WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
21 April 2022  
(22-3217) Page: 1/55 
Trade Policy Review Body  
2 and 4 March 2022  Original: English/Spanish  
anglais/espagnol  
inglés/español  
 
  
TRADE POLICY REVIEW  
GUYANA  
MINUTES  OF THE MEETING  
Addendum  
Chairperson: H.E. Mrs. Athaliah Lesiba Molokomme (Botswana)  
This document contains the advance written questions  and additional questions by WTO 
Members , and replies provided by  Guyana .1 
 
 
Organe d'examen des politiques commerciales  
2 et 4 mars 2022  
EXAMEN DES POLITIQUES COMMERCIALES  
GUYANA  
COMPTE RENDU DE LA RÉUNION  
Addendum  
Présidente : S.E.  Mme. Athaliah Lesiba Molokomme (Botswana)  
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  Guyana .1 
 
 
Órgano de Examen de las Políticas Comerciales  
2 y 4 de marzo de 2022  
EXAMEN DE LAS POLÍTICAS COMERCIALES  
GUYANA  
ACTA DE LA REUNIÓN  
Addendum  
Presidenta: Excma.  Sra. Athaliah Lesiba Molokomme (Botswana)  
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  
Guyana .1 
  
 
1 In English and Spanish only ./En anglais et espagnol seulement./En inglés y español solamente.  WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  Contents  
SINGAPORE  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  3 
CANADA  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  5 
EUROPEAN UNION  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  9 
EUROPEAN UNION – FOLLOW -UP QUESTIONS  ................................ ..............................  36 
COSTA RICA  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  38 
BRAZIL  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  40 
UNITED STATES  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  42 
CHINA  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  51 
JAPAN  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  53 
ARGENTINA  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  54 
ICELAND  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  55 
 
  WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  SINGAPORE  
PART I:  QUESTIONS REGARDING THE SECRETARIAT REPORT  
 
 
2.4.2 Foreign investment regime  
 
Page 22 (Para 2.31)  
 
1. The WTO Secretariat Report notes that under Guyana 's Investment Act, "all lawful economic 
activity is open to all investors except in investment prejudicial to national security, or detrimental 
to the natural environment or public health. " The report states that Guyana has closed foreign 
investment in the mining sector. Has Guyana closed foreign investment in any other sector, and 
could Guyana share the specific factors that lead to the exclusion of the mining sector?  
 
The mining sector is  the only sector that restricts foreign investors from investing in small and 
medium scale mining. Foreign investors are free to invest in other lawful economic activity.  
 
4.3.1 Petroleum  
 
Page 54 (Para 4.49)  
 
2.  The WTO Secretariat Report also notes tha t there had been major structural changes in the 
petroleum industry, due to the discovery of offshore oil wells in 2015. Petroleum production licenses 
are open to foreign corporations, although issuances are subject to several factors "including the 
applic ant's proposals for the employment and training of Guyanese citizens, and proposals with 
respect to the procurement of goods and services obtainable within Guyana. ". There are few 
companies that are currently in operation, as such. Could Guyana provide inf ormation on (i) the 
number of foreign companies operating in the petroleum industry and (ii) the criterion for the 
approval of the respective proposals?  
 
As of January 2022, there are nine (9) operators of petroleum blocks in Guyana and forty -seven 
(47) di rect foreign subcontractors.  
 
 
PART II:  QUESTIONS REGARDING THE GOVERNMENT REPORT  
 
5.7 Climate Change and Environmental Impact  
 
Page 12 (Para 5.9.)  
 
1. The WTO Government Report indicates that Guyana will transit towards clean energy 
development from 2022, with a focus on developing solar energy. Thus far, Guyana has "integrated 
its rainforest in a global carbon credit scheme within the United Nations Fra mework Convention on 
Climate Change (UNFCCC), under the proposed REDD mechanism (Reducing Emissions from 
Deforestation and Degradation) ". Does Guyana have any upcoming long -term plans in pursuing 
cooperation on clean energy?  
 
Guyana 's Low Carbon Developme nt Strategy 2030, as part of its objective to stimulate future growth 
through clean energy and sustainable economic activities, outlines that Guyana can undergo one of 
the world 's most ambitious energy transitions and grow the economy up to five -fold, whil e keeping 
greenhouse gas emissions from energy generation at around 2019 levels. This can be done through 
the replacement of expensive, polluting heavy fuel oil with natural gas as a bridge to an energy 
system built mainly from hydropower, solar and wind p ower.  
 WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  This Government has outlined a  strategy of decoupling economic growth from using fossil fuels for 
electricity by developing low -carbon energy resources (Solar, Hydro, Wind, Biomass, and Natural 
Gas) to meet rapidly rising demand and keep greenhouse  gas emissions low. This can be seen as 
three phases:  
 
• In the period 2022 to 2027, a near tripling of electricity demand will be met mainly through 
a combination of natural gas and the Amaila Falls Hydropower plant on the DBIS, coupled 
with a major expansion of solar power, with batteries, on the rural network s.  
• From 2027 to 2032, further increases in electricity demand will be met by continued 
replacement of HFO, expansion of wind and solar power and the commission of Guyana 's 
second hydro plant, the site of which will be identified before 2025.  
• From 2032 onwards, expansion will be determined by prevailing market conditions, but it 
is likely that battery technology will be sufficiently advanced to enable solar and wind 
plants to provide most new capacity increases while contributing to further dow nward 
pressure on electricity prices.  
In advancing the clean and renewable energy Guyana has collaborated with a number of private 
sector, international organisations and Governments. By 2023, GPL will have its first solar on -grid 
PV farm in Berbice with a total capacity of 10 megawatts -peak (MWp) financed by the 
Guyana -Norway Partnership. This solar PV farm will generate one percent of the total energy demand 
in DBIS.  
 
The Government has secured USD 75 million funding – including USD 63 million from the 
Guyana -Norway partnership - to implement 27.8MWp capacity of solar PV farms in eight different 
grids to convert those grids in hybrid systems. Those systems will be in operation by 2023 and by 
then Essequibo coast, Linden, Bartica, Lethem, Mabaruma, Mahdia , Leguan and Wakenaam grids 
will have an average of 30 percent of their electricity consumed generated by solar PV.  
 
Guyana 's coast is exposed to the steady Northeast trade winds. A private developer has installed a 
tower with a wind speed data logger to m easure the potential to install large wind turbines. The 
project is expected to provide 25MW of power.  
 
In 2021, Guyana signed a grant agreement with the International Solar Alliance for a solar 
demonstration project in Orealla, Region Six. This will see t he installation of a 9kWp grid -tie solar 
photovoltaic system in Orealla and will be accompanied by a battery energy storage system of 
37kWh.  
 
Guyana is also collaborating with development partners including the IDB, the Global Green Growth 
Institute, the W orld Bank and other partners in advancing its energy agenda.  
 
Guyana has identified scope for cooperation in financing, technical assistance, capacity building and 
support and technological innovation.     
 
 
  WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  CANADA  
QUESTIONS REGARDING THE SECRETARIAT REP ORT (WT/TPR/S/422)  
 
PART 3: TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
 
Pages 41 -42, paragraphs 3.63 -3.70 
 
The report notes the main legislation covering SPS measures, including legislation relating to 
sanitary and phytosanitary measures and the main sanitary and phytosanitary requirements and 
procedures.  
 
Question:  
 
1. Does Guyana have any planned upcoming sanitary and phytosanitary regulatory initiatives 
not referenced in the TPR reports.  
Through Inter -American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), there is an on -going SPS 
project which focuses on three (3) pieces of legislation to improve the regulatory framework in the 
crops, livestock and fisheries sector.  
 
Page 44, paragraph 3.81 
 
The paragraph above indicates the following:  
 
Government -funded procurement in Guyana is governed by the Procurement Act 2003 ( Cap. 73:05), 
the Procurement Regulations 2004, and the Small Business Act 2004 together with various manuals 
and guides. The Procurement Act was amended in 2019 to make provisions for small 
business set -asides , create a registry of bidders, mandate the submission of procurement plans, 
and amend the rules governing restricted tendering [emphasis added].  
 
Question:  
 
2. Could Guyan a provide statistics on the percentage of procurements that are currently 
awarded to small businesses?  
 
The web -based portal to implement the Small Business Procurement Programme (SBPP) was 
deployed on 31 January 2022. Awareness training sessions with Gov ernment Ministries and 
agencies, and small business owners is currently being implemented to support effective use of the 
SBPP. Data on the percentage of procurements awarded to small businesses will be available later 
in 2022.  
 
Page 45, paragraph 3.83  
 
The Report outlines four different procurement methods, including "procurement […] conducted 
through community participation in poor and remote communities […] ". 
 
Question:  
 
3. Could Guyana provide information on what is meant by "community participation "?  
 
Where procurement is conducted in or for poor or remote communities, consideration is given to use 
of the single source method for procurement of goods, services or works from businesses within the 
community, or procedures that support enhancing the capac ity of community organisations. 
However, such contracts for goods, services or works have a maximum limit on the sum that can be 
spent.  
 
Page 45, paragraph 3.84  
 
The Report indicates that tenders conducted by Guyanese procurement authorities are published on 
the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board website and "in the local media by the 
respective agencies. " WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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Question:  
 
4. Are publications in local media made in paper or online format?  
 
Both online and in paper format.  
 
PART 4: TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR  
 
Page 48, paragraph 4.5  
 
Guyana 's Strategic Framework 2020 -2025, which is guided by the government 's Low Carbon 
Development Strategy and UN Sustainable Development Goals, identifies sustainable and shock -
resilient agri -foods systems as an agricultural priority.  
 
Question:  
 
5. Can Guyana provide more information on their sustainable agri -food system polici es and 
initiatives?  
 
Guyana had signed on to the implementation of the CARICOM Agri -food system strategy which 
focuses on board policy areas to address sustainability such as de -risking of the agricultural sector 
and investment in production, research and development.  
 
Several  Climate Smart Agriculture initiatives are also being pursued such as the provision of input 
supplies, planting and shade -house materials to farmers. Increased support is given to new high -
yielding and climate resilient varieties and research -based extensi on services are also being 
intensified to help farmers to improve productivity and to meet the growing demand for sustainable 
and climate smart production. Technologies such as the drip and sprinkler irrigation systems are 
being mainstreamed among farmers to improve the water efficiency supply to plants.  
 
 
QUESTIONS REGARDING THE GOVERNMENT REPORT (WT/TPR/G/422)  
 
PART 5: FUTURE POLICY DIRECTIONS: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES  
 
Page 12, paragraph 5.3  
 
This paragraph notes that Guyana is developing a low carb on green economy that will operate in 
tandem with the development of its oil and gas sector.  
 
Question:  
 
6. Can Guyana elaborate on the role of the oil and gas sector, and its decarbonisation , as it 
relates to the low carbon and inclusive green economy efforts through the Low Carbon 
Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030?  
 
Natural gas is expected to function as a transition fuel for electricity generation, particularly during 
2022-2027.  
 
The LCDS 2030 outlines measures to maintain Guyana 's status as a net absorber of carbon, including 
fiscal measures for flaring and support for new technology (e.g. use of renewable energy in oil 
production, Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) and green hy drogen (when 
technologically viable).  
 
Since the production of the 2009 LCDS, Guyana has discovered oil and gas, which has transformed 
the country 's development prospects. Guyana will act strategically and responsibly as the sector 
develops, supporting glo bal energy security while diversifying and decarbonising Guyana 's domestic 
economy and investing in development priorities for all Guyanese, including health, education and 
low-carbon opportunities. At the same time, the Government will advocate internatio nally for a 
strong global carbon price and the removal of subsidies on fossil fuel – to incentivise the lowest 
carbon, most cost -effective oil and gas in the global marketplace in line with the goals of the Paris WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  Climate Agreement under which there will be  demand for decades to come. In parallel, Guyana will 
advance environmentally friendly practices and mandate the use of best technology in the Oil and 
Gas sector to limit its environmental impact.  
 
The Government recogni zes that Guyana will need to align development of its oil and gas sector with 
global trends towards decarboni zation. It will do this through two strategic objectives:  
 
Ensuring a domestic low -carbon transition:  As outlined in earlier chapters of this document, 
Guyana intends to achieve ambitious domestic targets to maintain its position as a net -zero 
economy, prioritising action on forests, low -carbon energy and transportation. In summary, 
Guyana 's non -forest em issions can continue to stay low as the country grows its economy, while the 
forest will continue to sequester carbon and sustain the country 's status as a net absorber of carbon. 
With the right economic incentives, ecosystem services can provide an at -scale diversification 
opportunity for Guyana, reducing the need to pursue high -carbon economic pathways.  
 
Participating in a global low -carbon transition:  The majority of Guyana 's oil and gas will be 
sold in the global marketplace. The Government believes that this market needs to develop in 
alignment with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, specifically, to stabli ze global temperature 
increases at less than 1.5 degrees Cels ius above pre -industrial levels.  
 
Page 13, paragraph 5.9  
 
This paragraph on climate change and environmental impacts notes that Guyana has integrated its 
rainforest into a global carbon credit scheme and that the country has potential to become a notable 
provider of environmental services given its position at the forefront of global climate change 
advocacy.  
 
Questions:  
 
7. How does Guyana intend to advance global and domestic carbon credit markets?  
 
Forest Climate Services : From early 2022, there is a stron g possibility that Guyana can access 
market -based mechanisms for forest climate services that includes private, as well as international 
public sector financing. This will enable a pathway to transition from the existing Guyana -Norway 
partnership and incre ase the value of sustainably managing Guyana 's forests. The MRVS system, 
built since 2009, will also act as a platform for integration with other ecosystem services markets.  
 
Guyana is progressing with integration of its REDD+ Programme with voluntary carbon markets such 
as ART TREES.  
 
The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES) sets out ART requirements for the 
quantification, monitoring, and reporting of GHG emissions and removals; demonstration of 
implementation of the Cancún Safegu ards; and verification, registration, and issuance of TREES 
credits. TREES has been designed to ensure that all TREES credits issued are real, measured, 
permanent, additional, net of leakage, verified by an accredited independent third party, and are 
not d ouble -counted. As a result, TREES credits will represent high quality, while still allowing 
flexibility for implementation of REDD+ programmes at a national level or subnational as an interim 
measure.  
 
Unlike other forest carbon accreditation programmes, ART includes a module for recognising carbon 
stored within High Forest Cover Low Deforestation (HFLD) countries and offers a dedicated 
recognition within the crediting programme that includes forest carbon protection. Most carbon 
accreditation programmes p rovide payments for restoring forests that were lost.  
 
Aligning With Global Climate Goals: Oil and Gas  
Using oil and gas revenues to fund increased social and economic investments, most notably in 
health and education, to enable all Guyanese to reach higher standards of living and wellbeing.  
 
Participating in a global low -carbon transition: The majority of Guyana 's oil and gas will be sold in 
the global marketplace. The Government believes that this market needs to develop in alignment WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  with the goals o f the Paris Climate Agreement, specifically, to stabilise global temperature increases 
at less than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre -industrial levels.  
 
8. What types of environmental services does Guyana intend to offer?  
 
Forest Carbon services (as the structu re and market possibility for this aspect is most advanced) as 
the initial entry point and potentially expanding to other ecosystem services such as biodiversity and 
fresh water when those markets advance and develop.   
 
Ensuring a domestic low-carbon transition: Guyana intends to achieve ambitious domestic targets 
to maintain its position as a net -zero economy, prioritising action on forests, low -carbon energy, 
and transportation. In summary, Guyana 's non -forest emissions can continue to sta y low as the 
country grows its economy, while the forest will continue to sequester carbon and sustain the 
country 's status as a net absorber of carbon. With the right economic incentives, ecosystem services 
can provide an at -scale diversification opportun ity for Guyana, reducing the need to pursue 
high-carbon economic pathways.  
 
 
  WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  EUROPEAN UNION  
WT/TPR/G/422 – Government report  
 
2. ECONOMIC POLICY ENVIRONMENT  
 
Paragraph 2.3, page 6:  Infrastructure development and Paragraph 5.9, page 14:  new technologies 
and ICT.  
 
EU question 1:  Could Guyana provide further information if it has any plans or ongoing efforts to 
develop Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) infrastructure?  
 
The Government of Guyana is currently undertaking the formulation of a Digital Guyana Master Plan. 
One componen t of this is a "Safe Guyana Initiative " that includes consideration for the Transportation 
sector as one part of the ecosystem. Accordingly, there are on -going efforts in Guyana to develop 
Intelligent Transport System (ITS) to improve information communica tion technology adaptable to 
our transport infrastructure and vehicles. To date Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) infrastructure 
in Guyana include traffic cameras, point speed cameras (still in pilot stage), traffic sensors, parking 
management (currently  suspended), citywide surveillance cameras, signal controllers, traffic lights, 
emergency signals, fibre optic cable network and wireless telecommunication technology.  
 
The Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation is currently piloting RFID technology as part of its tolling 
system and will expand the service later in 2022. The New Demerara River Bridge which is expected 
to be completed in the next two (2) years will have a fully automated tolling system  
 
The Ministry of Public Works plans to examine the feasibi lity of an urban and sub – urban light rail 
network to improve transportation and communication between the capital city of Georgetown and 
the main international airport (Cheddi Jagan International Airport) at Timerhi.  
 
It must be noted, however that solut ions for Security and Citizen Services have been prioritized. 
This follows closely on the heels of the liberalization of the telecommunications sector. Already, and 
therefore, Guyana is bracing for a proliferation of added telecommunications operators, int ernet 
service providers, data centres, call centres, and business process outsourcing operation, all of which 
are heavily dependent on the modern infrastructure created by the Digital Guyana Master Plan.  
 
2.1 Fiscal Policy  
 
Paragraph 2.11, page 5  notes that Guyana is already preparing for putting in place the regulatory 
framework to manage the oil sector and the investments that would follow  infrastructure 
development.  
 
EU question 2:  Could Guyana provide further information regarding the timeline and content of the 
planned regulatory framework for the oil sector and related infrastructure development?  
 
The Government of Guyana has been and continues to modernise its legal and regulato ry framework 
as it relates to the petroleum sector to address issues such as oil revenue management, licensing, 
Production Sharing Agreement models, local content, and Health, Safety, Environmental and 
Security (HSES) management.  The result would be maximi sing the economic benefits to the country, 
improved management of the technical,  environmental, social and financial risks linked to the sector 
and building capacity to engage effectively with investors.  
 
Although some important legislative and regulatory framework is already in place and being 
implemented, the Government of Guyana intends to keep updating the framework in order develop 
a holistic and robust oil and gas sector.  https://petroleum.gov.gy/sites/default/files/2022 -
02/Guyana Energy Brief -2022.p df. 
  
2.2 The Effect of the COVID –19 Pandemic on the Economy  
 
Paragraph 2.13, page 5  notes that Guyana provided relief to alleviate the impact of COVID –19 both 
in cash and in kind to the population, as well as tax waivers on essential products, but this relief 
may not be a long -term solution.  WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  EU question 3:  Could Guyana provide more infor mation on the overall value of such relief and 
subsidies?  
 
The Government of Guyana extended tax relief on COVID – 19 related supplies on importation into 
the country. The relief was mostly on medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, as well as disinfectants  
and detergents that were considered critical for the prevention and treatment of the virus. The 
overall value of such relief given is yet to be assessed. https://www.gra.gov.gy/tax -relief-for-covid-
19-supplies -extended -to-december -31-2021-2/. 
  
Table below shows the Covid -19 measures as it relates to the tax wavier on essential 
products for the years 2019 to 2021.   
 
 
 
3 TRADE POLICY DEVELOPMENTS  
3.1 International Trade Policy  
3.2 Trade Performance  
3.3 Preferential Market Access and Free Trade Agreements  
3.4 New and Emerging Sectors  
 
Paragraph 3.29, page 10:  Guyana's Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030.  
 
EU question 4 : Could Guyana provide further information if any transition towards electro -mobility 
being planned by the Government?  
 
The Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 aims to foster the development of an electric 
vehicle industry to substitute fossil fue ls with electricity while enhancing the ability of the electric 
grid to integrate high levels of intermittent renewable energy.  
 
The Government will be installing six (6) fast charging stations for electric vehicles, in Regions 3, 
4 and 6 in 2022 as a pilot.  
 
The use of electric vehicles by Ministries and Government Agencies would also be introduced, where 
appropriate.  
 
EU question 5: Could Guyana provide further information why it considers natural gas as part of the 
low carbon energy sources? What are the energy sources considered high carbon?    
 
Guyana has some of the highest electric ity rates in the Americas and is about 97% dependent on 
imported fossil fuels. Using natural gas as a bridge away from heavy fuel oil, followed by the Amaila 
Falls Hydropower Project by 2027, Guyana will see a massive expansion of renewable energy across 
the country. Energy use can increase five -fold with greenhouse gas emissions staying approximately 
flat – one of the world 's highest levels of decoupling of economic growth and fossil fuel use for 
energy.  
 
The expenditure on imported Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) an d Diesel for the electricity generation in the 
12 public grids (operated by GPL and HECI) was approximately US D 100 million in 2020. The 
Demerara Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) is the largest grid accounting for 78% of the total 
cost.  
 
Years Customs Values Total Exemption Customs Values 
US$Total Exemption 
US$ 
2019 1,005,754,756$    87,061,891 $               5,028,774 $             435,309 $                 
2020 728,661,079 $        56,696,172 $               3,643,305 $             283,481 $                 
2021 27,865,178,972$  6,300,081,485 $         139,325,895 $        31,500,407 $           
Grand Total 29,599,594,807$  6,443,839,548 $         147,997,974 $        32,219,198 $           COVID-19 Summary (Period 2019-2021)
WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  The power dem and in Guyana 's public electricity grids is forecasted to triple over the next five years. 
The DBIS peak power was 126 Megawatts (MW) in 2020. It is estimated the peak load by 2025 will 
be 415MW. The DBIS has currently 202MW of firm capacity. However, some  of that capacity is from 
aged generators with low reliability. It has been estimated that by 2025, new 300MW of firm capacity 
will be needed to cover the demand increase, the retirement of aged generators and to increase the 
grid reliability.  
 
If the ele ctricity supply mix stays as it is today, consumer costs will not reduce significantly, while 
greenhouse gas emissions will triple by 2027, and increase steadily thereafter. In the original LCDS, 
it was foreseen that the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project wou ld have been complete by now, 
delivering cheaper, cleaner electricity. However, its development was not progressed by the 
2015-2020 Government. This Government intends to return to a strategy of decoupling economic 
growth from using fossil fuels for electr icity by developing low -carbon energy resources (Solar, 
Hydro, Wind, Biomass, and Natural Gas) to meet rapidly rising demand and keep greenhouse gas 
emissions low.  
 
This can be seen as three phases:  
 
• In the period 2022 to 2027, a near tripling of electri city demand will be met mainly through 
a combination of natural gas and the Amaila Falls Hydropower plant on the DBIS, coupled 
with a major expansion of solar power, with batteries, on the rural networks.  
• From 2027 to 2032, further increases in electricit y demand will be met by continued 
replacement of HFO, expansion of wind and solar power and the commission of Guyana 's 
second hydro plant, the site of which will be identified before 2025.  
• From 2032 onwards, expansion will be determined by prevailing mark et conditions, but it 
is likely that battery technology will be sufficiently advanced to enable solar and wind 
plants to provide most new capacity increases while contributing to further downward 
pressure on electricity prices.  
The graph below  summarises how the shift from almost total dependence on HFO will be eliminated, 
while the figure below illustrates how renewable energy will grow to dominate Guyana 's electricity 
supply. The figure shows how a tenfold increase in electricity demand will see greenhou se gas 
emissions essentially stay at 2018 levels.  
 
This level of decoupling of economic growth and fossil fuel use for energy is among the highest in 
the world. More details are set out in the remainder of this section – showing the energy transition 
for:  
• Demerara -Berbice Integrated System (DBIS)  
• Isolated Grids (Linden, Essequibo Coast, Bartica, Lethem, Kwakwani, Mabaruma, Port 
Kaituma, Mahdia, Leguan, Wakenaam, Matthews Ridge) – with Essequibo Coast, Linden, 
Leguan and Wakenaam being integrated with DBIS by 2027  
• Unconnected Communities.  
• Heavy Fu el Oil (HFO) and Light Fuel Oil (LFO) are predominantly used for electricity 
generation and are considered high carbon energy sources. The transition to natural gas, 
in the short term, will entail the use of a relatively cleaner fuel source with lower CO 2 
emissions compared to HFO and LFO.  
 WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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Demerara -Berbice Integrated System  
 
Today, effectively 100 percent of the power supplied by GPL on the DBIS comes from Heavy Fuel Oil 
and diesel. The table and figure below illustrates how this percentage will shif t in the years ahead 
while electricity prices are reduced. This is explained in the following:  
 
WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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Natural gas in DBIS  
 
To use natural gas for power generation, the following investments are needed: a pipeline to bring 
the natural gas to shore, a processing plant to separate the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and the 
natural gas, and a gas -fired power plant. The several stud ies have confirmed that the natural gas 
option would reduce the cost of generation. The Government is currently undertaking the detailed 
studies and the financing structuring of the project. It is anticipated that a 250MW gas -fired power 
plant will be cons tructed and in operation in 2024. Besides the natural gas -fired power plant, and in 
order to provide the necessary firm capacity, new reciprocating 46MW dual fuel (HFO/NG) engines 
have been added to the DBIS grid in 2021. Additional capacity will be instal led as part of the Natural 
Gas Programme. GPL plans to convert 106MW of their existing HFO capacity to dual fuel engines 
(HFO/NG) by 2026.  
 
By 2025, an additional 296MW of firm capacity will provide power to DBIS and the total capacity to 
generate electri city with natural gas will be 403MW. This will reduce, by half, the Green House Gas 
(GHG) emissions associated with the electricity generation in the DBIS.  
 
As part of the Natural Gas Programme, the LPG consumed in the country would be provided by the 
new separation plant and LPG production facility, avoiding the current importation. The planned 
offshore pipeline is designed to provide larger amounts of gas. In case new discoveries are made, 
the natural gas could be used for other industrial activities.  
 
In the short term, the natural gas will provide the needed firm capacity at a lower generation cost 
compared to the other indigenous renewable energy options in Guyana. But its availability is limited 
in time (20 years) and to the DBIS area. The developmen t of the solar, wind, hydropower and 
biomass technologies is a key priority for the future energy sector in Guyana.  
 
While natural gas provides a short to medium -term solution, over the medium and long term the 
most sustainable and resilient energy mix in Guyana would be formed by solar, wind, hydro and 
biomass power plants. Within the renewable energy resources available in Guyana, hydro will be 
WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  important to provide firm capacity and short -term energy storage to compensate daily and weekly 
fluctuations for m solar and wind. Hydro will provide, in the long -term, a cheaper solution than any 
other technology, due to its long lifespan.  
 
EU question 6:  Could Guyana provide information how the expanding oil extraction industry fits in 
with the LCDS?  
 
To achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement and stabili ze global temperatures at or below 
1.5 degrees above pre -industrial levels, global oil demand needs to fall sharply before 2050.  
 
In March 2021, the International Energy Agency, with the involvement of energy and climate leaders 
from over 40 countries, set  out seven key principles for meeting the goals of the Paris Climate 
Agreement, and "implementing net zero " in the global energy sector by 2050.  
 
The seven key principles led to a July 2021 report, setting out how "Net Zero by 2050 " could be 
achieved, and  outlined how this requires a complete transformation of the global energy and 
transportation sectors. Between 2020 and 2030, global renewable energy capacity needs to increase 
four-fold, the use of electric vehicles across the world needs to increase eigh teen-fold, and the 
energy intensity of global GDP needs to decrease by four percent per annum. Achieving this 
transformation will require huge leaps in innovation including advanced batteries, hydrogen 
electrolysers and direct air capture and storage.  
 
The report outlines how, under the "Net Zero by 2050 " scenario, global oil consumption will decrease 
from 98 million barrels per day in 2019 to 72 million barrels per day by 2030, and 24 million barrels 
per day in 2050.  
 
By 2050, at this level of consumptio n, 70% of oil use will be in applications where the fuel is not 
combusted and therefore do not result in any direct CO2 emissions, for example, the use of oil as 
chemical feedstocks and in lubricants, paraffin waxes and asphalt.  
 
Therefore, the central ch allenge for the international community is to align behind a scientifically 
and economically rational set of policies to drive oil demand down from almost 100 million barrels a 
day to 24 million barrels within 40 years.  
 
Guyana 's Policy Position  
 
Guyana supports the achievement of Net Zero by the 2050 target, including the more short -term 
target of a 28% reduction in global oil demand by 2030.  
 
To be effective, global policies to achieve these targets need to be fair, economically rational and 
based on science.  
 
Fairness requires that the oil industry – which is worth US D 3-4 trillion every year – should not just 
be for the benefit of incumbents, particularly when those incumbents are already very wealthy. The 
world 's largest oil producer – the Un ited States of America – has a per capita income of US D 65,000 
– about ten times that of Guyana. If Guyana were to prematurely forego oil and gas revenues, it 
would simply mean a continuation of a de -facto monopoly where incumbents would meet demand 
and be nefit from the industry which will be worth trillions of dollars for decades to come. It would 
also mean that Guyana would remain poor and unable to invest in lifting the living standards of its 
people. Rather than expecting supplier countries to forego op portunities by leaving them to 
incumbents, predictable global policies are needed. Since 2009, Guyana has supported two main 
global policies:  
 
A global price on carbon, whether through a global carbon tax regime or a global carbon 
market A carbon price, le vied on the consumption of oil and gas, incentivises both investment in 
lower carbon replacements for fossil fuel electricity and transportation (for example, renewable 
energy and electric vehicles) as well as managing the global low -carbon transition, by progressively 
driving out the highest carbon, least economically viable fossil fuels, particularly coal, oil and gas. 
Calls for such a carbon price have been made for many years – notably in the 2010 report of the WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  United Nations Secretary -General High Leve l Advisory Group on Climate Change Financing for which 
Guyana was a part of the 15 -member team. Subsequent analysis emphasised the criticality of this 
issue, including the "Report of the High -Level Commission on Carbon Prices ", sometimes known as 
the "Stiglitz-Stern Report ", which concluded that a carbon price between US D 50 and US D 100 will 
be needed to achieve the dual goals of increasing low -carbon investment and aligning with a Paris 
Agreement target for reducing fossil fuel usage. Despite this long -standing consensus that a global 
carbon price regime is needed, international action to progress this regime remains inadequate. The 
Government of Guyana supports calls for the international community – working through the United 
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other relevant international 
institutions – to accelerate work on both the methodology and implementation of this pricing regime.  
 
The removal of subsidies for fossil fuel production In 2019, fifty of the largest economies in 
the world – who account for 80% of global greenhouse gas emissions – increased their support for 
fossil fuel production by 30%, with total support reaching US D 178 billion. Most of this was in 
developed (OECD) countries. In effect, this uses public money to drive down the costs of oil 
production, regardless of the carbon -intensity of the oil and gas being produced. The Government 
of Guyana supports calls for the e limination of such fossil fuel subsidies, especially in OECD countries 
where subsidies are the most distorting. This will lead to the breakup of the current monopoly -like 
situation, and the stabilising of price levels.  
 
Combined, these two policies can dr ive the most carbon -intensive and least economically -rational 
oil and gas out of the market, enabling the remaining post -2050 supply of oil to be the lowest carbon 
and most economically efficient.  
 
At the same time, to drive down carbon intensity further a nd remain relevant in a Paris Climate 
Agreement -compatible oil market, Guyana will significantly increase domestic policy measures, 
including:  
 
Tax on Flaring  
 
Globally, gas flaring – which results from the burning of gas in connection with oil productio n – 
causes more than 300 million tonnes of carbon dioxide to be emitted every year. If this was used to 
produce energy, it would generate enough electricity to supply the entirety of the African continent 's 
current annual demand.  
 
The Government of Guyana  is implementing a "no flaring " policy, except in the case of start up and 
emergencies. This will be done in a phased way. When the current Government took office in 2020, 
there were no safeguards in place to disallow flaring. As a result, the Government i mplemented one 
of the very few taxes on flaring in the world – where beyond the commissioning period, all flaring 
will be taxed at US$45 per tonne of carbon, along with a payment for the actual gas lost. In parallel, 
new measures have been introduced to en sure that all waste management is the responsibility of 
the oil producer, from "cradle to grave ".  
 
Support for New Technology  
 
The Government will continue dialogue with oil producers to ensure that, alongside the above 
measures, exploration and production operations continue to explore all possibilities for lower carbon 
technological innovation – including the use of renewable energy in oil production, Carbon Capture 
Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) and, – when technologically viable – green hydrog en. 
 
Paragraph 3.33, pages 10 -11 notes that Guyana has adopted a local content policy, especially for 
the oil and gas sector that will also influence other economic sectors.   
 
EU question 7 : Could Guyana provide more details of its local content policy especially for the oil 
and gas sector and what impact these policies have in these and other economic sectors?    
 
The Local content policy and law goals are set for increasing domestic business opportunities, 
improving business participation and providing enhanced revenue contribution to the state.  
 WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  EU question 8:  Could Guyana explain how these local content policy m easure comply with its relevant 
WTO commitments?   
 
The Local content policy and legislation are all align with Guyana's commitment to WTO and regional 
trading areas.  
 
4 MULTILATERAL TRADE RELATIONS  
5 FUTURE POLICY DIRECTIONS: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES  
5.1 The COVID–19 Challenge  
5.2 Public Infrastructure and Transport Infrastructure  
 
Paragraph 5.2, page 12  : Public infrastructure and transport infrastructure  
 
EU question 9:  Could Guyana provide further information if has any plans or ongoing efforts to 
develop Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) infrastructure? Are there any plans for developing green 
infrastructure for electro -mobility?  
 
The Government of Guyana is current ly undertaking the formulation of a Digital Guyana Master Plan. 
One component of this is a "Safe Guyana Initiative " that includes consideration for the Transportation 
sector as one part of the ecosystem. Accordingly, there are on -going efforts in Guyana to  develop 
Intelligent Transport System (ITS) to improve information communication technology adaptable to 
our transport infrastructure and vehicles. To date Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) infrastructure 
in Guyana include traffic cameras, point speed ca meras (still in pilot stage), traffic sensors, parking 
management (currently suspended), citywide surveillance cameras, signal controllers, traffic lights, 
emergency signals, fibre optic cable network and wireless telecommunication technology.  
 
The Demera ra Harbour Bridge Corporation is currently piloting RFID technology as part of its tolling 
system and will expand the service later in 2022. The New Demerara River Bridge which is expected 
to be completed in the next two (2) years will have a fully automat ed tolling system  
 
The Ministry of Public Works plans to examine the feasibility of an urban and sub – urban light rail 
network to improve transportation and communication between the capital city of Georgetown and 
the main international airport (Cheddi Ja gan International Airport) at Timerhi.  
 
It must be noted, however that solutions for Security and Citizen Services have been prioritized. 
This follows closely on the heels of the liberalization of the telecommunications sector. Already, and 
therefore, Guyana is bracing for a proliferation of add ed telecommunications operators, internet 
service providers, data centres, call centres, and business process outsourcing operation, all of which 
are heavily dependent on the modern infrastructure created by the Digital Guyana Master Plan.  
  
5.3 Oil and Gas Se ctor 
5.4 Energy  
5.5 Export Diversification  
5.6 Reforming Traditional Industries  
5.7 Climate Change and Environmental Impact  
5.8 Public -Private Dialogue  
 
Paragraph 5.10, pages 13 -14 notes that trade–related policy in Guyana is determined through 
consultations and discussion be tween public sector agencies and private sector stakeholders. 
The NACEN is the key instrument that is utilized in the consultative process which affords 
Government the opportunity to enhance its understanding and appreciation of how the 
Guyanese  private se ctor stakeholders are utilizing or are impacted by the trade agreements with a 
view to designing measures to improve market access conditions.  
 
EU question 10 : Could Guyana provide further information on how often such consultations took 
place and on what topics. Could Guyana also provide information how stakeholders can participate 
in these dialogues and consultative process.   
 
The National Committee on External Negotiations (NACEN) meetings are convened by the Minister 
in charge of foreign trade at least  once each quarter and participants are drawn from key 
Government Ministries, public sector agencies with a trade -related mandate as well as private sector 
agencies representatives. Both public and private sector stakeholders are expected to channel their WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  views through respective representative agencies. The meeting agenda topics normally focus on key 
trade policy issues that happen to be of concern to both local and foreign stakeholders relating to 
market access at a particular time.  
 
WT/TPR/S/422 – WTO Secretariat report  
 
SUMMARY  
 
Paragraph 6, page 5:  the report notes that many WTO notifications remain overdue.  
 
EU question 11:  Could Guyana provide information if it put in place to address the backlog of 
notifications and how it intend s to fulfil its WTO notification obligations?   
 
During the reporting period Guyana filed some key notifications with WTO and reduced the backlog 
that had previously existed. However, due to capacity constraints some other notifications have not 
been attended to over the years. Indeed, as observed in the  report "notifications concerning, inter 
alia, customs valuation, import licensing, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, state trading, and 
agriculture remain overdue. " The government is committed to make notifications in accordance with 
the various WTO agreements. To this end, the government is considering building necessary 
capacity, including enhanced resources and training specifically dedicated to managing the 
notifications, in the said areas where Guyana has been deficient and also ensure that all other 
notifications are regularly filed .  
 
Summary:  The report does not address the fight against corruption in Guyana.  
 
EU question 12:  Could Guyana provide information what measures are in place, or planned to fight 
against corruption and their impact on the trade relations with its partners  ?   
 
Guyana ratified the Inter -American Convention against Corruption (IACAC) and the UN Convention 
against Corruption (UNCAC). It has been reviewed in every review cycle under the IACAC since 2006 
and is preparing for its 5th cycle review. The MESICIC, the body that oversees the implementation 
of the IACAC, has adopted and made recommendations to Guyana at each review cycle. Guyana 's 
reports are posted on the OAS MESICIC website.  
 
Guyana is in the process of finalising its 2nd Self-Assessment Report before the UNCAC. This 
Self-Assessment Report on articles 5 to 14 and 51 to 59 of the United Nations Convention against 
Corruption (UNCAC ), covers the review cycle 2016 -2021. The submission of this Self -Assessment 
Report reinforces Guyana 's commitment to the fight against corruption. This Self -Assessment 
describes Guyana 's legislative framework and all the measures undertaken by the Governm ent of 
Guyana in its fight against corruption, and compliance with the UNCAC. The Report also provides 
best practices and court cases in relation to the implementation of the articles selected for this 
self-assessment (2016 -2021).  
 
The Ministry of Parliam entary Affairs and Governance (MPAG), in collaboration with the United 
Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), facilitated a three -day workshop from 30 August to 
1 September 2021. The workshop was held with the objective to address treaty obligations an d 
treaty reporting in relation to international treaties, such as the United Nations Convention against 
Corruption (UNCAC) and the preparation of Guyana 's Second Self -Assessment, and the 
Inter-America Convention against Corruption (IACAC). Further, the workshop was tailored to build 
local capacity in and fulfilling these treaty reporting obligations.  
 
The Government of Guyana (GoG), as part of the global community recognises the importance of 
reporting on its treaty obligations. In international reporting, and in this regard, in June 2021 the 
newly created Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance established a National Coordinating 
Committee (NCC) as its national mechanism, to allow for a more structured approach to Guyana 's 
reporting under the United Nations Convention against Corruption, the Inter -American Convention 
against Corruption (IACAC), the Lima Commitment, and the United Nations General Assembly 's 
Political Declaration Commitme nt on Corruption . 
 
The first meeting of the NCC was held on  8 June 2021. The NCC meets monthly and currently has 
sixteen (16) agencies represented on the Committee. The agencies are: the Ministry of 
Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, the Ministry of Leg al Affairs, the Guyana Revenue Authority WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  (GRA), the Public/Police Service Commission, the Ministry of Public Service, the National 
Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the 
Auditor General, the Judicial  Service Commission, the Integrity Commission, the  Office of the 
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the Bank of Guyana, the 
Ministry of Home Affairs, the Guyana Police Force, and the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU). 
The NCC is chaired by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance.  
 
The Government of Guyana has taken several steps to ensure transparency and accountability as 
critical to good governance of the state, and to prevent and combat corruptio n at all levels of public 
administration, and to have coordinated anti -corruption policies/practices. The policies and practices 
implemented by the GoG are demonstrated through the anti -corruption/oversight bodies.  
 
The anti -corruption framework of Guyana includes robust constitutional and legal statutory 
provisions which are executed by the regulatory and oversight bodies which are comprised as 
follows: -  
- constitutional bodies - the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), the Auditor General 's Office 
(AGO),  Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the three Service Commissions 
(Judicial, Public and Police), the Ombudsman, and the Judiciary;  
-  statutory bodies - the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU)/ Guyana Police Force, Office of 
the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the Integrity 
Commission (IC), Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) the Securities Council, the Commissioner 
of Information, the National Procurement and Tender Administration, the Police Compl aints 
Authority;  
- Parliamentary oversight -the Parliamentary Standing Public Accounts Committee (PAC), four 
Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committees (Economic Services, Natural Resources, Social 
Services, Foreign Relations) and the National Assembly.  
 
The relevant implementing legislation in the context of Guyana 's anti -corruption framework include 
primarily, many have gone through amendments  
- The Criminal Law (Offences) Act (No. 18 of 1893) (Cap. 8:01),  
- The Companies Act Cap.89:01,  
- The Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act (Cap. 8:02) (No. 17 of 1893),  
-- The Criminal Law (Procedure) Act (No. 19 of 1893) (Cap. 10:01),   
-  The Integrity Co mmission Act, Cap 26:01 (1997), which is currently under review  
- The Procurement Act, Cap 73:05, (2003) and Regulations,  
- The Financial Management and Accountability Act, Cap 73:02, (FMAA) (2003), amended in 
2020 and 2022  
- the Audit Act 2004,  
- the Mut ual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act (No. 38 of 2009),  
-  Access to Information Act,   
- the Anti -Money -Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act (Cap. 
10:11), (amended 2015 -2017)  
- the AML/CFT Regulations No.4 of 2010,  
-  The Protected Disclosures Act 2018 (Act 5 of 2018), and, the Witness Protection Act 2018 (act 
7 of 2018),  
-  The Cybercrime Act No. 16 of 2018   
-  Law Reform Commission Act (Act No. 4 of 2016) amended in 2021  
-  The Local Content Act 2021  
-  The Natural R esources Fund Act 2021  
 
The main institutions tasked with mandates relevant to preventing and combating corruption 
include: the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions 
(DPP), the Financial Intelligence Unit (F IU), the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), the Integrity 
Commission (IC), the Parliamentary Standing Public Accounts Committee (PAC), the Guyana 
Revenue Authority (GRA), the National Procurement and Tender Board Administration (NPATB) and 
the Auditor Ge neral's Office (AGO).  
 
Guyana 's commitment to public access to information extends beyond current legislative measures 
in the Access to Information Act. Its philosophy of inclusive and responsive government dictates that 
the public is well informed and the reby empowered.  
 WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
- 19 - 
 
  In the last year, the GoG has been making every effort to ensure that the public remains informed 
in a timely manner and can access information easily. As such, every Government Ministry/Statutory 
and Constitutional body is required to ha ve a website/social media accounts, most Ministries have 
active social media accounts (Facebook/ Instagram/ Twitter, etc.) as is necessary and deemed most 
effective for their purposes. These platforms are constantly updated to reflect the work being done 
by the Ministries, and state agencies and provide information to the public and create an easily 
accessible means of open communication. This also allows for accessibility and greater 
communications with the public to offer real -time responses, as far as pr actically possible.  
Most notable is website of the National Procurement and Tender Administration ( NPTAB) which posts 
minutes of the opening of tenders in the presence of the media/live streamed, awards of contracts, 
standard bidding documents etc. The A udit Office of Guyana posts its Annual and Special Audit 
Reports.  
 
In the last year, several persons have been charged and are before the courts on corruption with 
regards to the sale and use of state assets and resources. Most notable are Guyana Election s 
Commission officials for corruption in attempting to steal the 2020 General and Regional Elections.  
This anti -corruption framework provides an enabling environment  for fair and free trade relations.  
 
1  ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT  
1.1  Main Features  of the Economy  
1.2  Recent Economic Developments  
 
Table 1.3, page 13: 'Central government finances, 2015 -20'.  
 
EU question 13:  Could Guyana provide further information on the entry in the Table 1.3 regarding 
'tax on international trade '? Whether this is levied on import or export, whether on goods or services, 
and the product coverage of such a tax?  
 
Table 1.3 "Tax on internation al trade " (1.6% of GDP 2015) (1.8% of GDP 2016) 1.9 % of GDP 2017) 
(2.2 % of GDP 2018) (2.3% of GDP 2019) (1.7% of GDP 2020)  
This is the accumulation of Import duties, Export duties, Travel tax and Other.  
 
1.3  Developments in Trade and Investment  
1.3.1   Trends and patterns in merchandise and services trade  
 
Paragraph  1.18, Table 1.4, page 16:  The Balance of Payments shows that errors and omissions are 
noticeable and often negative, standing at -9 million USD in the last available year 2020. This item 
potentially ind icates an outflow of capital owing to understating of export values, overstating of 
import values or other means, especially in countries with an overvalued currency.  
 
EU Question 14 : Does Guyana have an analysis of the causes for this item, and if yes, w hat are the 
results?  
 
The Balance of Payments is compiled by the Bank of Guyana and the Bank does not do an analysis 
of the causes of errors, and accordingly this analysis does not exist . 
 
1.3.2   Trends and patterns in FDI  
2  TRADE AND INVESTMENT REGIMES  
2.1  General Framework  
2.2  Trade Policy Objectives  and Implementation  
 
Paragraph 2.8, page 19:  As a small developing country that is vulnerable to climate change and the 
consequent economic shocks, Guyana believes that unilateral trading interests should always be 
subject to multilateral considerations where the interests of small fragile economies must always 
take centre stage.  
 
Guyana is particularly exposed to the effect of climate change, for 90% of its population lives at the 
coast.  
 
EU question 15:  Could Guyan a provide information if it has adaptation strategy and related projects 
or plans? How is climate change factored in in economic and trade policies?  WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
- 20 - 
 
  Given Guyana 's long -established climate vulnerability, the Government continues to actively 
implement measu res to mitigate the impact of sea and river defence breaches along the low -lying 
coastal shorelines and river embankments. The Government invests heavily in the construction, 
rehabilitation, and maintenance of rip -rap sea defence in different parts of the country as well as 
the construction of geotextile tube groyne besides planting of mangrove  trees to reduce the effect 
of flooding. The strengthening of flood protection infrastructure  system through sea and river 
defence works is a continuous exercise. Cli mate change has a disruptive effect on Guyana 's 
economy, especially on agricultural production when flooding occurs. This ultimately results in 
revenue short falls that have to be dealt with by making necessary adjustments in other economic 
sectors.  
 
2.3  Trade Agreements and Arrangements  
2.3.1   WTO  
2.3.2   Regional and bilateral agreements  
 
Paragraph 2.2, page 18:  According to the authorities, the negotiations between CARICOM and 
Canada on an FTA have been suspended.  
 
EU question 16 : Could Guyana provide some insight why  the FTA negotiations with Canada had been 
suspended?   
 
Guyana continues to trade with Canada under the CARIBCAN arrangement where the Government 
of Canada provides duty -free treatment to eligible imports of Commonwealth Caribbean countries, 
including Guy ana without being required to extend the same duty -free treatment to like products of 
any other WTO Member until 31 December 2023. The FTA negotiations with Canada were being 
conducted under the auspices of CARICOM. The negotiations were suspended after bo th sides 
realised that limited progress was being made in the process, and there was need for reflection 
before further engagement. Guyana together with other CARICOM member states still value the 
trade relations with Canada and hope for resumption of the negotiations at some undetermined point 
in future.  
 
EU question 17: Does Guyana plan any new FTA negotiations?    
 
Guyana and other CARICOM member states remain interested in predictable trade relations with 
Canada. Accordingly, when the current arrangement between the two countries ceases there will be 
need for a new arrangement to govern the relations. However, no concrete plans for a new FTA 
negotiation have been determined at this time and this is an issue to be agreed upon as CARICOM, 
since e xternal trade negotiations are conducted within the regional framework.  
 
2.3.3   Other non -reciprocal arrangements  
 
Paragraph 2.23, page 21 : Guyana has a bilateral agreement with Argentina aimed to promote trade 
and economic cooperation between the two countries.  
 
EU question 18:  Could Guyana provide more information if the bilateral agreement with Argentina 
contains any trade preferences for goods, and if so for what products?   
 
Guyana signed a trade and economic cooperation agreement with the Republic of Argenti na in 2006. 
The agreement does not include tax exemptions preferences. The export and import of any goods 
from either country is undertaken on WTO MFN basis. Exemption from customs duties and taxes 
under the agreement is only allowed for samples, and goods  on no commercial values and 
advertising material; objects and goods temporarily imported for fairs and exhibitions, if not resold 
and on equipment for scientific tests or research pursuant to any programmes undertaken in 
accordance with the agreement.  
 
2.4  Investment Regime  
2.4.1   Business environment  
 
Paragraph 2.24, page 22: There have been no major changes in the legal framework for business 
and investment in Guyana since its last Review in 2015; a nd Government report Paragraph 2.2, 
page3 : The World Bank Group Ease of Doing Business Report of 2020 ranked Guyana 134 among 
the 190 countries.  WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
- 21 - 
 
   
EU question 19:  Could Guyana give some concrete examples what it has done to improve the 
business environment?   
 
The following are examples of what was  implemented and what are still ongoing to improve the 
business environment:  
(1)  Developed Websites for the Land, Deeds, and Commercial Registry (2018)  
(2)  Passage of the National Payment System Bill (June 2018)  
(3)  Digitization of the Land, Deeds, an d Commercial Registry (Ongoing)  
(4)  Implementing a Single Window System for Trade (ongoing since 2017)  
(5)  Implementing an Approval System for Dealing with Construction Permits (New: Ongoing since 
2021)  
(6)  Implementing a Secured Transaction Regime/System (Ongoing since 2018 Awaiting passage 
of the Moveable Property Security Bill  
(7)  Passage of the Electron ic Communication and Transaction Bill  (Bill is under review expected 
to pass in 2022)  
(8)  Measures to improve the cost and reliability of Electricity  
1.  Hinterland Electrification Project (New: Provision for distribution networks at Port 
Kaituma, Matthe w's Ridge, Kwakwani, Mabaruma, and Kato and Purchases of 
generators.  
2.  Power Utility Upgrade Programme  
a. Provision for loss reduction.  
b. Rehabilitation and upgrading of distribution networks.  
c.  Rehabilitation of sub -stations at Kingston and Vreed -en-Hoop. upgrade/relocation 
of distribution transformers. e. Implementation of systems management 
software. f Institutional strengthening.  
3.  Sustainable Energy Programme  
a.  Procurement and installation of photovoltaic systems in the hinterland and co astal 
locations such as Yarakita, Hotoquai, Akawini, Bethany, Kabakuburi, Monkey 
Mountain, and Achiwib.  
b.  Construction of hydropower scheme at Kato  
4.  Renewable Energy Improvement - Power System Project  
a. Enhancing sub -stations, equipment, and distri bution lines at Canefield, 
Onverwagt, Good Hope and Sophia.  
b.  Provision for photovoltaic and energy management systems for CARICOM 
Secretariat  
5.  Energy Matrix Diversification Programme  
a.  installation of mini -grid systems in Bartica, Mahdia, and Lethem.  
b.  Upgrading of Sophia sub -station.  
c.  Rehabilitation of transmission lines.  
d.  Institutional strengthening and capacity building.  
6.  Solar System Project  
7.  Small Hydro Projects:  
a.  Construction of hydropower facilities at Moco Moco and Kumu.  
b.  Provision for geotechnical and topographic surveys.  
c.  Provision for Environmental and Social Management Plan.  
d. Provision for consultancy services, administra tion, and land acquisition.  
8. Gas to Power Projects (New :Provision for Gas to Power Plant and other facilities - Wales.  
9.  Installation of Solar Mini -Grids.  
 
EU question 20:  Could Guyana please provide information on what it does to combat corruption?     
 
Guyana ratified the Inter -American Convention against Corruption (IACAC) and the UN Convention 
against Corruption (UNCAC). It has been reviewed in every review cycle under the IACAC since 2006 
and is preparing for its 5th cycle review. The MESICIC, the body that oversees the implementation 
of the IACAC, has adopted and made recommendations to Guyana at each review cycle. Guyana 's 
reports are posted on the OAS MESICIC website.  
 
Guyana is in the process of finalising its 2nd Self-Assessment Report before the UNCAC. This 
Self-Assessment Report on articles 5 to 14 and 51 to 59 of the United Nations Convention against 
Corruption (UNCAC), covers the review cycle 2016 -2021. The submission of this Self -Assessment 
Report reinforces  Guyana 's commitment to the fight against corruption. This Self -Assessment WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
- 22 - 
 
  describes Guyana 's legislative framework and all the measures undertaken by the Government of 
Guyana in its fight against corruption, and compliance with the UNCAC. The Report also provides 
best practices and court cases in relation to the implementation of the articles selected for this self 
-assessment (2016 -2021).  
 
The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance (MPAG), in collaboration with the United 
Nations Office on Drug s and Crime (UNODC), facilitated a three -day workshop from 30 August to 
1 September 2021. The workshop was held with the objective to address treaty obligations and 
treaty reporting in relation to international treaties, such as the United Nations Conventi on against 
Corruption (UNCAC) and the preparation of Guyana 's Second Self - Assessment, and the 
Inter-America Convention against Corruption (IACAC). Further, the workshop was tailored to build 
local capacity in and fulfilling these treaty reporting obligati ons.  
 
The Government of Guyana (GoG), as part of the global community recognises the importance of 
reporting on its treaty obligations. In international reporting, and in this regard, in June 2021 the 
newly created Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Go vernance established a National Coordinating  
 
Committee (NCC) as its national mechanism, to allow for a more structured approach to Guyana 's 
reporting under the United Nations Convention against Corruption, the Inter -American Convention 
against Corruption (IACAC), the Lima Commitment, and the United Nations General Assembly 's 
Political Declaration Commitment on Corruption.  
 
The first meeting of the NCC was held on June 8, 2021. The NCC meets monthly and currently has 
sixteen (16) agencies represe nted on the Committee. The agencies are: the Ministry of 
Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, the Ministry of Legal Affairs, the Guyana Revenue Authority 
(GRA), the Public/Police Service Commission, the Ministry of Public Service, the National 
Procurement  and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the 
Auditor General, the Judicial Service Commission, the Integrity Commission, the Office of the 
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU),  the Bank of Guyana, the 
Ministry of Home Affairs, the Guyana Police Force, and the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU). 
The NCC is chaired by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance.  
 
The Government of Guyana has taken several steps to ensure  transparency and accountability as 
critical to good governance of the state, and to prevent and combat corruption at all levels of public 
administration, and to have coordinated anti -corruption policies/practices. The policies and practices 
implemented by  the GoG are demonstrated through the anti -corruption/oversight bodies.  
 
The anti -corruption framework of Guyana includes robust constitutional and legal statutory 
provisions which are executed by the regulatory and oversight bodies which are comprised as 
follows: -  
-  constitutional bodies - the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), the Auditor General 's Office 
(AGO), Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the three Service Commissions 
(Judicial, Public and Police), the Ombudsman, and the Judi ciary;  
-  statutory bodies - the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU)/ Guyana Police Force, Office of 
the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the Integrity 
Commission (IC), Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) the Securit ies Council, the Commissioner 
of Information, the National Procurement and Tender Administration, the Police Complaints 
Authority;  
- Parliamentary oversight -the Parliamentary Standing Public Accounts Committee (PAC), 
four Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight  Committees (Economic Services, Natural Resources, 
Social Services, Foreign Relations) and the National Assembly.  
 
The relevant implementing legislation in the context of Guyana 's anti -corruption framework include 
primarily, many have gone through amendme nts  
- The Criminal Law (Offences) Act (No. 18 of 1893) (Cap. 8:01),  
- The Companies Act Cap.89:01,  
- The Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act (Cap. 8:02) (No. 17 of 1893),  
-- The Criminal Law (Procedure) Act (No. 19 of 1893) (Cap. 10:01),   
-  The Integrity Commission Act, Cap 26:01 (1997), which is currently under review  
- The Procurement Act, Cap 73:05, (2003) and Regulations,  
- The Financial Management and Accountability Ac t, Cap 73:02, (FMAA) (2003), amended in 
2020 and 2022  WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  - the Audit Act 2004,  
- the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act (No. 38 of 2009),  
-  Access to Information Act,   
- the Anti -Money -Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) A ct 
(Cap.  10:11), (amended 2015 -2017)  
- the AML/CFT Regulations No.4 of 2010,  
-  The Protected Disclosures Act 2018 (Act 5 of 2018), and, the Witness Protection Act 2018 
(act 7 of 2018),  
-  The Cybercrime Act No. 16 of 2018   
-  Law Reform Commission Act ( Act No. 4 of 2016) amended in 2021  
-  The Local Content Act 2021  
-  The Natural Resources Fund Act 2021  
 
The main institutions tasked with mandates relevant to preventing and combating corruption 
include: the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions 
(DPP), the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), the Integrity 
Commission (IC), the Parliamentary Standing Public Accounts Committee (PAC), the Guyana 
Revenue Authority (GR A), the National Procurement and Tender Board Administration (NPATB) and 
the Auditor General 's Office (AGO).  
 
Guyana 's commitment to public access to information extends beyond current legislative measures 
in the Access to Information Act. Its philosophy of inclusive and responsive government dictates that 
the public is well informed and thereby empowered.  
 
In the last year, the GoG  has been making every effort to ensure that the public remains informed 
in a timely manner and can access information easily. As such, every Government Ministry/Statutory 
and Constitutional body is required to have a website/social media accounts, most Mi nistries have 
active social media accounts (Facebook/ Instagram/ Twitter, etc.) as is necessary and deemed most 
effective for their purposes. These platforms are constantly updated to reflect the work being done 
by the Ministries, and state agencies and pr ovide information to the public and create an easily 
accessible means of open communication. This also allows for accessibility and greater 
communications with the public to offer real -time responses, as far as practically possible.  
 
Most notable is websi te of the National Procurement and Tender Administration ( NPTAB) which posts 
minutes of the opening of tenders in the presence of the media/live streamed, awards of contracts, 
standard bidding documents etc. The Audit Office of Guyana posts its Annual and  Special Audit 
Reports.  
 
In the last year, several persons have been charged and are before the courts on corruption with 
regards to the sale and use of state assets and resources. Most notable are Guyana Elections 
Commission officials for corruption in a ttempting to steal the 2020 General and Regional Elections.  
This anti -corruption framework provides an enabling environment  for fair and free trade relations.  
 
2.4.2   Foreign investment regime  
 
Paragraph 2.34, page 23:  In accordance with the Investment Act, dispu tes among investors or 
between investors and the Government can be settled, inter alia , by consultations and mediations 
between the relevant parties, arbitration under the Arbitration Act, resolution before the competent 
courts, or resolution by the Intern ational Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes.  
 
EU question 21:  Could Guyana provide information if there was any dispute between investors and 
the Government, and if so how such disputes were settled?  
 
3  TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.1  Measures Directly Affecting Imports  
3.1.1   Customs procedures, valuation, and requirements  
3.1.1.1   Documentation requirements and trade facilitation measures  
3.1.1.2   Customs valuation  
 
Paragraph 3.7, page 25:  the report notes that  Guyana has never notified its customs valuation 
legislation to the WTO, nor has it responded to the required Checklist of Issues.  
 WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  EU question 22: Could Guyana please indicate when it is planning to notify its legislation and submit 
its response to the Checklist of Issues to the Commit tee on Customs Valuation .  
 
Guyana is undertaking to build capacity to enable it to submit all pending notifications, including the 
Checklist of Issues to the Committee on Customs Valuation  
 
3.1.2   Rules of origin  
3.1.3   Tariffs  
3.1.3.1   Bound tariff  
3.1.3.2   Applied MFN tariff  
 
Paragraph 3.11, page 26:  
 
EU question 23:  Is Guyana planning to upgrade its applied HS nomenclature to the HS2022 version 
and when? If so, when does Guyana intend to transpose its offers for market access in goods under 
its free trade agreements with vario us partners to the HS2022 nomenclature so that all concessions 
for trade partners under these agreements remain effective under the new HS nomenclature?  
 
Yes, Guyana has an ongoing exercise transposing of the HS 2017 to HS 2022 for all of the current 
FTA with a 100% completion target for 3rd quarter of 2022  
 
Paragraph 3.13, page 28:  As noted in previous Secretariat reports, Guyana's applied MFN rates 
exceed the corresponding bound rates for 16 tariff lines (firearms and ammunition, pearls, and 
precious metal products). The authorities advised at the time of the 2015 Review that the s ituation 
would be rectified in the near future. However, the products affected and the excess margins (10% 
or 20%) remain unaltered (Table  3.3). According to the authorities, a draft document has been 
prepared for Parliament to amend the applied rates.  
 
EU question 24 : Could Guyana set out the process and timeline to bring its applied tariff in 
compliance with to its bound rates?   
 
This is expected to be addressed in the publication of the HS 2022 with rates already approved. The 
process was delayed due to  parliamentary process.  
The timeline is expected to be completed by July 2022  
 
EU question 25:  Could Guyana provide information if these applied rates that exceed bound rates 
are applicable for imports into Guyana only or also for CARICOM as part of the common tariff?   
 
The items for which the applied rates exceed the bound rates are applicable to import into Guyana.  
 
Paragraphs 3.11 – 3.20 pages 26 -30:  
 
EU question 26:  How does Guyana make public its currently applied tariff rates, including those 
applied under prefere ntial schemes, such as the CARIFORUM -EU EPA? If these tariffs are not 
available via electronic or interned -based media, does Guyana plan to implement such transparency 
measure?   
 
Guyana currently provides access to the Applied Tariff via the department 's website 
(https://www.gra.gov.gy/the -national -tariff-2011/ ) that also covers the EPA over the duration of 
the agreement.  
 
3.1.3.3   Tariff -rate quotas  
3.1.4   Tariff preferences  
 
Paragraph  3.17, page 29: All CARIFORUM countries, including Guyana, are phasing in tariff 
reductions on goods of EU origin under the CARIFORUM -EU EPA. According to the EPA, full 
implementation (by 2033) implies that CARIFORUM countries will have liberalized 86.9% o f their 
imports (in value) from the European Union, covering 90.2% of all tariff lines.  
 
EU question 27:  At present, what is the share of EU imports (in value and number of tariff lines) 
effectively liberali zed by Guyana under the CARIFORUM -EU EPA?    WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  As of 2022 the tariff lines completely liberali zed 5,119 (4 ,074 Tariff lines are liberalized to a rate of 
zero noting that 1 ,045 are excluded items)  
 
3.1.5   Other charges affecting imports  
 
Paragraph 3.26 and 3.27, page 31 , other charges affecting imports: Paragraph 3.26 notes that there 
is a zero -rate VAT applied on certain "locally made supplies " and on certain goods imported only 
from CARICOM states. 'For zero -rated construction materials, VAT relief is only applicable to locally 
made supplies  (sand, asphalt, concrete blocks, plywood, logs and lumber, pre -stressed concrete 
piles, mild steel beams roofing and PVC products, spars, palings, staves, shingles, and wattles) or 
imports from CARICOM of stone for construction and housing, and boulders for the construction of 
sea defence .' Similarly, paragraph 3.27 notes that excise duty on imported motor vehicles is applied 
differently (and more onerously) than on domestic acquisitions of passenger motor vehicles: 'The 
excise tax o n passenger motor vehicles is differentiated according to several parameters (age of 
vehicle, engine type, and engine size). Motor vehicles less than four years old are considered new, 
and the tax rate is set at zero for vehicles of engine size up to 1,500  cc. As the engine size increases, 
the excise rate moves from 10% (of the price of the vehicle including import duty) to a maximum 
of 110% for cars running on diesel or semi -diesel and 140% for the largest petrol -driven cars. Using 
the same parameters as f or new cars, imported passenger motor vehicles that are four years or 
older are subject to an excise tax with two components – a flat rate and an ad valorem supplement 
based on the price of the vehicle including the flat rate. ' Both tax treatments lead to imported 
products becoming more expensive than the local products.  
 
EU question 28:  What is the justification for the discrimination on VAT and excise duties between 
imported and locally produced goods? The EU had asked a similar question in the TPR of Guyana in 
2015 regarding VAT rates to which Guyana had replied that the issues was fix ed, however the new 
report shows that this issue persists.  
 
Guyana 's Excise duties on alcohol has changed from an Ad Valorem tax to a specific tax as outline 
in the attachments shared with the WTO and could be found on the Legal Affairs website 
https://officialgazette.gov.gy/images/gazettes -files/Extraordinary -gazette_10feb1613.pdf  
 
In the past (2009 -2010) Guyana had issues regarding incorrect application of VAT on a few tariff 
lines. The error was corrected in 2012 and  has not changed.  
 
3.1.6   Import prohibitions, restrictions, and licensing  
3.1.7   Anti-dumping, countervailing, and safeguard measures  
3.2  Measures Directly Affecting Exports  
3.2.1   Customs procedures and requirements  
 
Paragraph 3.36, page 34: All containers leaving Guyana with ca rgo are scanned.  
 
EU question 29:  What are the fees related to the scanning of outgoing cargos in export and what 
exact costs do these fees cover for?    
 
The scanning of TEU 's for export is done by a private company at the cost of G YD 20,000 
(USD 96.20)  
 
3.2.2   Taxes, charges, and levies  
3.2.3   Export prohibitions, restrictions, and licensing  
 
Paragraph 3.38, page 34:  The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is the only authorized exporter 
of cane sugar. Paragraph 3.76 : GuySuCo holds exclusive rights to export sugar, and is the only 
entity permanently aut horized to import sugar.  
 
EU question 30:  It would appear that GuySuCo is a State Trading Enterprise as it is the only 
authori zed exporter of cane sugar and the only entity permanently authorised to import sugar. Could 
Guyana confirm this assessment?   
 
Yes, only GuySuCo is authorised to export sugar.  
 WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  EU question 31:  According to the WTO website, Guyana has not submitted any notification on State 
Trading Enterprises. When will Guyana fulfil its notification obligation on STEs?   
 
Due to capacity constraints Guyana has not been up to date with some WTO notifications including 
the notifications related to State Trading Enterprises, which remain overdue. The government is 
considering building necessary capacity, including enhanced resources, and training specifically 
dedicated to managing the notifications , in areas where Guyana has been deficient. This will ensure 
that all or most of the notifications are regularly filed, as required . 
 
Paragraph 3.39, page 34 : Certain goods subject to export licensing.  
 
EU question 32 : Could Guyana provide the rationale f or the export licencing of the concerned 
products?  
 
The rationale for export licence requirements under the Trade Act Cap 91:01 is that the export items 
subject to tax are considered controlled items and therefore must be endorsed by the relevant 
regulato ry agencies.  
 
3.2.4   Export support and promotion.  
 
Paragraph 3.41, page 34:  Guyana operates a general scheme to encourage non -traditional exports 
beyond the CARICOM market. The allowance is graduated according to the percentage of sales to 
non-CARICOM countries,  may reduce the amount of payable corporate income tax by 25% to 75%.  
 
EU question 33:  Notwithstanding Annex VII of the SCM Agreement, Guyana 's the tax allowance 
system encouraging exports appears to operate as a subsidy for export. Would Guyana agree with 
this assessment?  
 
No. The tax allowance is not a subsidy because it is across the board.  
 
3.2.5   Export finance, insurance, and guarantees  
3.3  Measures  Affecting Production and Trade  
3.3.1   Incentives  
 
Paragraph 3.46, page 36:  In 2016, Guyana notified the WTO Committee on Subsidies and 
Countervailing Measures that it had taken no action with respect to implementation of subsidies in 
the past year or ever. It ap pears that since 2016 Guyana has not submitted subsidy notification 
under SCM Agreement.  
 
EU question 34:  Will Guyana notify the cash injection to GuySuCo  and Guyana Power and Light in 
accordance with the WTO notification requirements?   
 
Guyana is undertaking to build capacity to enable it to submit the notifications according to her 
obligations.  
 
EU question 35:  Has Guyana granted or be maintaining other subsidies since its last WTO notification 
in 2016?   
 
Guyana is undertaking to build capacity to enable it to submit the notifications according to her 
obligations.  
 
Paragraph 3.53, page 37 : According to the 2021  budget, a National Entrepreneurship and Innovation 
Council is to be established to promote entrepreneurship in Guyana. A draft proposal, including the 
terms of reference, has been prepared. The Council is expected to be established in 2022.  
 
EU question 3 6: Will the new National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Council have also as 
responsibility to promote export -capable Guyanese companies and boost the internationalisation 
capabilities of Guyanese businesses?   
 
The new National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Council will initially be charged with reforming 
the culture of entrepreneurship on the national level. Notwithstanding, as the Council evolves so 
shall the scope of its work.  WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  3.3.2   Standards and other technical requirements  
 
Page 38, paragraph 3.56:  The Secretariat Report notes that a draft standard is advertised in 
newspapers, social media platforms, and letters, and stakeholders and the general public are granted 
60 days to submit comments. Is the request for comments on a draft  standard published in the 
Official Gazette or is there a consistent place where interested stakeholders can look for this 
information?    
 
The Standards for public comments are posted and are available on the GNBS website. The 
advertis ements direct person s to the website. There is a section of the website that is allotted  for 
Standards for public comments. (See gnbsgy.org>Standardisation>Standards for Public 
Comments).  Request for comments are not published in the Official Gazette .   
 
Page 38, paragraph 3.58:   What is the reason that the GNBS Act No. 11 of 1984 is currently under 
review and being updated?  Once updated, will the Act be notified to the WTO TBT Committee under 
Article 15.2?   
 
The reason for the GNBS Act being updated is that it w as done in 1984. Since then, there has been 
an evolution of the operation of a National Standards Bureau, a lot of which was not addressed in 
the current ACT.  
 
The new legislation is expected to be notified to the WTO TBT Committee under Article 15.2 in 
fulfilment of Guyana 's obligations .  
 
Page 40, paragraph 3.62:   The Secretariat Report states that "at the regional level, the CARICOM 
Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) is tasked with establishing and 
harmonizing standards and technical regulations of its members. …It is then up to the relevant 
national institutions to transpose the CARICOM instruments into national standards or technical 
regulations by way of their domestic legal procedures. "    
 
Please explain Guyana 's domesti c legal procedures for implementing CARICOM regulations and 
standards.   
 
The domestic legal procedure is the same as was outlined for national standards. After a standard 
is adopted, it is either voluntary or made mandatory. If mandatory notifications will  be done as 
already outlined.  
 
As part of the Intergovernmental Agreement establishing CROSQ, Member States are obliged to 
adopt regional standards as national standards upon approval by the CROSQ Council and The Council 
for Trade and Economic Development  (COTED).  
 
CARICOM regional standards are by definition voluntary and member countries can choose to not 
implement, implement as a voluntary standard, or implement as a mandatory standard.    
 
Please explain the process by which Guyana chooses to or not to implement.  
 
After a standard is adopted, it is either voluntary or made mandatory. This is determined by current 
government policies.  
 
If Guyana chooses to implement a standard as mandatory, at what stage in the domestic process 
does Guyana notify the meas ure to the WTO TBT Committee?   
 
The notification can be done at either of two stages: 1) at the point when the regional standard is 
at the Enquiry stage, and Guyana is aware of the intention that the standard will be made compulsory 
nationally. 2) if the standard is already adopted by Gu yana, and it is now intended to be made 
compulsory, a notification is made at that Point.   
 
3.3.3   Sanitary and phytosanitary requirements  
3.3.4   Competition policy and price controls  
 
Paragraph 3.71, page 42: Guyana's legislative and institutional framework covering c ompetition and 
consumer protection has remained unchanged since the previous Review.  WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  EU question 37: Does the Competition and Fair Trading Act apply to the courier services sector, and 
if so, to which extent?   
 
Yes, the Competition and Fair Trading Act applies to courier services. The act provides that a 
"business" includes any business of manufacturing, producing, transporting, acquiring, supplying, 
storing, and otherwise dealing in goods for gain or other rewar d and acquiring, supplying and 
otherwise dealing in services for gain or reward. Further, "service" means a service of any description 
whether industrial, trade, professional or otherwise. Thus, based on the definitions provided, the Act 
does apply to the courier service sector. As to the extent to which the Act applies, the Act gives the 
Commission the authority to promote, maintain and encourage competition and enhance economic 
efficiency in production, trade and commerce. Also, prohibit anti -competitive business conduct which 
prevents, restricts or distorts competition or constitutes the abuse of a dominant position in the 
market. Thus, the Commission has the authority to maintain and encourage competition in the sector 
and prohibit anti -competitive busin ess in the sector.  
 
EU question 38:  Could Guyana provide information if it has plans to increase the competition in 
sectors that are very concentrated such as air transport, maritime transport, construction and 
telecommunication?  
 
All economic sectors in Guyana, including these ones named herein are open for investment by any 
foreign or domestic investors, subject to Guyana laws. Accordingly, the Government of Guyana 
invites serious strategic partners with interests to invest in these or any other sectors to approach 
the Guyana Office for I nvestment. The Government would want to see more investors and increased 
competition in these sectors.  
 
Paragraph 3.73, page 42:  The CFTA applies, in principle, to the commercial conduct of state -owned 
enterprises.  
 
EU question 39: S ince the last Review, w as there been any complaint to or investigation by the CCAC 
of a State -trading or State -owned enterprise for infringement of the Competition and Fair Trading 
Act?   
 
No such complaints were received  
 
3.3.4 Competition policy and price controls  
 
Paragraph 3.75 page 43:  Guyana eliminated price controls on most goods and services in the late 
1980s. In the telecommunications sector, the Telecommunications Act stipulates that price should 
be fair and reasonable. Wholesale and retail charges for teleco mmunications services are as a 
general rule determined by the operators themselves. However, the Telecommunications Act 2016 
authorizes the responsible Minister to introduce regulations as necessary to carry out the purposes 
of the Act. The Public Utilitie s Commission may introduce price regulation, including price cap or 
price floor regimes, for specific services to counter anti -competitive or unfair practices among 
telecommunications suppliers.  
 
Question 1 :  Could you tell us if the Public Utilities Commi ssion requests the criteria of the 
competition authority when issuing price regulation policies in the telecommunications sector?  
 
The Commission in its implementation of a Price Regulation Regime or Pricing Policies is guided by 
the Telecommunications Act No. 18 of 2016 and the Telecommunications (Pricing) Regulations 2020.  
The Commission is not required to consult with the competition authority in the setting of prices for 
the telecommunication sector . 
 
Question 2:  Could you clarify whether what is stated in the last sentence implies that in order to 
introduce price regulation there must first be a resolution from the competition authority that proves 
the existence of an anti -competitive practice?   
 
The Commission is responsible for monitoring and regulating competition within the 
telecommunication sector in keeping with the Telecommunications (Competition) Regulations 2020.  
This regulation sets out the criteria or components which may constitute anti -competitive p ractices.   
 WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
- 29 - 
 
  The PUC does not require a resolution from the competition authority to prove the existence of an 
anti-competitive practice. The Caricom Competition Commission 's involvement is only required if the 
"Commission believes that the business conduc t by a telecommunication undertaking located in a 
Caricom Member State prejudices trade or prevents, restricts or distorts competition in Guyana. " 
(Regulations 20 of the Telecommunications (Competition) Regulations 2020.  
 
3.3.5   State trading, state -owned enterprises, and privatization  
3.3.6   Government procurement  
 
Paragraph 3.83, page 45:  The Procurement Act allows procuring entities to accord a 10% preference 
margin to domestic contactors for supplying domestically produced goods. However, it appear s that 
this margin is rarely utilized.  
 
EU question 40:  Could Guyana provide more information in what situations and for what overall 
value of procurement it applies a 10% preference, margin to domestic contractors for supplying 
domestically produced good s? 
 
3.3.7   Intellectual property rights  
 
Paragraph 3.87, page 46:  The Secretariat 's report states that Guyana did not sign or ratify any 
international treaties on intellectual property rights during the review period.  
 
EU question 41:  Could Guyana provide informa tion if there are any concrete plans or specific steps 
taken to accede to such international treaties in the future?  
 
The Government of Guyana is considering acceding to or ratify international intellectual property 
rights treated administered by WIPO, es pecially those that facilitate multiple international 
registration and protection of intellectual property rights in several jurisdictions. Initial discussions 
in this respect are underway and concrete decisions will be made once consensus is achieved.  
  
Paragraph 3.88, page 46:  The Secretariat 's report notes that a draft Copyright Bill is under 
consideration for enactment.  
 
EU question 42:  Could Guyana please provide further details on the status of this bill, in particular 
on the envisaged principal changes to the law and when it may enter into force?    
 
The Copyright Bill remains under consultation as the Government of Guyana endeavours t o build 
consensus and reassure stakeholders that enactment and enforcement of ant copyright legislation 
will not result into social disruption or economic hardship to the citizens. The main aim of the 
anticipated legislation is to make Guyana copyright reg ime be compliant with the WTO TRIP S 
Agreement and at the same time achieve some level of harmoni zation with regional partners.  
 
EU question 43:  Could Guyana provide information if there are any other legislative activities carried 
out concerning intellectual property rights, trade secrets or unfair competition?  
 
Currently there are no active legislative activities regarding intellectual property  rights, trade secrets 
and unfair competition. However, the Government of Guyana considers legislation in these areas 
pertinent and there will be steps include them on the country 's legislative agenda.  
  
Paragraph 3.95, page 47:  According to the Secretariat 's report, the authorities in Guyana act upon 
credible complaints against intellectual property infringements, including when occurring online. No 
criminal cases have been recorded so far.  
 
EU question 44:  Could Guyana clarify if there are any f ixed criteria for the credibility of a complaint?  
 
The criteria for the credibility of a complaint is contained in the relevant provisions of the intellectual 
property rights legislation regarding infringement. The complaint must adduce credible grounds t o 
indicate how his or her intellectual property rights have been infringed upon.  
 
EU question 45:  Could Guyana provide any statistics that are available on intellectual infringements 
dealt with by the civil courts or by the public administration (custom co ntrol, police, etc.)?   WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  In Guyana, per the Trademark Act and its Regulations, applications can be filed in the Commercial 
Registry regarding opposition of Trademarks and to contest a Trademark being the Register to be 
expunged. These applications are eithe r filed before the Registrar to decide which is subject to appeal 
in Court. There have been no instances where there was an appeal from a decision given to date or 
that which engaged the attention of public administration as was explained in the question.  
 
4  TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR  
4.1  Agriculture , Fisheries, and Forestry  
4.1.1   Agriculture  
 
In relation to section 4.1, and paragraphs 2.14 and 3.15 of the Government report : It seems that 
in November 2021, exports of paddy rice from Guyana have been prohibited by the government, 
reportedly due to high domestic rice prices. As a result, existing orders of paddy rice are not being 
respected and consignments have been blocked at ports with significant repercussions for European 
importers. According to Article 12.1(b) of t he WTO Agreement on Agriculture, WTO Members shall, 
before instituting an export prohibition or restriction, give notice in writing, as far in advance as 
practicable, to the Committee on Agriculture comprising such information as the nature and the 
duratio n of such measure. According to paragraph 2 of the same Article, this notification obligation 
also applies to Guyana as a developing country in the present case, since Guyana is a net exporter 
of rice as the specific foodstuff concerned by the export prohi bition.  
 
EU question 46:  Could Guyana explain the reasons for such export prohibition?   
 
There was no export prohibition. Paddy exports were placed on hold to ensure feed availability for 
the livestock industry. It must be noted that rice was still being exported at this time.  
 
EU question 47:  Is Guyana experiencing critical shortage of rice? What are the policy Guidelines for 
possible current and future occurrences of food shortages?    
 
There has been no critical shortage of rice in Guyana. Paddy product ion was reduced due to the 
May/June 2021 floods. Paddy exports were placed on hold to ensure feed availability for the livestock 
industry. In case of decrease in production, Guyana will comply with Article 12.1(b) of the WTO 
agreement in Agriculture.  
 
EU question 48:  What will be the duration of the measure?   
 
Not applicable since the resumption of exports of paddy, became effective as at 2 February  2022.  
 
EU question 49:  When will Guyana notify this measure to the Committee on Agriculture?   
 
Not applicable due to the resumption of exports  
 
4.1.2   Fisheries  
 
Paragraph 4.23, page 51 : fishery licences to foreign applicants are granted based on relevant 
bilateral or multilateral ag reements, with approval from the Minister of Agriculture.  
 
EU question 50:  Could Guyana provide information of the definition of domestic/foreign vessel for 
the purposes of its fishing licencing regime (e.g.  ownership or flag criteria, etc.)? Could Guyana 
provide information on how many licenses were issued for foreign vessels and the licences by foreign 
country? In this context could Guyana provide a list of its bilateral and multilateral fisheries 
agreement s?    
 
Could Guyana provide information of the definition of domestic/foreign vessel for the purposes of its 
fishing licencing regime (e.g. ownership or flag criteria, etc.)?  
 
The Fisheries Act Cap. 71:08 of 2002 provides the following definitions:  
 
Local Fishing Vessel  – means any fishing vessel which is:  
a. wholly owned by the State or by a public corporation established by or under the law of 
Guyana;  
b. wholly owned by one or mor e natural persons who are citizens of Guyana;  WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  c. wholly owned by a local fishing company or a fishers ' cooperative society, fishers ' 
association or other such society of persons established under the laws of Guyana  
 
Foreign Fishing Vessel  – means any fishing  vessel other than a local fishing vessel  
 
Cap. 71.08 Fisheries.pdf (mola.gov.gy)  
 
Could Guyana provide information on how many licenses were issued for foreign vessels an d the 
licences by foreign country?  
 
Foreign fishing vessels operating in Guyana are Venezuelan and are contracted by various companies 
to land their catch in Guyana. Currently one company is actively operating and is permitted to license 
20 Venezuelan vess els annually.  
 
In this context could Guyana provide a list of its bilateral and multilateral fisheries agreements?  
 
Guyana currently does not have any bilateral nor multilateral fisheries agreement.  
 
Paragraph 4.24, page 51:  The Fisheries Department, among others, is in charge of conducting 
enforcement and surveillance activities of fishing vessels and activities within Guyana's EEZ, 
monitoring the fishing fleet's compliance with licence conditions, monitoring and conciliatin g 
complaints and disputes.  
 
EU question 51:  Could Guyana provide more information on how many cases of non -compliance the 
Fisheries Department identified, and of these how many were artisanal fishers and how many were 
foreign vessels?   
 
Total level of compliance by local vessels in relation to lic ensing between 2009 -2020 averaged 42%: 
Average compliant vessels  
Industrial – 100%  
Artisanal – 52% 
Semi-industrial – 59% (note some registered vessels during the period were not operable).  
Foreign Vessel Licence compliance is 100%.  
Compliance by Industrial  Vessels in relation to the Turtle Excluder Device (TED) between 2016 – 
2021 has averaged a TED Technical Compliance Rate  (TTCR) 90.6%. Note: The TTCR record 
stared in 2016, where Guyana score 64.5% from an inspection by the National 
Atmospheric and Oceani c Administration (NOAA). Since the initial inspection Guyana has 
scored 96.9%  
 
Paragraph 4.26, page 51:  Guyana grants tax exemptions to assist the industry. Certain fishing inputs 
are zero -rated under the VAT Act: ice for fishing purposes, fishing nets, fi shhooks, sheet lead, fishing 
floats, cotton, and polystyrene for use in the fishing industry. In addition, under the Customs 
(Amendment) Act, fishing boats, spare parts and equipment for fishing boats, and fishing equipment 
for use in the fishing industry are exempt from customs duties. The authorities state that there is 
no government assistance to the fishing industry in the form of grants and loans.  
 
EU question 52:  Considering that some of the tax exemptions target the fishing sector, would Guyana 
consider that these are not government assistance? Would Guyana consider that these targeted tax 
exemptions are not subsidies in the meaning of the SCM Agreement?  
 
These tax exemptions are Government Assistance. These tax exemptions occur across the 
Agriculture sector and this happens in other sectors  
 
4.1.3   Forestry  
 
Section 4.1.3, paragraphs 4.28 -35, page 52:  
 
EU question 53:  How will government of Guyana ensure the financial sustainability of the FLEGT 
licensing scheme once operationalised in 2026, considering the absence of a national budget line or 
subsidies for the Guyana forestry commission and once donor funding expires?    WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  EU FLGT has been identified as a priority areas for forest sector development in Guyana 's LCDS 
2030. It is intended that financing from Guyana 's engagement in the forest carbon market will go 
towards supporting EU FLEGT programme of work.   
 
EU question  54: What systems are in place to monitor and address non -equitable conditions of some 
groups of workers in the forestry supply chain?  
 
The Ministry of Labour has a general labour inspection system that is responsible for monitoring 
conditions of work and employment, occupational safety and health standards, and labour relations. 
The fundamental function of the Ministry 's inspection system is to secure compliance with the 
provision of the applicable labour laws. Importantly, the system is contrived to e ffectuate the 
functions of enforcement and advisory services which are complementary. Sanctions are also 
considered as a means of action such as preventative measures, promoting and enforcing 
compliance with the laws. This system applies to all workers in Guyana.  
 
The Ministry of Labour has partnered with the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and the said 
partnership has been supportive of the Guyana -EU Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade 
Voluntary Partnership Agreement (FLEGT VPA) and is presently in its Pre -Implementation Phase.  
 
The Ministry will continue to work with the GFC and the National Technical Working Group (NTWG) 
under the FLEGT VPA to ensure its system and activities are adequate to monitor and address 
conditions of work in the forestr y supply chain. To this end, notwithstanding the said partnership, 
the Ministry will endeavour to conduct a series of inspections, host seminars and sensitization 
sessions on conditions of work with both the employers and workers in the forestry sector.  
 
The following legislations give credence to our inspection system are:  
1. Labour (Conditions of Employment of Certain Workers) Act Chapter 99:03.  
2. Labour Act, Cap 98:01.  
3. Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act, No 19 of 1997  
4. Occupationa l Safety and Health Act No. 32 0f 1997  
5. Prevention of Discrimination Act No. 26 of 1997  
6. Employment of Young Persons and Act Cap 99:01, 1933  
7. Leave with Pay Act, Cap 99:02  
8.Labour (National Minimum Wage) Order 2016  
 
4.2  Mining  
 
Paragraph 4.38, page 53:  Under the Mining Act, small and medium -scale operations are restricted 
to Guyanese citizens, although medium -scale joint ventures with foreign companies are permitted. 
Only foreign companies may be granted prospecting, mining, and quarry licences for large -scale 
operations However, under the CARIFORUM -EU EPA, Guyana committed to ensure full market access 
and national treatment for mode 3 "commercial presence " with respect to "services incidental to 
mining ".  
 
EU question 55: Could Guyana explain ho w the above restriction under the Mining Act is compatible 
with its 'mode 3 ' commitment in the "services incidental to mining " sector under the EPA?  
 
While the Government of Guyana acknowledges that small and medium – scale mining operations 
are restricted to Guyanese citizens and that joint venture with foreign companies are also permitted 
in medium – scale mining, market access in Mode 3 relating to s ervices incidental to mining is also 
allowed. It is not expected for EU service suppliers to seek to establish in Guyana to provide services 
incidental to small scale mining, that is reserved for Guyanese. They may, however, be allowed 
under Mode 3 to ente r joint ventures in medium - scale mining operations.  
 
4.3  Energy  
4.3.1   Petroleum  
 
Paragraph 4.46, page 54:  The production of oil, which used to be non -existent, began in 
December  2019 after the discovery of offshore oil wells in 2015.  
 
EU question 56 : As Guyana is becoming a sizeable petroleum producer, does Guyana intend to sign 
'The Guiding Principles for Durable Extractive Contracts ' developed b by the OECD?   WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  Guyana is a member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). We will continuously 
seek to improve on the accountability and transparency of the extractive sectors.   
 
EU question 57:  Does Guyana plan to develop oil refining infrastructur e?   
 
Developing a refinery in Guyana would have to be done on a modular scale for expansion and on 
the defined outputs. In addition, such projects are encouraged to eb financed and developed from 
private investors.  
 
4.4  Manufacturing  
4.5  Services  
4.5.1   Main features  
 
Paragraphs  4.75-4.77, page 59:  
 
EU question  58: Has Guyana implemented all its services commitments under the CARIFORUM -EU 
EPA? If it is not the case for some sectors, what is the reason and what steps are being undertaken 
to remedy the situation?  
 
While Guyana has been provisionally implementing provisions of the CARIFORUM –EU Economic 
Partnership Agreement, not all relevant legislation to domesticate all its provisions, including those 
related to services commitments has been enacted. It should be n oted however, that the 
Government of Guyana is always conscious of its obligations and commitments under the Agreement 
and no EU service provider seeking to ply their trade in Guyana has been or will be prejudiced for 
lack of legislation. Any EU service pr oviders are allowed into the country if they satisfy the EPA 
provisions. Relevant legislation is expected to be enacted in due course.  
 
EU question 59 : Can Guyana provide information on the conditions of entry and authorisation 
process for contractual serv ice suppliers and independent professionals from the EU to provide 
services into its territory?  
 
Contractual service suppliers and independent professionals from EU to ply their service in Guyana 
are treated in accordance with EPA provisions, once it is e stablished that they seek to offer their 
service pursuant to that Agreement.  
  
EU question 60:  Does Guyana apply a universal service requirement in the courier sector, and do 
any licensing requirements exist in that respect?  
 
The universal service requirement in the courier sector is not being strictly applied in the courier 
sector.  
 
4.5.2   Financial ser vices  
4.5.2.1   Banking  
4.5.2.2   Insurance  
4.5.2.3   Securities  
4.5.3   Telecommunications  
 
Paragraph 4.115 page 65:  
 
EU question 61: Under the new legislation, what are the conditions to obtain a licence to provide 
fixed and/or mobile services and/or to operate a submarine cable, such as the one granted "E-
Networks Inc. " In case of denial to obtain such license, is the applicant able t o see recourse before 
an independent appeal body?   
 
There are no "conditions " per se. Regulation 22(4) lists a number of factors that the Minister must 
consider in deciding whether to grant a licence. Additionally, the Minister may exercise the discretion  
to require that a licensee be incorporated in the jurisdiction and after a consultative process the 
Minister may decide to limit the number of licences or authorisations to be issued.   
 
There is no specialized tribunal to challenge/appeal a denial of lice nce however the Act imposes an 
obligation on the Minister to provide written reasons within a prescribed time after making a WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
- 34 - 
 
  determination for denial.   Thereafter challenges to determinations of the Minister would lie by way 
of judicial review.  
 
EU question 62: How does the Telecommunications (Competition) Regulations 2020 ensure that 
Guyana 's major suppliers in various market segments to not enter in anti -competitive practices?   
 
The Telecommunications (Competition) Regulations 2020 is applicabl e to the telecommunications 
sector in Guyana.  This regulation spells out the criteria for the determination of dominance or joint 
dominance in the sector, the components which constitute anti -competitive practices and abuse of 
dominant position.  
 
Regulati ons 6 of the Telecommunications (Competition) Regulations 2020, enables the Commission 
to: 
a) determine and declare which telecommunications undertakings are dominant or jointly 
dominant in any markets  
b) declare conduct and agreements to be anti -competitive or an abuse of a dominant position  
c) order the termination of any anti -competitive agreement  
d) prohibit the making or carrying out of any agreement that is, or would be, in violation of the 
Act or these Regulations  
e) prohibit the attachment of supplemental conditio ns to any transaction or agreement that is, 
or would be, in violation of the Act of these Regulations  
f) prohibit discrimination or preferences in prices and related matters  
g) other telecommunications undertakings to cease or desist from any form of conduct tha t has 
or is likely to have as its object or effect the lessening of competition; and  
h) take any other action that it considers necessary to prevent or halt anti -competitive conduct, 
including abuse of a dominant position, or otherwise to accomplish the objec ts of these 
Regulations.  
 
Paragraph 4.115 page 65:  
 
EU question 63: What is the level of progress towards the implementation of the new price regulation 
regime?  
 
The Commission has engaged the services of a consultant to advise on the most appropriate price 
regulations regime for the telecommunications sector. The consultancy is still in the preliminary 
stages, and based on the recommendations by the Consultant, th e Commission will then determine 
the way forward.  
 
Paragraph 4.121 page 65:  
 
EU question 64: How does Guyana ensure, through the Telecommunications (Interconnection) 
Regulations 2020, the interconnection to the GT&T network is based on non -discriminatory  terms, 
conditions and rates that are transparent, reasonable and unbundled from payments for other 
network components or facilities?  
 
The Commission is mandated by Regulations 14 (9) of the Telecommunications (Interconnection) 
Regulations 2020 which stipulates that "parties to an interconnection agreement or access 
agreement shall negotiate in good faith to reach agreement on the terms and conditions for 
interconnection or access and submit t he prosed agreement to the Commission…. ". 
 
The Commission as the oversight body, is responsible for approving such agreement(s). The 
Regulations outline the general, technical and financial conditions which are to be contained in the 
Agreement.  In additio n, as the dominant operator, GT&T is required to submit to the Commission 
for approval its Reference Interconnection Offers which contains at a minimum its general, technical, 
and financial offerings for interconnection.   
This document is available to the  public on the company 's website  
(https://www.gtt.co.gy/sites/default/files/Reference%20Interconnection%20Offer%20for%20Mobil
e%20Servic es.pdf )  
 
Regulations 18 of the Telecommunications (Interconnection and Access) Regulations 2020 stipulates 
those prices for interconnection and access are to be set on a disaggregated, unbundled and 
cost-oriented basis. In this instance, prices for int erconnection and access are to be determined WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  using the long -run incremental cost model and the Commission is responsible for the development 
of this cost model.  
 
EU question 65 : Do the Telecommunications (Interconnection) Regulations 2020, or any other act, 
grant recourse to an independent domestic body to resolve disputes regarding terms, conditions and 
rates for interconnections?   
 
Regulations 19 of the Telecommunications (Int erconnection) Regulations 2020 mandates the Public 
Utilities Commission as the body to resolve disputes as it relates to the terms, conditions, and rates 
for interconnections . 
 
4.5.4   Transport  
4.5.5   Tourism  
 
Paragraph 4.148 page 71:  
 
EU question 66:  What will be the main provisions underpinning the new regulatory measures for 
the tourism sector, especially with regard to licensing?   
 
The new regulatory framework will make provisions for three new categories of businesses, namely -  
1) Tour Outfitters   
2) Destination Management Companies  
3) Experiential Travel  
*Tour Outfitters * - a business that employs guides to conduct trips.  
Destination Management Companies - these businesses are involved in planning and organizing trips, 
conduct product development and assist hotels, restaurants and transportation providers.  
Experiential Travel - experience providers that package homestays, i n home dining, immersive and 
community based experiences.  
 
  WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  EUROPEAN UNION – FOLLOW -UP QUESTIONS  
WT/TPR/S/422 – WTO Secretariat report  
 
Paragraph 2.24, page 22:  
 
EU question 19:  Could Guyana give some concrete examples what it has done to improve the 
business environment?   
 
ANSWER:  "The following are examples of what was implemented and what are still ongoing to 
improve the business environment:  
(1) Developed Websites for the L and, Deeds, and Commercial Registry (2018)  
(2) Passage of the National Payment System Bill (June 2018)  
(3) Digitization of the Land, Deeds, and Commercial Registry (Ongoing)  
(4) Implementing a Single Window System for Trade (ongoing since 2017)  
[…] 
 
EU follow up question : Could Guyana explain how it is implementing the Single Window System 
for Trade, what is the state of play of that initiative, and what challenges (if any) stand in the way 
for the system to become operational ?  
 
The Single Window Pr oject is currently in the initial stages of assessment, a vendor has been located 
with plans of an official meeting with the all parties to be involved with the project.  
Challenges: currently we foresee  the need to upgrade the infostructure (information T echnology) 
to make the operation to transition smoothly as the project rolls out.   
 
Paragraph 3.13, page 28:  
 
EU question 24 : Could Guyana set out the process and timeline to bring its applied tariff in 
compliance with to its bound rates?   
 
ANSWER:  This is expected to be addressed in the publication of the HS 2022 with rates already 
approved. The process was delayed due to parliamentary process.  
The timeline is expected to be completed by July 2022  
 
EU follow up question : Could Guyana confirm that the HS 2022 transposition process will cover 
as well updating the Market Access Offer under the EU -CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement 
to HS2022 and that this process will cover as well updating all applied EPA preferential rates?  
 
The EPA rates will not be affected however as we are currently transposition rates applied in the HS 
2017 to HS 2022 will be completed at implementation of HS 2022, However the 356 amendment to 
the HS 2017 to HS 2022 is expected to be completed by last quarter of 2022  
 
Paragrap hs 3.11 – 3.20 pages 26 -30:  
 
EU question 26:  How does Guyana make public its currently applied tariff rates, including those 
applied under preferential schemes, such as the CARIFORUM -EU EPA? If these tariffs are not 
available via electronic or interned -based media, does Guyana plan to implement such transparency 
measure?   
 
ANSWER:  Guyana currently provides access to the Applied Tariff via the department's website 
(https://www.gra.gov.gy/the -national -tariff-2011/  ) that also covers the EPA over the duration of 
the agreement.  
 
EU follow up question : Tariffs publication on the website refers to MFN rates in  HS 2017 and it 
seems not to cover EPA preferential rates. Could Guyana specify where the currently applied 
preferential rates under EPA could be verified by the EU operators for specific tariff lines?  
 
The HS published in 2011 as provided by the link outl ines a Table  
 WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
- 37 - 
 
  Paragraph 3.17, page 29:   
 
EU question 27:  At present, what is the share of EU imports (in value and number of tariff lines) 
effectively liberalised by Guyana under the CARIFORUM -EU EPA?  
 
ANSWER : As of 2022 the tariff lines completely liberalised 5119 (4074 Tariff lines are liberalized to 
a rate o f zero noting that 1045 are excluded items).  
 
EU follow up question:  Could Guyana specify what this number of lines represents in terms of 
share (in %) of the total tariff lines, and also provide the same share (in %) in terms of current 
value of trade lib eralised (i.e. share of the value of EU imports liberalised in the total value of imports 
from EU in the most recent available year).  
 
Paragraph 3.26 and 3.27, page 31:  
 
EU question 28:  What is the justification for the discrimination on VAT and excise du ties between 
imported and locally produced goods? The EU had asked a similar question in the TPR of Guyana in 
2015 regarding VAT rates to which Guyana had replied that the issues was fixed, however the new 
report shows that this issue persists.  
 
ANSWER:  Guyana's Excise duties on alcohol has changed from an Ad Valorem tax to a specific tax 
as outline in the attachments shared with the WTO and could be found on the Legal Affairs website 
https://officialgazette.gov.gy/images/gazettes -files/Extraordinary -gazette_10feb1613.pdf  
In the past (2009 -2010) Guyana had issues regarding incorrect application of "Environment Levy " 
on a few tariff lines. The error was corrected in 2012.  
 
EU follow up questions :  
• Could Guyana clarify if the amendment to the excise tax regulation published in the Official 
Gazette on 10 February 2016 (link in Guyana's reply) means that there is no longer 
discrimination between any imported  and local products?   
 
There was never any discrimination between local and import products as it relates to the application 
of VAT and Excise Tax.  
 
• Is there any difference for any product between the applicable tax rates for imports from 
CARICOM and imports from other sources?  
 
The items imported from CARICOM (with Origin Certificate) will be eligible for a duty exemption once 
the condition of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas is met.  
 
• Following the information provided by Guyana's answer, could Guyana clarify how the 
incorrect application of VAT was corrected in 2012?  
 
It was an error in the application of the "Environment Levy of the importation plastic bottle and not 
VAT. This occurr ed in 2009 when the application of the then "Environmental Levy" was only applied 
to imports and thus became inadvertently discriminatory. The tax was then removed and reviewed 
and later reimplemented to be applicable to both import and local production.  
 
  WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
- 38 - 
 
  COSTA RICA  
A. Informe de la Secretaría  
 
Página 42, párrafo 3.73  
 
3.73. The CFTA applies, in principle, to the commercial conduct of state -owned enterprises. However, 
although the Act also extends to public utilities, Section 4 of the CFTA stipulates that t he CCAC must 
consult with the Public Utilities Commission before exercising its functions in relation to their 
activities. The Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce also has the authority to exempt certain 
actions or businesses from the CFTA, although  this authority has so far never been used.  
 
Preguntas:  
 
• ¿Podrían ampliar respecto a si la consulta de la CCAC a la Comisión de Servicios Públicos se 
realiza para poder iniciar el procedimiento de investigación, o sobre las medidas que la CCAC 
considere necesario imponer?  
• ¿Podrían indicarnos si lo que indique la Comisión de Servicios Públicos como respuesta a la 
CCAC es de carácter vinculante, o si la CCAC tiene la posibilidad de apartarse del criterio de 
la Comisión de Servicios Públicos?  
• ¿Podrían indicarnos si la potestad del Ministerio de Turismo, Industria y Comercio para 
exceptuar actos o sectores de la aplicación de la aplicación de la CFTA requiere el 
cumplimiento de ciertos requisitos, o justificar su decisión de acuerdo con ciertos criterios? 
De ser así, ¿podrían indicarnos cuáles serían estos criterios que debe seguir el Ministerio?  
 
Página 43, párrafo 3.75  
 
3.75. Guyana eliminated price controls on most goods and services in the late 1980s. In the 
telecommunications sector, the Tel ecommunications Act stipulates that prices should be fair and 
reasonable. Wholesale and retail charges for telecommunications services are as a general rule 
determined by the operators themselves. However, the Public Utilities Act authorizes the responsibl e 
Minister to introduce regulations as necessary to carry out the purposes of the Act. The Public Utilities 
Commission may introduce price regulation, including price cap or price floor regimes, for specific 
services to counter anti -competitive or unfair p ractices among telecommunications suppliers.36  
 
Preguntas:  
 
• ¿Podrían indicarnos si la Comisión de Servicios Públicos solicita el criterio de la autoridad de 
competencia a la hora de emitir políticas de regulación de precios en el sector de 
telecomunicacio nes?  
• ¿Podrían aclarar si lo indicado en la última oración implica que para introducir la regulación 
de precios debe existir previamente una resolución de la autoridad de competencia que 
compruebe la existencia de una práctica anticompetitiva?  
 
B. Informe de Gobierno  
 
No hay preguntas para este informe.  
 
ENGLISH TRANSLATION  
 
A. Report of the Secretariat  
 
Page 42, paragraph 3.73  
 
3.73. The CFTA applies, in principle, to the commercial conduct of state -owned enterprises. However, 
although the Act also extends to public utilities, Section 4 of the CFTA stipulates that the CCAC must 
consult with the Public Utilities Commission before exercising its functions in relation to their 
activities. The Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce also has the authority to exempt certain 
actions or businesses from the CFTA, although this authority has so far never been used.  
 WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
- 39 - 
 
  Questions:  
 
• Could you elaborate on whether the consultation of the CCAC with the Public Services 
Commission is carried  out in order to initiate the investigation procedure, or on the measures 
that the CCAC considers necessary to impose?   
 
The consultation is carried out in order to initiate the investigation procedures. The Act provides that 
before the Commission e xercises its functions (which includes reviewing commercial activities, 
conducting investigations and enquiries and taking the necessary actions) in relation to such 
activities, it shall consult the Public Utilities Commission.  
 
• Could you tell us if what t he Public Utilities Commission says in response to the CCAC is 
binding, or if the CCAC has the ability to deviate from the Public Utilities Commission's 
judgment?   
 
While The Act provides that the Commission must consult the Public Utilities Commission, however 
it is silent as to whether the Public Utilities Commission's response is binding.  
 
• Could you tell us if the power of the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce to exempt 
acts or sectors from the application of the CFTA requires comp liance with certain 
requirements, or justify its decision according to certain criteria? If so, could you tell us what 
these criteria should be followed by the Ministry?   
 
The Act provides that any such other business or activities the Minister declares t he Act won 't apply 
to, the Commission must be in agreement with it.  
 
Page 43, paragraph 3.75  
 
3.75. Guyana eliminated price controls on most goods and services in the late 1980s. In the 
telecommunications sector, the Telecommunications Act stipulates that prices should be fair and 
reasonable. Wholesale and retail charges for telecommunications serv ices are as a general rule 
determined by the operators themselves. However, the Public Utilities Act authorizes the responsible 
Minister to introduce regulations as necessary to carry out the purposes of the Act. The Public Utilities 
Commission may introdu ce price regulation, including price cap or price floor regimes, for specific 
services to counter anti -competitive or unfair practices among telecommunications suppliers.36  
 
Questions:  
 
• Could you tell us if the Public Services Commission requests the crite ria of the competition 
authority when issuing price regulation policies in the telecommunications sector?   
 
No, it does not require the Competition Commission's authority.  
 
• Could you clarify whether what is stated in the last sentence implies that in orde r to introduce 
price regulation there must first be a resolution from the competition authority that proves 
the existence of an anti -competitive practice?    
 
No, there is no requirement that the Public Utilities Commission requires a resolution from the 
Competition Commission first.  
 
B. Government Report  
 
There are no questions for this report.  
 
  WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
- 40 - 
 
  BRAZIL  
PART I:  QUESTIONS REGARDING THE SECRETARIAT REPORT  
 
2 TRADE AND INVESTMENT REGIMES  
 
Page 20 (Para 2.14)  
 
As it is stated by the report of the Secretariat, "Notifications concerning, inter alia, customs 
valuation, import licensing, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, state trading, and agriculture 
remain overdue ". 
Questions : 
 
1. What actions have been taken to c atch up on these overdue notifications, specially on 
the cases of DS:1, which have not been submitted for the last 17 years?   
 
During the reporting period Guyana filed some key notifications with WTO and reduced the backlog 
that had previously existed. However, due to capacity constraints some other notifications have not 
been attended to over the years. Indeed, as observed in the  report "notifications concerning, inter 
alia, customs valuation, import licensing, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, state trading, and 
agriculture remain overdue. " The government is committed to make notifications in accordance with 
the various WTO ag reements. To this end, the government is considering building necessary 
capacity, including enhanced resources, and training specifically dedicated to managing the 
notifications, in the said areas where Guyana has been deficient and also ensure that all ot her 
notifications are regularly filed .  
 
2. When can Members expect Guyana 's overdue notifications to be submitted?   
 
The Government of Guyana shall undertake to file all WTO notifications regularly as is required after 
the necessary capacity has been attain ed during the next reporting period.  
 
3 TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
 
Page 33 (Para 3.33)  
 
The legislation governing anti -dumping, countervailing, or safeguard procedures are currently 
being drafted in Guyana.  
 
Questions:  
 
3. To what extent are you taking into account the competition policy repercussion of these 
measures?   
 
The draft anti -dumping  bill, subsidies & countervailing duties bill and the safeguard measures bill 
were crafted using WTO model law texts, as well as existing legislation from some regional countries 
with trade interests like Guyana. The competition policy implications and rep ercussions of the 
measures are expected to be addressed and managed under the legislation dealing with competition 
matters. This legislation is already in force in Guyana and being implemented by the responsible 
agency, the Competition and Consumer Affairs  Commission. The provisions of the draft bills do not 
seek to interfere with or impede fair trade by restricting competition on the market using the relevant 
trade defence measures.  
 
4. Are you considering creating a public interest group to analyse these issues?   
 
As part of enacting legislation in Guyana, public consultation is usually undertaken to discuss the bill 
being enacted, and the outcome of such consultations is considered whe n the legislation is being 
finalised. All interested stakeholders are free to participate in the consultations before the legislation 
is passed by parliament. Accordingly, in accordance with this process, the public interest group would 
have opportunity to  analyse and contribute to the issues related to the draft bills.  
 WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
- 41 - 
 
  Page 41 (Para 3.65)  
 
Questions : 
 
5. On which internal laws and regulations do the authorities of Guyana base the analysis 
and the definition of requirements for international sanitary certific ates of imported 
products of animal origin?   
 
• The Food and Drug Act Chapter 34:03 Section 32:2 and the Food and Drug  Regulations 13  . 
• The Animal Health Act, Act No. 7 of 2011.  
• The Guyana Livestock Development Authority Act, Act No. 1 of 2010 . 
 
6. On average, how long does it take for the authorities of Guyana to analyse and react to 
a model of international sanitary certificate proposed by an exporting Member?   
 
On average it takes twelve (12) to seventy -two (72) hours  to analyse and react to an international 
certificate . 
 
Page 41 (Para 3.67)  
 
Questions : 
 
7. On which internal laws and regulations do the authorities of Guyana base the analysis 
and the definition of requirements for international sanitary certificates of imported 
products of plant origin?   
 
The Plant Protection Act , Act No.  9 of 2011. And Adopt ion by Guyana of ISPMs for Pest Risk 
Assessment (ISPMs 2, 4 and 11).  
 
8. On which internal law and regulations do the authorities of Guyana base the 
phytosanitary requirements  for the import of seedlings and plant seeds?    
 
The Plant Protection Act, Act No. 9 of 2011 and The Seeds Act.  
 
9. In terms of phytosanitary internal requirements and procedures, what are the steps and 
deadlines necessary for a Member to export seedlings and plant seeds to Guyana?   
 
The steps are as listed below:  
1. Registration of applicant   
2. Submission of Phytosanitary Import Application form to NPPO by applicant.  
3. PRA may be required depending on first time importation of a particular commodity or 
importing for the first time from a country.  
Import Permit is processed and granted  
 
Page 42 (Para 3.73)  
 
The report mentions that the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce has authority to exempt 
certain actions or businesses from the Competition and Fair Trade Act (CFTA), although this authority 
has so far never been used.    
 
Question:  
 
10. Have you ever considered studying the possible side effects of this provision in terms of 
investments? If so, what have been the conclusions?   
 
In the future, the Commission may examine the possible side effects of this provision and its impact. 
Currently this has not b een done.  
  
  WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
- 42 - 
 
  UNITED STATES  
Part I.  Questions based on the Secretariat Report (WT/TPR/S/422)  
 
3 TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.1 Measures Directly Affecting Imports  
3.1.1 Customs procedures, valuation, and requirements  
3.1.1.2 Customs valuation  
 
Page 25, paragraph 3.7: We request that Guyana submit the national legislation which implements 
the WTO Customs Valuation Agreement including interpretive notes and replies to the Checklist of 
Issues to the WTO Secretariat before the next WTO Co mmittee on Customs Valuation meeting.  
 
Guyana will endeavour to submit the relevant legislation and other information requested as soon 
as is practically possible.  
 
3.1.6 Import prohibition, restrictions, and licensing  
 
Page 32, paragraph 3.31: The Secretariat Report  notes that Guyana has not completed the Annual 
Questionnaire for the WTO Committee on Import Licensing since 2003. When does Guyana intend 
to submit this required Annual Questionnaire to fulfill their transpa rency obligations?  
 
The Government of Guyana intends to enhance its capacity in order to fulfil all notification obligations 
that are currently overdue, including the Annual Questionnaire for the WTO Committee on Import 
Licencing.  
 
Page 33, paragraph 3.32 : What are the requirements and procedures for an endorsement, which 
is required to submit an import licensing application?  
 
The following are the procedures for acquiring an import license from the Ministry of Tourism, 
Industry, and Commerce:   
- The import application forms must be completed in triplicate (legal sheet)  
-  The application must be endorsed by the relevant trade regulatory agencies (e.g. food and 
medical items must be endorsed by the Government Analyst – Food and Drug Department, 
arms an d ammunition – Commissioner of Police and Ministry of Home Affairs, inter alia ) 
(The requirements for these endorsements are articulated below)   
 
Page 33, paragraph 3.32, and Table 3.6:   The Secretariat Report provides information about 
letters of endorsem ent or non -objection to importation that are required before import licenses can 
be obtained for certain goods. Please explain the criteria that each government agency listed in the 
second column of table 3.6 applies when deciding whether to provide a lett er of endorsement for an 
import license application for the following goods that appear in the first column of table 3.6: oils 
and fats; meat, fresh, chilled or frozen; edible offal; live plants or parts, cut flowers, fresh and dried 
fruits, vegetables, et c.; wheat or meslin flour; sugar; and rice.  
 
Government Agency  Item  Instrument  Eligibility Criteria  
GA-FDD Drugs  Permit  Name of Company/Person, Approved 
Quantity, Item Description  
  Food Permit  Name of Company/Person, Approved 
Quantity, Item Description  
GUYSUCO  Food-Sugar  Permit  Expiration Date, Approved Quantity and 
Item Description, Name of 
Company/Person  
GLDA  Food- Chilled or 
Frozen Meat  Permit  Approved Quantity, Name of 
Company/Person  
Pesticide and Toxic Board  Fertilizers/ 
Chemicals  Permit  Name of Company/Person, Approved 
Quantity and Item Description, Expiration 
Date 
Guyana Gold Board  Gold Permit  Name of Company/Person, Approved 
Quantity, Royalties    
Guyana Geology and 
Mines Commission  Diamond  Permit  Name of Company/Perso n, Approved 
Quantity  
Each agency issues permits, or no objections based on their specific Acts.  WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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3.2 Measures Directly Affecting Exports  
3.2.4 Export support and promotion  
 
Pages 35, paragraph 3.42: We request that Guyana submit a subsidies notification pursuant to 
Article 25 of the SCM Agreement with regard to the subsidy program mentioned in the Secretariat 
Report in paragraph 3.42 regarding the reduction of corporate income tax to encourage non -
traditional exports  
 
Guyana will be submitting the relevant notifications as soon as it is practically possible.  
 
3.3 Measures Affecting Production and Trade  
3.3.1 Incentives  
 
Pages 37, paragraph 3.49: We request that Guyana submit a subsidies notification pu rsuant to 
Article 25 of the SCM Agreement with regard to the subsidy program mentioned in the Secretariat 
Report in paragraph 3.49 regarding the exemptions of corporate income tax to encourage 
"non-traditional " economic activities.  
 
Guyana will be submitting the relevant notifications as soon as it is practically possible.  
 
3.3.2 Standards and other technical requirements  
 
Page 38, paragraph 3.56:  The Secretariat Report notes that a draft standard is advertised in 
newspapers, social media platforms,  and letters, and stakeholders and the general public are granted 
60 days to submit comments. Is the request for comments on a draft standard published in the 
Official Gazette or is there a consistent place where interested stakeholders can look for this 
information?  
 
The Standards for public comments are posted and are available on the GNBS website. The 
advertisements  direct persons to the website. There is a section of the website that is alotted for 
Standards for public comments. (See gnbsgy.org>Standardisation>Standards for Public 
Comments). Request for comments are not published in the Official Gazette. " 
 
Page 38, paragraph 3.58:  What is the reason that the GNBS Act No. 11 of 1984 is currently under 
review and being updated?  Once updated, will the Act be notified to the WTO TBT Committee under 
Article 15.2?   
 
The reason for the GNBS Act being updated is that it wa s done in 1984. Since then, there has been 
an evolution of the operation of a National Standards Bureau, alot of which was not addressed in 
the current ACT.  
 
The new legislation is expected to be notified to the WTO TBT Committee in accordance with 
Guyana 's obligations.  
 
Page 40, paragraph 3.62:  The Secretariat Report states that  "at the regional level, the CARICOM 
Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) is tasked with establishing and 
harmonizing standards and technical regulations  of its members. …It is then up to the relevant 
national institutions to transpose the CARICOM instruments into national standards or technical 
regulations by way of their domestic legal procedures. "   
 
• Please explain Guyana 's domestic legal procedures for  implementing CARICOM regulations 
and standards.   
 
The domestic legal procedure is the same as was outlined for national standards. After a standard 
is adopted, it is either voluntary or made mandatory. If mandatory notifications will be done as 
already ou tlined.  
 
As part of the Intergovernmental Agreement establishing CROSQ, Member States are obliged to 
adopt regional standards as national standards upon approval by the CROSQ Council and The Council 
for Trade and Economic Development (COTED).  
 WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  CARICOM regional standards are by definition voluntary and member countries can choose to not 
implement, implement as a voluntary standard, or implement as a mandatory standard.    
 
• Please explain the process by which Guyana chooses to or not to implement.  
 
After a standard is adopted, it is either voluntary or made mandatory. This is determined by current 
government policies.  
 
If Guyana chooses to implement a standard as mandatory, at what stage in the domestic process 
does Guyana notify the measure to the WTO TBT Committee?   
 
The notification can be done at either of two stages: 1) at the point when the regional standard is 
at the Enquiry stage, and Guyana is aware of the intention that the standard will be made compulsory 
nationally. 2) if the standard is already adopted by Guyana, and it is now intended to be made 
compulsory, a notification is made at that Point.  
 
3.3.3 Sanitary and phytosanitary requirements  
 
Page 41, paragraph 3.63, and footnote 32:  
 
• How does Guyana define "genetically modified organism "?  
 
The draft review of the legislation defines GMO as "an organism except human beings in which the 
genetic material has been altered or deliberately manipulated by recombination technology. " The 
current Regulations does not reference GMO but the Guyana Food Safety Agency refers to the CODEX 
Alimentarius for guidance.  
 
• Does Guyana plan to develop legislation or regulations regarding import or cultivation of 
genetically engineered products?  
 
Yes. However, there are no specific requirements or guidelines for labelling etc.   
 
• What regulations governing the labelling of "genetically modified " foods are under 
consideration by the Food and Drug Department? What is the timeline for development of 
these regulations?    
 
This is yet to be defined; hopefully it will be discussed before or during the public consultations. 
Timeline: 6 months  
 
Page 41, Paragraph 3.66, and Table 3.11:    The United States notes that "citrus material from 
the United States " is listed as a prohibited item for SPS reasons.   However, the restriction dates 
back to 1937.  Please explain the basis for Guyana restricting citrus material from the United States 
and provide us with the relevant regulation.   
 
Guyana restricts bu t does not prohibit the importation of any citrus products into the country. 
Imports of citrus products from all markets, including USA have to follow the regulatory guidelines 
that are being implemented to safeguard the citrus industry against pests and d iseases that might 
be introduced into Guyana from other jurisdictions . These restrictions are implemented without any 
discrimination regarding origin. All citrus imports have to comply with existing sanitary and 
phytosanitary requirements before such produ cts are allowed in the country.  
 
The restrictions are implemented in accordance with the Plant Protection Act of 2011 which requires 
a pest risk analysis and other tests, before imports are made into Guyana. The Plant Protection Act 
of 2011, (not 1937 as s tated) is intended to regulate the importation and exportation of plants, 
planting material and objects derived from them, to protect from the introduction of exotic pests 
and diseases to Guyana and to control and eradicate diseases and pests within the co untry.  
 
3.3.6 Government procurement  
 
Page 44, paragraph 3.81: The Secretariat 's Report states that Guyana 's Procurement Act 2003 
was amended in 2019, in part, to create a registry of bidders and mandate the submission of 
procurement plans.  Please could Guyana confirm whether the registry of bidders is open to WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  international suppliers and what the requirements are to be included on the registry?  Please also 
explain how the new requirement mandating "the submission of procurement plans " fits into 
Guyana 's procurement process.  
 
The Registry of Bidders introduced in the Guyana 's procurement process by the Procurem ent Act 
amendment in 2019 does not preclude international suppliers from being included in the Register. 
The application to be registered as a bidder must be submitted at least 7 days prior to taking part 
in any procurement proceedings. Procurement plans a re supposed to be submitted to the Public 
Procurement Commission by the Procurement entities, which are government agencies that are 
undertaking procurements. The procurement plans are intended to streamline the procurement 
process on part of the Commissio n and procurement entities. It has nothing to do with prospective 
contractors and suppliers.  
 
3.3.7 Intellectual property rights  
 
Page 46, paragraphs 3.88 : The Secretariat Report states that "Guyana is committed to accede to 
other treaties administered by WIPO according to the CARIFORUM -EU EPA, " but notes that Guyana 
did not sign or ratify any international intellectual property (IP) treaties during the review period.  
Could Guyana describe its plans for acceding to the copyright -related tre aties administered by WIPO, 
including the WIPO Copyright Treaty, the WIPO Performances and Phonogram Treaty, and the 
Marrakesh Treaty?  
 
The Government of Guyana remains commit ted to accede to or ratify the relevant intellectual 
property rights treaties, i ncluding the copyright -related treaties. Currently, efforts are being made 
to build conse nsus amongst stakeholders and reassure users that no social disruption and economic 
hardship would be suffered by acceding to or ratifying the treaties, as is being fe ared. 
 
Page 46, paragraph 3.88: The Secretariat Report states, "Guyana is committed to accede to other 
treaties administered by WIPO according to the CARIFORUM -EU EPA. " In the 2015 TPR Answers to 
Written Questions (WT/TPR/M/320/Add.1, page 9) Guyana stated that "Guyana will consider 
acceding to the treaties stipulated in the EPA on a case -by-case basis. It is anticipated that Guyana 
will review and revise all the intelle ctual property rights legislation to make them compliant with the 
WTO TRIPs Agreement. " 
We would appreciate further details on such additional treaties and implementation. Specifically, we 
would like to know:  
 
• To what other WIPO -administered treaties does Guyana intend to accede?  
 
The Government of Guyana has not decided on the specific WIPO – administered treaties to accede 
to. However, Guyana is considering acceding to the relevant treaties that facilitate multiple or 
international registration and protec tion of intellectual property rights across different jurisdictions.  
 
• What is the timeframe for accession to each of the treaties identified above?  
 
It is anticipated that by the next Trade Policy Review, Guyana will have taken action in this regard.  
 
• What is the timeframe for such additional changes to Guyana 's intellectual property laws?   
 
It is anticipated that by the next Trade Policy Review, Guyana will have taken action in this regard.  
 
Page 46, paragraph 3.89:  The Secretariat Report states that "[m]uch of Guyana's legislation on 
intellectual property pre -dates independence, and its legislation governing copyright, trademarks, 
patents, and designs was notified to the WTO in 2002. " The report subsequently states that a draft 
Copyright Bill is under co nsideration for enactment.  The 2009 Guyana Trade Policy Review Record 
of Meeting Addendum (WT/TPR/M/218/Add.1, page 7) referenced a new Copyright Bill "in an 
advanced stage of preparation, " and 2015 TPR Answers to Written Questions (WT/TPR/M/320/Add.1, 
page 9) noted the bill was delayed but the "current copyrights regime will be overhauled in order to 
allow the enactment of WTO TRIPs Agreement compliant copyrights legislation. "    
We would appreciate further details on the status of the current Copyright Bill under consideration 
for enactment. Specifically, we would like to know:  
 WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
- 46 - 
 
  • When is the new Copyright Bill expected to be finalized?  
 
The Copyright Bill is expected to be finalised before the next Guyana Trade Policy Review exercise.  
 
• Can you p lease describe the bill 's current stage of consideration?  
 
The draft Copyright Bill is still at consultation stage, where the Government of Guyana seeks to build 
stakeholder consensus and assure citizens that the bill will not cause social disruption and e conomic 
hardship after it is finally enacted and implemented.  
 
• Could Guyana explain the background and objective for this draft Copyright Bill and provide 
details regarding its substantive provisions?  
 
The main objective of the bill is to update Guyana 's copyright regime and make it compliant with its 
international obligations, especially the commitments in the WTO TRIPs Agreement, besides 
attaining some level of harmonisation with regional partners in the administration of the copyright 
system.  
• What modifi cations to the current copyright regime are included in the new Copyright Bill?  
 
The modifications to current copyright regime included in the Copyright Bill, are mostly aimed at 
incorporating the TRIPs Agreement obligations in the final legislation that will be enacted.  
 
Page 46, paragraphs 3.89, 3.90, and 3.91: The Government of Guyana indicates that much of 
its intellectual property legislation pre -dates independence and that its legislation governing 
copyright, trademarks, patents, and designs was notified to the WTO in 2002. In this respect, it 
further notes t hat the term of protection for patents and industrial designs is 16 years from the date 
of filing of complete specifications. Article 33 of TRIPS indicates that the term of protection available 
shall not end before the expiration of a period of twenty year s counted from the filing date (noting 
in the associated footnote that Members which do not have a system of original grant may provide 
that the term of protection shall be computed from the filing date in the system of original grant). 
Could the Governmen t of Guyana elaborate on the 16 -year term of protection for a Guyanese patent 
in light of this TRIPS obligation?   
 
The Government of Guyana is cognisant of the fact that most of its intellectual property rights 
legislation, including the Patents and Indus trial Designs Act includes provisions not consistent with 
the TRIPs Agreement. Accordingly, the government is considering updating all its intellectual 
property rights legislation to make it consistent with its international and regional obligations. It is  
expected this process will be undertaken in the short term.  
 
Page 46, paragraphs 3.89 and 3.91 : The Government of Guyana indicates that much of its 
intellectual property legislation pre -dates independence, and that its legislation governing copyright, 
trademarks, patents, and designs was notified to the WTO in 2002. In this respect, it further note s 
that right holders of patents and industrial designs in the United Kingdom may extend their rights 
to Guyana if they apply within three years of the granting of these rights in the United Kingdom. 
Could the Government of Guyana elaborate on this process to extend a UK patent to Guyana?  
 
The Guyana Patents and Designs Act allows United Kingdom patents and industrial designs to be 
registrable in Guyana  if within three years of getting registered in United Kingdom, the owner applies 
to register such patent or industrial design in Guyana. The registration follows the normal procedure 
for applying and registering patents and industrial design.  
 
Page 46, Paragraphs 3.89, 3.94: The Secretariat Report states that "the IP regime was extended 
through the Geographic Indications Act 2005 " and that "A GI is protected in a manner similar to 
trademarks whether the GI is registered or not. " 
 
• Could Guyana provide details about the process for protecting geographical indications? For 
example,  WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
- 47 - 
 
  o Who may apply for pro tection of a geographical indication?  
 
Any person or group of persons carrying out activity as a producer in the specified geographic 
location regarding the specified products or consumers or groups of consumers may apply for 
geographical indication protec tion for any product that qualifies for such protection under 
Geographical Indications Act, 2008  
 
o Are applications received and examined, and if so, by which relevant government 
authority?  
 
Applications for geographical indications protections are received, examined, and processed by the 
Registrar of Commerce. The Registrar of Commerce is part of the Commercial and Deeds Registries 
Authority, which falls under the Ministry of Legal Affairs.  
 
o What are the grounds for refusing protection of a geographical indication?  
 
Applicants for geographical indications protection must prove the unique characteristics of the 
products as being attributed to the geographical location where the product origina tes in Guyana. 
Thus, applications for geographical indications that do not satisfy the definition of a geographical 
indication under the Act, indications against public order and morality as well as indications that are 
not or have ceased to be protected a s geographical indications in country of origin or have fallen in 
disuse in that country shall not be protected in Guyana as geographical indications.  
 
o Do such grounds include if the proposed geographical indication is a common name for 
a good in Guyana a nd if the geographical indication conflicts with a prior trademark 
protected in Guyana?  
 
No. However the Registrar may invalidate or decline to register a trademark which contains or 
consists of a geographical indication with respect to goods not originating in the territory indicated 
if use of the indication in a trademark for such goods may mislead the public as to the true place of 
origin.  
 
o Will details of the application be published for notice to third parties?  
 
Details of a geographical indi cation 's application are supposed to be published in the National Gazette 
for a period of three months to allow the public or any interested party to comment or object to the 
application.  
 
o Are opposition and cancellation proceedings available and if so, on  which grounds?   
 
The Geographical Indications Act provides for opposition and cancellation proceedings if any 
interested party is aggrieved that the application for registration or the final registration does not 
qualify to be registered as a geographica l indication.  
 
Page 46, paragraphs 3.90 and 3.93  Paragraph 3.90 of the Secretariat Report states that the 
responsibilities of the Deeds and Commercial Registry Authority (DCRA) include administering rights 
in respect to copyright. Paragraph 3.93 of the Sec retariat Report states that the Ministry of Culture, 
Youth and Sport is the competent authority for copyright.  
• Can Guyana please expand on the relationship between the DCRA and the Ministry of 
Culture, Youth and Sport as they relate to copyright?   
 
The Registrar of Commerce is charged with administering copyright legislation, while the Ministry of 
Culture, Youth a nd Sports may have limited oversight over cultural related copyrights, which may 
also be registered in that Ministry.  
 WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
- 48 - 
 
  Page 46, Paragraph 3.92: The Secretariat Report states that "Trademark protection is extended 
to goods, but not to services.  However, tr ademarks for services registered in the United Kingdom 
are validated in Guyana. " Could Guyana provide any information on potential efforts to update its 
trademark legislation, including updates that would allow trademark protection for services in 
Guyana?   
 
The Government of Guyana intends to take necessary measures to update all intellectual property 
rights legislation, including the Trademarks Act. The issue regarding service marks is among those 
to be addressed during the process, besides removing the s eemingly more favourable treatment 
accorded to the UK trademarks and service marks.  
 
Page 47, paragraphs 3.96  The Secretariat Report states that "[a]ll copyright infringement, 
including infringement on the Internet, is taken seriously, and the authorities will take immediate 
action to stop an infringement once it is reported. Criminal procedures and penalties fall under the 
Supreme Court. Guyana has had no criminal cases relating to intellectual property so far. " 
 
Could Guyana please expand on how online copyright infringement is "taken seriously " and provide 
more information on the types of immediate actions taken to stop an infringement once it is 
repor ted? Specifically, we would like to know:  
 
• In the 2015 TPR the U.S. posed questions on the enforcement legislation referenced in the 
2009 Record of Meeting Addendum (WT/TPR/M/218/Add.1, page 8) in which Guyana had 
indicated that new legislation was under consideration to address the question of 
enforcement of intellectual property rights, including to address three deficiencies previously 
noted by the Secretariat Report in 2003 (WT/TPR/S/122, p. 62), namely: (1) a lack of 
authority for "judges to issue cease -and-desist orders in case of infringement  of intellectual 
property rights "; (2) a lack of authority for judges to "order the payment of the right -holder's 
expenses by the infringer "; and (3) a lack of any provisions "to indemnify a defendant in the 
event of abuse by the plaintiff. " The 2015 TPR A nswers to Written Questions 
(WT/TPR/M/320/Add.1, page 12) Guyana noted that the "Copyrights Act provide for civil and 
criminal remedies in the event that the holder 's rights are infringed upon. However, the only 
difference may be that the remedies allowed may be different from the remedies under the 
TRIPs Agreement. Guyana is still committed to enacting new intellectual property legislation. 
The new legislation will be WTO TRIPS Agreement compliant and address the deficiencies 
that were previously noted by the Secretariat in 2009. " We would appreciate further details 
on the status of such legislation. Specifically, we would like to know:  
o Is such legislation still under consideration, and if so when is it expected to be finalized?  
 
The draft Copyright Bill re mains under consideration. It has undergone diverse consultation with 
stakeholders seeking to create public awareness and consensus regarding the role of copyrights in 
the economy, and possible drawbacks to be expected. It will be finalised and enacted whe n 
stakeholders gain confidence that the updated legislation will not cause social and economic 
disruptions and at the same time appreciate the benefits to be derived from an updated copyright 
legislation.  
 
o How does this legislation relate to the draft Copy right Bill referenced in page 46, 
paragraph 3.89 of the Secretariat Report?  
 
It is the same Copyright Bill being referred to.  
 
o What modifications to the current intellectual property regime does Guyana expect to 
include in such legislation?  
 
The updated c opyright legislation is expected to include developments that have taken place in this 
field since Guyana 's independence up to date. These include provisions relating to internet use and WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
- 49 - 
 
  applications as well as provisions to incorporate WTO TRIPs Agreement provisions into Guyana 's 
legislation.  
 
o How will the legislation address remedies, and how will the remedies compare to the 
remedies under the TRIPS Agreement?  
 
The remedies under the WTO TRIPs Agreement are expected to be given due consideration in 
Guyana 's updated copyright legislation.  
 
o How will such legislation address the three deficiencies previously noted by the 
Secretariat, as set forth above?  
 
The main aim of updating the copyright legislation, is to address any deficiencies previously not ed 
by the Secretariat and other Guyana 's partners in this area. Accordingly, the deficiencies are 
expected to be addressed appropriately.  
 
o Can Guyana  provide any examples of actions taken to stop a reported infringement?  
 
Guyana always takes proactive measures to remove any infringing products from the market once 
such infringement is reported. Removal of such infringing products involves and affects products 
already in circulations as well as products that may not have ent ered the market, once the complaint 
is verified and found to be genuine.  
 
Page 47, paragraphs 3.96 : According to the Secretariat Report, "The authorities state that the 
circulation of goods, including imports, infringing intellectual property rights is pro hibited or 
restricted provided a credible complaint is filed with the police and customs authorities. All copyright 
infringement, including infringement on the Internet, is taken seriously, and the authorities will take 
immediate action to stop an infringe ment once it is reported. Criminal procedures and penalties fall 
under the Supreme Court. Guyana has had no criminal cases relating to intellectual property so far. " 
Please provide the particular legislation(s) that relate(s) to IP crimes in Guyana.    
 
• Are there specific criminal penalties for trademark and copyright infractions? If so, please 
provide the specific legislation.  
- The Trademark Act, Cap. 90.01, Sections 68 and 69 which provide for offences for making 
falsification of entries in the Trademarks register and falsely representing a trademark as it is 
registered.  
- The Copyright (British Guiana) Order, Order 79 of 1966, Copyright Act of UK, 1956, Section 21 
provides for penalties and summary proceedings in respect of dealings which infringe copyright.  
• How is a "credible complaint " defined in the customs law?  
• Do customs authorities have ex officio authority?  
 
No. Customs authorities are not possessed of ex -officio authority. They only exercise their authority 
in conjunction with the police and the Registrar of Commerce.  
 
• Do customs authorities have access to the WIPO trademark database?    
 
No. Customs authorities work in conjunction with the Registrar of Commerce.  
 
• What provisions in the law address IP infringement online?  
 
Guyana 's legislation has not yet been amended to include IP infringement online.  
 
• What are the specific penalties associated with IP infringement online?  
 WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
- 50 - 
 
  This is currently not applicable but will be considered when Guyana enacts the relevant IP online 
infringement  legislation.  
 
• To what Ministry must a complainant submit their complaint, before action will be taken?    
 
Complaints regarding infringement of copyright are supposed to lodged with the Guyana Police and 
the Registrar of Commerce.  
 
• Can Guyana explain why i t has yet to have any criminal cases relating to IP?  
 
Currently there are no criminal cases in IP in Guyana, maybe because there are no credible 
complaints filed with police.  
 
4 TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR  
4.1 Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry  
4.1.1 Agricu lture  
 
Page 50, Paragraphs 3.77 and 4.18:  The Secretariat Report states that The Guyana Sugar 
Corporation (GuySuCo) "holds exclusive rights to export sugar, and is the only entity permanently 
authorized to import sugar. "  
 
• Please explain why Guyana has not notified GuySuCo to the WTO Working Party on State 
Trading Enterprises,and has not also notified it to the WTO Committee on Agriculture in its 
2021 Export Credit Questionnaire (ECQ), as required by the Nairobi Decision.  
 
Due to capacity constraints Guyana has been faced with challenges related to filing most of the 
notifications as required over the years. However, marked progress was made in this regard during 
the current reporting period. The government is committed to ma ke notifications in accordance with 
the various WTO agreements.  
 
• When does Guyana plan to submit these overdue notifications?     
 
The Government is considering building necessary capacity, including enhanced resources, and 
training specifically dedicated to managing the notifications, in the said areas where Guyana has 
been deficient. This is intended to ensure that all notifications to W TO are regularly filed as is 
required. It is envisaged that this capacity will be attained during the next reporting period.  
 
  WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  CHINA  
PART I: QUESTIONS REGARDING THE SECRETARIAT REPORT   
 
Page 5, Para. 8 of Summary  
There have been no major changes in the legal framework for business and investment in Guyana 
since its last Review in 2015. The Government intends to encourage inward foreign direct investment 
(FDI). National treatment is applied to all economic activities except for certain mining operatio ns. 
Incentives for FDI include income tax holidays, and tariff and value added tax (VAT) exemptions.  
 
Question:  
 
1. Please explain  what is specifically covered by  "certain mining operations ".   
 
The Guyana Investment Act restricts small and medium scale mining to local investors and as such 
foreign investors would not have National Treatment in this area.  
 
Page 6, Para. 11 of Summary  
Guyana levies VAT at a standard rate of 14% on most goods and services, as well as excise taxes 
on alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, petroleum products, and motor vehicles. In addition, 
beverages sold in non -returnable containers attract an environmen tal levy of GYD 10 per unit.  
 
Question:  
 
2. Please elaborate on Guyana 's consumption tax policies on imported cigarette products.   
 
Guyana ceased the application of Consumption Tax since 2007  
 
Page 6, Para. 13 of Summary  
A National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Council is under establishment. Support to 
entrepreneurs has been provided under the Micro and Small Enterprise Development Programme, 
the Green Business Technology Fund, and an emergency Small Business COVID -19 Relief 
Progr amme administered by the Small Business Bureau.  
 
Question:  
 
3. Guyana officially released its low -carbon development strategy in 2022. Is there any adjustment 
with regard to trade policies?    
 
The Ministry of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce has no adjustment relating to trade policies. 
However, the LCDS provides a good policy direction for the diversification of the economy by 
supporting the development of the non -oil sectors. It also seeks to harness the export potential of 
value -added products thr ough skills and technique development, technology transfer, and improving 
the marketing capability of the key sector with the intention of expanding the value chain. The LCDS 
document may be viewed online.  
Page 37, Para. 3.56 
Proposals to formulate standar ds are reviewed by the NSC and, if approved, referred to a technical 
committee for the elaboration of a draft standard. The technical committees are composed of 
representatives from various institutions: the Government, private sector, NGOs, consumer bodie s, 
academia, and research/development.  
 
Question s: 
 
4. Who is qualified to submit standard -developing suggestions to National Standards Council (NSC)?   
 
Any stakeholder can submit a request for standards to be developed or adopted. (This includes 
government agencies, private sector bodies, industry, NGO, Academia, research and development 
entities, consumer bodies, private individuals, etc).  
 WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  5. Can relevant suggestions be proposed at any time of the year, or only in a specific period of the 
year?   
 
Submissions can be proposed at any time of the year.  
 
6. After a standard -developing suggestion is formally submitted to National Standards Council 
(NSC), how long will it take before obtaining information on whether the suggestion is adopted? Will 
the approved list of standards be released annually on an official platform?    
 
After the proposal is approved by the NSC, the item is placed on the National Standards Development 
Plan when it is updated. The work programme is updated every 6 months (January and July). The 
proposer is informed of the NSC decision within one month of approval by NSC. The approved list of 
standards will be posted on the GNBS webs ite. 
 
Page 52, Para. 4.35  
According to the authorities, Guyana started negotiating for the conclusion of the  European Union 
Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Voluntary Partnership Agreement in 2018. The 
authorities expect the Agreement to be finalized in 2026.  
 
Question:  
 
7. What is the current progress of the negotiation regarding the Forest Law Enforcement, 
Governance and Trade Voluntary Partnership Agreement between Guyana and the EU?    
 
The FLEGT Voluntary Partnership, having formally commen ced in December of 2012, was Initialed 
in November of 2018. This Agreement, once Ratified and implemented will see "green lane " access 
for agreed timber and timber products to the European Union market, a market which has significant 
potential for growth.   
 
With the development of a Joint Implementation Framework (JIF), and technical support from the 
UK and other donors, a series of implementation activities have commenced to date. Some key 
pieces of work completed includes the development of a Communicati on Strategy and the 
development of a FLEGT Website, which was recently launched. Capacity building sessions have also 
been held with officers of the Forestry Commission and a Learning Event was held, which focused 
on Barriers to Compliance for Forest Secto r Operators (FSOs). Supporting the implementation of the 
VPA is the National Technical Working Group (NIWG) and the FELGT Secretariat.  
 
Donor support has also received further commitment with the EU 's having pledged further support 
under its Multi -year Indicative Program (MIP) and also more direct support through an implementing 
partner, the French Development Agency (AFD)  
 
More recently and at the more formal level, a Pre - Joint Monitoring and Review  Committee (JMRC) 
meeting will be held in the coming days. This Committee oversees the VPA implementation at the 
broader policy level and will be having technical and other discussions form the period 
8th-10th March 2022 , in Guyana.  
 
These discussions wil l see agreement on a number of key issues including the formation of a 
Government Coordination Body (GCB) and modalities on funding mechanisms being put in place. 
Proposed Ratification dates will also be discussed and agreed upon during these meetings.  
 
PART II:  OTHER QUESTIONS  
 
Question:  
 
8. Please elaborate on Guyana 's entrepot trade policies and related tax rate policies on new tobacco 
products (e -cigarettes and heat -not-burn tobacco products, etc.).   
 
It was noted by the GRA implemented in 2019 a specific excise tax of 2,500 per 1,00 stocks of 
cigarette and tobacco in order to hinder the smuggling of the product. This measure combined with 
the excise stamp measure aims to protect the markets of legitima te importers.   WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  JAPAN  
Report by G uyana  (WT/TPR/G/422)  
 
3．Trade Policy Developments  
3.2 Trade Performance  
 
(Question 1: Paragraph 3.2 page 8)  
Guyana is one of those countries enjoying our Generalized System of Preferences (GSPs). Japan 
would like to request Guyana to provide us with the details regarding how our GSPs contributing to 
your economy, and how our GSPs are utilized by your companies .   
 
Guyana 's enterprises have not optimally utilised the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) 
currently offered by Japan. There remains much room for improvement. Over the last five years not 
only have Guyana 's exports to Japan remained concentrated in only two export products, but the 
exports value of these exports has also steadily decreased. While Guyana appreciates and greatly 
values the GSP scheme granted by Japan, the country continues to be faced with logistical and 
transportation challenges related to accessing the Japan market. These challenges ultimately lead 
to exorbitant freight costs which make G uyana products less competitive on arrival. The Japan 
market is considered an important strategic market for Guyana 's key products and the Government 
of Guyana is continuously exploring ways to overcome the existing challenges that currently restrict 
acces s. 
 
  WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  ARGENTINA  
Pregunta:  
 
Informe de la Secretaría  
Puntos 3.67, 3.68, 3.70  
 
¿Cuál es la posición de Guyana respecto de la aprobación del Protocolo que rige el control de la 
CARICOM para la inspección y los procedimientos de aprobación para el comercio de animales y 
productos animales?  
 
 
ENGLISH TRANSLATION  
 
Question:  
 
Report of the Secretariat  
Points 3.67, 3.68, 3.70  
 
What is Guyana's position on the adoption of the Protocol Governing CARICOM Control for Inspection 
and Approval Procedures for Trade in Animals and Animal Products?   
 
This matter was discussed at length at the Caricom Chief Veterinary Officers meetings. A s a 
consequence, Guyana is in support of this protocol, once countries take the appropriate measures 
in safeguarding the approved sanitary conditions.  
 
 
  WT/TPR/M/422/Add.1  
 
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  ICELAND  
- What is the participation of women in the economy of Guyana?  
 
Women in Guyana are accorded equal opportunity to participate in the economy. Currently the 
majority of Guyanese engaged in micro, and small -scale enterprises, especially those involved in 
services trade are women. It must be noted that women participation in large scale economic sectors 
remains limited, but engagement in this sector has also witnessed improvements in the recent past.  
 
- Have specific barriers that limit women 's participation in t rade been identified?  
 
Barriers that limit women participation in the economy range from the perennial cultural factors that 
previously restricted women 's participation in the economy to domestic roles, although this is slowly 
changing. Access to affordab le finance is another barrier to women active participation in the 
economy, besides relevant training, and requisite skills. All these barriers are steadily being 
addressed with a view to having active by an increased number of women in Guyana 's economy.  
 
- Has Guyana implemented any specific measures to encourage women 's participation in trade 
and promote women 's entrepreneurship, or are such measures being developed?  
 
The Government of Guyana has designed and implements policies to encourage women partici pation 
in the economy. The Small Businesses Bureau offers grants for small and medium scale enterprises 
that are mostly operated by women. The Bureau also organises loans from partner commercial banks 
for small businesses on favourable terms. Small busines s operators are also given training 
opportunities and skills development in operating and managing business.  
 
- Are the effects of trade policy on women and men measured and monitored, and if so, how?   
 
Currently the effects of trade policy on women and me n are not measured nor monitored, but this 
is an initiative that may be undertaken in future . 
 
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