et 27 octobre 2022  
EXAMEN DES POLITIQUES COMMERCIALES  
BARBADE  
COMPTE RENDU DE LA RÉUNION  
Addendum  
Président : S.E.  M. Ángel Villalobos Rodríguez (Mexique)  
Le présent document contient les questions écrites communiquées à l'avance par les 
Membres de l'OMC, leurs questions additionnelles, et les réponses  fournies par  Barbade .1 
 
 
Órgano de Examen de las Políticas Comerciales  
25 y 27 de octubre de 2022  
EXAMEN DE LAS POLÍTICAS COMERCIALES  
BARBADOS  
ACTA DE LA REUNIÓN  
Addendum  
Presidente: Excmo.  Sr. Ángel Villalobos Rodríguez (México)  
En el presente documento figuran las preguntas presentadas anticipadamente por escrito  y 
las preguntas adicionales de los Miembros de la OMC,  así como las respues tas facilitadas por  
Barbados .1 
  
 
1 In English only./En anglais seulement./En inglés solamente.  WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  Contents  
1  ICELAND  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  3 
2  UNITED STATES  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  4 
3  DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ................................ ................................ ................................ . 9 
4  SINGAPORE  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  13 
5  COLOMBIA  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  14 
6  CHINA  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  17 
7  CANADA  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  19 
8  EUROPEAN UNION ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 26 
9  BRAZIL  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  35 
10  UNITED KINGDOM  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 36 
 
  WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  1  ICELAND  
Question:  
1. What is the participation of women in the economy of Barbados?  
 
Answer:  
According to the 2021 "Employment by Industry and Sex" statistics produced by the Barbados 
Statistical Service, there were approximately 65,200 women in the Barba dos labour force, 
compared to 67,800 men. The labour force participation rate for males was 65.3%, compared to 
57.5% for females. Under the employed component of the labour force, women accounted for 
approximately 48.8% of persons employed.  
 
In some indust ries, women significantly outnumbered their male counterparts, in terms of 
numbers employed. These industries include:  
 
i. Wholesale & retail trade;  
ii. Accommodation & food services;  
iii. Education  
iv. Finance & insurance;  
v. Professional, scientific & technical services; and  
vi. Human Health and social work. 
In some of the above industries, the number of employed females was more than double the 
amount of males ( finance & insurance, education, human health and social work) 
 
Question:  
2. Have specific barriers that limit women's participation in trade been identified?  
 
Answer:  
Women in entrepreneurship encounter challenges relating to accessing funding to start -up 
businesses. Sourcing markets for their products and services is also anothe r challenge. Moreover, 
there is the burden of care work, with women primarily tasked with the responsibility of taking 
care of families and elderly family members, thereby prohibiting them from taking full advantage 
of trade opportunities that may present themselves.  
 
Question:  
3. Has Barbados implemented any specific measures to encourage women's participation in 
trade and promote women's entrepreneurship, or are such measures being developed?  
 
Answer:  
The policy prescriptions are generally for both men -owned and women -owned entrepreneurs. 
However,  there is recognition that there are challenges that that may be specific to female 
entrepreneurs and recognition is given to this in the execution of the policies. However please see 
the response at page 36 of th e Secretariat's Report (Paragraph 2.13) for female related policy 
interventions.  
 
Question:  
4. Are the effects of trade policy on women and men measured and monitored, and if so, how?  
 
Answer:  
At this time the effects are not measured or monitored.  
 
  WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  2  UNITED STATES  
Part I. Questions based on the Secretariat Report (WT/TPR/S/431)  
 
Page 37, Paragraph 2.18:  The Secretariat Report notes that numerous WTO notifications remain 
outstanding, including in the areas of domestic support and export subsidies in agric ulture, TRIMs 
measures, replies to the questionnaire on import licensing procedures, quantitative restrictions, 
national legislation and the checklist of issues on customs valuation, pre -shipment inspection 
measures, and state -trading enterprises.  
 
Question:  
• Please elaborate on the obstacles have led to these overdue notifications.  
• What is Barbados' plan and timeline for submitting its overdue notifications?  
 
Answer:  
These notifications have not been completed due to human resource constraints.  
Barbados will seek to complete all outstanding notifications by March 2023.  
 
Question:  
• Regarding notifications outstanding per the Agreements on Customs Valuation and 
Preshipment Inspection, will Barbados submit these three notifications prior to the next 
meeting of the WTO Committee on Customs Valuation?  
 
Answer:  
Barbados is working towards submitting these notifications by 2023.  
 
Page 55, Paragraph 3.40:  The Secretariat Report explains that Barbadian authorities cite 
"different monitoring requirements" as the reason for differences in application of licensing for 
CARICOM and non -CARICOM countries. We note that Barbados applies licenses to a number of 
agricultural and food products as listed in Table 3.6 on page 54 of the Secretariat Report.  
 
Question:  
• Please explain why Barbados applies different monitoring requirements on import licenses 
for certain agricultural products from non -CARICOM vis -a-vis CARICOM  countries.  
• Please elaborate on the differences in monitoring requirements.  
 
Answer:  
This difference is primarily an SPS measure (protection of human, animal or plant health). An 
import license is required in instances where Barbados does not have a pre -arranged review and 
notification system in place with the source country.  
 
Page 55, Paragraph 3.42 : The Secretariat Report states that applications for import licenses for 
meat and meat products must be reviewed by the Veterinary Services of the Ministry of  Agriculture 
and Food and Nutritional Security before issuance by the Ministry of Energy and Business 
Development. We note that the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures states, "Automatic 
import licensing is defined as import licensing where approval of the application is granted in all 
cases, and which is in accordance with the requirements of paragraph 2(a)."  
 
Question:  
• Please explain whether there are circumstances under which an application for an import 
license for meat and/or meat products would not be granted approval.  
• If so, please provide details on those circumstances.  
 
Answer:  
A permit of approval issu ed by the Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agriculture is a 
prerequisite for the processing and approval of an import licence application for meat and meat 
products. There are two possible circumstances in which an import licence is not issue; ( i) the 
absence of the approved permit issued by Veterinary Service of the Ministry of Agriculture; ( ii) the 
outbreak in the source country of a related disease i.e. (swine flu, foot and mouth disease, etc.)  
 WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  Page 45, Paragraph 3.1:  The Secretariat Report states that "importers must register with the 
Computer Department of Barbados Customs and Excise Department to receive an import number 
before proceeding with the importation of any items."  
 
Question:  
• Once an importer is registered,  does the import number remain valid indefinitely or is 
there an expiration date that would require an importer to register again at a later date?  
 
Answer:  
The importer's registration number remains valid once the person is registered.  
 
Page 46, Paragraph 3.10:  According to the Secretariat Report, Barbados routinely verifies the 
values of certain products in order to counter under -invoicing.  
 
Question:  
Please elaborate on the process for verifying import values.  
 
Answer:  
The value on the invoice is used. However, if any concerns arise the provisions of the (GATT)  
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade are employed.  
 
Question:  
• Does Barbados utilize a minimum values list or a reference pricing list?  
 
Answer:  
No, Barbados does not utilize a minimum values list or a reference pricing list.  
 
Page 46, Paragraph 3.13:  The Secretariat Report notes that Barbados and other CARICOM 
member states were expected to implement the rules of origin contained in the Amended Schedule 
I of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, based on HS12, as of 1 January 2014. However, 
Barbados and CARICOM member States are presently applying rules bas ed on the HS07 
nomenclature.  
 
Question:  
• Please provide an update on when Barbados expects to implement the rules of origin 
contained in the Amended Schedule I of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.  
 
Answer:  
Barbados and the Region are conducting a review o f the Schedule I of the Revised Treaty and work 
is expected to be completed at the end of 2022.  
 
Page 60, Paragraph 3.80:  The Secretariat Report notes that Barbados is committed to the 
implementation of a National Quality Policy.  
 
Question:  
• Please share mo re information about the status of its National Quality Policy and a timeline 
for implementation. Will Barbados provide interested persons with an opportunity to 
comment on the National Quality Policy prior to its finalization? If so, please provide detail s 
on the process for doing so.  
 
Answer:  
A report on the National Quality Policy was brought before the Cabinet of Barbados for 
consideration on 6 May 2021. The report was developed by the Barbados National Standards 
Institution (BNSI). Subsequently, a Draf t National Quality Policy was prepared, and interested 
parties were invited to stakeholder engagement sessions which commenced on 10 November 
2021. Further, on 1 December 2021, a national consultation was held virtually, which included a 
broad cross -sectio n of over 150 Barbadian stakeholders and interested parties.  
 
The purpose of the consultation was to discuss with key National Stakeholders, the goal of the 
policy, which is to improve both the domestic and the international competitiveness of Barbados' 
goods and services and to guide the application of a National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) to 
support the economic, social, environmental and sustainable development of Barbados.  WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  A final submission of the Draft National Quality Policy was submitted to the M inistry of Energy and 
Business by the BNSI on 11th October 2022 in preparation for Cabinet's consideration. It is 
expected that by year -end, the policy will be approved for implementation.  
 
Page 60, Paragraph  3.81:  The Secretariat Report states that Barbados National Standards are 
prepared by the BNSI; this may include the adoption of standards established by The CARICOM 
Regional Organi zation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) and by other standards bodies. The 
develo pment of a standard may take place at the request of an interested party, or may be self -
initiated by the BNSI. According to the Secretariat Report, Barbados must adopt all standards 
formulated at the CARICOM level, while in the case of other international  standards, adoption 
depends on their nature. The United States understands that CARICOM standards are adopted 
bilaterally as voluntary or mandatory, or are not adopted at all.  
 
Question:  
• Please clarify the statement that Barbados "must adopt all" CARICOM standards.  
• Please explain what is meant by adopting international standards based on "their nature"?  
• Are there certain criteria that Barbados uses in making such a determination?  
 
Answer:  
CROSQ is a regional inter -governmental organi zation establi shed in February 2002 to facilitate the 
development of regional standards, promote the harmoni zation of metrology systems and support 
the sustainable production and trade of goods and services in the CARICOM Single Market and 
Economy (CSME).  
 
The objective  of the CROSQ is to promote the development and harmoni zation of standards, 
metrology, technical regulations and the mutual recognition of conformity assessment procedures 
covering goods and services produced or provided in the Community, with the aim of f acilitating 
trade and supporting the establishment of the CSME;  
 
The mandate of CROSQ is to:  
i. Encourage the mutual recognition of accreditation and certification systems which are 
based on internationally accepted criteria;  
ii. Facilitate the achievement of int ernational competitiveness of regional goods and services 
by fostering a culture of quality in regional enterprises;  
iii. Support standards -infrastructure development at the national level;  
iv. Promote consumer welfare and safety;  
v. Contribute to the preservation of the environment and conservation of the natural 
resources of the Community;  
vi. Provide guidance to Community Organs and Bodies regarding matters within their 
competence, including disputes settlement;  
vii. Promote and protect the interests of States Parties and As sociate Members in regional and 
international standardising fora, including external negotiations; and  
viii. Promote awareness of standards and standards -related matters in governments, 
commerce, industry and consumers.  
 
In keeping with the mandate of CROSQ, mem bers, including Barbados, are therefore encouraged 
to adopt, as national standards, published CARICOM regional standards.  
 
International Standards are adopted based on their relevance to Barbados. Relevance includes 
economic, social, technological, sustain able development and matters in alignment with the 
policies of the Government of Barbados and other national agendas. The BNSI manages the 
adoption process, starting with a National Standards Strategy (NSS) to identify priorities and 
following the internat ional standards development process of impartiality and stakeholder 
engagement for consensus.  
 
After approval by the Technical Management Committee of the BNSI Board of Directors, standards 
are advanced to the Ministry of Energy and Business, to be given a scent by the Minister and to be 
gazetted.  
 
Page 60, Paragraph 3.83:  The Secretariat Report indicates that a notice of proposed technical 
regulations is included in the Official Gazette and in a daily national newspaper, but the notice 
does not contain the full text of the proposed regulation.  WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  Question:  
• How do interested persons obtain the full text of a proposed technical regulation?  
• Do draft technical regulations notified to the WTO TBT Committee include a link to the text 
of the regulation?  
 
Answer:  
When notifications are submitted, an accompanying direct link is inclu ded in the text. Additionally, 
interested persons can obtain full texts of proposed technical regulations by contacting the Ministry 
responsible for the legislation or the BNSI.  
 
Page 66, Paragraph 3.120:  The Secretariat Report states, "[a]n Advisory Commi ttee on 
Intellectual Property was established in June 2019. The Committee was tasked with reviewing the 
provisions of the Copyright Act. The review, completed in 2021, aimed to bring the Act into 
conformity with the protocols relating to various internatio nal copyright treaties. The Cabinet has 
approved the paper outlining the necessary amendments; legislative instructions are now with the 
Chief Parliamentary Counsel."  
 
Question:  
• Are the draft Copyright Act and amendments published online for interested par ties to 
review?  
 
Answer:  
The Bill is still being finali zed and is not yet published online. Parliament would publish the bill 
online once it has been finalized, and is at a more advanced stage in the legislative process  
 
Question:  
• Please describe the Copy right Act amendments proposed by the Advisory Committee's 
2021 review and provide the status of any drafts containing these amendments.  
 
Answer:  
The amendments proposed by the Advisory Committee's 2021 review can be grouped into six main 
areas: i) expansio n of the category of rights holders ; ii) expansion of the definition of works ; iii) 
duration of copyright ; iv) modern provisions relating to reproduction, transmission and 
communication of works ; v) penalties for circumvention of technological measures ; vi) right of 
remuneration for broadcasting and communication to the public. These amendments were made to 
ensure that our legislation comes into conformity with the WCT, and WPPT. A draft bill has been 
prepared, with some resulting questions/issu es raised by CPC to be settled. These have been 
addressed and sent to the Chief Parliamentary Counsel for continuation of the legislative process.  
 
Page 67, Paragraph 3.124 : The Secretariat Report states, "[i]n the case of copyrights, offenders 
may be sent enced to a fine of BBD 500,000 or to a term of imprisonment of 10 years. Remedies 
also include impounding of infringing copies, and the forfeiture and seizure of the instruments or 
equipment used to produce them."  
 
Question:  
• Please clarify whether criminal penalties also apply to copyright violations that occur 
online. Does Barbados have laws that addresses online violations of copyright?  
 
Answer:  
Barbados does not currently have laws which specifically provide for online violations of copyright. 
However, section 46 of the Copyright Act, Cap. 300 creates offences in respect of "dealings which 
infringe copyright" and provides criminal penalties for such offences. According to section 46 : 
 
"46. (1) Any person who at a time when copyright in a work subs ists by virtue of this Act  
a) makes for sale or hire; or  
b) in the course of a business sells or lets for hire, offers or exposes for sale or hire, exhibits 
in public or distributes; or  
c) imports into Barbados for purposes other than his private and domestic use; or 
d) distributes otherwise than in the course of a business to such an extent as to affect 
prejudicially the owner of the copyright ; 
e) any article which he knows or has reason to believe is an infringing copy of that work, is 
guilty of an offence.  WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  (4) A person  guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable  
a) on summary conviction to a fine of $100 000 or to imprisonment for 5 years or to both;  
b) on conviction on indictment to a fine of $500 000 or to imprisonment for 10 years or to 
both.…".  
 
Subsection (1) of Section 46 does not explicitly provide for online violations of copyright. However, 
in paragraphs (b) and (d) of subsection (1) the term "distributes" may be interpreted to include 
online infringements of work in which copyright subsist.  
 
Page 69, Paragrap h 4.10 : The Secretariat reports on Barbados' "Farmers' Empowerment and 
Enfranchisement Drive (FEED) programme." The United States notes that Barbados last submitted 
a domestic support notification to the WTO Committee on Agriculture in 2017, which covered the 
financial years 2013/2014 to 2015/2016.  
 
Question:  
• When does Barbados plan to submit its outstanding domestic support notifications, so that 
Members might view the 2019 FEED programme  and other relevant program mes in the 
context of Barbados' overall agricultu ral support?  
 
Answer:  
Notifications for financial years 2016/17 to 2021/22 are being processed and will be submitted as 
soon as possible, but in any event no later than the end of March 2023.  
 
  WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  3  DOMINICAN REPUBLIC  
QUESTIONS  
Page 6 , Paragraph 4  
 
Barbados adopted specific fisc al measures to address the COVID -19 pandemic, partly due to a lack 
of fiscal space. Following initial investments in healthcare equipment and quarantine facilities at 
the beginning of 2020, the Government expanded social assistance subsidies to protect vul nerable 
families. Moreover, the Government initiated a twelve -month employment support programme  to 
alleviate the effects of the pandemic and also issued cash payments specifically to small 
businesses and service providers affected by the second lockdown, which began in February 2021. 
To support tourism, the authorities created the Barbados Employment and Sustainable 
Transformation (BEST) Plan, which focused on the reintegration of workers to the tourism sector.  
 
Question :  
Can the Government of Barbados provide an assessment of the results obtained through the BEST 
Programme?  
 
Answer:  
Under the BEST programme, which was introduced at the end of September 2020 as a lifeline for 
the tourism industry to allow it to survive until recovery, tourism -related entities were able to 
receive grant funding to re -hire their workers on 80% of their normal salary for up to two years. 
They were also able to receive investments of up to $2 million in the form of preference shares, to 
fund projects in upgrading an d transforming their facility. Numerous applications were made to the 
Enterprise Growth Fund, the agency responsible for administering the BEST programme.  
 
In addition, the BEST programme was instrumental in providing support to the tourism sector 
during the social and economic impacts of COVID -19 by training tourism workers under the 
National Training Initiative (NTI) to facilitate the development of a world -class Barbados tourism 
product through creative re -engagement of the tourism workforce. Training t o upskilled tourism 
professionals was so far undertaken for numerous businesses: for example,  the Barbados Beach 
Club, O2 Beach Club and Spa, Sea Breeze Beach House, Hilton Barbados Resort, Mango Bay Hotel, 
Atlantis Submarines, Courtyard by Marriott, BC Hi ghtide Watersports, Infinity on the Beach, The 
Boatyard, Blue Horizon Hotel, and Ocean 15 Hotel.  
 
Given that tourism was one of the hardest hit sectors by the pandemic, with long -stay visitors 
contracting by close to 90 % and cruise arrivals ceasing. In th is post -pandemic period, the 
Government will work with the private sector to properly integrate the traditional mainstays 
(tourism and international business) with the rest of the economy to strengthen economic 
linkages, particularly with manufacturing, ag riculture and cultural industries. The Government will 
build on the BEST programme  to expand access to affordable capital to upgrade and enhance an 
ageing and maturing tourism product so that the country may become more competitive and 
profitable in its to urism offerings. This will be an essential compliment to the efforts to expand 
airlift and tourism revenues. Turning BTMI into a PPP so that it can be more agile in the marketing 
of Barbados for the tourism sector is critical.  
 
Question :  
Does it appear po ssible to maintain or renew the programme once the effects of the pandemic 
have been overcome?  
 
Answer:  
BERT (2022) represents a renewed programme with the central elements of:  
 
i. a growth strategy that incentivizes the private sector to invest in the green transition in 
energy, tourism, transport and agriculture and separately in building affordable homes, 
and more generally improves the doing business environment;  
ii. a fiscal strategy that ensures that the fiscal position and Government finances are 
consistent with the debt anchor through the streamlining of expenditure and reforming the 
public sector, particularly SOEs. Steadfast implementation of this programme  will help 
mobilize external financing and facilitate Barbados' capacity to better regain acce ss to 
international capital markets;  
iii. a debt management strategy that actively manages the debt portfolio to minimize costs;  WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  iv. maintaining social cohesion through investment in public education, health, social 
development and poverty eradication.  
 
It is antic ipated that the implementation of the BERT (2022) Plan will help to mobilize external 
financing and facilitate Barbados' access to international capital markets.  
Page 6.  Barbados is in a state of recovery after recording current account deficits and an inc rease 
in public debt. As a response to the crisis, the authorities initiated the 2018 Barbados Economic 
Recovery and Transformation (BERT) Plan, which seeks to improve the economy and consolidate 
the country's debt. In this regard:   
Question:  
i. Please descri be the achievements reali zed through the BERT Plan, given that the 
country suffered a recurrence of debt and an increase in the national deficit as a 
consequence of the effects of the pandemic.  
Answer:  
Despite the challenging environment, Barbados has made good progress in implementing its 
Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT) plan.  
 
Many of the short -term objectives under the BERT (2018) Plan were met prior to the onset of the 
pandemic, with gros s foreign reserves increasing to US D 1.481 billion or 18.6 weeks of import 
cover; public debt was reduced from  176.3 % of GDP in 2017/2018 to 116.1 % in 2019/2020; and 
an unprecedented primary surplus of 6 % of GDP was attained at the end of 2019/2020 primari ly 
by limits on grants to public institutions and the introduction of additional levies to directly finance 
the operations of key state- owned enterprises (SOEs).  
 
The Government cleared 87 % of debt arrears which had been accumulated during the previous 
decade in less than 2 years. The stock of central government arrears also fell from BBD 1.2 billion 
to BBD 137 million at the end March 2020, as the Government settled most of the arrears 
accumulated over the previous 10 years, including Value Added Tax (VAT ), and personal income 
and corporation taxes.  
 
Over B BD 1 billion was saved per annum in debt service payments for the following 5 -year period. 
Interest payments were reduced from approximately 8 % of GDP to just under 4 % prior to the 
pandemic, while total debt service amounted to 22 cents on every tax dollar versus the previous 
68 cents. Transfers to SOEs declined from BBD 815 million in 2018/2019 to BBD 517 million, or 
1% of GDP, at the end of the following financial year. SOEs' arrears declined from appro ximately 
BBD 755 million to B BD 61 million, or 7 % of GDP, at the end of March 2020.  
 
Investors' confidence was restored under the BERT (2018) Plan, with Barbados receiving 2 
upgrades in 2019 from the international credit rating agencies, Moody's, and Stand ard and Poor's 
(S&P) based on the implementation of strong fiscal and debt policies. Barbados is now just 6 
notches away from investment grade on S&P's rating scale. In January 2022, even as other 
countries were being downgraded, both CariCris, another cre dit rating agency, and S&P reaffirmed 
Barbados' stable outlook.  
 
Under the BERT (2018) Plan, 35 structural reforms were implemented in the areas of growth 
reform, tax administration reform, SOE reform, fiscal reform, public sector reform and monetary 
policy reform to reinforce fiscal sustainability, strengthen oversight and governance, build capacity 
to monitor the financial performance of SOEs, and improve international competitiveness.  
 
The economy had begun to show promising signs of recovery following the implementation of the 
BERT (2018) Plan, with economic growth for 2021 projected at 4.1 %. However, COVID -19 and 
three natural disasters (a freak storm, Hurricane Elsa and ashfall from the La Soufri ère volcano) 
impeded economic recovery. Nevert heless, the achievements under the BERT (2018) Plan provided 
the Government with the fiscal space and flexibility to respond effectively.  
 
The pandemic and natural disasters dealt a devastating blow to the economy, and once again 
underscored Barbados' over -reliance on tourism and vulnerability to external shocks, including WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  climate change. The pandemic in particular, not only presented a public health crisis but also had 
far-reaching social and economic implications. It curtailed economic recovery, limited f iscal space, 
exacerbated Barbados' long -term structural vulnerabilities, and upended the previously successful 
implementation of the BERT (2018) Plan.  
 
The stock of gross public debt, which had declined from 125.4% of GDP at the end of 2018 to 
118% the fol lowing year, rose to 136.6% in 2020, primarily as a result of a 14% contraction in 
economic activities. It is expected that as the economy recovers, the debt ratio will decrease. As a 
case in point, at end of the January 2022, the public debt stock had imp roved to 131.8% of GDP 
due to the strong performance of the tourism sector in the latter half of 2021. The Government 
remains committed to reducing the debt to 60% of GDP over the medium term and has extended 
the timeline for its attainment by two years to  2035/2036.  
 
The pandemic and natural disasters had a particularly deleterious effect on public finances. 
Overall, total current revenue decreased by B BD 421.1 million to B BD 2,563.3 million in 
2020/2021, mainly as a result of restrictions on business acti vities and the collapse of the tourism 
and related services sector. At the same time, public expenditure, which had decreased by 14 % 
the previous year, increased by BBD 393.1 million to BDS$2,992.8 million as the Government 
managed the health, economic and social fallout from the pandemic through targeted response, 
recovery and resilience measures. Nevertheless, the Government continued to pay its arrears 
throughout the pandemic, so that at the end January 2022, there was approximately 
BBD 35 million and B BD 30 million outstanding for central government and SOEs, respectively, for 
tax obligations and trade payables.  
 
Transfers, which had declined by approximately 40% in 2019/2020, increased by 30 % to 
BBD 657 million in the following financial yea r due to unanticipated financing requirements for 
SOEs at the forefront of the national pandemic response, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital 
and the National Assistance Board. A primary deficit of 1% was recorded for 2020/2021, while 
revenues continue d to be impacted and expenditures remained elevated due to the pandemic, ash 
fall clean -up and post -Elsa rebuilding activities in 2021/2022.  
 
Page 36, Section 1.6.4 Trade in Services, paragraph 1.58  
According to the Report, "Services, in particular touris m, are of the utmost importance 
to Barbados' economy."   
Question:  
i. What strategies has Barbados employed to generate a greater increase in average 
spending by tourists that visit the country?  
Answer:  
There is the National Tourism Programme , this is to incre ase the resilience of the Barbados 
tourism industry, with focus on increasing tourism receipts. Specific objectives are to:  
 
I. Increase tourist expenditures on heritage and cultural products &  
II. Increase digital visibility of Barbados in the tourism mar ket 
 
Barbados has looked at increasing of the product opportunities and the product tours by:  
I. Seeking to work with taxi operators to get them to enhance  their products, so they can be 
better sellers of their products to businesses and tourist especially  cruise tourists.  
II. Working with service provides to ensure higher standards are being provided and are 
available to visitors  
III. Pursue and create more opportunities from a community perspective where attractions are 
filtering into the communities.  
IV. Encouraging entrepreneurs to build  out products for export and bigger brand visibility.  
 WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  Page 44, Section 2.4, paragraph 2.48:  
Question:  
i. Could Barbados explain its present set of rules for tourism services and inform whether 
foreign servic e providers (including guides and tour operators) can offer services in 
Barbados or apply for national permits to do so?  
 
Answer:  
 
 
  
WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  4  SINGAPORE  
PART I: QUESTIONS REGARDING THE SECRETARIAT REPORT  
Question:  
3.2.4. Export support and promotion  
Page 58 (Para 3.66)  
1. The WTO Secretariat Report notes that " Export Barbados also developed a new export 
strategy centring around the bioeconomy, the ocean economy, and the design 
economy. " Could Barbados elaborate on what initiatives this strategy consists of, and 
what type of companies are classified to be under the design economy?  
 
Answer:  
The Design Economy refers to our people and their creative skills; centered around development 
of national design thinking capacity i.e the value created by that entrepreneurship  and employed 
opportunities  in design  roles in a wide variety of industries, and those using technical materials – 
from design -intensive sectors such as, electronics, web desig n or animation, to designers and 
design engineers  in automotive or aerospace companies and industrial design 
companies.  Examples of sectors include professionals such as architects, product designers, 
engineers, prototypes producers, industrial designers, Movie makers, fashion designers, craft 
(leather, ceramics), animation, graphic and digital designers, artists, architects, construction 
(cement, windows/doors), solar powered products.  
PART II: QUESTIONS REGARDING THE GOVERNMENT REPORT  
3.2 Manufacturing  
Page 9 (Para 3.9)  
2.  The WTO Government Report notes that there has been a  "slow but consistent decline 
in the growth of the manufacturing sector," highlighting the need "(i) for incentives to 
re-energize the sector; (ii) for new opportunities through which companies could scale 
up and export; (iii) for finance; (iv) to reduce or better manage the costs of 
production; and (v) for increased capacity to export and actively a ddress issues in 
external markets." Could Barbados share more on the intended initiatives to meet 
these needs and to support the rebound of the manufacturing industry? Will there be 
measures to encourage collaborations with international trade partners in the 
manufacturing sector, and if so, are there specific areas within manufacturing that 
Barbados is looking at in particular?  
 
Answer:  
Efforts are on the way to foster synergies with key trading partners in both traditional and non-
traditional markets in areas such as financing, exports, investment et al. Specifically, Barbados 
has partnered with African nations e.g. Ghana, Kenya among others. Barbados signed a 
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Afreximbank. This is a maj or step towards 
strengthening trade and investment co operation  between Africa and Barbados.  
 
4 The Way Forward  
Page 12 (Para 4.8)  
3. The WTO Government Report notes that  "a stronger focus on continued reforms  
and digitization transformation […] will be purs ued. Barbados intends to leverage technology to 
transform Barbados into a Smart Nation and a full -fledged innovative economy ." Could Barbados 
elaborate on its plans to pursue digital transformation, and if are there plans to engage with 
international insti tutions to build the digital ecosystem?  
 
Answer:  
Barbados has to develop an official roadmap or plan to pursue digital transformation. At present 
the are no plans to engage with international institutions to build the digital ecosystem.  
  WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  5  COLOMBIA  
REPORT BY THE SECRETARIAT -DOCUMENT WT/TPR/S/431  
 
2 TRADE AND INVESTMENT REGIMES  
2.3 Trade Agreements and Arrangements  
2.3.2 Regional and Preferential Agreements  
2.3.2.2 CARICOM Bilateral Agreements  
 
2.3.2.2.1 CARICOM -COLOMBIA  
 
Paragraph 2.29 states "The Ag reement between CARICOM and Colombia was signed in 1994 and 
amended in 1997. Colombia initially granted unilateral preferential access to its market for four 
years to a group of products originating in CARICOM. After the four -year period, the preferential 
trade scheme became reciprocal for CARICOM MDCs. The agreement also provides for the phasing 
out of any non -tariff barriers and has its own rules of origin. Similarly, the use of safeguard and 
anti-dumping measures is permitted."  
 
1. Colombia would appreciate  if the Government of Barbados could indicate the number and 
date of the internal regulation which enforces the referenced Agreement. Similarly, 
Colombia would appreciate if Barbados could confirm whether it could independently 
negotiate and put into effec t bilateral agreements with countries outside of the CARICOM 
bloc.  
 
Answer:  
The Trade, Economic and Technical Agreement (Agreement between the Caribbean Community 
and the Government of the Republic of Colombia) 2006 -9, was ratified in the Parliament of 
Barbados in April 2006. Article 80 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas allows for CARICOM 
countries to independently negotiate and put bilateral agreements into effect. The prior approval of 
the Council for Trade and Economic Development is required  
 
3 TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.1 Measures directly affecting imports  
3.1.1 Customs procedures, valuation, and requirements  
 
Paragraph 3.4 indicates that "As part of the BERT Plan, BCED implemented the Trusted Trader 
Programme  (TTP) i n March 2020 with the goal of making cargo clearances quicker and easier 
without compromising revenue collection while promoting trade facilitation. Provisions to authori ze 
this trade facilitation measure were included in the 2021 Customs Act. Twenty -three  companies 
were selected to participate in the pilot project of the TTP. All companies were required to have a 
risk assessment conducted by the Risk Management Unit (RMU) and a comprehensive compliance 
verification audit conducted by the Post Clearance Aud it Unit (PCAU) of BCED. According to the 
authorities, the benefits of the TTP are, among others, the following: i) a significant reduction in 
customs intervention (inspection and documentary checks); ii) an increase in processing import 
and export shipment s via the "green lane"; iii) the authorization of the pre -release of 
consignments with checks performed only based on specific intelligence; iv) quicker customs 
processing of cargo resulting in shorter clearances; v) the non -requirement to present a hard c opy 
of supporting documents; vi) the reduction of penalties for voluntary disclosure of errors and 
discrepancies; vii) the provision of timely client assistance."  
 
2. It appears that the attributes of the T rusted Trader Programme  have the scope of the 
Authori zed Operator Programme  established in the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation. 
Has Barbados considered extending this programme  to other operators in the chain, such 
as exporters or customs agencies? Does Barbados anticipate negotiating Mutual 
Recognition Agreements with other countries in order to broaden the privileges granted to 
those importers that have the quality of the TTP?  
 
Answer:  
Currently the TTP is available to importers and exporters. There is scope in the new Customs Act 
for the operation of Authori zed Operator Programme and this will be implemented after the 
operational activities of the TTP are conducted to the satisfaction of the department.  
 WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  Paragraph 3.6 indicates that "A risk assessment system consisting of four channels is in place. The 
red channel involves physical and documentary inspection, the yellow channel documentary 
inspection only, and the green channel, immediate clearance. The blue channel entails post -import 
audit of documents. The authorities indicate that about  75% of consignments pass through the 
green channel."  
 
3. Has the Government of Barbados considered implementing a Non -Intrusive Inspection 
mechanism, by use of scanners, in order to reduce the percentage of merchandise that is 
subject to inspection in the re d and yellow channels? What is the percentage of physical 
and documentary inspections conducted on importers that form part of the TTP 
programme ?  
 
Answer:  
Not at this time but at the arrival of goods all items are scanned into warehouses. The department 
has reduced inspections form 50% inspection to 20%.  
 
3.1.3.4 Concessions and exemptions  
 
Paragraph 3.28 suggests that "Barbados offers a wide range of tariff and tax concessions to 
importers. Companies must register with the Approved Undertakings Division o f Customs to 
benefit from concessions."  
 
4. Can the Government of Barbados provide more information about the tariff and tax 
concessions that are granted to its importers?  
 
Answer:  
The online tariff can be accessed via the ASYCUDA World portal, while the relevant statutory 
instruments are published via Parliament. The individual trade agreements will detail the tariff(s) 
that are to be charged and any concessions available under the agreement. (Note that the 
CARICOM -Colombia Agreement has not yet been acti vated.)  
 
5. Colombia would appreciate if Barbados could describe the procedures and requirements for 
importers to access the tariff and tax concessions.  
 
Answer:  
The concessions, tariffs and relevant procedures and requirements to be applied can be found in 
the ASYCUDA World portal. To access the relevant procedures and requirements for a particular 
concession, the importer would enter the relevant Customs procedure code related to the 
Agreement in ASYCUDA World. However, this information can only be accessed  when the 
agreement has been activated.  
 
4 TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR  
4.1 Agriculture and Fisheries  
4.1.2 Agricultural policy  
Paragraph 4.7 of the report states "The Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Nutritional Security 
(MAFS) is the relevant ministry re sponsible for setting policies for the agricultural sector. There is 
no general legislation governing the sector as a whole. Principal legislation includes the Food 
Security Act, the Sugar Industry Act, the Dairy Industry Act, and the Praedial Larceny Prev ention 
Act, each of which governs its relevant subsector."  
 
6. Colombia would be grateful if Barbados could explain the scope of the Food Security Act.  
 
Answer:  
This appears to be an error in the report as there is no Food Security Act in Barbados  
 
Paragraph  4.18 of the report states "Several incentives are accorded to farmers and farming 
organizations under the Agricultural Incentive Programme (AIP). The main support provided by the 
Programme to eligible farmers takes the form of cost compensation and per -hectare payments. 
Assistance for on -farm irrigation investment is also provided through the AIP. The AIP is 
administered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Nutritional Security. The Programme 
provided a total of BBD 660,147 for 522 projects in 2021 compared to BBD 1.01 million in 2015 
for 616 projects. In addition, the Agricultural Development Fund (ADF) offers preferential loans for WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  working capital, new technology, and for implementing best practices in agriculture and fisheries. 
The size of the loa n ranges between BBD 50,000 and BBD 1 million, with a maturity period of up 
to 10 years. During the review period, a total of BBD 4.2 million preferential loans were approved 
by the ADF (Table 4.4)."  
 
7. Colombia would appreciate if Barbados could share more extensive and detailed 
information about the Agricultural Incentive Programme (AIP).  
 
Answer:  
The AIP is used to bridge the gap created by unavailability of private financing for the agriculture 
sector. A focus of the programme  is to encourage efficiency a nd productivity through the use of 
new technologies and farm efficient systems.  
 
  WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  6  CHINA  
PART I: QUESTIONS REGARDING THE SECRETARIAT REPORT  
Page 38, Para 2.21  
CARICOM member States have sought to implement a common external tariff (CET) since 1991. 
However, as at October 2021, tariff schedules across countries still differed considerably, due 
partly to the exceptions allowed (lists A and C), and partly to mechan isms permitting the 
suspension of the application of the CET under certain circumstances. However, no progress 
regarding tariff harmonization has been achieved since 2015; negotiations on tariffs and rules of 
origin are ongoing.  
 
Question:  
1. Could you please clarify what the main obstacles to making progress regarding tariff 
harmonization  are? How does Barbados plan to address these obstacles?  
 
Answer:  
With any negotiation, intense consultations and analysis have to take place at the national and 
regional levels. Barbados, like other Member States have been engaging in these activities. 
Given limited resources, these processes may seem longer when small states are involved. 
However, Barbados will continue to engage stakeholders in this  process to ensure that 
discussions are fully ventilated.  
 
Page 45, Para 3.4 - 3.5 
Various initiatives to modernize the customs administration have been undertaken since the last 
Review. This includes the initiation of a trusted trader programme, the transition to ASYCUDA 
World in September 2019, and measures to strengthen verifications and audit processes. As part 
of the BERT Plan, BCED implemented the Trusted Trader Programme (TTP) in March 2020 with 
the goal of making cargo clearances quicker and easier without compromising revenue collection 
while promoting trade facilitation. Provisi ons to authorize this trade facilitation measure were 
included in the 2021 Customs Act. Twenty -three companies were selected to be part of the pilot 
TTP. All companies were required to have a risk assessment conducted by the Risk Management 
Unit (RMU) and a comprehensive compliance verification audit conducted by the Post Clearance 
Audit Unit (PCAU) of BCED. According to the authorities, the benefits of the TTP include: (i) 
significantly reduced customs intervention (inspection, documentary checks); (ii) a higher rate 
of green lane treatment for import and export shipments; (iii) allowing for the pre -release of 
consignments with checks performed only based on specific intelligence; (iv) faster customs 
processing of cargo resulting in better time release; (v)  no requirement for submission of hard 
copy of supporting documents; (vi) reduced penalties for voluntary disclosure of errors and 
discrepancies; and (vii) the provision of prompt client assistance.  
To qualify for the TTP, importers must have a satisfacto ry record according to BCED 
requirements and must allow BCED full access to records and systems when required; commit to 
retain originals of supporting documents for a period of seven years; implement adequate 
information technology security measures; demo nstrate the effective management of all risks 
and proven current financial solvency; possess or implement an acceptable security screening 
system for employees and job applicants; comply fully with customs laws and regulations; and 
have a track record of c ompliance with BCED and other tax requirements for at least three 
years. Importers must also align company import accounting processes to BCED requirements. 
Final approval for participation in the BCED TTP is obtained when all requirements have been 
met. T he entity will then be requested to sign a letter that is an agreement between BCED and 
the importer. After a trader has been issued a TTP authorization and begins to operate within the 
TTP environment, periodic monitoring may be conducted by BCED. Traders  who do not comply 
with the requirements of the TTP may be subject to penalties under the BCED Administrative 
Penalty System.  
 
Question:  
2. Could you please confirm whether  importers in some specific industries need to meet further 
requirements to qualify fo r the Trusted Trader Programme (TTP)? What are those industry -
specific requirements, if there are any?  WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  Answer:  
There is a set of requirements to be used for all entities irrespective of industry to enter the TTP. 
There are no industry -specific requirements.  
 
Page 70, Para 4.13  
The average applied tariff on agricultural products (WTO definition) was 35% in 2021, wh ich is 
considerably higher than for non -agricultural products. There are certain products subject to 
tariffs with rates above 100% (Table 3.3). These products are, inter alia , edible vegetables and 
certain roots and tubers (with tariffs up to 216%); meat a nd edible meat offal, certain fish 
(184%); peel of citrus fruit or melons (147%); and dairy products, eggs (141%). Barbados 
maintains tariff quotas for 24 products. All products sourced from the CARICOM region - whether 
sensitive commodities such as tomato es, or less sensitive commodities such as yams - enter 
Barbados free of duty.  
 
Question:  
3. Could you clarify what specific vegetables are subject to the tariff of 216% and why?  
 
Answer:  
Onions are the only vegetable subject to a tariff of 216%. This commodity was included as part 
of the schedule of tariff concessions which Barbados initially identified as a sensitive product to 
the local agriculture sector. This remains the same and as such is kept at the bound rate.  
PART II: QUESTIONS REGARDING THE GOVERNMENT REPORT  
Page 11, Para 4.6 - 4.7 
During the 15th UNCTAD Conference held in Barbados in October 2021, the Government of 
Barbados and United Nations Conference for Trade and Economic Development signed a project 
agreement to implement a National Electronic Single Window. The comprehensive p roject will 
reform Barbados' regulatory trading regime by transitioning 28 government agencies to an 
electronic paperless processing environment, while satisfying all cross -border and regulatory 
requirements for trade with the technical support from UNCTAD .  
The Electronic Single Window (ESW) for trade is one of the many innovative measures in the 
harmonization and facilitation of international trade and is recognized as an important step 
forward in adopting recommended best practices and creating transpare ncy while expediting 
procedures to facilitate trade. The proposed single window solution will allow stakeholders to 
interact and satisfy formalities in an electronic paperless processing environment, where all 
cross-border and regulatory requirements can b e fulfilled. UNCTAD proposed single window 
solution will permit:  
  Single entry point – ESW Portal;  
  Single submission of data;  
  Single and synchronous processing of data;  
  Single decision -making point for clearance;  
  Single payment.  
 
Question:  
4. Please provide more information on how Barbados plans to achieve inter -agency collaboration 
among 28 government agencies?  
 
Answer:  
The implementing agency under the Ministry of Energy and Business has worked collaboratively 
with the 28 agencies in the development of a strategic framework for implementation of the 
single window. This partnership is necessary for the agencies to adapt to single platform to 
satisfy regul atory requirements for trade.  Areas for collaboration also include the following:  
 
a. the development of the appropriate legal framework for the exchange of information between 
agencies.  
b. the sharing of resources to facilitate inspections and reduce ris ks and enhance efficiency.  
c. the development of the functionality by agencies in a collective manner to reduce instances of 
human error and duplication.  
Ultimately, the 28 agencies will work together to build a harmonized automated system for the 
effectiv e regulation of cross -border trade.  WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  7  CANADA  
SECTION I: QUESTIONS REGARDING THE SECRETARIAT REPORT  
 
PART 2 – TRADE AND INVESTMENT REGIMES: 2.2 TRADE POLICY FORMULATION AND 
OBJECTIVES  
Page 36 (Paragraph 2.13)  
The Secretariat Report notes that Barbados' trade policy inter alia  "has as objectives the 
development of a national policy framework for the micro, small and medium -sized enterprises 
(MSME) sector, and the promotion of gender equality".  
 
Question:  
1. Does Ba rbados collect gender or sex -disaggregated data on the portion of its MSMEs, in 
particular women -owned MSMEs, engaging in exports? If so, can Barbados provide that 
data?  
 
Answer:  
Currently the Barbados' Statistical Service do not collect this type of data by Sex/Gender.  
 
Question:  
2. What are the barriers that MSMEs and women in Barbados face when it comes to 
participating in trade and exports?  
 
Answer:  
• High production costs at the local level in comparison to that of global competitors.  
• Logistical is sues (High freight costs, supply chain issues)  
• Access to finance (including high level of bureaucracy; challenges associated with accessing 
seed capital for business expansion; challenges of accessing working capital support for 
exports; need for a colla teral registry to allow borrowers to register their collateral they are 
pledging against loans; challenges in sourcing angel financing/venture capital/crowd funding.)  
• Quality issues with products (Consistency of quality).  
• E-commerce solution (challenge s with ability to receive payments)  
• Lack of ready access to market intelligence.  
• Lack of will to collaborate to benefit from economies of scale.  
 
Question:  
3. What are the pillars, objectives and targeted results of the national policy framework for 
the M SMEs and the promotion of gender equality that Barbados is developing?  
 
Answer:  
The National MSME Policy is built on the following four pillars:  
• Legislative, regulatory and business support framework;  
• Access to finance;  
• Market access, competiveness and productivity; and,  
• Development of entrepreneurial skills, knowledge and competencies through education 
and training.  
 
Five Objectives of National MSME Policy : 
• Increased export development;  
• Internationalization of MSMEs;  
• The deve lopment of a cadre of innovative MSMEs;  
• Increased employment generation; and  
• Increased efficiency and productivity among MSMEs.  
 
Policy objective to ensure equality and equity of opportunities between women -owned and men -
owned MSMEs.  
Policy Initiativ es: business, through partnership with the Bureau of Gender Affairs and other 
relevant agencies and develop appropriate policies and strategies to address the constraints;  
- Build capacity of organizations/ entities to design and deliver services and programmes 
that take the unique challenges of female and male entrepreneurs into account;  
- Facilitate training with at least 50% of training resources for MSME development 
allocated to women entrepreneurship. This training should include: specific corporate  WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  governance training programmes; specialist training on quality standards and 
certification requirements; and specific training to support organic farming and use of 
land leases for special agricultural/ horticultural farming;  
- Develop tools and support se rvices for women entrepreneurs to facilitate innovation 
particularly in technology and knowledge intensive sectors, while promoting the use of 
indigenous materials; and  
- Create specific enterprise and employment opportunities for women with the 
commensurate  funding (seed or grant) opportunities.  
 
Question:  
4. Does Barbados have a national strategy which aims to support workers and entrepreneurs, 
in particular women to transition from informal to formal economy?  
 
Answer:  
A National MSME Growth Strategy was devel oped in collaboration with IDB the aim of 
which is to promote the development of MSMEs so that they are better positioned to 
operate in the formal economy and to ignite fragile industries and/or MSMEs that have the 
potential for high yields (dynamic MSMEs) .  
 
Additionally, there is The National MSME Policy (NMDP) which encourages businesses to 
enter the formal sector through the following policy initiatives:  
− Facilitate an increase in the number of business registrations by providing an 
exemption from the first band of taxable income;  
− Facilitate the ease of business registration through an online facility and the 
creation of a central repository of data on business registrations; and  
− Business owners will be required to honour their statutory obligations, sp ecifically 
as it relates to their National Insurance contribution, in order to retain the benefits 
associated with the business registration status attained.  
 
PART 3 – TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE: 3.3.6 GOVERNMENT 
PROCUREMENT  
 
Page 65 (Paragraph 3.112)  
The Secretariat Report states that "[r]estricted tendering can be used when the goods, works, or 
services to be procured are available from 10 suppliers or fewer, or when there is an urgent need 
for the goods, works, or services to be pro cured and engaging in open tendering would be 
impractical".  
 
Question:  
5. Could Barbados elaborate  on how it determines that the goods, works or services to be 
procured are available from 10 suppliers or fewer?  
 
Answer:  
The Government of Barbados is in the p rocess of implementing an e -procurement system 
(Bonfire) where suppliers will be encouraged to register to participate in any  procurement 
opportunities. The system will in turn  be able to match the specific vendor to the services 
required. This is similar to what obtains under other procurement regimes of other 
countries; however, Barbados chose to quantify theirs by using a specific number.  
 
PART 3 – TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE: 3.3.7 INTELLECTUAL 
PROPERTY RIGHTS  
 
Page 66 (Article 3.118)  
Per th e Secretariat Report, no changes have taken place to Barbados' IPR legislation since the last 
Review. Most legislation was passed during the implementation period of the TRIPS Agreement 
with amendments to some acts introduced in 2004 (copyright) and 2006 ( patents, industrial 
designs, and trademarks).  
 
Question:  
6. Can Barbados provide an overview of some of the key amendments made to the 
Copyright, Patents, Industrial Designs , and Trademarks Acts?  
 WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  Answer:  
The Copyright Act is being amended to expand the category of rights holders; expand the 
definition of works to now include digitized works; extend the duration of the copyright; modernize 
provisions relating to reproduction, transmission and communication of works; include penalties 
for circumvention of technological measures; and to introduce the right of remuneration for 
broadcasting and communication to the public. These amendments are to bring the Copyright Act 
into conformity with the WIPO internet treaties. Also at the regional level, Barbados was p art of a 
regional review of the Trademarks Act, under a regional project. This has produced a model 
Trademarks Bill, the key amendments relate to registration of types of marks, e.g. certification 
marks, marks that include sound or scent; securitization of  marks, seizure and forfeiture of 
infringing goods, rights and remedies and offences. Having now completed the model bill, the next 
step is to have it go through the legislative process. The review of the industrial designs Act is still 
ongoing. The review  included, for example, a component on regional cooperation mechanisms in 
the field of Industrial Design Law and Practice, on which discussions were held in March 2022. The 
Patents review is still ongoing, bearing in mind the work currently being done at t he CARICOM 
level with respect to a regional Patent convention.  
 
Page 66 (Article 3.120)  
The Secretariat Report indicates that an Advisory Committee on Intellectual Property was 
established in June 2019, and that this Committee was tasked with reviewing the provisions of the 
Copyright Act. The review, completed in 2021, aimed to bring the Act into conformity with the 
protocols relating to various international copyright treaties.  
 
Question:  
7. Can Barbados provide any information about how the Advisory Committee was developed 
(e.g. was it composed of government officials or were stakeholders also  involved)?  
 
Answer:  
In May 2019, the Cabinet approved the appointment of a thirteen (13) member Advisory 
Committee on Intellectual Property. The Advisory Committee comprised stakeholders from various 
sectors touching and concerning intellectual property f rom the private bar, the collective 
management organization, creative sector and government officials.  
 
Question:  
8. Were there public consultations involved in the review of the Copyright Act?  
 
Answer:  
No. Once the amendment bill is finalized it will be take n to the wider public.  
 
Page 66 (Table 3.8)  
Per the Secretariat Report, Table 3.8 identifies the number of IP registrations from 2014 -2021.  
 
Question:  
9. Does Barbados provide information on which IP registrations are sought by foreign 
applicants and which ar e sought by domestic applicants?  
 
Answer:  
This information is maintained and can be extrapolated from the IP system.  
 
PART 4 – TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR: 4.1.2 AGRICULTURAL POLICY  
 
Page 70 (Paragraph 4.11)  
The Secretariat Report notes that that Barbados supports the "Twenty -five by 2025 Initiative" to 
reduce agri -food imports from outside CARICOM, yet Barbados and the region continues to 
struggle in harmonizing intra -regional trade for food and agricultural -linked products.  
 
Question:  
10. Earlier thi s year, CARICOM committed to reducing the region's import bill by 25 % by 2025,  
and Barbados announced that it will establish a new food terminal to act as a 
transshipment hub for agricultural produce across the region and beyond. This is truly 
commendable.  However, particular barriers remain on trade in food and agricultural -linked 
products, which may constrain the ambitions of the region. What actions does Barbados WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  envision taking on its own, and at the CARICOM table, to enable market access for 
agricultur al inputs and technologies, and to harmonize tariffs and standards on agriculture 
and agri -food products in the region?  
 
Answer:  
CARICOM is working on several initiatives that will remove what can be seen as impediments to 
trade in the region. There are se veral initiatives approved by COTED towards the harmonization of 
processes and policies across the Region. Specifically, CARICOM Trade Policy for Animals and 
Animal Products, Guidelines to facilitate intra -regional Trade in selected plant and animal produc ts, 
Protocols governing CARICOM Control analysis and Approval Procedures for Trade in animal and 
animal products and CARICOM Regional Agricultural Health and Food Safety Policy and National 
Framework.  
 
PART 4 – TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR: 4.2 ENERGY  
 
Page 73  (Paragraph 4.35)  
It is noted that Barbados has adopted a number of fiscal incentives to encourage the purchase of 
electric and hybrid vehicles and reduce the use of fossil fuel vehicles in its 2022 budget.  
 
Question:  
11. Does Barbados intend to continue or in crease these fiscal incentives to encourage electric 
and hybrid vehicle purchases in the country's future budgets?  
 
Answer:  
Yes, Barbados intends to be carbon neutral by 2030 in order to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) 
emissions and comply to the Paris Agreeme nt in order to fulfil its signatory obligations. 
Additionally, these measures would contribute to Barbados' effort to reduce the foreign exchange 
attributed to the consumption of fossil fuels and mitigate against the volatility in fuel prices.  
 
PART 4 – TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR: 4.4.2 TELECOMMUNICATIONS  
 
Page 80 (Paragraph 4.73)  
The Secretariat Report notes the  1 March 2021 entry into force of the Data Protection Act . 
 
Questions:  
12. What data localization requirements has Barbados implemented through the Data 
Protection Ac t? 
13. Does the Data Protection Act  include the possibility of exceptions, derogations or other 
similar carve -outs?  
 
Answers for 12 and 13:  
The Data Protection Act has a number of exemptions provided in the Act:  
 
National Security; Crime Prevention & Detection and Taxation  
Data processed for the purpose of safeguarding national security are exempt generally from the 
application of the Act (Parts II, III, IV and VI of the Act;  
 
Data processed for the purpose of crime detection and preventio n; the apprehension and 
prosecution of criminal offenders and for the assessment and collection of tax are exempt in 
relation to the requirement that the data must be supplied by someone authori zed to supply it by 
law or under an international instrument; as well as the data subject's right to access to personal 
data being processed . 
 
Data processed for the collection of taxes are also similarly exempted.  
 
Data processed for these purposes is also exempt from non -disclosure provisions . 
 
Data processed by a public authority as part of a risk assessment for these purposes are exempt 
from the right to access.  
 WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  Health Education and Social Work  
The Minister may by order exempt or modify from the right to access and "underlying requirement 
to show lawfulness, transparency and fairness of processing data processed in relation to:  
Physical and mental health or a condition;  
Information on pupils at an educational institution;  
Information on students at a tertiary institution;  
The order may also specify  other information processed by public authorities, charities and those 
carrying out social work . 
 
Regulatory Activity  
Functions being carried out for the purposes of regulating financial activities such as banking, 
insurance, etc and thereby protecting th e public from financial loss due to dishonesty, malpractice, 
misconduct etc  
 
Further, functions for the purpose of protecting charities from misconduct or mismanagement are 
all exempt from subject information provisions i.e. provisions that require the dat a to be supplied 
by a person authori zed by law or international instrument to do; as well as from the right to access 
to the extent that those provisions will prejudice the proper discharge of those functions.  
 
Additionally, personal data that is processed  in accordance with regulating health and safety at 
work; regulating public authorities in providing services; regulating business and commercial 
activities are similarly exempt.  
 
Journalism, Literature & Art  
Data processed for the purposes of journalistic , literary or artistic material where the processing is 
undertaken for that purpose and the data controller reasonably believes that the publication would 
be in the public interest having regard to public interest in freedom of expression.  
 
There is furthe r provision that where there are legal proceedings relating to personal data 
processing for journalistic, literary and artistic purposes, those proceedings are stayed until the 
Data Protection Commissioner determines whether the conditions for those types of processing 
have been met.  
 
Research, history and statistics  
Personal data processed for research purposes must meet certain conditions i.e. not processed to 
support measures and decisions in relation to particular individuals; and substantial damage or 
distress is not caused or likely to be caused to any data subject.  
 
Data processed for this purpose is exempt from access provisions and may be kept indefinitely.  
 
Manual data held by public authorities and information available to the public  
 
This data is exempt from Parts II, III, IV and VI of the Act.  
 
Disclosures made in connection with legal proceedings  
 
Data processed for the purpose of obtaining legal advice or for the purpose or in connection with 
legal proceedings is exempt from non -disclosu re provisions.  
 
Parliamentary privilege  
Personal data is exempt from parts II, II, IV and VI of the Act where the exemption is required to 
avoid an infringement of parliamentary privilege.  
 
Legal Professional Privilege  
Where a claim of legal professional p rivilege could be maintained, personal data so processed is 
exempt from the requirement that the data must be supplied by someone authori zed to supply it 
by law or under an international instrument; as well as the data subject's right to access to the 
personal data being processed.  
 
Domestic purposes  
Data processed for domestic and household purposes is exempt from parts II, II, IV and VI of the 
Act. WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  Confidential references given to the data controller  
Personal data given as a confidential reference for the  purposes of education, training or 
employment, appointment or prospective appointment is exempt from the data subject's right to 
access to the personal data being processed.  
 
Armed Forces, Judicial Appointments and Appointments to the public service  
Data processed for these purposes are exempt from the requirement that the data must be 
supplied by someone authori zed to supply it by law or under an international instrument; as well 
as the data subject's right to access to the personal data being processed.  
 
Corporate Finance  
Data processed for the purpose of or in connection with a corporate finance service is exempt from 
the requirement that the data must be supplied by someone authori zed to supply it by law or 
under an international instrument; as well as the data subject's right to access to the personal 
data being processed in as much as application of those provisions could affect the price of any 
existing instrument or one to be created.  
 
Negotiations with a data subject  
Data which consists of records that show the intentions of a data controller in relation to 
negotiations with a data subject are exempt from the requirement that the data must be supplied 
by someone authori zed to supply it by law or under an international instrument; as well as the 
data subject's right to access to the personal data being processed where the application of those 
provisions would likely prejudice those negotiations.  
 
Examinations  
The results of an examination are exempt from the data subject's right to access provisions.  
 
The Minister has the power to make further exemptions by order.  
 
Question:  
14. Through what methods can Barbados assess that data is at rest or is in transit?  
 
Answer:  
There are no policies at present that relate to accessing data at rest o r in transit.  
 
Question:  
15. In what way does the Data Protection follow the principles of the EU's GDPR?  
 
Answer:  
The principles of the EU's GDPR are incorporated into Part II of the Data Protection Act.  
 
PART 4 – TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR: 4.4.4.3 LAND TRANSP ORT 
 
Page 83 (Paragraph 4.96)  
The Secretariat Report notes that in In line with the Barbados National Energy Policy 2019 -2030, 
authorities have indicated that there will be investments in the decarbonization of road transport in 
order to reach Barbados' target of 100% renewable energy and carbon neutrality by 2030, apart 
from the electrification of the Barbados Transport Board's bus fleet and the adoption of fiscal 
incentives to encourage the purchase of electric/hybrid vehicles noted on page 73 , paragraph 
4.35.  
 
Question:  
16. Could Barbados provide more information on its plans or policies to further decarbonize 
road transport and make the land transport sector fossil -fuel-free by 2030, apart from the 
measures already noted?  
 
Answer:  
Electric mobility (e -mobility) has gained at tention as a strategy to:  
1. mitigate GHG emissions  
2. improve air quality  
3. decrease petroleum dependency  
4. boost energy security in the context of increasing world -wide vehicle demand  WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  With respect to Barbados' transport sector, the number of registered  private vehicles on the island 
in 2022 was 156,000 (estimated), with a total driver population of 142,000 (persons holding valid 
driver's licences). The majority of the Net -Zero transformation is happening outside of the 
transport sector. E.g Energy polic y (BNEP), Smart Energy Programme (providing 10 additional 
buses, and provided the EV Study) BNSI – Emissions standards  
 
Activities Ministry of Transport, Works and Water Resources will undertake:  
1. An E -Mobility Strategy (A pre requisite  to determine net -zero entry points in transport)  
2. Purchase of Electric Buses  
3. Creating a framework for more electric buses for private PSVs  
4. Creation of a Renewable Vehicle and Equipment Workshop – Harmonization of all 
Government Workshop  
5. Electrification of Governm ent Fleet  
6. Appropriate Adaptation in Vehicle Inspections (weight, battery, electricals)  
7. Maximi zing Renewable Energy power grid opportunities (Transport Board, BWA, QEH)  
 
SECTION II: QUESTIONS REGARDING THE GOVERNMENT REPORT  
 
PART 1 – INTRODUCTION  
 
Page 3 (Paragraph 1.4)  
The Government Report notes that "Barbados also continues to pin much of its hopes for economic 
revival and sustainability on its regional trade" and that "Barbados, with fellow CARICOM Member 
States, is trying to create and maintain opportunities for increased trade through its bilateral 
negotiations".  
 
Question:  
17. Does Barbados consider an inclusive approach to trade with regards to women, MSMEs and 
cooperatives as a strategy for economic revival and sustainability as well as a way to 
increase trade?  
 
Answer:  
Yes. The establishment of cooperatives has been adopted as a strategy to promote 
entrepreneurial growth and development. Recognition is given to the fact that it remains a 
significant challenge to try to produce goods and services alone and therefore the method 
of cooperation has become one of the critical approaches to entrepreneurial development. 
To date there are 35 registered cooperatives of which there is one (1) women 
entrepreneurs cooperative consisting of approximat ely 100 members. Women sit on most 
of the Boards of cooperatives and play a critical role in ensuring the success of these 
cooperatives.  
 
PART 3 – SECTORAL PERFORMANCE  
 
Page 9 (Paragraph 3.8)  
The Government Report notes that that Barbados' Ministry of International Business and Industry 
has been developing new legislative policy to govern the industrial sector after the repeal of the 
Fiscal Incentives Act, and that the new policy is currently being given attention by the Ministry of 
Industry, Innovation , Science and Technology.  
 
Question:  
18. Has Barbados considered any environmental implications and/or possible green 
methodology during the development of its new legislative policy to govern the country's 
industrial sector?  
 
Answer:  
The new policy initiative  has not yet been enacted. However, careful consideration has been given 
to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 9. The areas of national 
strategic focus in this regard are bioeconomy, renewable energy, bio -technology, green a nd blue 
economy, et al.  
  WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  8  EUROPEAN UNION  
WT/TPR/G/431 – Government report  
2 TRADING ARRANGEMENTS  
2.4 CARICOM  
 
Paragraph 2.19, page 6:  "To date, Barbados and the Region are seeking changes to the Common 
External Tariff (CET) and Rules of Origin (ROO) in order that these measures would allow for a 
more competitive region and also to further the integration process. Negotiations in these areas 
are still ongoing."  
EU question 1 : When will the new changes to the CARICOM CET (based on HS 2022) be 
completed and  subsequently implemented?  
Barbados answer 1:  Based on decisions of the CARICOM Heads of Government, the aim is to 
complete the CET and ROO by end of 2022 and implement soon afterwards.  
2.6 CARIBCAN  
 
Paragraph 2.26, page 7:  "Barbados, along with the other  CARICOM Member States, was engaged 
in negotiations with Canada for a Trade and Development Agreement from 2007. (…) Both Parties 
suspended negotiations in May 2015."  
Paragraph 2.27, page 7:  "Canada submitted a waiver to the Council for Trade in Goods (CTG) of 
the WTO for renewal of the CARIBCAN agreement. The current waiver expires on 31 December 
2023."  
Paragraph 2.28, page 7:  "Barbados is no longer eligible to access Canada's General Preferential 
Tariff (GPT) which is a non -reciprocal preferential arr angement offered by Canada to imports from 
developing countries."  
EU question 2 : As the current waiver to the Council for Trade in Goods (CTG) of the WTO for 
renewal of the CARIBCAN agreement expires at the end of 2023 and Barbados is no longer eligible 
to access Canada's General Preferential Tariff (GPT), is there any consideration being given to re -
opening negotiations with Canada either on a bilateral level or on a regional level with CARICOM? 
If not what is the proposed plan of action for trade with Can ada post -2023?  
Barbados answer 2:  Barbados has always sought to enter these negotiations under the 
CARICOM umbrella. Hence, CARICOM would have to be involved in the process. If CARICOM 
expresses no interest in negotiations with Canada, Barbados would have to give thought to 
independent negotiations with Canada. Canada remains an important market for Barbados. As 
such, the Government and the private sector will have to continue to engage in trade promotion 
activities in order to maintain market presence.  
3 SECTORAL PERFORMANCE  
3.2 MANUFACTURING  
 
Paragraph 3.8, page 9:  "Since the repeal of the Fiscal Incentives Act, the Ministry responsible for 
Industry, the Ministry of International Business and Industry, has been working towards the 
development of a new legislative policy to govern the industrial sector."  
Paragraph 3.9, page 9:  "This updated policy is necessary given the slow but consistent decline in 
the growth of the manufacturing sector and its attendant contribution to the Gross Domestic 
Product (GDP)…."  
EU question 3 : What provisions are included in the new legislative policy governing the industrial 
sector, which will facilitate growth and increase competitiveness in the sector?  
Barbados answer 3:  This is a key priority needed to enhanc e and stimulate the performance and 
sustainability of the manufacturing sector. Provision has been made in the draft legislation to 
address areas of sectoral concern such as financing. The recommendation is to streamline and 
reform procedures and processes  as it relates to access to finance.  WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  Paragraph 3.10, page 9:  "…A consultancy was undertaken (…) on the sector to determine the 
reasons for the decline…"  
Paragraph 3.11, page 9:  "Some of the key challenges cited in the sector are as follows: (…) • A 
relativ ely small bank of exportable products; • Reluctance by some key local producers to explore 
non-traditional markets…"  
EU question 4 : What are the export ready subsectors in Barbados, and have these changed 
significantly since the last TPR in 2015?  
Barbados answer 4:  They have not significantly changed from 2015. Barbados' exports are still 
concentrated in food, chemicals and fuels. Specifically, they are: pharmaceuticals, metal products, 
other chemicals, other food, fats/oils, printed materials/stationery, b aked goods, building 
materials/supplies, petroleum/pet, products and alcoholic beverages. We recognize that these are 
primarily bio trade goods so we are developing a comprehensive bio trade strategy. Policies being 
put in place center around the creation and improvement of the infrastructure to support 
exponential export growth. These include: - 
(1) Build out of new industrial parks such as the life sciences park and oceans industrial park (at 
sea) leveraging Barbados' unique value proposition in this area . 
(2) industrial parks powered by renewable energy solutions (e.g. biogas, photovoltaic systems, 
green hydrogen);  
(3) global logistics and export infrastructure build out including a regional ferry service, the 
establishment of Barbados as a trans -shipmen t hub for the Caribbean and West Africa; cold chain 
facility builds out;  
(4) Increased access to financing through establishment of an Export Credit Agency (currently 
conceptualised as an Export Import Bank but could potentially include an insurance facil ity);  
(5) Creation of an "Export Sandbox" where issues affecting exporters are addressed quickly using 
a mulitstakeholder approach to remove impediments to doing business efficiently. Essentially the 
Sandbox is to significantly increase the ease of doing business;  
(6) Creation of "maker spaces" where users can utili ze the equipment and services to produce 
their products; for example the International Food Science Center which was developed primarily 
for the condiments sector. The model used is one where m anufacturers have the ability to produce 
their products by just bringing a recipe while the raw materials, bottling, labelling, packaging, food 
testing are supplied by the staff at the Center. The same model to be applied to different 
industries.  
(7) Incr eased research and stakeholder consultations to fuel improvements to the export 
ecosystem  
2 THE WAY FORWARD  
 
Paragraph 4.2, page 11:  "The Government of Barbados has therefore embarked on a number of 
initiatives to provide the appropriate facilitation and environment for entrepreneurs in Barbados to 
do better business. These initiatives are directed towards innovation, information, communication 
and smart technologies; insolvency legislation and development of the cooperatives movement."  
EU question 5 : Coul d Barbados give examples of the specific initiatives that are to enhance the 
business environment for entrepreneurs?  
Barbados answer 5:  Establishment of Financial Literacy Bureau  
The objectives are to:  
− Build an investment culture in Barbados ; 
− Build family wealth -creation ; WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
- 28 - 
 
  − Develop stronger financially sound businesses ; 
− Build national cohesion around principles that encourage responsible economic behavio ur 
among citizens. This will be done through promoting the "teaching" and "living'' of the 
principles of financial literacy, as well as to hold government accountable for its public 
expenditure such that it positively impacts the lives of Barbadians ; 
− Inculca te habits of financial literacy among the general populous at an early age, inclusive 
of the nation's schools . 
The Ministry launched Phase II of the FLB Programme which will see a series of financial literacy 
community engagement interventions starting at Holders Hill, The City and St. Joseph.  
ii. Facilitate an improved national vending framework through  
− The development of a National MSME Registry which among other things will allow for the 
registration of vendors, facilitate the issuance of ven ding licences and vending permits, 
and register and facilitate the business development needs of those businesses from 
CARICOM desirous of operating in Barbados under the Rights of Establishment ; 
− Establish approximately eight (8) national vending facilitie s in proximity to the highway as 
well as another cadre of facilities in identified communities across Barbados ; 
− Establishment of approximately twenty -five (25) vending kiosks within the City.  
iii. Execute the National Vending Policy intended to:  
− Decriminal ize vending ; 
− Give vending its due respect and its rightful place in the economic landscape of Barbados ;  
− Give vendors the opportunity to exploit technological advancements and to maximize the 
benefits of operating as an organized body ; 
− Enhance the cultural  elements of vending and to maintain that personal touch in the best 
tradition of its heritage ; 
− Bring about horizontal development by allowing the entrance of as many entrepreneurs as 
the vending sector is reasonably capable of accommodating ; 
− -Bring about vertical development by allowing vending to develop economically as a viable 
business choice capable of moving to the next level.  
iii. Establishment of a Collateral Registry  
− The objective of the Registry is to register charges and collaterals created by bo rrowers to 
secure credit facilities provided by lenders. The CRS provides online registration of security 
interests in both immovable and movable assets pledged as collateral.  
Benefits  
− The enactment of the requisite legislation and the establishment of th e Collateral Registry 
will stimulate the use of movable property as security interest in order to increase Small 
Medium Enterprises' access to credit. [e.g. accounts receivable, machinery, equipment, 
vehicles etc.] ; 
− An avenue has been created for searches to be conducted by users on property submitted 
for credit, to ascertain whether or not a property is encumbered; and the extent of 
encumbrance ; 
− One can conduct a search at the Collateral Registry on a property which one intends to buy 
in order to ascertain  whether the said property has been used as collateral for credit ; 
− It is expected that lending in general will become less risky with this Secured Transaction 
Regime ; 
− Clarity in Priority status and the Enforcement of rights in security interest has signifi cantly 
been enhanced.  
iv. Junior Stock Exchange  
The key objective of this project is to allow SMEs to be in a position to raise cost effective capital 
through an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in the local capital markets and thereafter listing on the 
I&GM of the BSE.  WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  The three phases of the project are:  
- Sensitization and Education Phase;  
- Diagnostic and Capacity Building Phase;  
- Raising Capital and Listing Phase.  
Paragraph 4.6, page 11:  "…the Government of Barbados and United Nations Conference for Trade 
and Economic Development signed a project agreement to implement a National Electronic Single 
Window. The comprehensive project will reform Barbados' regulatory trading regime by 
transitioning 28 government agencies to an electronic pa perless processing environment, while 
satisfying all cross -border and regulatory requirements for trade…"  
EU question 6 : What is the estimated date for the completion of the National Electronic Single 
Window project?  
Barbados answer 6:  The estimated date for the completion of the Barbados' Electronic Single 
Window is 31 December 2025.  
WT/TPR/S/431 – WTO Secretariat report  
2. TRADE AND INVESTMENT REGIMES  
2.3 TRADE AGREEMENTS AND ARRANGEMENTS  
2.3.2.2 CARICOM bilateral agreements  
Paragra ph 2.28, page 39:  "CARICOM has reciprocal bilateral trade agreements with Colombia, 
Costa Rica, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic."  
EU question 7 : Does Barbados implement these bilateral trade agreements to their fullest extent? 
If so, what products are tra ded (imports and exports) with these countries?  
Barbados answer 7:  Barbados implements to the fullest extent possible. Some of the products 
traded are outlined at APPENDIX II.  
Paragraph 2.33, page 40:  "Barbados, as an MDC ["more developed country"] in CAR ICOM, 
provides duty -free access for products originating in the Dominican Republic other than various 
sensitive or excluded goods. [...] In addition to trade in goods, the Agreement deals with services, 
investment, and government procurement."  
EU question 8: Does Barbados implement all provisions of the Agreement in the area of services, 
investment, and government procurement? Do these provisions ensure market access and national 
treatment in the areas of services and investment?  
Barbados answer 8:  Barbados implements all provisions in this area of goods. The provisions in 
the areas of services, investment and government procurement have not been negotiated between 
the Parties.  
2.3.2.3 CARIFORUM -EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)  
Paragraph 2.37, page 40:  "…The authorities indicate that "due to a number of prolonged 
exogenous shocks", Barbados has been unable to implement the full range of the tariff 
reductions."  
EU question 9 : Could Barbados explain what were the exact reasons for the lack of 
implementation of the full range of tariff reductions? When was the last tariff reduction effected 
according to schedule?   
Barbados answer 9:  During the change of government in 2018, the Barbados economy was 
experiencing high debt levels, low f oreign reserves, unsustainable high fiscal deficits and little to 
no growth. Consequently, the Government implemented a range of measures and took other WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
- 30 - 
 
  policy decisions to secure the macro -fiscal stability of the economy. These included entering into 
an IMF Programme and delaying the implementation of the full range of tariff reductions  
EU question 10 : At present, what is the share of tariff lines effectively liberali zed by Barbados 
under the CARIFORUM -EU EPA?  
Barbados answer 10:  Approximately 5.7% of tari ff lines effectively liberali zed by Barbados under 
the CARIFORUM -EU EPA  
3 TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.1 Measures Directly Affecting Imports  
3.1.3 Tariffs  
Paragraph 3.19, page 49 : "Barbados' 2022 tariff schedule is based on HS17."   
EU question 11: Is Barbados planning to upgrade its applied HS nomenclature to the HS22 
version and when? If so, when does Barbados intend to transpose its offers for market access in 
goods under its free trade agreements with various partners to the HS22 nomenclature so that all 
concessions for trade partners under these agreements remain effective under the new HS 
nomenclature?  
Barbados answer 11: Yes, the 2022 tariff will be implemented by March 2023.  
Paragraph 3.23 and table 3.4, Tariff lines where MFN  applied rates exceed consolidated rates, 
2022, page 51:  "Although most applied tariffs are within their bound rates, the Secretariat found 
that applied rates exceeded bound rates for 17 tariff lines, in 2022."  
EU question 12 : Could Barbados explain how it intends to rectify that state of affairs and when? 
Could Barbados set out a process and timeline to bring its applied tariffs in compliance with its 
bound rates?  
Barbados answer 12:  Barbados intends to upgrade to HS 2022 in early 2 023. Transposition of 
the HS was the main reason for these discrepancies and hence Barbados is working closely with 
the Barbados Customs and Excise Department to remedy this matter as soon as possible.  
Paragraph 3.26, page 52:  "Barbados grants preferential  tariffs to imports from the European Union 
and the United Kingdom."  
EU question 13 : By what means does Barbados give public access to its currently applied tariff 
rates, including those applied under preferential schemes, such as the CARIFORUM -EU EPA? If 
these tariffs are not available currently via electronic or interned -based media, does Barbados plan 
to implement such transparency measure?  
Barbados answer 13:  Public access to the applied tariff rates and preferential schemes is 
through specific Customs Procedure Codes in ASYCUDA World for each scheme.  
Paragraph 3.29, page 52:  "Agricultural companies may benefit from import duty concessions under 
the Agricultural Incentives Programme…"  
EU question 14 : What are the modalities of benefitting from the progr amme, and are they 
publicized somewhere for easy access by stakeholders?  
Barbados answer 14:  The information pertaining to concession can be found on the Barbados' 
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Security website.  
Paragraph 3.30, page 52:  "Tourism activities can also benefit from exemptions from import duties 
and VAT. The Tourism Development Act and the Tourism Development Order 2013 provide for 
customs duty exemptions for the import of building materials and a range of furniture and fixtures.  WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
- 31 - 
 
  The Act also allows hotels with a restaurant on the premises to enjoy duty -free importation of 
stores of food and beverages…"  
EU question 15 : What are the modalities of benefitting from these concessions, and are they 
publicized somewhere for easy access by stakeholders?  
Barbados answer 15:  The modalities are publicly available on website of the Barbados Tourism 
Investment Inc.  
3.1.4 Other charges affecting imports  
Title 3.1.4, page 52:  "Other charges affecting imports."  
EU question 16 : Does Barbados charge an environmental levy on the CIF value of imported 
goods, as it did in the past. If so, at which rate(s)?  
Barbados answer 16:  Barbados does not implement an Environmental Levy.  
3.1.5 Import prohibitions, restrictions, and licensing  
Paragraph 3.39, page 54:  "The import licensing regime is governed by the Miscellaneous Controls 
Act, Cap. 329, of 1985, the Miscellaneous Controls (General Open Import Licence) Regulations of 
2014, and the Miscellaneous Controls (Importation and Exportation of Goods) (Prohibition) 
(Radioactive Materials) Regulations, 2004."  
 
Paragraph 3.40, page 55:  "The authorities stated that the different application of automatic 
licensing to CARICOM and non -CARICOM c ountries reflects different monitoring requirements."  
 
Paragraph 3.41, page 55:  "The authorities note that the import licensing system is applied for 
monitoring, security, health, and environmental purposes, as well as protection of public morals, 
and that  there are no quantitative restrictions. Licences are considered on a case -by-case basis. 
(…) Licences are processed within one to two working days."  
EU question 17 : The Miscellaneous Controls (General Open Import Licence) Regulations of 2014 
state in poi nt 2.(1) "No person shall import any good set out in the First Schedule from any 
country other than (a) a country listed in the Second Schedule being a country specified in section 
5 of the Caribbean Community Act, Cap. 15; or (b) a country that is declare d to be a member of 
the CARICOM Single Market and Economy under section 5(2) of the Caribbean Community Act .", 
which does not mention any licensing process. The previously repelled version of the said 
Regulations, promulgated in 2004, included in the same point 2.(1) the following provision: 
"except in accordance with the terms of a licence granted under sectio n 10 of the Act" , and that 
latter provision appears to have been deleted in the 2014 Regulations. What is the meaning of 
point 2.(1) in Miscellaneous Controls (General Open Import Licence) Regulations of 2014, insofar 
as it does not appear to foresee a lic ense application process to allow for the importation of goods 
set out in the First Schedule from countries other than countries cited under (a) and (b)? In the 
context of the said point 2.(1), how can goods set out in the First Schedule be imported from 
countries other than CAROICOM countries?  
Barbados answer 17:  The provision "except in accordance with the terms of a licence granted 
under section 10 of the Act", was inadvertently excluded from the 2014 Regulations. This exclusion 
has been recogni zed and the necessary amendments to include this provision is being undertaken.  
Paragraph 39, page 54:  "The import licensing regime is governed by the Miscellaneous Controls 
Act, Cap. 329, of 1985, the Miscellaneous Controls (General Open Import Licence) Regulatio ns of 
2014, and the Miscellaneous Controls (Importation and Exportation of Goods) (Prohibition) 
(Radioactive Materials) Regulations, 2004. The Miscellaneous Controls (General Open Import 
Licence) Regulations of 2014 contains two schedules listing goods for  which licences must be 
obtained: the First Schedule applies to imports originating outside CARICOM countries, and the 
Third Schedule applies to goods originating within CARICOM (Table 3.6)."  WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
- 32 - 
 
  EU Question 18 : Could Barbados indicate how it determines which  products should be included in 
each list. What is the procedure to bring the amendment before the legislature and what criteria 
are taken into account to authorize the modification of these lists?  
 
Barbados answer 18:  Items are placed in Schedule 1 or Sc hedule 3 according to the source 
country from which they are being imported. Schedule 1 is for goods being imported from extra 
regional sources and Schedule 3 is for goods being imported from CARICOM countries. The list of 
these CARICOM countries can be fo und in Schedule 2. Determination of products to be placed on 
the import licence regime is guided by the objectives of the import licensing system (monitoring, 
security, protection of public moral health and environmental purposes).  
 
Paragraph 3.40, page 55 : "The authorities stated that the different application of automatic 
licensing to CARICOM and non -CARICOM countries reflects different monitoring requirements…"  
 
EU Question 19 : Could Barbados clarify which are the monitoring requirements applicable to 
CARICOM and non -CARICOM countries, highlighting the differences between the two sets of 
requirements?  
Barbados answer 19:  This difference is primarily a sanitary and phytosanitary measure 
(protection of human, animal or plant health). An import license is required in instances where 
Barbados does not have a pre -arranged review and notification system in place with the source 
country.  
Paragraph 3.47, page 56:  "Special requirements apply for the importation of certain products. The 
importation of d airy products and meat and meat products requires approval of the source country 
by the Veterinary Services department; this stamp must be affixed to the import licence verifying 
that the source is an approved one…"  
 
EU Question 20 : Could Barbados indicat e how does the Veterinary Services department of 
Barbados determine which source country is approved for the importation of dairy and meat 
products and what does the process of approval consist of specifically? Is the process clearly 
available for the stak eholders' information? What is the time for processing such applications by 
the Veterinary Services department?  
 
Barbados answer 20:  Under the Animals (Diseases and Importation) Act, Cap 253 no animals or 
animal products may be imported into Barbados excep t a) from countries specified in the 
Schedules to the regulations and b) in accordance with the written terms of a permit granted by 
the Senior Veterinary Officer (the Veterinary Authority).  
 
Any country can request to be included in the Schedules to the R egulations and can engage in 
discussions on the terms under which permits to import animals or animal products may be 
granted.  
 
Permits granted by the Veterinary Services are contingent upon the exporting country and/or 
animal product demonstrating that it  meets the relevant sanitary standards, either those published 
by the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the World Organi zation for Animal Health, or as a result of 
a completed import risk assessment.  
 
For this reason, applications for licences issued for certain meat and meat products are sent to the 
Veterinary Services for review prior to issuance by the Ministry of Energy and Business 
Development. If the meat of meat product does not satisfy the sanitary standards under which a 
permit may be granted of if the country of origin is not listed in the relevant Schedule of the 
regulations this information will be relayed to the Ministry of Energy and Business Development.  
 
Paragraph 3.48, page 56 : "Commercial importers of meat and animal products must pay an annual 
fee of BBD 500."  
 
EU Question 21 : Could Barbados explain what costs the fee is intended to cover for?  
 
Barbados answer 21:  The fee covers the Minimal Administrative cost.  
 WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  3.2 Measures Directly Affecting Exports  
Paragraph 3.71, page 59:  "Until 2019, the CBB operated an export credit guarantee scheme for 
manufactured goods."  
EU question 22 : Could Barbados indicate the reasons for which the scheme is not operational 
anymore, or has been discontinued? Are there plans to introduce a new scheme ? 
Barbados answer 22:  Due to prolonged periods of inactivity, the Industrial Credit Fund, Export 
Credit Insurance, Export Finance Guarantee and the various Small Business Credit Guarantee 
Schemes are being phased out by year -end. The Central Bank continues  to administer and manage 
the following three (3) guarantee schemes; namely, the Enhanced Credit Guarantee Fund and the 
Global Credit Programme for Safeguarding the Productive Sectors and Employment (which are 
both funded by the Inter -American Development Bank) as well as the Housing Credit Fund.  
3.3.2 Standards and other technical requirements  
Paragraph 3.83, page 60:  "The procedures to adopt technical regulations are contained in the 
Standards Act (Part V). In accordance with the Act, the Minister of Com merce has the faculty to 
declare a BNSI standard compulsory, that is, to turn it into a technical regulation. A standard may 
be declared compulsory (…) to protect the economy of Barbados…"  
EU question 23 : What are the premises for qualifying a standard as compulsory for the 
protection of the economy, and has any standard been made compulsory on this basis? In the 
affirmative, could Barbados indicate which were those standards?  
Barbados answer 23:  Barbados follows international best practice, the Code of Go od Practice, for 
the preparation, adoption and application of standards and the direction of the WTO Agreement. 
Barbados notifies technical regulations using the WTO notification template form and the online 
notification platform. Part 3 of the notificatio n form, states the options for notification as under 
sections: 2.9.2, 2.10.1, 5.6.2, 5.7.1 and others.  
Technical regulations are developed and implemented when the relevant products affect national 
security requirements or in order to ensure the prevention  of deceptive practices and the 
protection of human health or safety, animal or plant life or health, or the environment.  
Barbados is not aware of any standard being notified under the premise of "protection of the 
economy".  
3.3.7 Intellectual property rig hts 
Paragraph 3.116, page 65:  "There were no major changes in the legal system for the protection of 
intellectual property rights (IPRs) in Barbados during the period under review."  
Paragraph 3.118, page 66:  "… Most legislation was passed during the implem entation period of the 
TRIPS Agreement, with amendments to some acts introduced in 2004 (copyright) and 2006 
(patents, industrial designs, and trademarks)."  
EU question 24 : In the previous TPR, Barbados indicated that a review of the patent and the 
industr ial design acts were underway. What was the result of the review of these two acts?  
Barbados answer 24:  The review of the Industrial Designs Act is still ongoing. The review 
included, for example, a component on regional cooperation mechanisms in the field of Industrial 
Design Law and Practice, on which discussions were held in March 2022.  
The Patents review is still ongoing, bearing in mind the work currently being done at the CARICOM 
level with respect to a regional Patent convention.  
Paragraph 3.120, page 66:  "An Advisory Committee on Intellectual Property was established in 
June 2019. The Committee was tasked with reviewing the provisions of the Copyright Act. The WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  review, completed in 2021, aimed to bring the Act into conformity with the protocols relating to 
various international copyright treaties…"  
EU question 25 : Does this review also entails the prospect of acceding to the international 
treaties/conventions concerned? Are there any administrative or legislative initiatives in 
preparation for the accession to international IP treaties/conventions?  
Barbados answer 25:  The broader mandate of the Advisory Committee, having completed the 
Copyright review and amendments, will include review and recommendation re. international 
treaties a nd conventions. There is a current initiative (outside of the Committee) to accede to the 
Marrakesh Treaty.  
  WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  9  BRAZIL  
Question 1  
In item 4.1.2 (Agricultural Policy), paragraph 4.11, of document WT/TPR/S/431 - Report by 
Secretariat, it is stated that Barbado s is part of "Twenty Five by 2025 Initiative", which aims at 
reducing agri -food imports from outside of CARICOM. Brazil recalls that Article XXIV, (4) of GATT 
establishes that "the purpose of a customs union or of a free -trade area should be to facilitate 
trade between the constituent territories and not to raise barriers to the trade of other contracting 
parties with such territories".  
 
1. Can Barbados indicate relevant policies, measures or indicators, planned or in force, either 
within national capaciti es or in association to other countries in the trade bloc, related to this goal 
set in the "Twenty Five by 2025 Initiative"?  
 
Answer 1  
The goal of the 25x2025 initiative is in no way intended to raise barriers to trade. Heads of 
Government of CARICOM have  committed to reducing the Region's large food import bill by 25% 
by 2025. The implementation of the CARICOM Agri -Food Systems Strategy in the Member States, 
is expected to help achieve this target, by giving special attention to priority crops and product s 
such as poultry, corn, soya, meat (Goat, Sheep, Beef), rice and niche vegetables.  
 
Focused attention is therefore given but not limited to the following:  
 
- Increased production and productivity ; 
- Market driven production and intelligence ; 
- Cross -border production and investments ; 
- Climate smart agriculture ; 
- Regional food and nutrition security status; 
- Coordination and governance mechanism ;  
- Digitalization of the sector; 
- De-risking and financial literacy of the regional agriculture sector  
- SPS and trade related policies . 
 
Question 2  
Taking into consideration item 4.1.2 (Agricultural policy), paragraph 4.17 – Report by Secretariat, 
and the fact that Barbados last DS:1 notification referred to 2015, when can Members expect to 
receive the outstanding notifications?  
 
Answer 2  
Notifications for financial years 2016/17 to 2021/22 are being processed and will be submitted as 
soon as possible, but in any event no later than 31 March 32023.  
  WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
- 36 - 
 
  10  UNITED KINGDOM  
SECRETARIAT REPORT (S431)  
 
Secretariat Report (S431)   
1 ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT  
1.6 Developments in Trade and Investment  
1.6.3  Direction of trade  
 
UK Question 1 : Barbados' shares of trade with Jamaica, Guyana and St Lucia have increased over 
the review period. This is encouraging from a regional integration perspective. Could Barbados 
please outline what more they, other CARICOM Governments, and the CARICOM Secret ariat are 
doing to encourage regional trade, and the development of regional supply chains?  
 
Barbados Answer 1 : Barbados is committed to regional trade and ensuring that CARICOM 
originating goods and services receive fair access in the Barbados market. The refore, non -tariff 
barriers are being systematically reduced and Member States are all encouraged to do the same. 
Barbados is spearheading the regional effort to increase maritime trade capacity and wherever 
possible encourage regional investment in air an d maritime transportation. CARICOM has 
convened conferences inviting international and regional private sector and institutions to invest in 
CARICOM in the energy, transportation and agriculture sectors with a view to increasing the range 
and quality of go ods and services produced. Increasing production and transportation 
opportunities are expected to develop the regional supply chains.  
 
Further, (a) Barbados is seeking to take a very proactive role in ensuring that the CSME realizes its 
true potential. As a consequence, Barbados has been seeking to have more frequent meetings of 
the Organs of the Community. Hence more frequent meetings of the COTED, the Heads of 
Government and the Community Council of Ministers are being pursued. It has also been seeking 
to increase the food security of the region through 25 by 25 pogramme. i.e. a reduction in food 
imports of 25% by 2025.  
 
(b) Other CARICOM Governments have been actively conversing among themselves in the pursuit 
of securing the food security of the region; removing any existent non -tariff barriers such as 
Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT); putting 
measures in place to expand intra -regional trade, among other things.  
 
(c) CARICOM Secretariat has been actually invo lved in:  
 
• Developing a protocol which will see the harmonization SPS measures among Member 
 States;  
• Continued development of the CARICOM Interactive Market Place and Suspension 
 Procedure (CIMSuPro);  
• A revision of the Common External Tariff (CET) and Rules of Origin (ROO) through 
 which they are seeking further harmonization of tariff rates.  
 
Secretariat Report (S431)   
2 TRADE AND INVESTMENT REGIMES  
2.2 Trade Policy Formulation and Objectives  
2.3.2  Regional and preferential agreements  
2.3.2.1  CARICOM  
Paragraph 2.21.  
 
UK Question 2 : We welcome Barbados's commitment to CARICOM and the CSME. However, the 
report notes no progress has been made regarding tariff harmonization since 2015 and 
negotiations on ta riffs and rules of origin are ongoing. What are Barbados's priorities for the 
implementation of the CSME and how can these negotiations be progressed? What more needs to 
be done to ensure effective participation and implementation of the CSME by all CARICO M 
members?  
 
Barbados Answer 2 : Barbados considers the Single Market and Economy to be its premier source 
market for its trade in goods and services. To this end, Barbados has prioritised regional 
investments in agriculture, transportation, health and MSME development. To ensure that WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
- 37 - 
 
  Barbados has access to the skills in the region, national legislation and policies were revised to 
simplify the movement of persons to work and invest in Barbados. The Community pledged in 
2020 to increase production of food by 25% within CARICOM to reduce imports by 25% by 2025. 
Member States have been mobilized to increase agriculture production to meet domestic and 
regional demand. A Working Group of Ministers of Agriculture has been established to identify key 
areas for inves tment in order to increase production.  
 
Barbados priorities are to have regional negotiations which take its concerns into account. A robust 
and effective CSME is necessary for Barbados. Barbados wants to ensure that any adjustments or 
additional rules to the CSME will not:  
 
• Hinder its exports to the region;  
• Would not give extra regional sources more favorable access to the CSME market than for 
 its own goods;  
• Prevent a deepening of regional trade among all CARICOM countries.  
 
Regarding effective part icipation and implementation of the CSME by all Members, there is a need 
for the citizens to see the benefits which can accrue from the regional project. It is quite likely that 
all citizens are not fully aware of what these benefits are and how they can b e pursued.  
 
Secretariat Report (S431)   
2 TRADE AND INVESTMENT REGIMES  
2.2 Trade Policy Formulation and Objectives  
2.3.2  Regional and preferential agreements  
2.3.2.4 CARIFORUM -UK EPA  
 
UK Question 3 : The Secretariat Report notes that – as for the EU EPA – under the UK EPA, 
CARIFORUM States committed to gradual reductions in their tariffs over a period up to 2033, but 
"due to a number of prolonged exogenous shocks", Barbados has been unable to implemen t the 
full range of the tariff reductions. Could Barbados please explain:  
 
a. Why do these exogenous shocks prevent Barbados from implementing full range of tariff 
reductions?  
 
Barbados Answer 3a : In 2018, the Barbados economy was experiencing high debt levels, low 
foreign reserves, unsustainable high fiscal deficits and little to no growth which in turn restricted 
the country's capacity to mitigate against exogenous. Consequently, the Government i mplemented 
a range of measures and took other policy decisions to secure the macro fiscal stability of the 
economy. These included entering into an IMF Programme and delaying the implementation of the 
full range of tariff reductions.  
 
b. What portion of Gover nment revenue does tariff income represent?  
 
Barbados Answer 3b:  Approximately 7.8% tariff income represents Government revenue.  
 
c. What portion of Government revenue does tariff income from UK imports  represent?  
 
Barbados Answer 3c:  Tariff income from UK i mports represent 4% of government revenue.  
 
d. Under what conditions does Barbados expect to meet its tariff reduction commitments 
under the UK EPA?  
 
Barbados Answer 3d : The resumption of a credible growth path and the creation of the adequate 
fiscal space th at will allow Barbados to consider the full implementation of the commitments under 
the UK EPA.  
 
e. What is Barbados doing to ensure it achieves those conditions?  
 
Barbados Answer 3e : The Government is pursuing the implementation of Barbados Economic 
Recovery  and Transformation (BERT) Plan 2022 (BERT 2022), which include measures to secure 
fiscal and debt sustainability and enhance growth in the country. The implementation of the 
growth strategy in the BERT plan will include capital investments in tourism, inc entivi zing the WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
- 38 - 
 
  green transition in public and private sectors; building resilience in infrastructure against climate 
related phenomena, supporting the provision of housing and enhancing the human resource 
capacity of the labour force and the business envir onment to support trade and investment.  
 
Secretariat Report (S431)   
3 TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.1 Measures Directly Affecting Imports  
3.1.1  Customs procedures, valuation, and requirements  
Paragraph 3.4.  
 
UK Question 4 : The United Kingdom commends Barbados on the various initiatives it's taking to 
modernize the customs administration since the last Review, including the launch of a trusted 
trader programme and the implementation of pre -arrival processing procedures to expedite the 
clearance of goods. Could Barbados please indicate whether this is now being rolled out beyond 
the pilot phase? Is so, where is information provided for how companies can register for this?  
 
Barbados Answer 4 : The TTP has not moved past the pilot stage. Bar bados has just completed 
categorising all importers into large, medium and small entities and high, medium and low risk. 
Barbados are about to audit all companies in the TTP after this companies will be able to apply for 
the programme.  
 
Secretariat Report (S431)   
3 TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.1 Measures Directly Affecting Imports  
3.1.1  Customs procedures, valuation, and requirements  
Paragraph 3.7.  
 
UK Question 5 : The UK welcomes Barbados's membership of the Trade Facilitation Agreement. 
The Se cretariat Report notes that Barbados has implemented 44.5% of its commitments under the 
Agreement and that a new Customs Act was under preparation. Once the Customs Act is in place, 
could Barbados please indicate what percentage of their TFA commitments wi ll have been 
implemented? Also, are there any gaps which will remain?  
 
Barbados Answer 5 : The passing of the Customs Act in June 2022 will bring Barbados into 
greater compliance with its TFA obligations; addressing approximately 90% of the remaining 
obliga tions to be implemented. Barbados will continue to actively seek technical assistance to 
implement any gaps which will remain.  
 
A cabinet paper with the requested amendments is prepared by the line Ministry and referred to 
the Barbados Cabinet of Ministers  for approval. On approval, the Chief Parliamentary Counsel 
(CPC) is then requested to draft the amended Regulations. The drafted amendments are directed 
to the line Ministry for approval of changes and then returned to the CPC to be finali zed. Once 
finalized, the amended Regulations is sent to Parliament for approval. Amendments to the 
Regulations are executed by the Barbados Cabinet of Ministers.  
 
Secretariat Report (S431)   
3 TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.1 Measures Directly Affecting Imports  
3.1.1  Customs procedures, valuation, and requirements  
Paragraph 3.8.  
 
UK Question 6 : The UK commends Barbados' plans to implement a National Electronic Single 
Window. Could Barbados please indicate how long they anticipate it will be until this is in place ? 
 
Barbados Answer 6 : The estimated date for the completion of the Barbados Electronic Single 
Window is 31 December 2025.  
 WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
- 39 - 
 
  Secretariat Report (S431)  
3 TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.1 Measures Directly Affecting Imports  
3.1.3  Tariffs  
3.1.3.1  Applied MFN tariffs  
 
Paragraph 3.17.  
UK Question 7 : The Secretariat Report notes that Barbados' average applied tariff is higher than 
those applied by some other CARICOM countries, and that there were 199 tariff lines with applied 
rates of 60% mostly on manufactured goods. The average MFN tariff for agric ultural products is 
35.0% in 2022, higher than in the previous review. Although tariffs are a source of revenue, high 
average tariffs may result in a weakening of productivity growth and contribute to a higher cost of 
living. They may also hinder an effici ent resource allocation and the integration of Barbados into 
global value chains. Could Barbados please explain what are the policy aims of these high tariffs, 
and what is their assessment of the risks they pose?  
 
Barbados Answer 7 : Where these high tarif fs are employed, there is normally some agricultural 
or industrial production of the product involved. Hence, only high tariffs are placed on items 
regarded as sensitive products for Barbados.  
 
Secretariat Report (S431)   
3 TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.1 Measures Directly Affecting Imports  
3.1.3  Tariffs  
3.1.3.2 Tariff bindings  
 
UK Question 8 : The Secretariat Report states that although most of Barbados' applied tariffs are 
within their bound rates, applied rates exceeded bound rates for some ta riff lines, in 2022. Could 
Barbados please indicate what plans they currently have for bringing applied rates back into 
compliance with their agreed bound rates?  
 
Barbados Answer 8 : Barbados has examined the list of items which was supplied by the 
Secretar iat. Technical discussions are ongoing and the Government has signalled its interest in 
engaging the World Trade Organization in order to address this matter and bring it to resolution.  
 
Secretariat Report (S431)   
3 TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.1 Measures Directly Affecting Imports  
3.1.3  Tariffs  
3.1.3.3 Preferential tariffs  
 
UK Question 9 : The Secretariat Report notes that information was provided to the Secretariat on 
the preferential tariffs Barbados grants to imports from the United Kingdom (and the European 
Union), although this did not allow for the calculation of tariff averages and preferential margins. 
Could Barbados please provide the UK with the relevant data regarding UK imports under the 
CARIFORUM -UK EPA?  
 
Barbados Answer 9 : Imports as at 2020 were USD 145,469,578.00.  
 
Secretariat Report (S431)   
3 TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.1 Measures Directly Affecting Imports  
3.1.5  Import prohibitions, restrictions, and licensing  
Paragraph 3.40.  
 
UK Question 10 : The Secretaria t Report states that the different application of automatic 
licensing to CARICOM and non -CARICOM countries reflects different monitoring requirements. 
Could Barbados please provide more detail on what the different monitoring requirements are for 
CARICOM a nd non -CARICOM countries?  
 WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
- 40 - 
 
  Barbados Answer 10 : This difference is primarily an SPS measure (protection of human, animal 
or plant health). An import license is required in instances where Barbados does not have a pre -
arranged review and notification system  in place with the source country.  
 
Secretariat Report (S431)   
3 TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.2 Measures Directly Affecting Exports  
3.2.4  Export support and promotion  
 
UK Question 11 : The UK noted with interest that Export Barbados have developed a new export 
strategy centring around the bioeconomy, the ocean economy, and the design economy. Could 
Barbados please outline what incentives and policies are being put in place to support th is 
strategy?  
 
Barbados Answer 11 : Policies being put in place center around the creation and improvement of 
the infrastructure to support exponential export growth. These include:  
(1) Build out of new industrial parks such as the life sciences park and oc eans industrial park 
(at sea) leveraging Barbados' unique value proposition in this area;  
(2) industrial parks powered by renewable energy solutions (e.g. biogas, photovoltaic systems, 
green hydrogen);  
3) global logistics and export infrastructure build out including a regional ferry service, the 
establishment of Barbados as a transhipment hub for the Caribbean and West Africa; cold chain 
facility build out;  
(4) Increased access to financing through establishment of an Export Credit Agency (currently 
conceptualised as an Export Import Bank but could potentially include an insurance facility);  
(5) Creation of an "Export Sandbox" where issues affecting exporter s are addressed quickly 
using a multi stakeholder approach to remove impediments to doing business efficiently. 
Essentially the Sandbox is to significantly increase the ease of doing business;  
(6) Creation of "maker spaces" where users can utili ze the equ ipment and services to produce 
their products; for example, the International Food Science Center which was developed 
primarily for the condiments sector. The model used is one where manufacturers have the 
ability to produce their products by just bringing  a recipe while the raw materials, bottling, 
labelling, packaging, food testing are supplied by the staff at the Center. The same model to be 
applied to different industries.  
(7) Increased research and stakeholder consultations to fuel improvements to the  export 
ecosystem  
 
Secretariat Report (S431)   
3 TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.3 Measures Affecting Production and Trade  
3.3.2  Standards and other technical requirements  
Paragraph 3.82.  
 
UK Question 12 : The Secretariat Report notes that the harm onization of regional standards is an 
objective amongst CARICOM members. Could Barbados please outline what they see as being the 
key opportunities – and barriers – to this?  
 
Barbados Answer 12 : In keeping with the mandate of the CARICOM Regional Organi zation for 
Standards and Quality (CROSQ), members, including Barbados, are therefore encouraged to 
adopt, as national standards, published CARICOM regional standards.  
Key opportunities resulting from the harmonization of regional standards include increased t rade 
among the CARICOM member states and ease with which goods are traded. Harmonized standards 
ensure increased market access and encourage a diverse range of goods.  
Barriers to the harmonization of regional standards include challenges with reaching con sensus 
during the standards development process.  
 WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  Secretariat Report (S431)   
3 TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.3 Measures Affecting Production and Trade  
3.3.4  Competition policy, consumer protection and price controls  
Paragraph 3.96.  
 
UK Questi on 13 : The Secretariat Report notes that Barbados has acknowledged low levels of 
competition and a generally high incidence of monopolistic and oligopolistic behaviour in their 
domestic market. Could Barbados please outline what is being done to address th is, especially 
removing barriers to entry from small and medium sized firms?  
 
Barbados Answer 13:  Barbados continues to monitor business conduct within all economic 
sectors to identify, discourage, and ultimately eliminate anticompetitive conduct. This app roach 
also encompasses the commenting on policy initiatives/mandates that may either cement existing 
barriers or create new barriers to entry (e.g. proposed price increases in the manufacturing sector; 
proposed capping of professional fees in a professiona l association). Barbados also continues to 
operationali ze its Advocacy Campaign (which is integral to its strategic objectives) to build 
awareness of the fundamentals of the competition regime. The above extends to include 
engagements with partner agencies  with similar accountabilities, other Government departments, 
sector representatives, trade associations, consumer bodies, and enterprises to identify any 
behavioural/structural elements that stymie competition and by extension, growth. The above 
activitie s are not mutually exclusive, as they are elements of a more comprehensive framework for 
promoting the principles of competition law and policy.  
 
Secretariat Report (S431)   
3 TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.3 Measures Affecting Production and Trade  
3.3.7  Intellectual property rights  
Paragraph 3.116.  
 
UK Question 14 : The Secretariat Report notes that Barbados is signatory to multiple international 
intellectual property rights (IPR) agreements. Could Barbados please indicate whethe r they plan to 
become a member of those International Unions mentioned in paragraph 3.116, or to become a 
signatory of: the Hague Agreement on Industrial Designs (1999); the Geneva Patent Law Treaty 
(2000); the Budapest Treaty on Patent Recognition (1977);  the Trademark Law Treaty (1994); the 
Singapore Treaty on the Law of Trademarks (2006); or the Protocol Relating to the Madrid 
Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks?  
 
Barbados Answer 14 : The broader mandate of the Advisory Committee,  having completed the 
Copyright review and amendments, will include review and recommendation re. international 
treaties and conventions. There is a current initiative (outside of the Committee) to accede to the 
Marrakesh Treaty.  
 
Secretariat Report (S431)   
3 TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.3 Measures Affecting Production and Trade  
3.3.7  Intellectual property rights  
Paragraph 3.117.  
 
UK Question 15 : Could Barbados please indicate how the Corporate Affairs and Intellectual 
Property Office is actively involved in work to harmoni ze intellectual property protection across the 
Caribbean region?  
 
Barbados Answer 15 : CAIPO is currently working with CARIFORUM Intellectual Property Rights 
and Innovation (CarIPI) framework to examine various aspects of  our legislation with a view to 
harmoni ze legislation. Within this working group a manual for trademark examinations is being 
developed. Further, there has been completed a draft model law for geographical indications.  
 
Also at the regional level, Barbados  was part of a regional review of the Trademarks Act, under a 
regional project. This has produced a Trademarks Bill, which, having reached a stage of 
completion, has to go through the domestic legislative process.  
 WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
- 42 - 
 
  Secretariat Report (S431)   
4 TRADE POLICI ES BY SECTOR  
4.2 Energy  
 
UK Question 16 : The UK commends the ambition of Barbados National Energy Policy 2019 -2030 
(BNEP). This Policy sets out an ambitious target for the country to move away from fossil fuels to 
renewable energy, aimed at reaching 100% r enewable energy and carbon neutrality by 2030. 
However, the UK notes the Secretariat Report's assessment that reaching the target by 2030 may 
be a challenge, as just 2% of the energy consumed in Barbados came from renewable sources as 
of end -2018. Could Ba rbados please outline what trade incentives and initiatives they are 
considering for attracting technologies, expertise and products from other countries to help 
achieve the BNEP?  
 
Barbados Answer 16 : There are a number of incentives that are currently ava ilable to all 
entities, regardless of whether they are local or foreign, to participate in the renewable energy 
sector. The publication "Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fiscal Incentives Booklet for 
Individuals and Companies" gives an overview of th e available incentives to the renewable energy 
and energy efficiency sectors. This booklet can be found at the following link Fiscal Incentive 
Booklet – Energy.gov.bb . 
Additionally, the Government is also finali zing a competitive procurement framework to facilitate 
international bidding in the onshore and offshore wind.  
 
Secretariat Report (S431)   
4 TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR  
4.2 Energy  
4.2.1  Electricity  
 
UK Question 17 : The Secretariat Report notes that the electricity s ector in Barbados is fully 
liberalized, and that there is no restriction on foreign capital participation in the sector. However, 
there is a single dominant player in the sector. Recogni zing that competition is an effective means 
of driving productivity an d consumer choice, could Barbados please outline that they are doing to 
lower barriers to entry for alternative providers especially in the space of renewables?  
 
Barbados Answer 17 : There are no barriers to lower with respect to entry into the RE sector 
which as stated is fully liberalized. The amendment of the Electric Light and Power Act provided for 
the entry of other players in the sector by the granting of licences. The law also requires that the 
off taker is obligated to purchase the energy produced f rom all licensed independent power 
producers.  
 
Secretariat Report (S431)   
4 TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR  
4.3 Manufacturing  
Paragraph 4.42.  
 
UK Question 18 : The UK commends Barbados for establishing an Export Credit Agency to provide 
loan financing arrangements for businesses in the manufacturing sector. Could Barbados please 
indicate when they anticipate that this Agency will be operational? Additionally, co uld Barbados 
please clarify whether this replaces the Export Finance Guarantee Scheme established by the 
Central Bank of Barbados?  
 
Barbados Answer 18 : The establishment of the ECA is slated for March 2024 and is will replace 
the Export Finance Guarantee S cheme which is being phased out by the end of March 2023.  
 WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
- 43 - 
 
  Government Report (S43 1)  
1 INTRODUCTION  
Paragraph 1.6.  
 
UK Question 19 : The United Kingdom welcomes Barbados's commitment to maintaining its 
export numbers to The United Kingdom. The Secretariat R eport notes that prior to the UK's 
departure from the European Union (EU), the UK was Barbados' main export market in the EU. 
Could Barbados please confirm whether this is the case for overall trade in both Goods and 
Services sectors?  
 
Barbados Answer 19 : Yes, this is the case for both goods and services.  
 
Government Report (S43 1)  
1.1 Challenges  
Paragraph 1.11.  
 
UK Question 20 : The UK notes that one of the main issues which has heavily impacted Barbados' 
economy over the 2016 -2017 period of this Review was reportedly a lack of investor confidence. 
Could Barbados please outlined what measures have been taken specifically to impro ve investor 
confidence since this period and could Barbados please outline whether these measures were 
effective?  
 
Barbados Answer 20:  Some of the main factors back then contributing to a lack of investor 
confidence were:  
• High debt / weak public finances  
• declining international reserves  
• Consistent downgrades  
• Low ranking in the ease of doing business surveys  
• Barbados being noncompliance on the implementation of the standards of transparency and 
exchange of information for tax purposes established b y the OECD and the EU.  
The main measures that were taken that impacted positively on Investor confidence were as 
follows:  
• The introduction of the Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT) Plan  
• This Plan was designed to build investor confi dence, encourage economic growth, create jobs 
and attract significantly higher levels of foreign investment  
• This was a comprehensive home -grown economic reform programme  that restored fiscal and 
debt sustainability, rebuilt reserves and increased growth  
• Under the BERT Plan, Barbados restructured its public debt, supported by the IMF, and this 
resulted in the debt trending downwards, improvement in the country's ability to attract 
funding, improve foreign reserves and increased economic certainty and bus iness confidence in 
Barbados  
• The IMF's approval and support of the plan opened doors to other international lending 
agencies that allowed Barbados to access favourable loans  
• Comprehensive debt restructuring played a critical role in restoring debt sust ainability and 
financial stability, while at the same time the BERT Plan received broad public support.  
 
The BERT Plan was successful as the Government met its targets and was able to receive all its 
scheduled disbursements totalling US D  435 million.  
On 16 June 2022, the IMF Executive Board completed the seventh and Last Review under the 
IMF's Extended Fund Facility with Barbados, and concluded the following:  
• Despite a challenging global economic environment, Barbados continues to make good 
progress in implementing its ambitious economic reform programme  aimed at restoring fiscal 
sustainability, increasing reserves, and unlocking growth potential.  
• Economic activity in Barbados is starting to recover but risks to the outlook remain elevated, 
with higher global commodity prices pushing up inflation.  
• The completion of the seventh and final review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) allows 
the authorities to draw SDR 17 million (about US D 23 million), bringing total disbursements 
under the progra mme to SDR 322 million (about US D 435 million).  
 
The IMF also commented that Barbados' performance was strong despite significant economic 
shocks associated with the COVID -19 pandemic, natural disasters, and the war in Ukraine.  
 WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  • Barbados signed on to the OECD's initiative to implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to 
prevent base erosion and profit shifting (multilateral convention)  
− At the beginning of 2019, Barbados revised its tax regime, including converging its 
domestic and international tax rates. T his was in response to an Organization for 
Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) initiative that addressed harmful tax 
practices ; 
− Three new pieces of legislation were enacted, while 12 were repealed or amended. The 
simplified tax system made it more attractive for investment and showed the island's 
commitment to complying with international best practice standards.  
• Drive towards digitization  
• Barbados continues its public sector moderni zation programme  
• An accelerated drive towards digitization is  at the centre of the programme . Immigration 
services, for example, obtaining a Police Certificate of Character and incorporating a business, 
payment of land taxes and renewal of drivers' licenses can largely be done online – enhancing 
the speed and effici ency of service delivery.  
• Digitization coupled with a robust and reliable high -speed internet service has made it more 
attractive and easier to do business on the island, contributing to improved investor confidence.  
• Welcome Stamp  
• Promoted not only  as an ideal tourist destination to visit, but also as place to live, work and 
play with families  
• To date, the programme attracted persons from over 100 countries  
• As of 30 August 2022, 3,858 applications have been received and these comprise 6,608 
persons including spouses and dependents. Of these applications, 64% or 2,457 have been 
approved.  
• Barbados COVID safe destination  
• Barbados established a dedicated COVID -19 Team early in 2019 and appropriate COVID - 19 
protocols were established and enfor ced 
• Health authorities were engaged in rigorous testing and tracking, and this reduced the 
outbreaks of community spread  
• The COVID -19 containment was well managed in Barbados and the tourism sector started a 
rebound in late 2021.  
 
Government Report (S 431)  
1.1 Challenges  
Paragraph 1.21.  
 
UK Question 21 : We commend Barbados's response to the Covid -19 pandemic and the measures 
implemented to cope with the socio -economic impacts of lockdown. How is Barbados planning to 
address the increase in unemployment  and in fiscal deficit that was a consequence of the 
pandemic and Government response?  
 
Barbados Answer 21:  Under the Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT) Plan 
2022 (BERT 2022), the government of Barbados has decided to undertake targeted c limate 
resilience expenditures; as well as using its policy framework for renewable energy to make the 
cost of housing more affordable and to make it easier for Barbadians to qualify for mortgages. 
Additionally, focus will remain on investing in skills tra ining and employment.  
 
Government Report (S43 1)  
2 TRADING ARRANGEMENTS  
2.1 CARICOM Bilateral  
Paragraph 2.5.  
 
UK Question 22 : We note that CARICOM conducted trade negotiations with Colombia during May -
June 2022, exploring the possibility of further liberali zation under the Agreement between the 
partners. What are Barbados's priorities for liberali zation under that Agreement?  
 
Barbados Answer 22 : Barbados is seeking increased opportunities for the producers of goods 
and services. Barbados is looking for opportunities for the export of key commodities such as 
animal feed and fats.  
 WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  Government Report (S43 1)  
2 TRADING ARRANGEMENTS  
2.3 CARIFORUM United Kingdom Economic Partnership Agreement  
 
UK Question 23 : The UK is glad to have signed the CARIFORUM -UK EPA with Barbados and other 
CARIFORUM States. Could Barbados please indicate, aside from tourism, what other sectors or  
issues are most important to Barbados for this Agreement's implementation?  
 
Barbados Answer 23 : Other sectors of importance to Barbados with regard to implementation 
under the UK EPA are Professional Services, Cultural and Entertainment Services, and Educ ation 
Services. The issue of mutual recognition of qualifications is also important.  
 
Government Report (S43 1)  
3 SECTORAL PERFORMANCE  
3.2 Manufacturing  
Paragraph 3.10.  
 
UK Question 24 : Barbados' Government Report outlines that there was a fall in the shar e of 
merchandise exports of GDP over the review period. Could Barbados please indicate what the 
drivers behind or causes of this were and what Barbados' priorities are for reversing this trend?  
 
Barbados Answer 24 : To reverse this trend, the Barbados Inve stment and Development 
Corporation has now shifted focus to export -oriented industrialisation under the name Export 
Barbados and will also be allocating space under its industrial parks for new international 
manufacturers for strategic industries and Resea rch and Development (contribute to Barbados 
becoming a near -shoring hub in these areas). Barbados is also in the process of constructing a 
food terminal with the assistance of Guyana and Suriname, which would contribute to increased 
food security in the re gion. The new sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) regime will also 
allow for Barbados to export animal products.  
 
UK Question 25 : Could Barbados please indicate what opportunities they have identified for 
partnership with UK and other international c ompanies?  
 
Barbados Answer 25 : Partnership opportunities lie in the area of Life Sciences, biopharma 
technology, renewable energy, hydrogen energy production, climate resilience, aquaculture, 
fishing and marine farming, infrastructural development (buildings, equipment and technology t o 
support manufacturers and exporters), export and global logistics (expansion of port 
infrastructure, cold chain supplies and facilities etc), Fintech and digital innovation; public private 
sector project partnership, and investment opportunities, and fra nchising opportunities.  
 
Government Report (S43 1)  
3 SECTORAL PERFORMANCE  
3.2 Manufacturing  
Paragraph 3.17.  
 
UK Question 26 : The UK notes that tourism is vital to Barbados's development, and we recognize 
that Barbados' Report indicates the importance of th e UK as Barbados's largest source market for 
the tourism sector. Given the vulnerabilities of this sector, exposed by the pandemic and other 
economic shocks, could Barbados please outline which measures they are taking to ensure 
resilience in the sector at  the same time as diversifying the economy?  
 
Barbados Answer 26 : The UK constituted over 30% of Barbados tourism arrivals for the last year 
and continues to be a leading source market for tourist arrivals. It is an important market and 
Barbados continues to maintain an active direct relationship with UK based tour operators, travel 
partners, airlines and travellers. Despite the challenges, Barbados intends to maintain a strong 
partnership with the market and our long -standing partners. While the current do mestic outlook in 
the UK and the broader European region are a cause for concern, the pandemic period where the 
UK utilized a traffic light system for traffic impacted tourism dependent destinations so negatively 
that it opened up opportunities for additio nal source markets and resulted in a diversification drive 
that predated the current challenges.   WT/TPR/M/431/Add.1  
 
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  UK Question 27 : The UK notes the importance of the Barbados Economy Recovery and 
Transformation (BERT) Plan. Could Barbados please outline how this plan has b een updated, given 
the changing economic climate, and the proposed new IMF programme?  
 
Barbados Answer 27 : The Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT) Plan was 
updated as part of a collaborative process with key stakeholders. The main objective of the Plan is 
to facilitate inclusive and sustainable growth, while maintaining debt and fiscal sustain ability. In 
this regard, the Plan outlines several new strategies as well as the resumption of programmes 
which were disrupted as a result of the pandemic and 3 natural disasters. Key initiatives include 
recommencements of the restructuring of state -owned enterprises; measures for acceleration 
towards a green economy and climate resilience; further investments in human capital, with 
special emphasis on areas related to science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics 
(STEAM); poverty eradication and i mproved social development; enhanced national productivity, 
competitiveness and exports; and the establishment of Barbados as a logistics hub. A copy of the 
BERT plan can be found at:  
https://www.barbadosparliament.com/uploads/quick_link/BERTPLAN2022FinalOct112022.pdf . 
 
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