WT/TPR/S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 63 - 
 
  ANNEX 1 - ANTIGUA & BARBUDA  
 WT/TPR/S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 64 - 
 
  CONTENTS  
1   ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT  ................................ ................................ ........................  67 
1.1   Real Economy  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  67 
1.2   Monetary and exchange rate policy  ................................ ................................ .............  69 
1.3   Fiscal consolidation and debt sustainability  ................................ ................................ ... 69 
1.4   Struct ural changes  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 69 
1.4.1   Improving productivity and diversification  ................................ ................................ . 69 
1.4.2   Financial sector reform  ................................ ................................ ...........................  70 
1.4.3   Balance of payments  ................................ ................................ ..............................  70 
1.5   Developments in Trade  ................................ ................................ ..............................  71 
1.5.1   Composition of tr ade ................................ ................................ ..............................  71 
1.5.2   Direction of trade  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 72 
2   TRADE POLICY REGIME:  FRAMEWORK AND OBJECT IVES  ................................ ..........  75 
2.1   General Constitutional and Legal Framework  ................................ ................................  75 
2.2   Development and Administration of Trade Policy  ................................ ...........................  75 
2.3   Foreign investment regime  ................................ ................................ ........................  76 
2.4   International relations  ................................ ................................ ...............................  77 
2.4.1   World Trade Organization  ................................ ................................ ........................  77 
2.4.2   Preferential agreements and arrangements  ................................ ................................  79 
3   TRADE POLICIES AND P RACTICES BY MEASURE  ................................ ........................  80 
3.1   Measures Directly Affecting Imports  ................................ ................................ ............  80 
3.1.1   Procedures  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  80 
3.1.2   Customs valuation and rules of origi n ................................ ................................ ....... 80 
3.1.3   Tariffs  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  80 
3.1.3.1    Structure  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  80 
3.1.3.2    Tariff bindings  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 81 
3.1.3.3    MFN applied tariff  ................................ ................................ ................................  83 
3.1.4   Other charges affecting imports  ................................ ................................ ...............  85 
3.1.5   Import prohibitions, restrictions, and licensing  ................................ ...........................  86 
3.1.6   Contingency measures  ................................ ................................ ...........................  87 
3.1.6.1    Anti-dumping and countervailing measures  ................................ .............................  87 
3.1.6.2    Safeguards  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  87 
3.1.7   Standards and technical regulations  ................................ ................................ .........  87 
3.1.8   Sanitary and phytosanitary measures  ................................ ................................ ....... 88 
3.2   Measures Directly Affecting Exports  ................................ ................................ .............  90 
3.2.1   Procedures, export taxes, and restrictions  ................................ ................................ . 90 
3.2.2   Export subsidies, financing, support, and promotion  ................................ ...................  90 
3.3   Measures Affecting Production and Trade  ................................ ................................ ..... 91 
3.3.1   Incentives  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  91 
3.3.2   Competition policy and price controls  ................................ ................................ ........  92 WT/TPR/S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 65 - 
 
  3.3.2.1    Price controls  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 92 
3.3.3   State -owned enterprises and privatization  ................................ ................................ . 92 
3.3.4   Government procurement  ................................ ................................ .......................  92 
3.3.5   Intellectual property rights  ................................ ................................ ......................  93 
3.3.5.1    Trademarks  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  93 
3.3.5.2    Patents and industrial designs  ................................ ................................ ...............  94 
3.3.5.3    Copyright  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  94 
3.3.5.4    Other i ntellectual property rights  ................................ ................................ ...........  94 
3.3.5.5    Enforcement  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 95 
4   TRADE POLICIES BY SE CTOR  ................................ ................................ .....................  96 
4.1   Agriculture  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  96 
4.2   Services  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  96 
4.2.1   Financial services  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 97 
4.2.1.1    Overview  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  97 
4.2.1.2    Banking  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  97 
4.2.1.3    Insurance  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  98 
4.2.1.4    Offshore services  ................................ ................................ ................................  99 
4.2.2   Telecommunications  ................................ ................................ .............................  100 
4.2.3   Transport  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  100 
4.2.3.1    Maritime transport  ................................ ................................ ............................  100 
4.2.3.2    Air transport  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 101 
4.2.4   Tourism  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  102 
4.2.5   Other offshore services  ................................ ................................ .........................  104 
REFERENCES  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  105 
5   APPENDIX TABLES  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 106  
 
CHARTS  
 
Chart 1.1 Merchandise trade by SITC section, 2007 and 2012  ................................ ................  73 
Chart 1.2 Merchandise trade, by main origin and destination, 2007 and 2012  ...........................  74 
Chart 3.1 Applied MFN tariff rates distribution, 2013  ................................ .............................  84 
Chart 3.2 Average MFN tariff rates, by HS section, 2013  ................................ ........................  85 
 
TABLES  
 
Table 1.1 Basic macroeconomic indicators, 2007 -13 ................................ ..............................  67 
Table 1.2 Balance of Payments, 2007 -13 ................................ ................................ .............  70 
Table 2.1 Concessions offered under the ABIA  ................................ ................................ ...... 76 
Table 2.2 Antigua and Barbuda Notifications, 2007 -13 ................................ ...........................  78 
Table 3.1 Structure of the tariff schedule, 2006 and 2013  ................................ ......................  81 
Table 3.2 Summary analysis of the MFN tariff, 2013 ................................ ..............................  81 WT/TPR/S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 66 - 
 
  Table 4.1 Antigua and Barbuda tourist arrivals 2007 -12................................ .......................  102 
 
APPENDIX TABLES  
 
Table A1. 1 Merchandise exports and re -exports by SITC section, 2007 -12 ............................  106 
Table A1. 2 Domestic merchandise exports by SITC section, 2007 -12 ................................ .... 107 
Table A1. 3 Merchandise imports by SITC section, 2007 -12 ................................ ..................  108 
Table A1. 4 Merchandise exports and re -exports by trading partner, 2007 -12 .........................  109 
Table A1. 5 Domestic merchandise exports by  trading partner, 2007 -12 ................................  111 
Table A1. 6 Merchandise imports by trading partner, 2007 -12 ................................ ..............  112 WT/TPR/S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 67 - 
 
  1  ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT  
1.1  Real Economy  
1.1.  Antigua and Barbuda is a small vulnerable economy located in the Caribbean. Antigua and 
Barbuda has a population of approximately 90,000 and a GDP per capita based on purchasing 
power parity of around US$16,000. The small size and island location makes the country highly 
dependent on im ports. Merchandise imports accounted for a pproximately 40% of GDP in 2012,  
while the share of merchandise exports was only 5% of GDP.  
1.2.  Antigua and Barbuda has a very narrow economic base with the tourism sector responsible 
for 60 -70% of economic activity , and government and financial services for most of the remaining 
30-40%. The lack of diversification and high dependence on imports leaves Antigua and Barbuda 
extremely vulnerable to exogenous shocks.  
1.3.  As such, the global financial crisis in 2008 seriously affected  Antigua and Barbuda. Real GDP 
contracted by nearly 11% in 2009, 8.6% in 2010 , and over 2% in 2011 (T able 1.1). The financial 
crisis adversely impacted the tourism source markets, resulting in a significant decline in stay -over 
tourist arrivals.1 Additionally , per capita expenditure by tourists declined.2 The financial crisis also 
resulted in the collapse of two banks incorporated in Antigua and Barbuda.  
Table 1.1 Basic macroeconomic indicators, 2007 -13 
(EC$ million)  
  2007  2008  2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  
Real sector                
Nominal GDP at market prices 
(EC$ million)  3,481  3,638  3,257  3,066  3,043  3,224  3,376  
Nominal GDP at basic prices (EC$ 
million)  2,939  3,117  2,834  2,628  2,606  2,746  2,855  
Real GD P at basic prices (EC$ 
million)  2,834  2,878  2,571  2,350  2,301  2,365  2,356  
GDP per capita at market prices  
(EC$)  40,522  41,572  36,542  33,766  32,901  34,215  35,178  
GDP per capita  at basic prices  
(EC$)  34,217  35,620  31,798  28,943  28,169  29,146  29,749  
GDP gr owth (real, market prices)  9.5 0.1 -12.0 -7.2 -2.0 3.3 2.4 
GDP growth (real, basic prices)  7.1 1.5 -10.7 -8.6 -2.1 2.8 1.7 
GDP components  (% of GDP)  
Total consumption  88.1 84.3 71.0 76.8 79.5 72.9 75.7 
Private consumption  73.1 67.0 51.9 59.4 62.1 55.9 58.8 
Government consumption  15.0 17.4 19.2 17.4 17.4 17.1 17.0 
Gross fixed capital formation  39.2 39.1 41.0 36.9 29.6 32.3 32.6 
Exports of goods and services  48.3 45.1 46.4 46.6 46.1 47.7 46.3 
Goods  6.5 4.6 4.9 4.2 4.0 5.0 4.7 
Non-factor servic es 41.8 40.5 41.6 42.3 42.1 42.7 41.5 
Imports  72.1 72.3 69.9 58.6 59.8 56.9 51.5 
Goods  49.3 50.3 49.7 39.7 40.0 38.2 33.7 
Non-factor services  22.8 22.0 20.2 18.9 19.8 18.7 17.8 
Gross national savings  9.3 13.3 27.0 22.2 18.9 25.7 22.6 
Foreign savings   29.9 25.9 14.0 14.7 10.8 6.6 9.9 
Consumer price index (period 
average)  1.4 5.3 -0.6 3.4 3.5 3.4 .. 
General government finance          
Current revenue  20.8 20.2 18.3 20.9 19.6 20.1 .. 
of which, tax revenue  19.8 19.0 17.6 18.8 18.1 18.7 .. 
  of which  taxes on international 
trade  8.6 6.7 6.4 7.9 7.6 7.2 .. 
                                               
1 Tourist arrivals declined by 13.5% in 2009/10 (IMF, 2013).  
2 Real expenditure per tourist fell by nearly 20% between 1999 -2011 (IMF, 2013).  
 WT/TPR/S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 68 - 
 
    2007  2008  2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  
    of which        .. 
      Consumption tax  2.0 0.5 0.8 1.0 1.1 1.0 .. 
     Import duties  2.7 2.7 2.4 2.6 2.6 2.5 .. 
     Customs service charge on 
imports  2.7 2.3 1.9 0.2 0.0 0.1 .. 
Current exp enditure  21.5 21.1 24.0 22.1 23.5 20.8 .. 
Current account balance  -0.7 -0.8 -5.7 -1.2 -3.9 -0.8 .. 
Overall fiscal balance  -5.8 -6.1 -11.0 -1.4 -5.3 -1.4 .. 
Total public debt  81.5 81.9 96.3 88.4 93.4 88.0 .. 
Sectoral share          
Agriculture, Lives tock and 
Forestry  0.6 0.6 0.7 0.9 1.0 0.9 0.9 
Crops  0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.6 
Livestock  0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.3 
Forestry  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Fishing  1.0 0.9 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 
Mining & quarrying  1.2 1.1 1.0 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.8 
Manufacturi ng 1.7 1.6 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.1 2.2 
Electricity & w ater 2.1 3.0 2.8 3.7 4.3 3.3 3.3 
Construction  13.0 13.7 13.9 9.7 7.4 8.1 9.0 
Wholesale & r etail trade 14.5 15.4 12.5 12.8 12.2 12.8 12.4 
Hotels & restaurants  10.1 9.7 10.2  10.9 11.5 11.2 10.7 
Transport, storage and 
communications  11.9 11.6 11.8 11.0 10.6 11.1 11.0 
Transport and storage  7.7 7.3 7.3 7.2 7.1 7.8 7.7 
Communications  4.2 4.3 4.4 3.7 3.5 3.3 3.3 
Financial i ntermediation  7.8 7.3 7.8 8.6 9.1 8.5 8.5 
Banks  6.3 5.7 6.0 6.7 7.2 6.8 6.8 
Insurance  1.5 1.6 1.8  1.8 1.9 1.7 1.7 
Real e state, renting and business 
activities  8.0 8.0 9.0 10.6 11.7 11.8 11.7 
Public administration, defence & 
compulsory social s ecurity  7.0 7.0 7.8 7.8 7.8 7.6 7.6 
Education  4.1 4.2 4.6 4.4 4.5 4.3 4.3 
Health and s ocial work 2.1 2.1 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.5 2.5 
Other c ommunity, social & 
personal s ervices  1.2 1.2 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.6 1.6 
Activities of private households as 
employers  0.4 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4 
 
.. Not available.  
 
Source:  Central Statistics Office Antigua and Bar buda, and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. 
1.4.  Antigua and Barbuda has been strongly affected  by failures in the financial sector, such as 
the collapse of CL Financial, which owned CLICO and BAICO (common report) and the Bank of 
Antigua in 2009. Furthermore, in 2011 the management of Antigua and Barbuda Investment Bank 
(ABIB) was taken over by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) because ABIB was unable to 
meet the statutory requirements and was facing a liquidity shortage. In offshore banking, the 
collapse of Stanford International Bank in 2009 had major implications for the Antiguan economy 
as well as repercussions with respect to its role as an offshore financial centre.  
1.5.  Non-performing loans of local and foreign banks have been rising since 2009 and loan l oss 
provisioning at local banks is relatively low; additionally, some local banks face a liquidity crunch.  
1.6.  Against this backdrop, the shortcomings and challenges of commercial bank supervisio n 
become apparent; these includ e infrequent onsite examinations a nd weak enforcement of 
correcti ve measures for non -compliance.  WT/TPR/S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 69 - 
 
  1.7.  The authorities realize the need for structural changes in order to restore growth and 
macroeconomic stability in the medium –term. The authorities are focusing on  improving 
productivi ty and div ersifying the economy,  and achieving fiscal consolidation and debt 
sustainability , and financial stability.   
1.2  Monetary and exchange rate policy  
1.8.  Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU). 
Monetary and exchange rate policy  is thus determined by the Monetary Council of the Eastern  
Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB). The ECCB has been responsible fo r monetary policy for the whole 
OECS area since 1976, keeping the EC dollar pegged to the U.S. dol lar at a rate of EC$2.70/US$1. 
Movem ents in the EC dollar real effective exchange rate are related lar gely to changes in the value 
of the U.S. dollar vis -à-vis other maj or currencies . 
1.9.  During the period under review inflation was subdued , mainly due to weak domestic demand, 
which was perpetua ted by the economic recession. Inflation rose during 2011 on account of high 
international fuel prices. However, this has since been reversed.  
1.3  Fiscal consolidation and debt sustainability  
1.10.  The global financial crisis and the subsequent recession in Antigua and Barbuda resulted in 
tax revenue declining by approximately 20%, which caused the fiscal deficit to widen from around 
6% of GDP in 2008 to over 11% of GDP in 2009. The stock of public debt rose from around 82% of 
GDP to over 96% in the same period . 
1.11.  To address the deterioration in the fiscal position, the authorities implemented certain 
revenue measures. These included raising petroleum product prices by about 20% as well as 
introducing a flexible market -based petroleum product pricing mechanism. Addition al 
revenue -enhancing measures to be implemented included: broadening the scope of the VAT; 
increasing import duties; and introducing an excise tax on alcoholic beverages and tobacco. 
However, these were not implemented. On the expenditure side , the measure s adopted by the 
Government mainly addressed better prioritization of capital expenditures. These resulted in the 
fiscal deficit falling to less than 1.5% of GDP in 2012.  
1.12.  The authorities also initiated a programme of debt restructuring. The maturity of dom estic 
debt was lengthened from an average of 5 years to 20 years, while the interest rate on this debt 
was reduced from 13% to 8%. The  authorities also issued a long -term bond to statutory bodies 
with step -up interest rates starting  at 0 during the first 5  years rising to 5% over the life of the 
bond. On the external front, the Government was able to negotiate a lengthening of the maturity 
as well as a small reduction in interest rates on its  debt with commercial lenders.  The authorities 
were also successfu l in restructuring Antigua and Barbuda's debt  with bilateral and multilateral 
lenders . As a result , debt repayments declined considerably while the stock of public debt also fell 
from over 96% of GDP in 2009 to 88% in 2012.  
1.4  Structural changes  
1.4.1   Improving pro ductivity and diversification  
1.13.  As the public sector is the largest employer in the country and the civil service employment 
is the benchmark for employment in other sectors of the e conomy, the authorities recogniz e that 
the productivity of public sector wor kers needs to be improved. The Government is drafting a new 
Public Service Act, which would provide for the unification of the civil service. It is envisaged that 
the Act would be in  force by June 2015.  
1.14.  With regard  to diversifying the economy, the authorit ies have identified agriculture as a 
focus sector , with incentives being provided for fruit and vegetable production. A large poultry 
project has also been initiated. Other  projects that have been initiated include  a cancer treatment 
centre. The authoritie s also plan to diversify the tourism segment, and are encouraging non -
traditional avenues such as sports tourism.  WT/TPR/S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 70 - 
 
  1.4.2   Financial sector reform  
1.15.  In the aftermath of the global financial crisis and its impact on the financial sector in 
Antigua and Barbuda; the aut horities recognized  the need to strengthen the financial sector. To 
achieve this, the authorities planned  to pass legislation which would transform the FSRC into a 
single regulatory unit for offshore banks and domestic non -banks. The FSRC would apply 
international best practice and be in line with regional agreements. The authorities also planned  to 
strengthen supervision through increased onsite examinations of domestic banks.  
1.16.  However, progress in the area of supervision has been slow. The IMF continues to  stress t he 
need for more frequent, risk -based consolidated supervision (offshore and domestic banks), as 
well as a revision of regulations pertaining to asset classification and loan -loss provisioning. The 
authorities are aware of the need for changes in regulation and the legal framework, but stated 
that these changes would need to be implemented on an E CCB-wide basis, which would require 
significant coordinat ion across different countries.  
1.4.3   Balance of payments  
1.17.  Antigua and Barbuda's current account defici t decreased from US$384 million in 2007 
(nearly 30% of GDP) to US$78 million in 2012 (6.6% of GDP), reflecting a narrowing of the gap 
between gross domestic investment and gross national savings (Table 1.2). The decline in the 
current account deficit was almost entirely due to a decline in the trade in merchandise goods 
balance. Between 2007 and 2012 exports remained steady, on the other hand imports declined by 
nearly 40%. The fall in imports was brought about by the r ecession which dampened demand.  
1.18.  The se rvices surplus improved; however, the change was not as stark as that of the 
merchandise trade account. The improvement came about mainly due to a turnaround in 
transportation, which went from payments of over US$6 million in 2007 to receipts of nearly 
US$50 million in 2012.  
Table 1.2 Balance of Payments, 2007 -13 
(US$ million)  
 2007  2008  2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  
Current account  -384.1  -347.2  -168.5  -166.5  -120.9  -78.2 -123.7  
 Goods and services  -349.8  -315.0  -144.3  -154.5  -102.8  -62.3 -103.2  
  Goods  -587.4  -602.2  -426.5  -406.7  -372.9  -344.7  -382.0  
   Merchandise  -612.3  -614.3  -427.9  -404.8  -384.1  -355.9  -393.1  
     Exports  25.1 34.7 39.0 34.7 28.9 28.9 30.2 
     Imports  -637.4  -649.0  -466.8  -439.5  -413.0  -384.8  -423.3  
   Repair on goods  0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
   Goods procured in  ports 
by carriers  24.8 12.0 1.3 -1.9 11.2 11.2 11.1 
Services  237.6  287.2  282.2  252.1  270.1  282.4  278.8  
  Transportation  -6.3 42.1 67.6 48.5 42.8 48.8 45.1 
  Travel  285.0 274.6  250.6  246.2  261.8  266.5  269.1  
  Insurance services  -35.0 -37.6 -37.8 -26.5 -19.9 -19.2 -20.5 
  Other business 
 services  -5.8 7.4 0.6 -17.1 -18.9 -18.0 -19.0 
  Government services  -0.3 0.7 1.2 1.2 4.4 4.3 4.1 
Income  -52.5 -60.9 -50.7 -31.4 -43.8 -41.4 -45.8 
  Compensation of 
 employees  8.3 9.3 8.5 7.7 7.6 7.7 7.8 
  Investment income  -60.8 -70.1 -59.2 -39.0 -51.3 -49.1 -53.6 
Current transfers  18.2 28.6 26.6 19.4 25.6 25.5 25.3 
  General government  -1.2 6.6 3.6 4.6 6.8 6.8 6.8 
  Other sectors  19.4 22.1 23.0 14.8 18.8 18.7 18.5 
Capital and financial 
account  392.1  345.4  165.3  187.7  154.2  97.5 123.7  
  Capital account  11.1 14.8 3.8 20.3 8.4 14.6 9.4 
   Capital transfers  11.1 14.8 3.8 20.3 8.4 14.6 9.4 WT/TPR/S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 71 - 
 
   2007  2008  2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  
Financial account  381.1  330.6  161.5  167.4  145.9 82.9 114.3  
  Direct investment  337.0  158.2  80.3 96.3 64.9 70.6 83.6 
  Portfolio investment  -1.2 10.8 -4.6 -7.5 10.1 6.7 -4.0 
  Other investments  45.3 161.7  85.8 78.6 70.9 5.6 34.6 
   Public sector long  term -6.8 1.8 38.6 147.1  29.7 20.8 25.2 
   Commercial banks  15.4 118.6  33.4 13.6 35.0 -27.4 0.0 
   Other assets  -45.0 -42.2 -21.2 18.2 -0.4 40.6 13.5 
   Other liabilities  81.7 83.5 35.0 -100.4  6.6 -28.4 -4.1 
Overall balance  0.4 -5.8 -10.1 12.0 11.1 8.0 0.0 
Financing  -0.4 5.8 10.1 -12.0 -11.1 -8.0 0.0 
  Change in government 
foreign assets  0.8 0.0 0.0 -3.1 -0.1 3.3 0.0 
  Change in imputed 
 reserves  -1.2 5.8 29.6 -27.7 -11.0 -11.3 0.0 
Memorandum          
Current account balance 
(% of GDP)  -29.9 -25.9 -14.0 -14.7 -10.8 -6.6 -9.9 
Nominal effectiv e 
exchange rate period 
average  90.2 91.6 96.1 95.8 94.1 94.9 .. 
Real effective exchange 
rate 84.7 87.0 90.7 90.9 88.9 90.4 .. 
Estimated visitor 
expenditure (EC$ million)  912.3  901.7  823.8  803.9  841.8  861.3  .. 
Net imputed international 
reserves (US$ mill ion) -1.2 5.8 29.6 -27.7 -11.0 -11.3 .. 
Outstanding external 
public debt (% of GDP)  25.8 19.8 20.0 29.2 32.6 32.6 .. 
Debt service ratio (% of 
exports of goods and 
services)  8.0 10.9 6.9 6.4 6.4 4.1 .. 
 
.. Not available.  
 
Source:  Data provided by the aut horities.  
1.19.  The capital and financial account surplus showed a marked decline during the review period. 
The change was brought about primarily by FDI outflows and to a lesser degree by payments 
pertaining to commercial banks. The overall balance of payments improved from US$400,000 in 
2007 to US$8 million in 2012.  
1.5  Developments in Trade  
1.20.  In 2012, the share of merchandise exports in GDP was 5% , down from  6.5% in 2007. The 
share of merchandise imports also declined , from nearly 50% of GDP to about 38% over the sa me 
period. Exports of non -factor services remained steady at slightly over 40% of GDP, while imports 
of non -factor services declined from nearly 23% to around 19% of GDP. Consequently, trade in 
goods and services declined from 120% of GDP in 2007 to about 105% of GDP in 2012.  
1.5.1   Composition of trade  
1.21.  At the same time of its previous Review,  Antigua and Barbuda's merchandise exports were 
dominated by mineral fuels, while  their share of total exports was negligible  by 2012 (Chart 1. 1 
and Tables  A1.1 and A1.2 ). In sharp contrast , the shares of manufactured goods, machinery and 
transport equipment and miscellaneous manufactur ed articles rose significantly.  
1.22.  The share in imports of food and live animals rose between 2007 and 2012, while the 
shares of machinery and tr ansport equipment and manufactured goods declined. Mineral fuels 
continue to be the largest import category accounting for over 35% of total imports  (Chart 1.1 and 
Table A1.3).  WT/TPR/S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 72 - 
 
  1.5.2   Direction of trade  
1.23.  Antigua and Barbuda's main export destination in 2012 was th e EU27 followed by the United 
States and Barbados (Chart 1.2 and Table s A1.4 and A1.5). During the review period, the shares 
of the United States and Barbados rose slightly; however, the shares of the EU27 and Asia rose 
many fold. In contrast, the share of  the Netherland Antilles (Antigua and Barbuda's largest export 
destination in 2007) fell dramatically.  
1.24.  The United States remains Antigua and Barbuda's largest import supplier accounting for 
over 50% of total imports, followed by the EU27 and China. During the period under review, the 
import shares of the United States and the EU27 declined, while those of China, Trinidad and 
Tobago and Brazil rose ( Chart 1.2  and Table A1.6 ).  WT/TPR/S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 73 - 
 
  Chart 1.1 Merchandise trade by SITC  section, 2007 and 2012  
Chart 1.1
Merchandise trade by SITC section, 2007 and 2012
2007 2012
(a)    Exports and re -exports
Total: US$174 million
(b)    Imports 
Total: US$727 million Total: US$532 million
Source: Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB).Total: US$29 millionBeverages, 
tobacco
0.7%Misc.manuf. 
articles
2.7%Machinery 
& transport 
equip.
6.8%Food & live 
animals
5.2%
Food & live 
animals
11.2%Food & live 
animals
0.2%
Manuf. goods
2.3%Other
0.9%
Other
0.2%Other
0.3%Beverages, 
tobacco
4.7%
Manufactured 
goods
41.4%Machinery & 
transport equip.
31.7%Misc.manuf. 
articles
12.3%
Beverages, 
tobacco
4.9%Beverages, tobacco
3.4%Food & live 
animals
18.7%
Crude materials
2.1%
Crude 
materials
1.5%
Mineral fuels
35.8%
Mineral fuels
36.8%Chemicals
4.5%Chemicals
5.9%Manufactured 
goods
13.7%Manufactured 
goods
10.0%Machinery 
& transport 
equip.
21.3%Machinery & 
transport equip.
11.7%Misc.manuf. 
articles
7.8%Misc.manuf. 
articles
10.2%Chemicals
1.2%Chemicals
2.1%
Mineral fuels
85.5%Mineral fuels
1.7%Other
0.7%
 
 
Source:  Eastern Caribbean Central Bank  online information. Viewed at: http://www.eccb -
centralbank.org/Statistics/index.asp  [12.12.13] ; and UNSD Comtrade databas e. 
 WT/TPR/S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 74 - 
 
  Chart 1.2 Merchandise trade, by main origin and destination, 2007 and 2012  
Chart 1.2
Merchandise trade, by main origin and destination, 2007 and 2012
2007 2012
(a)    Exports and re -exports
Total: US$174 million
(b)    Imports 
Total: US$727 million Total: US$532 million
Source:  Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), and UNSD Comtrade database.St Vincent & 
the Grenadines
0.2%
Total: US$29 millionSt Kitts & Nevis
3.9%United 
States
23.6%
Barbados
8.2%
Canada
2.3%United States
22.0%
Trinidad & Tobago
0.7%
Other 
America
12.2%Others
7.4%
United 
States
58.2%Other 
America
11.8%Europe
14.1%Japan
4.3%
China
1.3%Other Asia
2.9%Others
0.4%
United 
States
50.1%
Canada
2.3%Other America
14.1%Europe
13.4%Japan
2.5%
China
5.6%Other 
Asia
4.0%Europe
26.9%Europe
10.9% Asia
7.5%
Other America
49.5%Trinidad & Tobago
3.3%St Kitts & Nevis
3.3%Barbados
9.5%
Trinidad & 
Tobago
3.9%Trinidad & 
Tobago
5.5%Brazil
0.9%
Brazil
1.8%Others
0.6%Asia
1.0%Others
5.0%
Dominican Rep.
5.0%
St Vincent & 
the Grenadines
3.0%
 
 
Source:  Eastern Caribbean Central Bank  online information. Viewed at: http://www.eccb -
centralbank.org/Statistics/index.asp  [12.12.13] ; and UNSD Comtrade database.  WT/TPR/S/ 299 • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 75 - 
 
  2  TRADE POLICY REGIME:  FRAMEWORK AND OBJECT IVES  
2.1  General Constitutional and Legal Framework  
2.1.  Antigua and Barbuda has a parliamentary system of Government.  The Cabinet , which is 
headed by the Prime Minister,  is responsible for the general direction and control of the 
Government and is directly  accountable to Parliament.  
2.2.  Once approved by the Cabinet of Ministers, trade treatie s and related agreements may  be 
signed by t he Prime Minister or any other m inister authorized to si gn on behalf of the Government. 
Cabinet also authorizes ratification of and accession to internat ional agreements. Parliamentary 
involvement is relevant only  for enactment of enabling legis lation . 
2.3.  The Barbuda Council is the principal organ of local govern ment for the island of Barbuda. The 
Council administers agriculture and forestry issues, public health, m edical and sanitary facilities, 
electricity, water, and other public utilities; const ructs, improves , and maintains roads; and raises 
and collects revenue to meet expenses involved in executing its functions.  
2.4.  The Constitution supersedes all other laws, and any law that does n ot conform to it is void to 
the extent of the inconsistency.  Bills are drafted at the request of a government ministry and 
introduced in either House, with the exception of a finance or m oney bill, which must always be 
introduced in the House of Repres entatives. Usually, a bill will  have three readings. A bill that 
comm ences in either House must be passed at its third reading, with or without ame ndments, 
before moving onto the other House. Bills become law only after receiving the assent of the 
Governor General and publication in the of ficial Government Gazette . This procedure applies to all 
laws, including trade and trade -related laws.  
2.5.  English common law  is the basis of the legal system in  Antigua and Barbuda. Criminal and 
civil cases are heard in both the magistrate and the high courts. The re is also an industrial court , 
which deals with matters arising from labour and employment disputes. In all ca ses, there is a 
right to appeal to the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal. Final appeal is t o the Judicial Committee 
of the Privy Council.  
2.6.  In 2005, Antigua and Barbuda joined o ther CARICOM state s in establishing the Caribbean 
Court of Justice (CCJ) with independent trade jurisdiction for dea ling with the interpretation of the 
revised Treaty of Chaguaramas . Accession to the appellate jurisdiction of the CCJ would require 
abolition of appeals to the Privy Council, and an amendment of the Constitution. Although Antigua 
and Barbuda has signed on to the original (trade) jurisdiction of the Caribbean Court of Justice, it 
has not yet acceded to the appellate jurisdiction of the court. I n this respect, it was agreed by all 
OECS members that they would accede to the appellate jurisdiction as soon as possible. In Antigua 
and Barbuda's case this would require a referendum.  
2.2  Development and Administration of Trade Policy  
2.7.  Antigua and Barbuda di d not incorporate the Marrakesh Agreement into domestic law as a 
single piece of legislation. Howe ver, certain provisions of the A greement are part of domestic law 
and may be invoked by private individuals before local courts.  
2.8.  The Department for Trade, Ind ustry and Commerce of the Ministry of F inance, the Economy, 
and Public Administration  has primary responsibility for formulating and implementing trade policy. 
Proposals are submitted by the technical staff to the Minister, upon whose approval they are sen t 
to the Cabinet for consideration and approval. Once approved by the Cabinet, the Department for 
Trade, Industry and Commerce is responsible for implementation and monitoring. In addition, the 
Ministry undertakes periodic reviews and assessment of trade p olicy. To the extent possible, these 
are conducted in conjunction with the private sector and concerned ministries.  
2.9.  Other ministries and agencies involved in trade policy formulation and implementation 
include the Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority; the Antigua and Barbuda Bureau of 
Standards; the Ministry of Agriculture, Land, Housing and the Environment; the Ministry of Justice; 
the Department of Fisheries; and the Registrar of Trademarks, Copyri ghts and Intellectual 
Property.  WT/TPR /S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 76 - 
 
  2.10.  As a member of the OEC S and CARICOM, certain elements of Antigua and Barbuda's trade 
policy are formulated and implemented at the regional level.  
2.3  Foreign investment regime  
2.11.  Antigua and Barbuda has an open , non-restrictive foreign investment policy, with foreign 
investors receivi ng national treatment. However, foreign investors seeking to purchase real estate 
for residential or commercial purposes are required to obtain an alien landholder 's licence. 
Licences are subject to Cabinet approval and require payment of a fee set at  approximately 5% of 
the purchase price of the property. In addition, certain sectors are reserved for domestic 
investors; these include fishing  and fisheries and agriculture.  
2.12.  There are no restrictions on the repatriation of dividends , and consent for it is gra nted 
automatically provided that all applicable taxes have been paid. Domestic borrowing by foreigner s 
is subject to a 3% stamp -tax. 
2.13.   Under the provisions of the Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority Act 2006, Antigua 
and Barbuda offers a number of ince ntives. These are based on the size of the capital investment 
and the number of employees that will be employed as a result of the project (Table 2.1).  
Table 2.1 Concessions offered under the ABIA  
 Category 1  Category 2  Category 3  Category 4  Category 5  Category 6  
Capital 
investment 
(US$)  Up to 
370,000  Over 
370,000 and 
up to 3.7 
million  Over 3.7 
million and 
up to 9.26 
million  Over 9.26 
million and 
up to 27.78 
million  Over 27.78 
million and 
up to 37 
million  Over 37 
million  
N° of 
employees  Up to 26  Over 26  Over 51  Over75  Over 100  Over 150  
Property tax  Up to 10%  Up to 20%  Up to 30%  Up to 40%  Up to 50%  Up to 75%  
Corporate 
income tax  Up to 3 
years  Up to 5 
years  Up to 10 
years  Up to 12 
years  Up to 15 
years  Up to  20 
years  
Loss carried 
forward  1 year  2 years  3 years  4 years  5 years  7 years  
Stamp duty 
on land 
transfers and 
non-citizen 
licences  Up to 10% 
on land and 
building  Up to 20% 
on land and 
building  Up to 30% 
on land and 
building  Up to 40% 
on land and 
buildin g Up to 50% 
on land and 
building  Up to 75% 
on land and 
building  
Withholding 
tax Up to 3 
years  Up to 5 
years  Up to 10 
years  Up to 12 
years  Up to 15 
years  Up to 20 
years  
Building 
materials, 
furniture, 
appliances 
machinery 
and vehicles  Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 
 
Source:  Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority . Viewed at:  
http://www.investantiguabarbuda.org/downloads/ABIA_Concessions_Guide.pdf . 
2.14.  Antigua and Barbuda passed into law the Citizenship by Investment Act in 2013. However, 
there appear to be discrepan cies with other initiatives already in place such as the Land Use Policy. 
The authorities are in the process of rectifying these . 
2.15.  Under the Citizenship by Investment Act, investors are eligible to apply for Antigua and 
Barbuda citizenship if the y invest EC $1,080,000 in real estate, or make an EC$675,000 
contribution to the National Development Fund. If the investment is in an approved business, the 
minimum investment is EC$4 million for individuals or EC$13.5 million for two or more persons, 
with each minim um contribution being EC$1,080,000. Applications for citizenship must be made 
through an agent and carry a fee of EC$13,500.  
2.16.  Under the Small Business Development Act, the Government also provides  loan guarantees 
to businesses.  To be eligible, businesses ne ed to employ less than 25 people, not be a subsidiary 
of a larger company, have less than EC$ 3 million in capital investment and sales of less than WT/TPR/S/ 299 • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 77 - 
 
  EC$2 million and that the business is majority owned by c itizens of Antigua and Barbuda.  If the 
business is  majority owned by foreigners, then to benefit from the scheme, businesses need to 
export half their production, have a minimum investment of EC$ 500,000, half the empl oyees are 
citizens of Antigua an d Barbuda and 40% of the inputs are procured from Antigu a and Barbuda.  
2.17.  Antigua and Barbuda has double taxation treaties with the United Kingdom, Germany, 
Canada,  and Australia. It also  has an investment and double taxation treaty with the 
United  States,  and is in the process of negotiating an investment protec tion and double taxation 
treaty with the Dominican Republic, which is expected to be in  force in 2015.  
2.4  International relations  
2.4.1   World Trade Organization  
2.18.  Antigua and Barbuda is an original WTO Member and extends at least MFN treatment to all 
its trading part ners. Under the GATS, Antigua and Barbuda made initial commit ments on tourism; 
professional services; computer and related services; research and development; recreational 
services; maritime transport; and financial services ( Section  4). Antigua and Barbud a presented an 
offer in the  extended WTO negotiations on telecommunications, but did not participate in the 
extended negotiations on financial services.  
2.19.  Antigua and Barbuda has supported a request by a number of small developing  WTO 
Members for an extensi on of time  allowed  for providing export subsidies until 2018. Antigua and 
Barbuda sees these subsidies  as important to help it integrate more fully into the multilateral 
system, given the weaknesses associated with its status as a "small and vulnerable eco nomy". In 
July 2007, the General Council decided to extend the date for the dismantlement o f export 
subsidies to end 2015. On 23 October 2012, the Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing 
Measures approved the final extension of the transition period unti l end 2013, for export subsidy 
programmes of 19 developing countries including Antigua and Barbuda.  
2.20.  In 200 3, Antigua and Barbuda used the WTO dispute settlement mechanism as a 
complainant , for the first time, in a dispute with the United States. The case, United States – 
Measures Affecting the Cross -Border Supply of Gambling and Betting Services – concerned various 
U.S. measures, including federal laws that affected these services. The Panel Report was circulated 
in November 2004 and the Appellate Body Repo rt in April 2005. In May 2005, the United States 
informed the DSB of its intention to comply with the DSB's recommendations, indicating that it 
would require some time to do so. In May 2006, following disagreement between the parties with 
respect to compli ance with the DSB recommendations, they agreed to hold new consultations. In 
July 2006, Antigua and Barbuda requested the establishment of a panel under Article 21.5 of the 
DSU. The Panel was constituted in August 2006. On 30 March 2007, the Article 21.5 P anel Report 
was circulated to Members. The Panel concluded that the United States had failed to comply with 
the recommendations and rulings of the DSB. At its meeting on 22 May 2007, the DSB adopted 
the Panel Report.  
2.21.  On 21 June 2007, Antigua and Barbuda re quested authorization from the DSB, pursuant to 
Article 22.2 of the DSU, to suspend the application to the United States of concessions and related 
obligations under the GATS and the TRIPS Agreement. On 23 J uly 2007, the United States 
(i) objected to the l evel of suspension of concessions and obligations proposed by Antigua and 
Barbuda and (ii) claimed that Antigua and Barbuda's proposal d id not follow the principles and 
procedures set forth in Article 22.3 of the DSU. At its meeting on 24 July 2007, the DS B agreed 
that the matter had been referred to arbitration as required under Article 22.6 of the DSU. In a  
decision circulated to Members  on 21 December 2007 , the Arbitrator determined that the annual 
level of nullification or impairments of benefits accrui ng to Antigua and Barbuda wa s US$21 million 
and that Antigua could request authorization from the DSB to suspend obligations under the TRIPS 
Agreement at a level not exceeding US$21 million annually.  
2.22.  At the DSB meeting on 24 April 2012, Dominica read a sta tement on behalf of Antigua and 
Barbuda,  which stated that the United States was not in compliance with the ruling of the panel, 
the Appellate Body and the compliance panel. Antigua and Barbuda had formally notified the 
United States of its desire to seek recourse to the good offices of the Director -General in finding a WT/TPR /S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 78 - 
 
  mediated solution to this dispute. Antigua and Barbuda requested that this matter remain under 
the DSB's surveillance.  
2.23.  At the DSB meeting on 28 January 2013, Antigua and Barbuda requested t he DSB to 
authorize the suspension of concessions and obligations to the United States in respect of 
intellectual property rights. Pursuant to the request by Antigua and Barbuda under Article 22.7 of 
the DSU, the DSB agreed to grant authorization to suspen d the application to the United States of 
concessions or other obligations consistent with the Decision by the Arbitrator.  
2.24.  Antigua and Barbud a has not been a defendant or a third party in any other cases in the 
WTO.  
2.25.  During the period under review, Antigua and Barbuda made some notifications to the WTO 
(Table 2.2).  
Table 2.2 Antigua and Barbuda Notifications, 2007 -13 
WTO 
Agreement  Description  Most recent notification  and 
date 
Implementation of Article  VI of GAT T 1994 Anti -dumping (Article  16.4 and 16.5)  
 No action taken within the meaning of 
Article 16.4, and Article 16.5  
 G/ADP/N/193/ATG,  
27 September 2011  
 
Regional Trade Agreements/Services  
 Goods and Services (CARIFORUM -EU 
Economic Partnership Agreement n otified 
under Article XXIV (8) (b) of the GATT 
1994, Article V of the GATS)  
 WT/REG255/N/1  
S/C/N/469 , 
16 October 2008  
Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM) (Article 27.4)  
 Continuation of extension of  transition 
period for the elimination of export  
subsidies  
 G/SCM/N/163/ATG,  
10 September 2007  
 
SCM Article 25 and GATT XVI.1  
 New and full notification on  extension 
under SCM Article 27.4 of the transition 
period for the elimination of export 
subsidies  
 G/SCM/N/155/ATG  
G/SCM/N/160/ATG , 
22 November  2007 
 
SCM Article 27.4  
 Continuation of extension of transition 
period for the elimination of export 
subsidies  G/SCM/N/177/ATG , 
21 October 2008  
SCM Article 25 and GATT XVI.1 and Article 27.4  
 New and full notification  on continuation 
of extension of t he transition period for 
the elimination of export subsidies  G/SCM/N/186/ATG  
G/SCM/N/192/ATG , 
3 July 2009  
SCM Article 27.4  
 Continuation of extension of  transition 
period for the elimination of export 
subsidies  G/SCM/N/211/ATG , 
6 July 2010  WT/TPR/S/ 299 • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 79 - 
 
  WTO 
Agreement  Description  Most recent notification  and 
date 
SCM Article 2 5 and GATT XVI.1 and Article 27.4  
 New and full notification  on continuation 
of extension of the transition period for 
the elimination of export subsidies  G/SCM/N/220/ATG  
G/SCM/N/226/ATG , 
25 August 2011  
SCM Article 27.4  
 Continuation of extension of  transition 
period for the elimination of export 
subsidies  G/SCM/N/243/ATG , 
28 September 2012  
SCM Article 25 and GATT XVI.1 and 27.4  
 New and full notification  on continuation 
of extension of the transition period for 
the elimination of export subsidies  G/SCM/N/253/ATG  
G/SCM/N/260/ATG , 
31 July 2013  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat . 
2.4.2   Preferential agreements and arrangements  
2.26.  Antigua and Barbuda is one of the 15 member states of the Caribbean Community and 
Common Market (CARICOM) , created by the Treaty of Chaguaramas in  1973. The original Treaty 
was amended by nine protocols covering various areas, including trade policy, services, consumer 
protection, competition policy, transport policy, and agricultural policy. The protocols have been 
consolidated into the Revised Tre aty, which forms the legal basis for the establishment of the 
CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). The Revised Treaty became effective in February 
2002. Information on the Revised Treaty was submitted to the WTO Committee on Regional Trade 
Agreements in July 2003. Antigua and Barbuda is also a founding member of the OECS .  
2.27.  As a member of CARICOM, Antigua and Barbuda has signe d bilateral agreements with the 
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Colombia, the Dom inican Republic, Costa Rica,  Cuba,  and the 
European Union . 
2.28.  The Economic Partnership Agr eement (EPA) between the EU and 15 Caribbean states in the 
CARIFORUM group, including Antigua and Barbuda , was signed in 2008. It replaced the expired 
preferences under the ACP-EU Cotonou Agreement. In the EPA the E U committed to rem oving all 
tariffs and quotas on CARIFORUM exports immediately , with the exception of sugar and rice, which 
gained full duty - and quota -free access at the end of 2009. For their part, CARIFORUM states 
committed to more gradual reduction s in their tariffs over a period of up to 25 years. Certain 
sensitive products are excluded. The agreement also covers trade in services, public procurement, 
intellectual property rights , and environmental protection.  
2.29.  Antigua and Barbuda's exports are also granted preferential access to the Canadian market, 
through CARIBCAN , and to the U nited States under the U.S. Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI). 
Antigua and Barbuda also benefits from the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) schemes of 
Australia, Canada, t he EC, Japan, New Zealand, and Switzerland.  WT/TPR /S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 80 - 
 
  3  TRADE POLICIES AND P RACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.1  Measures Directly Affecting Imports  
3.1.1   Procedures  
3.1.  Customs procedures are governed by the Customs (Control and Management) Act of 2013. 
Under the provisions of the Act, all i mports require a formal entry certificate or warrant. Goods 
may be cleared by the importers themselves or through a customs broker. In addition to the 
formal entry certificate, the importer needs to provide an invoice, a bill of lading or airway bill, an 
import licence when needed, and a certificate of  origin for CARICOM goods. SPS documents  must 
also be provided when needed. Importers are required to register with Antigua and Barbuda's 
Internal Revenue Department , which as signs a number to the importer.  
3.2.  Under the provisions of the Act, customs decisions may  be appealed. In the first instance, the 
importer may  appea l to the comptroller of customs; i f a satisfactory solution is not found, the 
importer has recourse to the Customs Appeal  Commission and the High  Court.  
3.3.  In 2008, Antigua and Barbuda implemented the Customs Automated Services (CASE) system 
developed by Jamaica. The authorities stated that they would be moving to the ASYCUDA World 
System but, as at January 2014, the system had not been implemented.  The authorities stated 
that customs clearance takes approximately five hours if all documents are in order, and that 
Customs inspects about 70% of the consignments.  
3.1.2   Customs  valuation and rules of origin  
3.4.  Customs valuation is based on the second schedule of t he Customs (Control and 
Management) Act of 2013. The valuation methodology is now consistent with the WTO Customs 
Valuation Agreement. The transaction value is to be used first for valuation purposes, followed by 
the transaction value of identical goods, t he transaction value of similar goods, the deducted 
valuation , and computed valuation, in that order. However, the order of application of t he last two 
valuation methods may  be switched if both the Comptroller of Customs and the importer agree.  
3.5.  Antigua and  Barbuda has not notified the change in valuation methodology to the WTO.  
3.6.  Antigua and Barbuda does not maintain any non-preferential rules of origin. For imports from 
other CARICOM members, it applies CARI COM preferential rules of origin. To comply with th ese 
rules, goods a re deemed to be from the Common Market if they have been: (a) completely 
produced within CARICOM; or (b) produced within CARICOM wholly or partly from materials 
imported from third countr ies, provided a substantial transformation has take n place within 
CARICOM . Substantial transformation may be achieved by change of tariff heading, or by 
complying with the requirements  defined specifically fo r each tariff heading in Part A of the List in 
Schedule II of the CARICOM Treaty. Under  a "safeguar d" mechanism, a manufacturer may use 
materials from outside the region when they  are not available in a CARICOM State. However,  a 
waiver must be obtained from  the Council for Trade and Economic Developme nt to authorize such 
imports. Duty -free treatment is accorded only if goo ds are shipped directly between member 
states. Additionally, a certificate of origin from the exp orting country is required with verification 
taking place at the importing end.  
3.7.  Under the CARICOM Treaty 's derogation facili ty to the appli cation of Common Market Rules of 
Origin, a derogation granted to Antigua and B arbuda for coffee beans in 2004 remains in effect.  
Antigua and Barbuda, like other CARICOM members, was expected to implem ent the rules of 
origin contained in the Amended Schedul e I of the revis ed Treaty of Chaguaramas, based on the 
2007 HS from 1 January 2007. This did not happen and the matter remains in Parliament.   
3.1.3   Tariffs  
3.1.3.1   Structure  
3.8.  In 2013 , the applied M FN tariff in Antigua and Barbuda  varied between duty free a nd 70%. 
All tariffs are applied on an ad valorem basis. The 2013 tariff is based  on the  HS 2007 WT/TPR/S/ 299 • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 81 - 
 
  nomenclature and comprises  6,686 lines at the ten -digit level , an increase from 6,413  lines in  
2006, which was based on the HS02 nomenclature (Table 3.1). 
Table 3.1 Structu re of the tariff schedule, 2006 and 20 13 
(%) 
  2006  2013  
1. Total number of tariff lines  6,413  6,686  
2. Non-ad valorem  tariffs (% of all tariff lines)  0.0 0.0 
3. Non-ad valorem  with no AVEs (% of all tariff lines)  0.0 0.0 
4. Lines subject to tariff quotas (% of all tariff lines)  0.0 0.0 
5. Duty-free tariff lines (% of all tariff lines)  10.2 9.5 
6. Dutiable lines tariff average rate (%)  11.9 12.5 
7. Simple average tariff (%)  10.7 11.3 
8.   WTO agriculture  16.2 18.1 
9.   WTO non -agriculture (incl uding  petroleum)  9.7 9.9 
10.   Agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing (ISIC 1)  18.9 22.0 
11.   Mining and quarrying (ISIC 2)  3.9 3.4 
12.   Manufacturing (ISIC 3)  10.2 10.6 
13.   First stage of processing  14 16.6 
14.   Semi-processed products  5.8 5.8 
15.   Fully processed products  12.4 12.7 
16. Domestic tariff "peaks" (% of all tariff lines)a 4.4 5.8 
17. International tariff "peaks" (% of all tariff lines)b 28.0 29.9 
18. Overall standard deviation  9.6 10.5 
19. Nuisance ap plied rates (% of tariff lines)c .. 0.0 
20. Bound tariff lines (% of all tariff lines)  97.6 97.1 
 
.. Not available.  
 
a Domestic tariff peaks are defined as those exc eeding three times the overall average applied rate.  
b International t ariff peaks are defined as those exceeding 15%.  
c Nuisance rates are greater than 0% but inferior or equal to 2%.  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations, based on data provided by the authorities of Antigua and Barbuda.  
3.1.3.2   Tariff bindings  
3.9.  In the Uruguay Round,  Antigua and Barbuda bound all ta riff lines except  for fish products 
(Chapter 3 of the HS and a few lines in other chapters) ; consequently, 97.1% of lines are bound. 
Tariffs on non -agricultural products were bound at 50 %, with a number of exceptions, including 
motor vehicles. Agricultural products were generally bound at a ceilin g of 100%, with an 
implementation period of six years; exceptions that were bound at high er rates include beer, 
spirits, margarine, and bananas . The average bound tariff is 62.5%. T he bound rate for 
agricultural products (WTO definition) is 106.4 %, while that for non -agricultural goods is 53 % 
(Table 3.2 and Chart 3.2) . Applied tariffs exceed bound rates for 11 tariff headings, all 
corresponding to arms and ammunition, for which the a pplied rate is 70%, while the bound rate is 
50%. 
Table 3.2 Summary analysis of  the MFN tariff, 2013  
Description  MFN 
Final b ound 
average (%)  No. of 
lines  Average 
(%) Range 
(%) Coefficient 
of variation 
(CV)  
Total  6,686  11.3 0 - 70 0.9 62.5 
HS 01 -24 1,272  19.4 0 - 45 0.8 107.1  
HS 25 -97 5,414  9.4 0 - 70 0.9 53.7 
By WTO category       
WTO Agriculture  1,157  18.1 0 - 45 0.8 106.4  WT/TPR /S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 82 - 
 
  Description  MFN 
Final b ound 
average (%)  No. of 
lines  Average 
(%) Range 
(%) Coefficient 
of variation 
(CV)  
 - Animals and products  
  thereof  150 20.5 0 - 40 0.8 104.2  
 - Dairy products  24 6.3 0 - 20 1.0 100.0  
 - Fruit, vegetables and 
 plants  349 23.7 0 - 40 0.7 114.4  
 - Coffee and tea  29 18.8 5 - 40 0.7 100.0  
 - Cereals and preparations  126 15.6 0 - 40 0.7 100.0  
 - Oil seeds, fats and oils 
 and their Products  95 16.6 0 - 40 1.0 101.8  
 - Sugars and confectionary  21 21.9 5 - 40 0.7 100.0  
 - Beverages, spirits and 
 tobacco  205 18.1 5 - 45 0.4 108.8  
 - Cotton  6 5.0 5 - 5 0.0 100.0  
 - Other agricultural 
 products n.e.s.  152 7.7 0 - 40 1.6 98.7 
WTO Non -agriculture 
(including  petroleum)  5,529  9.9 0 - 70 0.9 53.0 
 - WTO Non -agriculture 
 (excluding  petroleum)  5,503  9.9 0 - 70 0.9 52.8 
 - - Fish and fishery 
 products  193 20.9 0 - 40 0.7 100.0  
 - - Minerals and metals  1,121  7.5 0 - 30 0.9 51.7 
 - - Chemicals and 
 photographic supplies  1,010 7.2 0 - 20 0.7 50.7 
 - - Wood, pulp, paper and 
 furniture  333 9.5 0 - 20 0.7 52.7 
 - - Textiles  638 7.6 0 - 30 0.8 50.2 
 - - Clothing  277 19.9 5 - 20 0.1 50.3 
 - - Leather, rubber, 
 footwear and travel 
 goods  180 9.6 0 - 25 0.8 51.3 
 - - Non-electr ic machinery  599 7.0 0 - 30 0.9 50.9 
 - - Electric machinery  266 10.7 0 - 35 0.8 54.1 
 - - Transport equipment  397 14.0 0 - 35 0.9 68.2 
 - - Non-agriculture articles 
 n.e.s.  489 13.8 0 - 70 0.8 53.5 
 - Petroleum  26 7.5 0 - 25 1.0 106.3  
By ISIC sectora      
Agriculture and fisheries  472 22.0 0 - 40 0.8 106.2  
Mining  107 3.4 0 - 30 2.1 51.9 
Manufacturing  6,106  10.6 0 - 70 0.9 59.9 
By HS section       
 01 Live animals & products  348 20.0 0 - 40 0.8 100.0  
 02 Vegetable products  425 21.3 0 - 40 0.8 111.8 
 03 Fats & oils  53 25.3 5 - 40 0.6 103.4  
 04 Prepared food etc.  446 16.4 0 - 45 0.5 105.7  
 05 Minerals  187 4.0 0 - 25 1.4 58.7 
 06 Chemical & products  938 6.8 0 - 20 0.8 53.0 
 07 Plastics & rubber  248 8.5 0 - 25 0.7 52.2 
 08 Hides & skins  80 9.8 0 - 20 0.8 56.4 
 09 Wood & articles  133 10.8 0 - 20 0.5 50.6 
 10 Pulp, paper etc.  176 7.2 0 - 20 1.0 55.1 
 11 Textile & articles  902 10.9 0 - 20 0.7 51.6 
 12 Footwear, headgear  60 16.1 0 - 20 0.4 50.0 
 13 Articles of stone  188 10.4 0 - 25 0.7 50.0 WT/TPR/S/ 299 • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 83 - 
 
  Description  MFN 
Final b ound 
average (%)  No. of 
lines  Average 
(%) Range 
(%) Coefficient 
of variation 
(CV)  
 14 Precious stones, etc.  62 17.7 0 - 30 0.7 70.6 
 15 Base metals & 
 products  716 7.2 0 - 20 0.8 50.6 
 16 Machinery  879 8.3 0 - 35 0.9 51.8 
 17 Transport equipment  417 13.6 0 - 35 0.9 67.4 
 18 Precision equipment  229 10.6 0 - 25 0.7 54.1 
 19 Arms and amun iation  24 40.2 0 - 70 0.7 50.0 
 20 Miscellaneous 
 manuf acture  167 15.0 0 - 20 0.4 52.6 
 21 Works of art, etc.  8 20.0 20 - 20 0.0 50.0 
By stage of processing       
First stage of processing  858 16.6 0 - 40 1.0 88.9 
Semi-processed products  1,860  5.8 0 - 40 0.7 52.3 
Fully-processed products  3,968  12.7 0 - 70 0.8 62.4 
 
a ISIC (Rev.2) classifi cation, excluding electricity (1 line).  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat estimates, based on data provided by the authorities of Antigua and Barbuda.  
3.1.3.3   MFN applied tariff  
3.10.  As a member  of CARICOM, Antigua and Barbuda  applies the CARICOM Common External 
Tariff (CET). National exceptions to the CET are detailed in "Lis t A" (items in respect of which 
member states wish to encourage national production) and "List C"  (items for which m inimum 
rates have been agreed, but can be increased up to bound levels by me mbers). Applied tariff rates 
for List C products are determined by the different CARICOM member countries. Common rates 
are determined by all members, but only for reference purpos es. Products in List C are generally 
subject to a minimum rate.3 CET changes occur at CARICOM level, but ultimate authority for tariff 
determination rests with Parliament following a Cabinet initiative . All rates are ad valorem . There 
are no seasonal tarif fs; tariff quotas are not used.  
3.11.  The average applied MFN ta riff in 2013 was 11.3%, a slight increase from 10.7% in 2006. 
The increase was due mainly to the change in nomenclature . The difference between average 
bound rates an d the average applied MFN rates (over 50 %) gives the authorities considerable 
scope to increase tariffs, whic h creates some unpredictability for importers. Over 90% of applied 
tariff rates range fr om zero to 25%, while the modal or most common r ate is 5%; nearly 1 0% of 
tariff lines  are duty free (Chart 3 .1). 
                                               
3 Exceptions to the CET are included in Lists A, C, and D, annexed to the CET. Rates vary by country  
and products. For products included in List A, mainly agricultural produ cts, packaging material, ceramics,  
washing machines and dryers, and sanitary fixtures, which may be subject to a maximum customs duty of 
40%, Antigua and Barbuda applies rates generally below the CET. List C contains products that are highly 
revenue sensit ive, mainly alcoholic beverages, tobacco, oil products, jewellery, electrical appliances, and motor 
vehicles; these products face rates above the CET rates, up to 70%.  WT/TPR /S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 84 - 
 
  Chart 3.1 Applied MFN tariff rates distribution, 2013  
(9.5%)(51.4%)(3.6%)(5.6%)(19.7%)(1.1%)(9.1%)
0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000Duty
free510152025>25Chart 3.1
Applied MFN tariff rates distribution, 2013
Number of tariff linesNumber of lines (% of total)
Figures in parenthese indicate the share of total lines
WTO Secretariat calculations, based on data provided by the authorities of Antigua and Barbuda.Note:
Source :Duty rate
 
 
Note:  Figures in parenthesis  indicate the share of total lines.  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations, based on data provided by t he authorities of Antigua and Barbuda.  
3.12.  Using the  WTO definition, the average tariff  on agricultural  products is higher than  for 
non-agricultural products. Furthermore, the average applied MFN tariff on ag ricultural products 
rose from 16.2% in 2006 to 18.1 % in 2013. The average applied MFN tariff on non -agricultural 
products also increased, although to a lesser degree, rising , from 9.7% to 9.9 % over the same 
period.  
 WT/TPR/S/ 299 • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 85 - 
 
  Chart 3.2 Average MFN tariff rates, by HS sec tion, 2013  
020406080100120140
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Calculations exclude specific rates and include the ad valorem part of alternate and compound rates.  Only 
section XXX is fully bound;  sections XXX are fully unbound.  All other sections include bound, partially bound, 
and unbound lines.
WTO Secretariat calculations, based on data provided by the authorities of Antigua and Barbuda.Per centChart 3.2
Average MFN tariff rates, by HS sections, 2013
Note:
Source :01 Live animals & prod.
02 Vegetable products
03 Fats & oils
04 Prepared food etc.
05 Minerals
06 Chemical products
07 Plastics & rubber
08 Hides & skins09 Wood & articles thereof
10 Pulp, paper etc.
11 Textile & articles
12 Footwear, headgear
13 Articles of stone
14 Precious stones, etc.
15 Base metals & prod.
16 Machinery17 Transport equipment
18 Precision equipment
19 Arms & ammunition
20 Miscellaneous manufacturing
21 Works of art, etc.Applied rates
Bound rates
Average applied rate
(11.3%)Average bound rate
(62.5%)
 
 
Note:  Calculations exclude specific rates and include the ad valorem  part of alternate and compound rates.  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations, based on data provided by the authorities of Antigua and Barbuda.  
3.1.4   Other charges affecting impor ts 
3.13.  With the passage of the Revenue Recovery Charge Act in 2010, the Customs Service Tax 
was replaced by the Revenue Recovery Charge. This  charge applies to all imports (including those 
from CARICOM and OECS countries) at a rate of 10%, as well as to goods produced in Antigua and 
Barbuda, in contrast with the Customs Service Tax , which applied only to imports.  
3.14.  Under the Revenue Recovery Charge Act, certain a gencies and products are exempt , 
including  entities with which the Government of Antigua and Barbuda h as international assistance 
agreements; most government entities; supplies and imports of certain fuels; imports of goods to 
be used in the creation of other goods or services intended solely for export; books of printed 
matter; medicines; pharmaceutical g oods; live animals and insects; certain agricultural and fishing 
inputs; and certain pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides , and other treatments that have 
been approved by the Ministry of Agriculture.  
3.15.  Additionally, through a gazetted order , the Minister may  exempt any person or entity from 
the Revenue Recovery Charge. In August 2012 certain individuals were exempted from the tax 
under the Construct Antigua and Barbuda initiative , and certain manufacturers were exempted 
under the Manufacturers ini tiative.  
3.16.  Under the provisions of the Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax Act 2006, all imports are subject 
to a 15% tax rate. Certain goods and services listed in schedules 4 and 5 of the Act are exempt 
from the tax. Exemptions are also granted under the Manufa cturers initiative.  
3.17.  The Environmental Protection Levy Act of 2002 provides for a levy on imported a nd 
domestically produced goods so as to protect, preserve , and enhance the environment. The levy WT/TPR /S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 86 - 
 
  applies at EC$0.25 per container on glass and p lastic contai ners and EC$1,000 -EC$4,000 on motor 
vehicles. Tyres, electric accumulators, white goods, air conditioners, vacuum clea ners, hair dryers, 
and toasters are also subject to this levy.  
3.1.5   Import prohibitions, restrictions , and licensing  
3.18.  The third schedule of the  Customs (Control and Management) Act of 201 3 prohibits the 
import  of firearms having a disguised appearan ce; utensils for the smoking or preparation for 
smoking of any drug the use of which is prohibited ; and imports prohibited by any other law of the 
State. Plant imports from countries where certai n diseases are present are also prohibited . The 
Uniforms Act of 1997 bans the imports of camouflage uniforms . Imports of ref rigerators, motor 
vehicles, air conditioning units, and other goods are banned if they contain ozone -depleting 
substances. Imports of vehicles using freon in their air -conditioning system are prohibited.  
Schedule 3 of the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Act of 2008 lists prohibited pesticides and 
chemicals.  
3.19.  Certain import restrictions are in  place on  health an d safety grounds and the relevant  
imports require a permit or sanitary/phytosanitary certificate. The import of any herb or p lant or 
any part of any herb or plant for use as medicine or drug by man or animals, or which may  be 
used as med icine or drug for  man or animals, must be authorized by the Chief Medical Officer or 
the Chief Veterinary Officer.  
3.20.  Imports of  pharmaceutical products; substa nces used to manufacture drugs; firearms; and 
ammunition are also restricted and require prior perm ission. Additionally,  imports of any 
mechanical game, device, or applian ce, that can be used to play at any game of chance for money 
is restricted under the Customs (Control and Management) Act of 201 3; the same Act restricts the 
import of tear gas and any  ingredi ent that may produce it; or any article that bears a design in 
imitation of any currency or bank note or  coin in current use in Antigua and Barbuda or elsewhere, 
except as expressly authorized by the Comptroller of Customs and Excise.  
3.21.  The Pesticide s and Toxic Chemicals Act of 2008 lists controlled pesticides and chemicals 
(schedule 2). The import of these is restricted and requires a licence from the Pesticides and Toxic 
Chemicals Control Board.  
3.22.  During the period under review, there was no change to  Antigua and Barbuda's import 
licensing regime. Antigua and Barbuda has notified its import licensing system  to the WTO.4  
3.23.  Under the provisions of t he External Trade (Impor t Prohibition) Order 2001, imports of 
certain goods require  a licence. However, some  of these goods when imported from CARICOM and 
OECS countries (second and third schedules) are exempt from the licensing requirement.5 Most 
imports are subject to automatic licensing; the authorities indicate d that this is for data -collection 
purposes. N on-automatic licensing is applied on products subject to tariffication under Ar ticle 164 
of the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (aerated beverages, beer, stout, ale, porter, pasta, candles, 
solar water heaters, oxygen in cylinder, carbon dioxide in cylinder, a cetylene in cylinder, chairs 
and othe r seats of wood and upholstered fabric, other furniture of wood and upholstered fabric, 
mops); imports  of animals, poultry, livestock , and poultry products;  plants and plant products; 
pesticides;  drugs and an tibiotics; firearms, fireworks, arms and ammunition; and chemicals 
controlled by the Montreal Pro tocol). For all other products, licences are  granted on request. The 
import licensing regime is administered by the Minist ry of Finance and the Economy.  
3.24.  There is no lice nsing fee or administrative charge, and n o deposit or advance payment is 
required for the issuance of a licences. In practice, licences are ofte n requested and issued upon 
the arrival of the goods. A licence is valid, in most cases, for one month from the date of issue, 
extend able upon request. Licences are not transferable  between importers; there is no penalty for 
the non -use of a licence. Licences are required on a season al basis for imports of certain 
agricultural products . 
                                               
4 WTO document G/LIC/N/1/ATG/1, 31 January 2002 . 
5 For details see WTO document WT/TPR/S /190/ATG, 1 October 2007,  Table 3.4.  WT/TPR/S/ 299 • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 87 - 
 
  3.25.  The External Trade (Import Pr ohibition) Order 2001 prohibits the import without a licence of 
goods from or origina ting in the certain countries.  
3.1.6   Contingency measures  
3.1.6.1   Anti-dumping and countervailing measures  
3.26.  During the period under review, there was no change to Antigua and Barbuda's a nti-
dumping and countervailing legislation. Anti-dumping and countervailing measures are addressed 
in the Customs Duties (Dumpi ng and Subsidies) Act, of 1959, which was notified to the WTO in 
2002.6 Questions were posed regard ing this legislation, mainly o n issues concerning the lack of 
provisions on various essent ial elements of an anti -dumping investigation. Antigua and Barbuda 
has still not  provide d answers.  Antigua and Barbuda notified to the WTO that it has not establ ished 
an authority competent to initiate and conduct an investigation within the meaning of Article 16. 5 
of the Agreement and thus has not, to date, taken any anti -dumping actions within the meaning of 
Article 16.4 of the Agreement and does not anticipate taking any for the foreseeable futu re.7 
3.27.  At the time of the last R eview, the authorities noted that legislation on these issues, to be 
based on the CARICOM model laws, was under consideration in the Ministry of Legal Affairs.  
3.1.6.2   Safeguards  
3.28.  Under CARICOM rules, when necessary, Antigua and Barbud a, as a less developed country, 
may invoke the special provisio ns in Chapter 7 of the Revised T reaty of Chaguaramas, in particular 
Articles 150 and 164. Article 150 (Safeguard Measures) of the revi sed treaty entitles a 
disadvantaged country to limit import s of goods from othe r member states for up to three years, 
and to take such other measures as COTED may autho rize. Article 164 (Promotion of Industrial 
Development) allows less develope d CARICOM countries to petition COTED to suspend 
Community -origin treat ment to certain products as a temporary measure in order to promote the 
development of an industry, and apply tariff rates higher than the CET.  Antigua and Barbuda has 
not limited imports or applied suspensions under A rticles 150 or 164.  
3.29.  Antigua and Barbud a is entitled to apply safeguards for balance -of-payments reasons under 
Article 84 of the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, though it has never done so . Additionally,  the 
Caribbean Community (Movement of Factors) Act, 2006, pr ovide s for the use of safeguards where 
the Minister is satisfied that there are serious balance -of-payments and external financial 
difficulties or the threat thereof.  
3.1.7   Standards and technical regulations  
3.30.  No notifications were made to the TBT Committee during the period under review.  
3.31.  The Antigua and Barbuda Bureau of Standards (ABBS) is the  national standards body, 
enquiry point , and national notification authority under the TBT Agreement.8 The ABBS, which is 
part of the Ministry and Finance and the Economy, is responsible  for the preparati on and 
promulgati on of technical regulations and standards, and for dealing with standards -related 
matters, such as met rology and quality.  
3.32.  The ABBS is a member of  the CARICOM Regional  Organisation for Standards and Quality 
(CROSQ), Codex Alimentarius (WHO /FAO), and the Inter -American Metrology System (SIM). The 
ABBS also has subscriber membership in the International Organization for S tandardization (ISO), 
and is an affiliate member of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).  
3.33.  Under the provisio ns of t he Standards Act of 1987, and the Standards Regulation s of 1998, 
standards formulation and development is mainly the responsibility of ABBS.9 The mandate to 
prepare a technical regulation or standard generall y comes from the Standards Council, which  is 
                                               
6 WTO document G/ADP/N/1/ATG/2, G/SCM/N/1/ATG/2, 19 March 2002.  
7 WTO document G/ADP/N/193/ATG,  27 September 2011 . 
8 http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tbt_e/tbt_enquiry_points_e.htm . 
9 Standards are formulated general ly by consensus  between the ABBS and concerned parties.  WT/TPR /S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 88 - 
 
  composed of representatives from sever al agencies, based on a request from the general public or 
business enterprise, or as a result of  developments that could have a negative impact on health, 
safety, the environment, or trade. A Technical Committee , comprising  persons from organizations 
that will be affected, a rep resentative of consumers, and a technical secretary,  submits a  draft 
standa rd to the Standards Council for approval. Once ratified by the Standards Council,  the ABBS 
publishes a notice in newspapers and the Gazette  of its intention to declare the standard a national 
standard, giving the general public the opportunity to comment on the technical content. If t he 
standard is intended to be a compulsory standard/technical regulation, it is also s ubmitted to th e 
Ministry of Legal Affairs and Justice, and thereafter the Minister with responsibility for the ABBS, 
for declaration in the Gazette . This process is in keeping with the WTO TBT Code of Good Practice 
for Standardization.  
3.34.  The authorities stated that technical regulations and sta ndards are usually based on  
CARICOM standards or international standards , if they exist. Standards  based on those developed 
by other regional standards bodies, ISO, other international standa rds bodies, and CODEX have 
also been used in drafting ABBS s tandards/technical regulations.  
3.35.  Under the provisions of the Act, s tandards may be voluntary or compulsory (technical 
regulations), although they gen erally start as voluntary and become technical regulations upon 
analysis.  Standard s may, on the recommendation of the ABBS, be declared by Order of the 
Minister to be a compulsor y standard if they are intended primarily  to protect the consumer or 
user against danger to health and safety; to prevent fraud or deception arising from misleading 
advertising or labelling; to ensur e quality in goods produced for export; to require adequate 
information to be given to the consumer or user; or to ensure quality in a case where the choice of 
sources of supply is restricted. A notice must be p ublished in the Gazette  in this respect.  
3.36.  Forty three  standards have been  made public as Nati onal (Voluntary) Standards.  
3.37.  There is no fully functional certification body in Antigua and Barbuda, as  the ABBS lacks the 
necessary technical resources. The author ities stated that certification activities are carried out  on 
a regional basis. Furthermore, the ABBS that lacks the technical regulations and resources to carry 
out market surveillance.  
3.38.  The Government Chemistry Laboratory carries out basic testin g, and th ere are three 
concrete -testing laboratories: one is in  the Public Works Division, and two are  private (the 
Caribbean Testing Laboratory, and Antigua Masonry Products ). The ABBS intends to carry out type 
approval where possible and where necessary, to appro ve the aforemention ed laboratories for 
certification work on behalf of the ABBS. The ABBS has the l egal authority to delegate this 
responsibility.  Accreditation is done at the  regional level. 
3.39.  The necessary technical regulations that form the basis for c onformity assessment 
procedures have not yet been adopted  in Antigua and Barbuda.  
3.40.  The Metrology Act was passed by Parliament in 2007; however, implementing regulations 
are still not in place. Under the Act, both the International System of units and the Bri tish Imperial 
System of units may  be used concurrently. The Act also addresses the verification and licensing of 
weighing and measuring equipment. Furthermore, the Act establishes a Nationa l Metrology 
Service, which is part of  the ABBS;  its main function is the inspection of weighing and measuring 
instruments.  
3.1.8   Sanitary and phytosanitary measures  
3.41.  During the period under review, significant changes to Antigua and Barbuda's SPS regime 
include d the enactment of the Plant Protection Act of 2012 and the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals 
Act of 2008.  
3.42.  Under the provisions of the Plant Protection Act of 2012, a government agency will be 
designated as the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO). The NPPO would be responsible 
for the implementation of the Internationa l Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and SPS 
Agreement . The NPPO would be responsible for inter alia : issuing SPS certificates; carrying out 
inspection and surveillance pertaining to plant and plant products; disinfecting consignments of WT/TPR/S/ 299 • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 89 - 
 
  plant and plant pr oducts; conducting pest -risk analysis; providing information to other countries 
concerning SPS measures applied; notifying trading partners of non -compliance with import 
requirements; notifying SPS measures to the national enquiry point for SPS and the IPP C focal 
point; and providing information regarding import and export regulations in force.  
3.43.  Imports of plants and plant products are governed by the Plant Protection Act of 2012, 
whereby certain products require an import permit from the NPPO and must be ac companied by a 
SPS certificate. The NPPO grants import permits according to international standards and payment 
of a fee.  
3.44.  Imports of live plants and all unprocessed plant products and commodities and non -
commercial  untreated seeds are subject to technical  quarantine regulations and control, depending 
on the countr y of origin and the presence of particular pest s and diseases of quarantine 
importance to Antigua an d Barbuda.  
3.45.  The importation of soil or products containing soil is prohib ited. Imported plants sh ould be 
free of soil . A pest -risk assessment is conducted on each requested commodity before a decis ion is 
made whether the risk of importation is acceptable (minimal or non -existent). The importer is 
issued an import permit from the Ministry of Agricultur e for each shipment and is instructed to 
communi cate Antigua and Barbuda's import requirements to the exporter . Plant quarantine 
inspectors, sta tioned at the two main ports of entry, are responsible for conducting inspections of 
all plants and plan t produc ts that enter via these and the minor ports. Surveillance for general pest 
management is carrie d out periodically in high -risk areas within the country. From time to time, 
surveys are co nducted for pests of quarantine significance such as the boll weevil, the mango seed 
weevil, and fruit flies. 
3.46.  Antigua and Barbuda has developed a list of prohibited  and permitted commodities with 
respect to specific trading partners. The Plant Protection Unit of th e Department of Agriculture is  in 
the process of developing a  website that will include bi lateral agreements, the list of quarantined 
pests, legislation, entry requirements, and other r elated material. Special import restrictions apply 
to some products, for example mangoes from coun tries with mango seed weevil or fruit flies; 
citrus from areas with fruit flies are prohibited.  
3.47.  The SPS enquiry point is the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing and the Environment, 
and the Plant Protection Unit  of the Ministry se rves as the focal point  for the IPPC.  
3.48.  Imports of animals , poultry, livestock, and poultry products must be in accordance with  the 
Animal Health Legislation , the Animals (Diseases and Importation) Act of 1953, and the Animals 
(International Movement and Disease) Act, which covers quarantine and the species subje ct to it. 
These products must be accompanied by a certificate from the veterinary authority of the 
exporting country. Inspection in Antigua and Barbuda is  undertaken by the Veterinary Division of 
the Ministry of Agriculture. There are no additional  restric tions on the import or sale of animals 
that have been fed hormones (or their products).  
3.49.  As a signatory to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, Anti gua and Barbuda does not permit 
the importation or sale of living modified organisms (LMOs) un less approval h as been obtained 
from the competent national authority. That approval must be based, in  part, on the results of a 
risk assessment.  
3.50.  At the time of its last R eview, Antigua and Barbuda ha d notified to the SPS Committee it s 
(Draft) Animals (National and International Movement and Disease Prevention) Act. This bill, which 
has not yet been enacted, should supersede the legislation  currently in place ; its purpose is  to 
regulate the movemen t of animals into and out of Antigua and Barbuda with the aim of preventing  
and controlling t he spread of certain animal disea ses. A draft Food Safety Act had  also been 
notified to the WTO. The bill 's purpose is  to regulate the sale of food by producers, processors, 
manufacturers or h andlers of food, as well as the import and exp ort of food into or from Antigua 
and Barbuda. This bill has not yet entered  into effect.  According to the authorities both bills are 
expected to be enacted before the end of the year.  
3.51.  Antigua and Barbuda is a contracting party to the Internatio nal Plant Pr otection Convention 
(IPPC), and a member of th e Codex Alimentarius Commission.   WT/TPR /S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 90 - 
 
  3.52.  The Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Act of 2008 contain s the main provisions on the 
registration, import, sale, transport, disposal, control , and inspection of pesticides. The A ct 
establishes the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals  Control Board, which functions under the Ministry of 
Agriculture . The Board  is in charge of implementing the Act. The Board is also responsible for , 
inter alia, considering applications for registration; gr anting or revoking licences; approving 
research permits; and certifying pest control operators.  
3.2  Measures Directly Affecting Exports  
3.2.1   Procedures, export taxes, and restrictions  
3.53.  Exports are regulated by the Customs (Control and Management) Act of 2013. The ne w Act 
has not changed export procedures. Exporter s must furnish  an export declaration,  a bill of lading 
or airway bill,  an invoice,  a certificate of origin (for preferential trade , as needed) , and an SPS 
certificate (when required).  
3.54.  Export taxes  are levied  on lobsters a nd fish at EC$0.5/lb and EC$0.10/lb , respectively,  in 
Antigua, while under Barbuda law, the rate is EC$0.75/lb for lobster and EC$0.35/lb for conch. 
Under the  Export Duty Act of 1941, export duties may also be applied on commercially pure 
bartes; clean cotton lint; molasses; and sugar. The authorities stated that export taxes on these 
products are not applied and that there are no exports of molasses or sugar as there is no longer a  
sugar industry in Antigua and Barbuda.  
3.55.  The Customs (Control a nd Management) A ct of 2013 prohibits the export of  firearms having 
a disguised appearance; utensils used for smoking or for the preparation for use of any illegal 
drug; and goods the export of which is prohibited by any other law of Antigua and Barbuda. Al so, 
the export  of wild birds or of any liv e or dead wildlife or parts, is prohibited in accordance with the 
CITES.  
3.2.2   Export subsidies, financing, support, and promotion  
3.56.  Antigua and Barbuda has not notified the WTO Comm ittee on Agriculture that it provides 
export subsidies on agricultural products. Under Art icle 27 of the SCM Agreement, Antigua and 
Barbuda has not ified the Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures that it provides  
export subsi dies: the Fiscal Incentives Act of 1975 (repealed in 2013) , and the Free Trade and 
Processing Zone Act  of 1994.10 
3.57.  No goods are subject to export licensing . 
3.58.  In a decision taken on 27 October 2006, the Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing 
Measures agreed to continue , until 31 December 2007 , the extension and  continuation of the 
transition period, under Article 27.2(b) of the SCM Agreement, for the eliminatio n of export 
subsidies that take the form of full or partial exemptions from import duties and inter nal taxes and 
were in existence on 1 September 2001.  In July 2007, the General Council extend ed the date for 
the dismantlement o f export subsidies to end 2015. O n 23 October  2012, the Committee on 
Subsidi es and Countervailing Measures approved the final exte nsion of the transition period until 
end 2013 for export  subsidy programmes of 19 developing countries  including Antigua and 
Barbuda . 
3.59.  The Fiscal Incentives Act granted  tax benefits to enterprises exp orting part of their 
production and not enjoying a tax holiday or duty -free imports of raw materi als and capital goods. 
A longer maximum pe riod of tax holiday (15 years) wa s granted to enclave enterprises exporting 
all of t heir production . The Act was repealed in 2013.  
3.60.  Enterprises registered under the Free Trad e and Processing Zone Act of 1994 are exempt 
from custom s duty and other taxes on imports of machinery, equipment, spare parts , and items 
needed to construct and operate facilities within the free t rade and processing z one (FTPZ) . Firms 
are also exempt  from cus toms duty and other taxes on imports of goods to be  used as inputs in 
the production of goods  produce d or assembled within the FTPZ. Additionally, firms benefit from 
                                               
10 WTO documents G/SCM /N/253/ATG and G/SCM /N/260/ATG, 31 July 2013.  WT/TPR/S/ 299 • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 91 - 
 
  exempt ion from: income and other taxes of any kind ; export taxes; government levies; and any 
taxes on  the repatriation of profits earned in t he zone .11 
3.61.  To operate in the FTPZ, a  licence is needed.  Licence  and registration are granted only to 
corporations, regardless of where they are incorporat ed, or a branch or unit of such corporation. 
The decision to grant a licence is based on consi derations  such as  the level of investment; the 
project's capacity to generate employment; generation of foreign exchange; technological 
adaptability and transfer possibilities; and en vironmental impact. The licence fee ranges betwee n 
US$10,000 and US$20,000 and doe s not depend  on the size of the project. There is no information 
on the amount of the subsidy under the programme.  
3.62.  According to the OECD, the li cence fees received from sports book and internet gambling 
represent the main source of revenues from the  FTPZ. Nevertheless, the size of these operations 
has declined considerabl y in recent years.  
3.63.  The authorities indicated that  amendments to the Act are on going and will be advanced by 
the two -year phase -out, and will be completed by the 2015 deadline.   
3.64.  Exporters could also have made  use of the insurance and export credit g uarantee facilities 
provided by the ECCB Export Credit Guarantee Scheme , covering political and co mmercial risks.  
However, the scheme was abolished in 2009.  
3.65.  Exporters may also receive export promo tion support from the OECS Export Development 
Unit. During the period under review, the scheme was not utilised by any exporter.  
3.3  Measures Affecting Production and Trade  
3.3.1   Incentives  
3.66.  The Government of Antigua and Barbuda encourages and promotes domestic and foreign 
investment with a view to fostering private sector development, job creation, wealth creation, and 
poverty reduction. In this regard, concessions and incentives are offered to investors under 
various schemes.  
3.67.  Incentive schemes currently in place ar e the Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority Act 
of 2006; the Aid to Pioneer Industries Act ; and a number of sector -specific incentives schemes, in 
particular for tourism, for  example the Hotel Aid Act. In addition there is also a citizenship by 
investme nt programme in place.  
3.68.  The Aid to Pioneer Industries Act (Cap 14) provides customs duty and income tax relief for  
pioneer industries. These industries qualify for a tax holiday on corporate taxes of up to five years  
from the date p roduction begins, and los ses may  be carried forward for up to three years after the 
tax holiday ends.  
3.69.  Under the provisions of the Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority Act 2006, incentives 
are based on the size of the capital investment and the number of employees to be hired a s a 
result of the project (Section 2). Furthermore, the Act created the Antigua and Barbuda 
Investment Authority (ABIA) , which started functioning in 2007. The ABIA serves as a one -stop 
shop for investors, as well as the repository for information on doing  business in the country. 
Applications for incentives and concessions are now processed through the  ABIA, which has 
authority to grant incentives. The ABIA is run by a board that consists of  government and private -
sector interests, under direction from the  Minister of Finance. Under the new  law, Cabinet still 
gives general policy direction to the authority.  The ABIA gives priority to tourism  development, 
financial services, business support (call centres, etc.), information/computer  technology, health 
and w ellness, education, logistics (e.g. transhipment), and light manufacturing.  
3.70.  The Fiscal Incentives Act was repealed in 2013. The Act provided  customs  duty and 
consumption tax waivers for 10 to 15 years, and complete or partial exemption from income  tax 
                                               
11 However, firms are required to pay social security, medical benefits, and the education levy on the 
earnings of any person employe d in any industrial or commercial activity within the FTPZ.  WT/TPR /S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 92 - 
 
  on the profits from sales of approved products for up to 15 years. The tax holiday period under  the 
Fiscal Incentives Act  depended  on the  group in which the enterprise wa s categorized, according to 
the local value -added generated or whether  it was geared for e xport. As of July 2013, some 
35 firms were  registered under the Fiscal Incentive s Act in the sectors of : beverages (2); 
condiments (3); detergent  (2); garments (6); light industries (3); and other (19). Total sales by 
these companies were  over US$2 5 millio n in 2004 (last available year).  
3.3.2   Competition policy and price c ontrols  
3.71.  Antigua and Barbuda has  no competition legislation . At the time of its last Review, 
legislative  proposals were being developed to be sent to Parliament . Chapter VIII of the revised 
CARICOM Treaty addresses  competition policy and provides for the enactment and harmonization 
of legislation in CARICOM member s tates. Under Article 171 of the Revised Treaty of 
Chaguaramas,  The CARICOM Competition Commission was established in January 2008.  The 
Commission is  in charge of competition issues and enfo rcement in the CSME (see 
Common  Report). The EPA contains  provisions with respect to  competition policy (see 
Common  Report).  Regional competition policy is expected to be implemented, but no specific date 
has been set for this. Draft model legislation is being prepared by the CARICOM Secretariat , once 
it enters into force, it is expected that Antigua and Barbuda will create a national competition 
authority to deal with domestic competition issues, whil e the CARICOM Authority will deal with 
issues at the regional level.  
3.3.2.1   Price controls  
3.72.  Antigua and Barbuda applies price controls on a list of products, in accordance with the Price 
Control Order of 11 October 1967. The list covers 41 items and specifies the wholesale and retail 
margins allowed for each item. The wholesale margin is 10% in most cases, 12.5% in some 
instances , and in one instance 15%. The retail margin is generally 15% or 20%, but may  be 
higher for some goods, for example for frozen goods (22.5 %).  
3.73.  Products subject to fixed prices include bread and petroleum products (gasoline, kerosene, 
etc.). Prices are set by the Ministry of Finance, and may  fluctuate in response to developments in 
the international market; market surveillance is conducted by  the Prices and Consumer Affairs 
Division of the Ministr y of Justice and Public Safety.  
3.74.  To enforce prices controls, in the case of imported goods, the Prices and Consumer Affairs 
Division of the Ministry of Justice and Public Safety surveys the landed cost  for each product at the 
port of entry, and subsequently adds the relevant margins. Checks are also made  internally: 
inspectors visit retail outlets on a daily basis to inspect the displayed prices for items  subject to 
control. First violations generally r esult in a warning, subsequent violations may result in fines (not 
exceeding EC$5,000) and prosecution.  
3.3.3   State -owned enterprises and privatization  
3.75.  Antigua and Barbuda has notified no state trading enterprise to the WTO.  
3.76.  The Central Marketing Corporation (CM C), a statutory body established in 1973, is 
mandated to provide a market for locally grown produce, secure markets for them, and ensure 
that prices of basic food commodities remain stable. The goals of the CMC were originally achieved 
through the import l icensing regime, which restricts imports of an assortment of veg etables that 
local farmers can  produce. The CMC may exercise sole responsibility for the importation and 
marketing of carrots, cabbage, onio ns, sweet peppers, and tomatoes.  However, a ccording to the 
authorities, the system of licences is being phased out, and the CMC 's monopoly is not enforced; 
private importation of the se commodities is unrestricted.  
3.3.4   Government procurement  
3.77.  During the period under review, Antigua and Barbuda introduced new legi slation on 
government procurement. The Government passed the new Procurement Administration Act in 
2011. However, as at February 2014, the new Act had not yet entered  into force. The Act seeks to 
simplify, clarify , and modernize the procurement process, as  well as to make the process more WT/TPR/S/ 299 • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 93 - 
 
  transparent. The Act is particularly foc used on  encouraging public competition in the procurement 
process; fostering and encouraging broad participation in the procurement process in Ant igua and 
Barbuda and overseas; incre asing  public confidence in the procurement process by maintaining 
safeguards to ensure integrity, fairness , and transparency; and providing value for money in the 
procurement process. The Act provides  for the establishment of a procurement unit in the Mini stry 
of Finance. Competitive , sealed bids are the p referred method of procurement.  
3.78.  Until the new Act enters  into force, t he Tenders Board u nder the Ministry of Finance is 
respons ible for government procurement. The Board has sole and exclusive authority to  invite,  
consider, and accept or reject offers.  
3.79.  Requests for tendering for supplies must be sent to the Board. Tenders may be public or 
selective. Upon receipt of a request by an agency, the Board mus t either: invite members of the 
public in general to mak e offers for the supply of the articles, works o r services, by notice 
published in the Gazette  and in local or overseas newspapers; or , subject to the a pproval of the 
Minister, invite such bodies or persons as may be selected by the Board to make offers.  
3.80.  In making its decision, the Board  must take into account  the qua lity of the articles or, in the 
case of works or services, the financial, technical , and administrative competence of the persons 
making the offer, as well as,  the prices offered. It must accep t the lowest offer, except where it 
has good reason to accept another offer, if it accepts an offer higher in value than the lowest offer , 
it must submit a comprehensive report to the Minister giving its reasons . Once the contract is 
awarded, the Board mus t publish in the Gazette  the name of the person or body to whom the 
contract is awarded, the amount of t he tender , and the date on which the award was made.  
3.81.  The current Tenders Board Act regulations allow agencies to establish their own 
procuremen t departm ents for small amounts, and exempt  the Government or any statutory body 
from the tender procedure if it is satisfied that it i s expedient and desirable so to do.  
3.82.  Antigua and Barbuda does not apply any national or regional preferences in the 
procurement pr ocess.  
3.83.  Antigua and Barbuda is not a party to the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement.  
Details with respect to the amount and level of government procurement were not available.  
3.3.5   Intellectual property rights  
3.84.  During the period under review, there were no changes to the intellectual property regime 
in Antigua and Barbuda. Under  the Intelle ctual Property Office Act of 2003, the office of the 
Registrar of Intellect ual Property is responsible for  all functions relating  to the grant of patents and 
utility mode l certificates; the registration of industrial d esigns, marks, collective marks , and 
geographical indications; supervising  and perform ing other dutie s conferred by the intellectual 
property legislation or its regulations; and carr ying out studies, programm es or exchanges of items 
or services on domestic and international IP i ssues, and on the use of patent documents as a 
source of information. The office is under the Ministry of Justice . 
3.85.  Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the World Intelle ctual Property Org anization and 
contracting party to a number of intellectual p roperty conventions .12 
3.3.5.1   Trade marks  
3.86.  The Trade Mark Act of 2003 and the implementing regulations govern trade  marks;  the Act 
entered into force in 2006. The Act and the  regulation s are part of the pr ogramme of the Ministry 
of Justice and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to update the intellectual pr operty laws 
required for modern trade and investment protection. Under the Trade Marks Law of 2003, service 
marks may be registered.  The exclusive rig ht to a trade  mark is acquired through registration in 
the Register of Marks. The term of protection is the standard ten years, renewable for consecutive 
                                               
12 Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the Berne Convention, 1999; the Madrid Protocol; the Paris 
Convention;  the Patent Cooperation Treaty; and the WIPO Convention. In all cases, accession was on 
17 December 1999, and the agreement entered into force on 17 March 2000.  WT/TPR /S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 94 - 
 
  periods of ten years each. The Act provides for the right of priority of an earlier national or region al 
application filed by the applicant in any WTO Member or State party to the Paris Convention, as 
well as provisions on licences . 
3.87.  There were 4,534 trade  marks registered in Antigua and B arbuda during 2007 -12, all by 
non-residents; there were also 1,480 re gistrations abroad .13 
3.3.5.2   Patents and industrial designs  
3.88.  Patent rights continue to be enforced by the Patent Act of 2003 . The Act defines which 
inventions may  be patented and stipulates  that t he right to a patent belongs to the inventor. 
Furthermore, the Act sp ecifies, the procedures for filing for and obtaining a patent, as well as  the 
rights of the paten t holder. Under the Act , a patent is valid for 20 years after the filing date of the 
application. The Act also  provides for compulsory licensing wh ere the pate nt is not exploited or 
insufficiently exploited. It also allows for exploitation of the pa tent by the Government or  by third 
persons when required for reasons of national security, nutrition, health or the development of 
other vital sectors of the national  economy, or in response to anti -competitive p ractices. The Act 
also addresses  Antigua and Barbuda' s obligations under the Pat ent Cooperation Treaty.  
3.89.  Under the provisions of the Industrial Designs Act of 2003 , only a new  industrial desi gn may  
be registered . The Act stipulates  that the right to registration of an industrial design belongs to the 
creator. P rocedures for r egistering an industrial design are also set out in the Act.  Under the Act, 
registration is initially for five years from the filing date of  the application; this may  be renewed  for 
two further con secutive five -year periods. The Act aligns national law with the terms of the Paris 
Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.  
3.90.  Seven patents were granted in A ntigua and Barbuda  during the review period . Over the 
same period, t here were 37 patent applications , mostly for electrical machinery, apparatus, 
energy, medical technology, IT methods for management and control.14 Antigua and Barbuda 
granted 65 patents on industrial designs during the period.  
3.3.5.3   Copyright  
3.91.  Under the Copyright Act  of 2003, which entered into force in 2006, a copyright may be 
granted to  an original literary,  musical, dramatic, or artistic work; sound recordings, film 
broadcasts, or cable recordings; and  typographical arrange ments of published editions. Databases 
may be treated as original literary works, but  only if the compilation is  the author 's own 
intellectual creation. C ollections of fo lklore are also afforded protection. Copyright protection is 
generally for life plus 5 0 years, but it is limited to 25 years fo r typographical arrangements of 
published editions. The Copyright Act addresses  rules on copyright own ers' economic and moral 
rights, joint authorship, the ownership and assignment of rights, licensing, exce ptions, the rights 
conferred in performances, and the available remedies for infringement of copyright and related 
rights. The Act also establishes a Copyright Tribunal.  
3.3.5.4   Other intellectual property rights  
3.92.  The Geogra phical Indications Act of  2003, which e ntered int o effect in 2006, allows for any 
interested person or group of p roducers or consumers to initiate proceedings in Court so as to 
prevent misleading the public or unfair competitio n, with respect to  geographical indications. The 
law provides for registration , but also states that protection is availabl e whether or not a 
geographical indication has been registered.  
3.93.  Under the Integrated  Circuits Topography Act of 2003, which also entered into force in 
2006, it is illegal to reproduce a protected layout -design, or to import, sell, or otherwise distribute 
an unlawfully reproduced layout  design. The Act stipulates  the procedures for registration of these  
designs . 
                                               
13 WIPO online information. Consulted at: 
http://www.wipo.int/ipstats/en/statistics/country_profile/countries/ag.html . 
14 WIPO online information. Consulted at: 
http://www.wipo.int/ipsta ts/en/statistics/country_profile/countries/ag.html.  WT/TPR/S/ 299 • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 95 - 
 
  3.3.5.5   Enforcement  
3.94.  The IPR enforcement system in  Antigua and Barbuda  is based on a combination  of 
legislation and common l aw. Intellectual property rights in Antigua and Barbuda are considered 
private rights , and as such, the onus of enforcement  lies with the right holder.  
3.95.  Jurisdiction over IPR infringement cases lies with t he Supreme Court of Judicature 
(comprisi ng the High Cou rt of Justice and the courts of appeal), with final appe al to the Judicial 
Committee of the Privy Council. If the owner of the intellectual property right or a li censee feels 
that his/her r ight has been infringed they may  initiate  civil proc eedings. In the case of copyright 
and neighbouring r ights, and protection of secret information, owners of IPRs may assert their 
rights, without the need for  registration. Registration is required for th e protection of trade  marks, 
patents, industrial desi gns and  integrated circuits, and plant breeders' righ ts. However, 
unregistered trade  marks may be protected under common law.  
3.96.  Enforcement measures  include: injunctions; damages, inc luding recovery of profits, and 
expenses, including attorney's fees; and de struction or other d isposal of infringing goods and 
materials/implements for their production. Under common law, a rig ht holder who has valid 
grounds for suspecting that imports infringe an intellectual property right may apply to the court 
for an order for the suspension by the Customs Authorities of the release into fre e circulation of 
such goods. In addition, the Copyright Act of 2003 allows the custom s authorities to seize 
imported copies of published copyright material if a notice of objection has b een given to the 
Comptroller of Customs and Excise .  
3.97.  The trade  mark, co pyright and industrial property legislation makes  certain violations  a 
criminal act ; these are punishable by  fines and imprisonment of up to five years.  WT/TPR /S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 96 - 
 
  4  TRADE POLICIES BY SE CTOR  
4.1  Agricultu re 
4.1.  The agriculture and fisheries sector in Antigua and Barbuda is small. During the period under 
review, the sector's contribution to GDP remained below 2%, while employ ing between 10% and 
12% of the workforce, implying that labour productivity in the sect or is much lower than in the 
rest of the economy. The sector's total contribution  to the economy  in 2013 was around 
US$21  million, with fisheries accounting for US$10 million and crops for around US$7 million. Most 
production is geared towards domestic con sumption.  
4.2.  With a view to diversifying the economy, the Government has identified agriculture as a focus 
area. The Antigua and Barbuda Food and Nutrition Security Policy , issued  in 2012 , identifies the 
sector 's constraints: low productivity; short -term land  tenures; inadequate water supply; credit 
constraints; loss of arable land to housing construction; lack of storage facilities; high en ergy and 
labour costs; and over -exploitation of marine food sources. The sector also faces significant risks 
from natural  disasters such as hurricanes. To mitigate the above the Government plans to enact a 
food security law; pursue a policy of import substitution; increase budgetary allocation for the 
sector; and imple ment the land -use policy  more aggressively.  
4.3.  In 2010, the authorities initiated the backyard garden programme, whereby households are 
encouraged to utilize their gardens for vegetable production. The Government envisages that this 
would reduce the food import bill by a considerable amount. Acco rding to the author ities, 
2,000  households have registered under this initiative.  
4.4.  The Fisheries Act of 2006, is aimed at promoting sustainable development and the 
responsible management of fisheries and aquaculture activities. Under the provisions of the Act, all 
fishing ves sels must be registered and have a valid fishing licence.  
4.5.  Employment and investment in the se ctor is reserved for nationals.  
4.6.  The average tariff for agricultural products (WTO definition) is 18.1 %, with  rates ranging  
from 0 -45%. The average bound rate for a gricul tural products is 105.7%. The  top rate ( 45%) 
applies  to beverages, spirits , and tobacco. Imports of some agricultural products may require 
licences; non -automatic licences may  be required f or poultry, livestock and poultry products, 
plants , and plant  products.  
4.2  Services  
4.7.  Antigua and Barbuda made sector -specific commitments  under the General Agreement on 
Trade in Services in 6 of the 12 broadly defined service areas, or 32 of the approximately 160 
subsectors: financial services (insurance services); busi ness s ervices (professional services , 
computer and related services,  research and development services ); tour ism and travel related 
services (hotels and restaurants); recreational, cultural and sporting service s (entertainment 
services); and transport serv ices (maritime transport services). Unlike all othe r OECS -WTO 
Members, Antigua and Barbuda has not yet submitted an initial offer on services in t he DDA 
(Section  2). Except for telecommunications services, no market access or national treatment 
limitations  have been scheduled on cross -border supply and consumption abroad. Conversely, all 
commercial presence commitments are subject to market access and in some cases national 
treatment limitations.  
4.8.   Antigua and Barbuda's horizontal commitments include limita tions regarding natural persons 
and commercial presence. With respect to the latter, the sched ule contains a general approval 
requirement and encourages joint ventures. With respect to the m ovement of natural persons, the 
schedule contains a labour market t est, permitting employment of fo reign natural persons only 
when qualified nationals are unavailable. Antigua and Barbuda's list of  Article II (MFN) exemptions 
is confined to one limitation on terrestrial -based mobile telecommu nication services, allowing fo r 
preferential treatment for CARICOM service suppliers.  WT/TPR/S/ 299 • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 97 - 
 
  4.2.1   Financial services  
4.2.1.1   Overview  
4.9.  As of March 2013, the financial sector in A ntigua and Barbuda comprised 8 domestic 
commercial banks, 13 offshore banks, 23 insurance companies and agents , and 6 credit unio ns. 
Domestic banks are regulated by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), while the rest are 
regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC). The sector 's contribution to 
GDP is over 8%; however this relatively low ratio masks the imp ortance and the widespread 
influence of the sect or on the rest of the economy. The banking sector's total assets were nearly 
170% of GDP  in October 2013 . The main legislation governing domestic banks is the Banking Act 
of 2005, which is based on an ECCB -wide uniform banking law template.  
4.2.1.2   Banking  
4.10.  Under the provisions of the Act, banking licences are approved by the Minister of Finance 
after all required criteria under the Act have been fulfilled. All banks must have a physical 
presence in the country, but ma y be incorporated locally or as a subsidiary or a branch. There are 
no restrictions on foreign investment in the sector, and foreign -owned banks that are licensed and 
incorporated in Antigua and Barbuda are subject to t he same requirements as locally owned  banks 
and permitted to provide the same services. However, branches of foreign banks need to show 
that they are subject to effective supervision in their home markets and that the regulatory body 
in their home jurisdiction has no objection to their applic ation.  
4.11.  Antigua and Barbuda was particularly hard hit  by the global financial crisis of 2008 . One 
offshore and two domestic banks failed (in 2009 and 2011 ), while the collapse of the CL Financial 
Group in Trinidad and Tobago also had serious ramifications f or Antigua and Barbuda.  
4.12.  Under a decision by a United States court, the offshore Stanford Financial Group (SFG), 
owner of the Bank of Antigua (BOA) , a locally incorporated bank,  was placed under receivership in 
early 2009, and its sole shareholder Allen Sta nford was charged with fraud. The court decision and 
the charges prompted a run on the bank. To stem this, the ECCB intervened by providing liquidity 
in the f orm of a three -year loan of EC$ 89 million (3% of Antigua and Barbuda's GDP). 
Furthermore, it was d ecided to create a new bank to take over the operations o f BOA. T he Eastern 
Caribbean Amalgamated Bank (ECAB) was incorporated in July 2009 and started operations in 
October 2010.15 The ECAB purchased certain BOA assets and liabilities and took over all cus tomer 
accounts.  
4.13.  BOA f inancial accounts are not available, so the financial position of ECAB when it 
commenced operations is used as a proxy. The statement shows that the ratio of tier 1 and 
regulatory capital to total risk -weighted assets was well above th e stipulated regulatory 
requirement. However, BOAs exposure to the public sector accounted for nearly half of its loan 
portfolio, well in excess of the 25% regulatory exposure limit to any sector. Additionally, 46% of 
ECABs loan portfolio was underperformi ng in October 2010.16  
4.14.  The above indicators suggest that the bank was already in a precarious position before the 
run on the bank.  
4.15.  Between 2006 and 2010, Antigua and Barbuda Investment Bank (ABIB) accounted for , on 
average, 17% of the total assets of the ba nking system in Antigua and Barbuda,  as well as a 22% 
share of deposits. ABIB, which had started operations as a standalone bank, had acquired other 
firms and businesses and had turned into a financial conglomerate. As a result, a large portion of 
ABIBs as sets were investments in associated concerns. Furthermore, accounts for 2008 show that 
the ratio of NPLs was 8% (3% above the ECCBs statutory limit), the rati o of regulatory capital to 
risk-weighted assets had dropped below the statutory requirement and ex posure to  the public 
sector was over 30%,  well in excess of prudential limits.  
                                               
15 The main shareholders of ECAB are the  Government of Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts Nevis Anguilla 
National Bank, Eastern Caribbean Financial Holdings (Bank of St. Lucia), Antigua Commercial Bank, Nation al 
Commercial Bank (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), and National Bank of Dominica.  
16 Nearly 30% of the under -performing loans were attributed to the public sector.  WT/TPR /S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 98 - 
 
  4.16.  This rapid expansion coupled with loses in certain investments, placed li quidity pressures on 
the bank. Consequently, i n July 2011, the ECCB intervened and assumed control of AB IB, using its 
emergency powers under the Central Bank Act. The ECCB stated that ABIB was "unable to carry 
out its normal functions due to an inadequacy of liquid assets and an inability to meet statutory 
reserve requirements."  
4.17.  Both of the above institution s were part of a financial conglomerate, which led to problems 
such as: failure to implement standards of financial probity when related to intercompany 
transactions; weak intercompany credit administration; poor corporate governance; and the 
tendency to f inance the operations or the expansion of other subsidiaries within the conglomerate. 
Furthermore, the failures can be attributed to inadequate laws, weak enforcement, and the 
endorsement of financial soundness by financial agencies and auditors.17 
4.18.  As a res ult of the above failures, the capital adequacy ratio of domestic banks declined to 
4.1% in 2011, while the ratio of unsatisfactory loans to total assets rose to nearly 13%. Net profits 
as a proportion of average assets declined 0.3%.18  
4.19.  To mitigate the ris k of future bank failures, the authorities are taking both on an OECS -wide 
basis as well as An tigua and Barbuda specific. The measures include  restructuring  the FSRC, as 
well as enacting a FSRC Act  (which came into force in 2013) ; and increased corporation  and 
information sharing between the FSRC and the ECCB. As of December 2012, the FSRC began 
conducting onsite examinations to  assess internal controls, corporate governance, underwriting 
activity , and policy standards.  The FSRC Act (2013) seeks to restruct ure the authority and to 
repeal and replace the International Business Corporations Act under which the commission was 
established.  The Act also makes up one of three outstanding items on a 14 -point government plan 
designed to bring Antigua & Barbuda into compliance with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).  
Another key component of the new ACT allows the FSRC to share information with law 
enforcement outside of Antigua & Barbuda and to cooperate with various investigations.  Lastly, 
clause five of the new  Act outlines the three main functions of the commission as regulatory, 
collaborative and advisory . 
4.20.  Additionally, the Resolution Trust Company (RTC) was inco rporated and registered in 2011, 
with the purpose of providing  financial assistance to financial in stitutions to restore liquidity and 
solvency to distressed institutions , and to provide technical and managerial support to rest ructure 
financial institutions.  
4.2.1.3   Insurance  
4.21.  In 2013, 23 domestic insurance companies were registered and o perating in Antigua and 
Barbuda;  8 are locally owned and operated limited liability companies, while the others are agents 
of foreign insurers. The Insurance Act of 2007 (as amended) governs the operations of the 
domestic insurance sector. Insurance companies operating in Antigua  and Barbuda must be 
registered by the Superintendent of International a nd Domestic Insurance, who is part of the 
FSRC.  
4.22.  To be registered, insurance companies must make a statutory deposit of EC$200,000 with 
the Commission. Insurers must also be lawfully co nstituted in accordance with the laws of the 
country in which the head office is situated, have paid-up shar e capital of not less than 
EC$2 million for local companies and EC$5 million for foreign companies, and be registered as a 
company under the Compani es Act. Under the Insurance Act, foreign insurance companies must 
have a principal office in Antigua and Barbuda, which may be a branch office or the office of an 
agent of the insurer. There are no nationality or citizenship requirements for company direct ors, 
nor are they required to reside in Antigua and Barbuda. Full foreign ownership of domestic 
insurance companies is permitted but there is a restriction of 20% on holding shares in a 
registered domestic company.  
4.23.  An initial application fee for registrati on (currently EC$5,000) and an annual fee for 
continued registration (currently EC$5,000 for local companies and EC$10,000 for foreign 
                                               
17 DaCosta, Grenade, and Polius (2012) . 
18 IMF (2013).  WT/TPR/S/ 299 • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 99 - 
 
  companies) are also payable. The FSRC has the right to refuse applications if they are deemed n ot 
to be in the public int erest,  or do not meet the provisions of the Insurance Act.  
4.24.  Domestic insurance companies in Antigua and Barbuda offer general and life insurance but 
not reinsurance.  
4.25.  Under the provisions of the Insurance Act,  every registered insurer and insurance broker, 
who places business with an insurer who is not registered, is liable to a tax known as  the insurance 
levy on the  premium s on all classes of insurance, whether new policies or renewal s. 
4.26.  The global financial crisis of 2008, resulted in the collapse of CL Fina ncial Group 
(Common  Report), which was the parent company of two insurance companies in Antigua and 
Barbuda, CLICO and BAICO. These companies are currently under judicial management, but a 
portion of the portfolio of the latter was sold to another company.  A solution to the fallout is being 
considered on an OECS -wide basis (Common R eport).  
4.2.1.4   Offshore services  
4.27.  International banking and international and domestic insurance are regulated by the 
Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC). Within the FSRC the re is a Supervisor of 
International Banks and Trust Corporations and a Superintendent of International and Domestic 
Insurance Companies. The main laws governing international financial services are the 
International Business Corporations Act (IBC) (as amen ded), the International Trusts Act, the 
International Limited Liability Act, the International Foundations Act and Corporate Management 
and Trust Service Providers Act, and the Fin ancial Services Regulatory Act.  
4.28.  International banks and insurance companies require a licence. They are tax exempt for a 
period of 50 years from establishment. However, they are not allowed to issue bearer shares. 
There are 12 international banks registered in Antigua and Barbuda, and 2 international insurance 
companies.  
4.29.  The minim um capital requirements for establishing an international bank are: US$3 million 
for Class I, and US$500,000 for Class II banks; US$250,000 for international insurance 
companies; and US$250,000 for international trust companies. International banks may onl y 
conduct transactions in currencies other than those of CARICOM members. Offshore companies are 
not allowed to engage in any active trade or business within Antigua and Barbuda or any other 
CARICOM member state. In addition, they must have a registered of fice and a registered agent 
licensed under the Corporate Management and Trust Serv ice Providers Act. Annual licenc e fees are 
US$25,000 for an international bank and US$10,000 for an international insurance business. The 
initial registration fees for intern ational banks are US$25,000 for Class I and III banks, and 
US$15,000 for Class II banks; annual licen ce renewal fees are the same as the registration fees.  
4.30.  The offshore banking sector was severely affected by the collapse of Stanford International 
Bank (SI B) in 2009. SIB started operations in 1986 in Montserrat where it was called Guardian 
International Bank and subsequently relocated its operations to Antigua. SIB offered Certificates of 
Deposit or CDs at rates consistently higher than those available from  banks in the United States or 
Europe. In February 2009, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) launched an 
investigation of the U.S. operations of the Stanford Financial Group, of which SIB was a part. In 
the same month, the SEC charged Allen S tanford and other top executives of SIB with fraud 
regarding the bank's US$8 billion CD investment scheme. The U.S. federal government then 
decided to freeze SIB's assets and those of other members of the Stanford Financial Group . SIB 
placed a 60 -day morat orium on early redemptions of its CDs. The CD scheme was defined by the 
SEC as a "massive Ponzi scheme", and Stanford and other SIB executives were charged with 
misappropriation of investors' money and falsification of SIB's records. SIB was declared in 
liquidation. Liquidators were appointed for SIB and its assets were frozen. The liquidators were 
changed on two occasions, and, as at February 2014, the liquidation process was still ongoing. A 
first distribution is scheduled to take place in 2014.  WT/TPR /S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 100 - 
 
  4.2.2   Telecommu nications  
4.31.  Antigua and Barbuda made commitments in the WTO extended negotiations on bas ic 
telecommunications services. Under these commitments , the Antigua and Barbuda Public Utilities 
Authority (APUA) has an indefinite monopoly on the provision of domestic  fixed-line services, while 
Cable and Wireless had exclusive rights for the provision of inte rnational services until 2012. In 
July 2012, four telecommunications providers (Cable & Wireless trading as LIME, Digicel, Antigua 
Computer Technology , and APUA) w ere granted licenc es to provide i nternational voice and data 
networks and services. Market access for dome stic services remains unbound. Packet -switched 
and circuit -switched data transmission services for non -public use may be provided only on 
network faci lities supplied by licensed operators.  Furthermore, other services , such as facsimile 
services, electronic mail, voice mail , and internet access  are only allowed on network facilities 
supplied by licensed operators.  Provision of mobile services is unbound for cross -border supply ; 
however, foreign suppliers wishing to have a commercial presence must make a minimum 
investment of US$500,000 . 
4.32.  The main legislation governing the sector is the Telecommunications Act of 1951. T he 
authorities stated that new t elecom munications legislation was under consideration and was likely 
to be enacted soon. The new law will, inter alia , standardize licensing procedures and allow the 
granting of licences for international fixed -line services. The sector is regulated by the 
Telecommunications Division of the Ministry of Telecommunications, Science and Technology. 
Under the current legislation, telecoms service providers must be licensed by t he 
Telecommunications Division. The Cabinet has the authority to make rules on types and fo rms of 
licence and the manner in which licence applications are to be made, as well as the terms, 
conditions, and restrictions attached to granting licences an d the duties of licensees. Licences have 
been granted to companies offering c able TV, underse a cable, and internet services. According to 
the authorities, there has been no standard approach to granting licences, with varying terms and 
conditions attached. T he new Telecommunications Act is expected to rectify this with a uniform 
approach to granting l icences.  
4.33.  Antigua and Barbuda is the only OECS -WTO Member that is not a member of the Eastern 
Caribbean Telecom munications Authority (ECTEL). According to the authorities the reason is 
because of the  cross-subsidies provided by the telecom munications  sector to electricity and water 
utilities.  
4.34.  The t elecommunications sector contribute s slightly over 3 % to Antigua and Barbuda's GDP  
and employs around 400 people . At the end of 2012, fixed -line penetrat ion was at 70% of 
households, while Internet penetration was  around 55%.  Mobile phone penetration rates exceed 
100%. I nvestment  in the sector was EC$30  million  in 2012.  
4.35.  At end 2012,  tariffs for local fixed -to-fixed-line calls were around EC$0.05 per minute for 
off-peak time calls and EC$0.25 for peak  time calls; ca lls are charged per  unit of three minutes. 
Fixed -line rental charges are EC$30 per month for residential users  and EC$60 for business users. 
Tariffs for fixed -line-to-mobile calls are charged at the sam e rate to all mobile operators. An 
international call to the United States costs around EC$1.50 per minute, although it can be 
considerably lo wer during special promotions. The mobile charges offered by the three mobile 
operators were similar, at around EC$0.72 to EC$0.75 per minute, with calls to the same ne twork 
being cheaper . 
4.36.  The 15% sales tax is levied on all telecommunications services pr ovided in Antigua and 
Barbuda. The tax is collected by licence holders  who are responsible for passing it on to the 
Internal Revenue Service.  
4.2.3   Transport  
4.2.3.1   Maritime transpor t 
4.37.  During the period under review, the administration and regulation of the maritime sector 
remained unchanged. The main legislation governing the sector is the Merchant Shipping Act of 
2006. The Act allows for the implementation of international convention s and agreements to which 
Antigua and Barbuda is a party. The Department of Marine Services and Marine Shipping (ADOMS) WT/TPR/S/ 299 • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 101 - 
 
  (part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), regulates merchant shipping activities. However, ultimate 
responsibility for merchant shippin g and ship registration lies with the Prime Minister of Antigua 
and Barbuda.  
4.38.  Under the provisions of the Aliens Restriction Act, the masters, chief officers , and chief 
engineers of merchant ships registered in Antigua and Barbuda are required to be nationa ls of 
Antigua and Barbuda, except on vessels employed mainly in voyages between ports outside 
Antigua and Barbuda.  
4.39.  Only ships regi stered in Antigua and Barbuda may  engage in cabotage. A ship is considered 
to be registered in Antigua and Barbuda if  it is ow ned or effectively controlled by citizens of 
Antigua and Barbuda, or owned by CARICOM citizens,  or by a company registered either under the 
International Business Corporations Act or the Companies Act. These criteria may be waived with 
ministerial approval . The Antigua and Barbuda register of ships comprises an international ships 
register, a register for mega -yachts, and a local register. Various fees and charges are levied on 
ships registered under the Antigua and Barbuda flag. Registration fees and annua l charges vary 
according to gross tonnage. As of January 2013 there were 1,322 ships registered on the 
international register and 290 ships on the local register. The main users of the international 
register are located in the European Union and the United  States.  
4.40.  St. Johns is the main commercial seaport in Antigua and Barbuda. In addition, Crabbes Port 
handles bulk cement, while bulk petroleum products enter through High Point Port (Texaco) and 
Fort James Port (West Indies Oil). The Governme nt owns and con trols the ports.  
4.41.  The Antigua Po rt Authority is responsible for  developing the harbours of Antigua and 
Barbuda,  opera ting and managing port services,  and collecting dues and charges as authorized by 
the Port Authority Act. Some port services are provided by  the private sector, for example, 
stevedore activities are privately owned and operated, and private firms provide port security.  
4.42.  A travel tax, an embarkation tax, and a cruise passenger tax are levied on passengers 
travelling to and from Antigua and Barbu da by maritime transportation.  
4.2.3.2   Air transport  
4.43.  Antigua and Barbuda has not made any GATS commitments on air transport activities.  
4.44.  The main legislation governing the sector is Civil Aviation  Act of 2003. Under the provisions 
of the Act, the Air Transport Lice nsing Board deals with licence applications and tariffs charged for 
cargo and passenger transport.  However, the Board's decisions must be endorsed by the Minister 
of Tourism and Civil Aviation, who has o verall responsibility for the development and supervi sion 
of civil aviation in Antigua and Barbuda . Ministerial approval is not required when granting an air 
transport licenc e to citizens of Antigua and Barbuda o r a member state of the OECS or CARICOM; 
or a body incorporated in Antigua and Barbuda that  is substantially controlled by citizens of 
Antigua and Barbuda or a n OECS/CARICOM Member  State. Under the Act, the following must be 
considered when granting a licence: existence of other air services; need/demand for the proposed 
service; and any unfair advant age of the applicant ov er other operators by reason of the terms of 
employment of persons employed. In addition, the Minister has final authority to suspend 
consideration of the application. For countries with which Antigua and Barbuda has a  bilateral air 
agreement the above issues are not considered, unless the Minister directs otherwise; the  only 
consideration is whether the airline is fit, willing, and able to operate the service.  
4.45.  At the regional level, regulatory oversight for safety and security issues  is the responsibility 
of the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA).  
4.46.  The Civil Aviation Act 2003, does not directly impose res trictions on cabotage services, 
however, the Minister has the authority to make  regulations for the control of commer cial aircraft 
carrying goods and services within Antigua a nd Barbuda. No such regulations have been issued.  
4.47.  Antigua and Barbuda is one of the main civil aviation  centres within the OECS. It has two 
airports, the V.C. Bird International Air port in Antigua , and Codrington Airport in Barbuda. Carriers 
that operate flights to Antigua and Barbuda a re from  the region,  the United States, the WT/TPR /S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 102 - 
 
  United  Kingdom,  and Canada. Air cargo is  processed at the V .C. Bird International Airport in 
Antigua. The airports are gover nment  owned,  and airport management is the responsibility of  the 
Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority, a government -owned statutory body established 2007. The 
Authority is governed by a Board of Di rectors, appointed by Cabinet , and  is required to make 
annual reports to Par liament. The rationale for setting up the Airport Authority was to manage the 
airports in a m ore efficient and cost -effective manner so as to generate profits. There are no legal 
obstacles preventing the Airport  Authority from contracting  out airport management services, but 
no such concessions have been granted.  
4.48.  Private local and foreign companies are  permitted to supply auxiliary services . For example,  
ground handling is carried out by foreign airlines. The Government levies a  passenger facility tax 
of US$10 per individual to help pay for the expansion an d development of the airport. This 
includes work on the runway as well as the building of a new terminal.  Additionally, in late 2013, 
the Government was in the process of finalizing negot iations to secure a US$45 million loan from 
China for the construc tion of a new airport terminal.  
4.49.  The main regional airline is LI AT, which is incorporated in Anti gua and Barbuda . The 
Government of Antigua has a share in LIAT, alon g with certain other gover nments in the region.  
During t he review period , LIAT merged with  Caribbean Star Airlines Ltd. There are no foreign 
investment restri ctions relating to ownership of domestically incorporated carriers.  
4.50.  Antigua and Barbuda is a contracting state of ICAO. It  has one bilateral air services 
agreement recorded by ICAO, with the United Kingdom. Anti gua and Barbuda's air transport 
arrangements with the United States are regulated by the 1977 U.S.-U.K. Bermuda II Agreement, 
to which  Antigua and Barbuda acceded after its independence i n 1981. Antigua and Barbuda has 
agreements with a number of countries to provide direct air passe ngers transport services. These 
agreements have not been notified to ICAO, which  decreases transpar ency with respect to the 
provision of thes e services. Antigua and Barbuda is also a signatory to the CARICOM Multilatera l 
Air Services Agreement (MASA), which is registered with ICAO.  
4.2.4   Tourism  
4.51.  In its GATS schedule, Antigua and Barbuda has made commercial presence commitments 
for the construction of  hotels and resorts and the management of hotels, subject to the provisions 
of the  Hotel Proprietors Act.  There are no limitations on foreign investment in hotels; however, 
under the Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority Act, one director must  reside in  the country.  
The Minister of Tourism, Culture, Civil Aviation and the Environment is responsible for  formulating 
and implementing tourism policy.  
4.52.  The tourism sector is of vital importance to the economy. The sector contributes (directly 
and indirectly) ab out 70% of GDP and is the main driver of economic growth, the largest recipient 
of foreign investment , and the most significant foreign exchange earner.  
4.53.  The global financial crisis in 2008, resulted in a significant economic  downturn in the source 
markets  (the United States and Europe) . As a result, total visitors declined from nearly 960,000 in 
2007 to about 842,000 in 2012, while total expenditure by visitors declined from EC$912 million to 
EC$861 million (Table 4.1).  
Table 4.1 Antigua and Barbuda tourist arrivals 2007 -12 
 2007  2008  2009  2010  2011  2012  
Total v isitors  959,312  887,877  965,431  812,859  870,240  842,693  
 Stay-over visitors  261,802  265,844  234,410  229,943  241,331  246,926  
  Stay-over v isitors by air  261,802  265,844  234,410  229,943  241,331  246,926  
    United States  78,698  84,032  82,068  81,598  84,832  93,214  
    Canada  10,489  13,189  12,947  17,818  22,403  24,185  
    UK  96,801  89,514  73,251  66,623  69,184  68,677  
    Caribbean  50,323  52,954  41,546  37,505  37,887  32,680  
    Other c ountries  25,491  26,155  24,598  26,399  27,025  28,170  
 Stay-over visitors by sea  .. .. .. .. .. .. 
 Cruise -ship p assengers  672,788  596,120  709,795  557,030  604,506  567,707  WT/TPR/S/ 299 • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 103 - 
 
   2007  2008  2009  2010  2011  2012  
  Yacht p assengers  24,722  25,913  21,226  25,886  24,403  28,060  
 Number of cruise ship c alls  380 317 367 304 328 333 
 Number of y acht calls  4,249  3,671  3,761  4,078  3,180  3,803  
Total visitor expenditure (EC$m ) 912.28  901.71  823.81  803.90  841.77  861.30  
 
As at 17 May 2013.  
 
.. Not available  
 
Source:  Eastern Ca ribbean Central Bank . Viewed at : http://eccb -
centralbank.org/Media/data_dec2013/Tourism%20 -%20Monthly%20and%20Annual.xls . 
4.54.  The Government 's primary objective is to make tourism more sustainable  so that it can 
promote greater sector growth, create mo re and better jobs, ensure hi gher returns on investment, 
and contribute to greater economic empo werment in Antigua and Barbuda.19 The Government took 
a number of measures during the review period  to achieve this objective . 
4.55.  The Tourism Authority Act of 2008 established the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority , 
which is  mandated to  develop policies for tourism promotion; design and implement marketing 
strategies; advise the Government and the Antigua and Barbuda tourism industry on marketing 
strategies; put m easures in place to ensure sufficient and suitable transport services to and from 
Antigua and Barbuda; and carry out tourism -related research.  
4.56.  Since its creation , the Authority has helped to advance the various elem ents of the country 's 
marketing strategy.  These include an aggressive airlift strategy,  an integrated online marketing 
strategy, an internet strategy, a press t rip strategy, and  a travel agent familiari zation programme.  
These efforts were made easier with the introd uction of the 2% marketing fund , established in  
2012 when the ABST transitional ra te for hotels was increased from 10.5% to 12.5% . It is 
intended to provid e a dedicated stream of funding to support marketing and promotion activities.  
4.57.  The Government o f Antigua and Barbuda signed a m emora ndum of agreement with the 
Antigua Hotel and Tourist Association  in 2008 , under which  hotels were given concessions on 
capita l items, operating equipment, and  security ap paratus. In 2010 , a package of incentives was 
introduced  for the yachting sector ; and in 2012, a stimulus package was offered to  cruise lines. 
The package included  incentiv es in relation to the passenger head tax, and makes special 
provisions to attract cruise calls to Barbuda.  
4.58.  With a view to increasing tourists, the authorities are looking  to develop niche markets such 
as medical tourism, nature excursions, sports tourism , and residential tourism via the Citizenship 
by Investment Initiative. In this regard, the authorities will  offer tax credits to those  who 
contribute to maintain and prese rve natural and man -made historical sites. Th is implies that any 
business that contributes substantially to the maintenance or preservation of strategic natural or 
manmade historical sites will be able to reduce i ts corporate i ncome tax liability;  the business will 
also be able to access a n annual  tax credit of up to EC$250,000 on its assessable profits . 
4.59.  In addition, Antigua and Barbuda offers a variety of tax incentives to domestic and foreign 
property  developers. Under the Hotel Aid Act of 1952 , developer s may import building materials  
and equipment duty free, or drawback customs duties already paid, subject to obtaining a licence 
from the Cabinet. Under the Income Tax (Amendment) Act  of 2003, new hotels and the expansion 
of existing ones after January 200 3, are eligible for relief from c orporate income tax for 7 to 
25 years,  depending on the number of new rooms created.  
4.60.  In 2005, to encourage development of accommodation for the Cricket World Cup, tax  
concessions were granted for building new and renovating  existing tourist accommodation. These  
concessions included : income tax holidays of up to 25 years depending on the number of rooms; 
relief on stamp duty on transfer of land, property, and non -citizens' landholding licence fees, based 
on the  number of room s; a percentage tax credit for financial institutions, based on the size of the  
investment; a waiver of custom duties  and consumption tax on imports of building materials and  
equipment; and the right to tax -free repatriation of capital, royalties, dividend s, and profits.  
                                               
19 Government of Antigua and Barbuda.  WT/TPR /S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 104 - 
 
  Incentives may also be granted under project -specific legislation.  According to the authorities, 
these incentives are no longer applicable.  
4.2.5   Other offshore services  
4.61.  International business companies must be incorporated under the Internationa l Business 
Corporations (IBC) Act (as amended), and are regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory 
Commission.  
4.62.  Under the International Business Corporations Act of 1982, internationa l business 
corporations (IBCs) may  be formed by an attorney or profess ional or a company incorporated 
under the Companies Act or the IBC Act , licensed under the Corporate Management Trust Service 
Providers Act (as amended ) of 2008. According to the authorities, i ncorporation may be completed 
within 24 hours. IBCs are eligibl e for an array of incentives that include exemptions from various 
taxes including customs duties. Under the provisions of the International Business Corp oration 
(Amendment) Act of 2002, IBCs w ould not be charged income tax, capital gains tax, and asset 
transfer tax. The International Business Cor porations (Amendment) Act  of 2005 introduced a 
modification to t he minimum capital requirements;  these are now subject to variation through 
regulations.  
4.63.  The International Trust Act  of 2007 provides for the establish ment of international trusts by 
non-resident s. However, at least one  of the trustees must be domiciled in Antigua and Barbuda.  
4.64.  In 2007, an amendment to the Interactive Gaming and Interactive W agering Regulations, 
2007 (the Gaming R egulations) introduced  14 fundamental changes to the regulations. These 
changes addressed , inter alia : introduction of mergers and acquisition guidelines; strengthening of 
the meaning of physical presence; allowing for the FSRC to access extra -territorial information and 
have cont rol over movement of financial assets; introduction of penalties for various breaches; 
introduction of quarterly financial reporting obligations to the Commission; and ensuring 
responsible and fair gaming. In accordance with the regulations, licensees are required to reveal 
the nature of all their investments; the new regulations also provide for licensees to pay for the 
regulatory examination performed on their systems and operations.  
4.65.  The new regulations also address the risks associated with the capital a dequacy of 
licensees. There is a US$100,000 min imum reserve requirement , and the Commission is 
authori zed to establish higher thresholds based on its assessment of risk. The enhanced 
monitoring and examinations powers in the regulations enable the Commissi on to more effectively 
monitor the adequacy of the capital reserve on an on -going basis.  Furthermore, the C ommission 
was granted enhanced  surveillance powers over business associates of licensees providing key 
services, such as payment providers and aggreg ators (poker -room operators often lo cated in other 
jurisdictions), a new and emerging risk area. The Commission may take action against a  supplier 
that does not cooperate fully.  
4.66.  The authorities stated that the  adopted changes were essential in improving th e remote 
gaming regu latory and supervisory regime. The changes fundamentally reposition the jurisdiction 
(Antigua and Barbuda) to have a leading role in the development of generally recognized 
international standards for the regulation of remote gaming.  WT/TPR/S/ 299 • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 105 - 
 
  REFERENCES  
DaCosta, Michael, Kari Grenade, and Tracy Polius (2012), The Caribbean: Rethinking Policy 
Frameworks in the wake of the Recent Financial Failures , November.  Viewed at: 
http://www.cbvs.sr/ccmf/index_files/ccmf_papers/Rethinking%20policy%20frameworks%20in%2
0the%20wake%20of%20financial%20failures_DaCosta%20Grenade%20&%20Polius .pdf. 
 
Government of Antigua and Barbuda (2013), 2013 Budget Statement . Viewed at:  
http://www.ab.gov.ag/article_details.php?id=3741&category=114 . 
 
IMF (2013), Staff Report for t he 2012 Article IV  Consultation . Country Report 13/76, March. 
Viewed at: http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/scr/2013/cr1376.pdf . WT/TPR /S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 106 - 
 
  5  APPENDIX TABLES  
Table A1. 1 Merchandise exports and re -exports by SITC section, 2007 -12 
(US$ mill ion and %) 
Description  2007  2008  2009  2010  2011  2012  
   
Total exports and re -exports  174.0  92.4 205.7  34.8 29.0 29.0 
  Domestic exports  5.2 5.1 2.6 2.4 3.3 3.9 
  Re-exports  168.8  87.3 203.1  32.4 25.7 25.1 
 (% of total exports and re -exports)  
 0 Food and live  animals  0.2 0.4 0.3 2.4 4.6 5.2 
 1 Beverages and tobacco  0.7 1.3 0.7 4.8 8.1 4.7 
 2 Crude materials, inedible, except fuels  0.6 1.1 0.1 0.2 0.6 0.9 
 3 Mineral fuels and related materials  85.5 70.8 81.7 3.7 2.4 1.7 
 4 Animal and vegetable o ils, fats and 
 waxes  0.0 .. 0.0 0.0 0.0 .. 
 5 Chemicals and related products  1.2 2.4 0.6 2.4 2.6 2.1 
 6 Manufactured goods classified by 
 material  2.3 4.7 2.8 27.7 33.6 41.4 
 7 Machinery and transport equipment  6.8 13.9 10.4 37.8 37.9 31.7 
 8 Misce llaneous manufactured articles  2.7 5.4 3.4 20.9 10.1 12.3 
 9 Commodities and transactions not 
 classified elsewhere in SITC  0.0 .. .. 0.0 0.0 0.0 
 
.. Not a vailable. 
 
- Trade share lower than 0.05%.  
 
Source:  Eastern Caribbean Central Bank  online informa tion. Viewed  at: http://www.eccb -
centralbank.org/Statistics/index.asp . 
 WT/TPR/S/ 299 • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 107 - 
 
  Table A1. 2 Domestic merchandise exports by SITC section, 2007 -12 
(US$ million and %) 
Description  2007  2008  2009  2010  2011  2012  
Domestic exports  5.2 5.1 2.6 2.4 3.3 3.9 
 (% of total domestic exports)  
 0 Food and live animals  4.1 4.1 13.8 17.5 27.6 26.1 
 1 Beverages and tobacco  12.5 13.9 34.5 33.1 31.0 30.7 
 2 Crude materials, inedibl e, except 
fuels  0.2 .. 6.1 1.8 4.5 2.7 
 3 Mineral fuels and related materials  .. .. .. .. .. .. 
 4 Animal and vegetable oils, fats and 
 waxes  .. .. .. .. .. .. 
 5 Chemicals and related products  27.4 30.5 25.6 23.0 14.7 10.0 
 6 Manufactured goods cl assified by 
 material  46.2 51.4 19.9 24.6 21.8 29.1 
 7 Machinery and transport equipment  5.0 .. .. .. .. .. 
 8 Miscellaneous manufactured articles  4.5 0.1 0.0 .. 0.4 1.3 
 9 Commodities and transactions not 
 classified elsewhere in SITC  .. .. .. .. .. .. 
 
.. Not a vailable. 
 
- Trade share lower than 0.05%.  
 
Source:  Eastern Caribbean Central Bank online information.  Viewed  at: http://www.eccb -
centralbank.org/Statistics/index.asp.  WT/TPR /S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 108 - 
 
  Table A1. 3 Merchandise imports by SITC sect ion, 2007 -12 
(US$ million and %) 
Description  2007  2008  2009  2010  2011  2012  
Total imports  727.0  805.6  699.1  501.2  471.1  532.4  
 (% of total imports)  
 0 Food and live animals  11.2 10.3 13.8 16.9 18.9 18.7 
 1 Beverages and tobacco  3.4 3.1 3.6 4.2 4.7 4.9 
 2 Crude ma terials, inedible, except fuels  2.1 1.9 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.5 
 3 Mineral fuels and related materials  35.8 41.0 38.7 28.4 35.8 36.8 
 4 Animal and vegetable oils, fats and 
 waxes  0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 
 5 Chemicals and related products  4.5 4.2 5.5 6.6 6.4 5.9 
 6 Manufactured goods classified by 
 material  13.7 12.5 11.2 11.4 9.5 10.0 
 7 Machinery and transport equipment  21.3 19.6 15.5 19.7 12.0 11.7 
 8 Miscellaneous manufactured articles  7.8 7.2 9.8 10.7 10.7 10.2 
 9 Commodities and transa ctions not 
 classified elsewhere in SITC  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
 
- Trade share lower than 0.05%.  
 
Source:  Eastern Caribbean Central Bank online information.  Viewed  at: http://www.eccb -
centralbank.org/Statistics/index.asp.  WT/TPR/S/ 299 • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 109 - 
 
  Table A1. 4 Merchandise exports and re -exports by trading partner, 2007 -12 
(US$ million and %) 
Description  2007  2008  2009  2010  2011  2012  
Total exports and re -exports (ECCB)  174.0  92.4 205.7  34.8 29.0 29.0 
 (% of total exports and re -exports)  
 America  86.2 .. 92.1 74.2 78.3 58.2 
  United States  23.6 .. 5.2 29.7 38.1 22.0 
  Other America  62.7 .. 86.9 44.5 40.1 36.2 
   Barbados  8.2 .. 2.7 3.1 7.4 9.5 
   Dominican Rep.  0.1 .. 0.3 0.1 0.2 5.0 
   St Kitts and Nevis  3.9 .. 29.6 4.7 2.3 3.3 
   Trinidad and T obago  0.7 .. 0.1 0.7 6.9 3.3 
   St Vincent and the Grenadines  0.2 .. 2.2 0.5 2.3 3.0 
   Montserrat  0.8 .. 0.1 1.5 3.9 1.9 
   St Lucia  1.6 .. 2.1 3.3 0.9 1.9 
   Canada  0.1 .. 0.1 2.2 1.7 1.7 
   British Virgin Islands  0.5 .. 6.5 1.8 1.6 1.3 
   Dominica  6.1 .. 2.6 5.3 2.8 1.0 
   Guyana  0.1 .. 0.0 0.4 0.4 0.9 
   Grenada  0.3 .. 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.7 
   Jamaica  1.4 .. 0.0 0.3 4.3 0.4 
   Anguilla  2.8 .. 2.3 0.3 0.2 0.1 
   Brazil  0.0 .. 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 
   Suriname  0.0 .. 7.4 0.0 0.3 0.0 
   Netherlands Antill es 30.9 .. 29.8 6.5 4.1 2.2 
  ..     
 Europe  10.9 .. 5.9 22.9 16.6 26.9 
  EU(27)  10.8 .. 5.8 22.9 15.5 26.9 
   United Kingdom  4.2 .. 4.9 19.7 8.3 18.5 
   France  3.1 .. 0.3 1.4 3.1 3.4 
   Spain  0.2 .. 0.3 0.7 0.2 2.4 
   Italy 0.1 .. 0.1 0.0 2.3 2.2 
   Germany  1.2 .. 0.0 0.1 0.5 0.3 
  EFTA 0.1 .. 0.1 0.0 1.0 0.0 
   Switzerland  0.1 .. 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0 
  Other Europe  0.0 .. 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
  ..     
 Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)a 0.0 .. 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
  ..     
 Africa  0.1 .. 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 
   Namibia  0.0 .. 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 
   Sierra Leone  0.0 .. 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
   Senegal  0.0 .. 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
  ..     
 Middle East  1.7 .. 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 
   United Arab Emirates  0.0 .. 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 
   Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  1.6 .. 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
  ..     
 Asia 1.0 .. 0.2 1.0 2.1 7.5 
  China  0.1 .. 0.0 0.3 0.2 0.3 
  Japan  0.1 .. 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.1 
  Six East Asian Traders  0.3 .. 0.0 0.6 1.6 3.6 
   Thailand  0.0 .. 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.8 
   Chinese Taipei  0.1 .. 0.0 0.6 0.5 1.2 
   Korea, Republic  of 0.2 .. 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.2 
   Malaysia  0.0 .. 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.2 WT/TPR /S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 110 - 
 
  Description  2007  2008  2009  2010  2011  2012  
   Hong Kong, China  0.0 .. 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 
   Singapore  0.0 .. 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
  Other Asia  0.4 .. 0.1 0.1 0.2 3.5 
   New Zealand  0.0 .. 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.9 
   Philippines  0.0 .. 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 
   Viet Nam  0.0 .. 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 
  ..     
 Other  0.0 .. 1.7 2.0 2.9 7.2 
 
a Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) includes Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, 
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukra ine, and 
Uzbekistan.  
 
Note:  0.0%  in the table represents negligi ble trade.  
 
Source:  UNSD, Comtrade database (SITC Rev.3) ; and Eastern Caribbean Central Bank . WT/TPR/S/ 299 • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 111 - 
 
  Table A1. 5 Domestic merchandise exports by trading partner, 2007 -12 
(US$ million and %) 
Description  2007  2008  2009  2010  2011  2012  
Total domestic exports  5.2 5.1 2.6 2.4 3.3 3.9 
 (% of total domestic exports)  
 America  88.5 […] 68.5 78.8 51.3 47.6 
  United States  7.0 […] 8.3 5.2 5.0 4.6 
  Other America  81.4 […] 60.2 73.6 46.3 43.0 
   Trinidad and Tobago  0.1 […] 0.0 0.0 11.5 11.3 
   Canada  1.7 […] 4.0 12.3 11.7 10.8 
   St Kitts and Nevis  27.4 […] 17.8 22.5 8.5 10.2 
   Dominica  7.3 […] 6.3 11.5 7.0 4.2 
   British Virgin Islands  8.4 […] 4.9 5.3 4.3 2.4 
   Montserrat  2.2 […] 0.7 1.3 1.8 2.0 
   Barbados  22.7 […] 16.3 7.8 0.2 1.0 
   St Lucia  2.0 […] 1.3 4.5 0.3 0.7 
   Anguilla  2.2 […] 1.6 2.4 0.9 0.2 
       
 Europe  6.6 […] 16.2 19.5 29.3 25.8 
  EU(27)  6.6 […] 16.2 19.5 29.3 25.8 
   France  5.5 […] 13.7 16.4 25.8 22.6 
   United Kingdom  0.5 […] 0.0 1.9 0.1 1.8 
   Germany  0.0 […] 0.0 1.2 3.3 1.3 
  EFTA 0.0 […] 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
  Other Europe  0.0 […] 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
       
 Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)a 0.0 […] 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
       
 Africa  0.0 […] 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
 Middle East  0.0 […] 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.2 
   United Arab Emirates  0.0 […] 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.2 
       
 Asia 4.9 […] 4.7 1.1 11.4 22.7 
  China  0.5 […] 0.4 0.0 0.2 1.1 
  Japan  2.4 […] 0.0 0.0 2.4 0.0 
  Six East Asian Traders  0.0 […] 2.4 0.3 7.6 17.3 
   Chinese Taipei  0.0 […] 1.2 0.2 1.2 8.5 
   Thailand  0.0 […] 0.0 0.0 0.0 6.1 
   Malaysia  0.0 […] 0.0 0.0 0.7 1.0 
   Korea, Republic of  0.0 […] 1.0 0.1 5.5 1.0 
   Hong Kong, China  0.0 […] 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.7 
   Singapore  0.0 […] 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 
  Other Asia  2.0 […] 1.9 0.8 1.2 4.3 
   Viet Nam  0.0 […] 0.9 0.7 0.3 2.6 
   Indonesia  0.0 […] 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.3 
   Australia  0.0 […] 0.0 0.2 0.7 0.3 
       
 Other  0.0 […] 10.6 0.6 1.0 0.7 
 
a Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) includes Armenia, Azerbai jan, Belarus, Georgia, 
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and 
Uzbekistan.  
 
Note:  0.0% in the table represents negligible  trade.  
 
Source:  UNSD, Comtrade database (SITC Rev.3) and Eastern Caribbean Central  Bank (ECCB).  WT/TPR /S/299  • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 112 - 
 
  Table A1. 6 Merchandise imports by trading partner, 2007 -12 
(US$ million and %) 
Description  2007  2008  2009  2010  2011  2012  
Total imports  727.0  805.6  699.1  501.2  471.1  532.4  
 (% of total imports)  
 America  77.0 .. 45.5 47.9 48.9 73.8 
  United States  58.2 .. 31.3 32.9 32.8 50.1 
  Other America  18.9 .. 14.1 15.0 16.1 23.7 
   Trinidad and Tobago  3.9 .. 3.2 3.6 4.0 5.5 
   Canada  2.3 .. 1.3 1.5 1.5 2.3 
   Brazil  0.9 .. 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.8 
   Jamaica  0.9 .. 0.8 0.9 1.1 1.7 
   St Vincent and the Grenadines  0.4 .. 0.5 0.5 0.9 1.6 
   Barbados  1.3 .. 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.5 
   Dominican Rep.  1.2 .. 1.1 0.8 0.7 1.3 
   Mexico  0.3 .. 0.4 0.8 0.8 1.1 
   Guyana  0.7 .. 0.5 0.6 0.8 1.0 
   Dominica  0.9 .. 0.8 0.5 0.3 0.8 
   Panama  0.7 .. 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.6 
   Chile 0.1 .. 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 
   Colombia  0.2 .. 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 
   Grenada  0.1 .. 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.4 
   St Kitts and Nevis  0.2 .. 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 
   Honduras  0.1 .. 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.3 
   Peru 0.1 .. 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 
   Guatemala  0.0 .. 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.2 
   Costa Rica  0.1 .. 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 
   St Lucia  0.2 .. 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 
   Suriname  0.0 .. 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 
  ..     
 Europe  14.1 .. 8.4 10.9 8.9 13.4 
  EU(27)  12.3 .. 7.4 9.7 7.8 11.6 
   United Kingdom  6.4 .. 4.0 4.6 3.5 6.1 
   France  0.9 .. 0.8 1.0 0.8 1.3 
   Netherlands  0.4 .. 0.5 0.6 0.6 1.0 
   Italy 2.8 .. 0.8 0.7 0.8 0.8 
   Sweden  0.2 .. 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.7 
  EFTA 1.7 .. 0.8 1.1 0.9 1.5 
   Switzerland  1.4 .. 0.7 1.0 0.8 1.4 
  Other Europe  0.1 .. 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 
   Turkey  0.1 .. 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 
  ..     
 Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)a 0.0 .. 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
       
 Africa  0.2 .. 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 
   South Africa  0.0 .. 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 
  ..     
 Middle East  0.1 .. 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 
   Israel  0.1 .. 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2 
  ..     
 Asia 8.5 .. 7.7 13.0 6.8 12.2 
  China  1.3 .. 2.4 8.4 2.9 5.6 
  Japan  4.3 .. 3.4 2.7 1.6 2.5 
  Six East Asian Traders  2.1 .. 1.1 0.9 1.1 2.1 
   Korea, Republic of  0.7 .. 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.7 
   Thailand  0.6 .. 0.6 0.3 0.4 0.6 WT/TPR/S/ 299 • Antigua & Barbuda  
 
- 113 - 
 
  Description  2007  2008  2009  2010  2011  2012  
   Malaysia  0.3 .. 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 
   Hong Kong, China  0.4 .. 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 
   Chinese Taipei  0.2 .. 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 
   Singapore  0.0 .. 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
  Other Asia  0.8 .. 0.8 1.0 1.3 2.0 
   Korea, Democratic People' s Republic Of  0.0 .. 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.9 
   India 0.2 .. 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.4 
   Australia  0.2 .. 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 
  ..     
 Other  0.0 .. 38.2 28.0 35.3 0.1 
 
a Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) includes Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, 
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russian Federation, Taj ikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and 
Uzbekistan.  
 
Note:  0.0% in  the table represents negligi ble trade.  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat, based on data provided by the authorities of Antigua and Barbuda .