WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  ANNEX 1 - ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA 
 WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  CONTENTS 
1   ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT ........................................................................................ 67  
1.1   Real  Econ omy .......................................................................................................... 67 
1.2   Monetary and Ex change Rate  Policy ............................................................................ 69 
1.3   Fiscal Consolidation and Debt Sustainability .................................................................. 69 
1.4   Structur al Changes ................................................................................................... 69 
1.4.1   Improving producti vity and diversification ................................................................. 69 
1.4.2   Financial sector re form ........................................................................................... 70 
1.4.3   Balance of payments .............................................................................................. 70 
1.5   Developments in Trade .............................................................................................. 71 
1.5.1   Composit ion of trade .............................................................................................. 71 
1.5.2   Direction of trade ................................................................................................... 72 
2   TRADE POLICY REGIME: FR AMEWORK AND OB JECTIVES .......................................... 74  
2.1   General Constitution al and Legal Framework ................................................................ 74 
2.2   Development and Admini stration of Trade Policy ........................................................... 74 
2.3   Foreign Inve stment Regime ....................................................................................... 75 
2.4   Internatio nal Relations .............................................................................................. 76 
2.4.1   World Trade Organization ........................................................................................ 76 
2.4.2   Preferential agreements and arrangements ................................................................ 78 
3   TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE ........................................................ 79  
3.1   Measures Direct ly Affectin g Imports ............................................................................ 79 
3.1.1   Procedures ........................................................................................................... 79 
3.1.2   Customs valuatio n and rules of origin ....................................................................... 79 
3.1.3   Tariffs ............................................................................................................... ... 79 
3.1.3.1   Structure ...........................................................................................................  79 
3.1.3.2   Tari ff bindings .................................................................................................... 80 
3.1.3.3   MFN applied tariff ................................................................................................ 82 
3.1.4   Other charge s affecting imports ............................................................................... 84 
3.1.5   Import prohibitions, restrictions, an d licensing ........................................................... 84 
3.1.6   Continge ncy measures ........................................................................................... 85 
3.1.6.1   Anti-dumping and countervailing measures ............................................................. 85 
3.1.6.2   Safeguards ........................................................................................................ 85 
3.1.7   Standards and technical regulations ......................................................................... 86 
3.1.8   Sanitary and ph ytosanitary measures ....................................................................... 87 
3.2   Measures Directly Affecting Exports ............................................................................. 88 
3.2.1   Procedures, export taxes, and re strictions ................................................................. 88 
3.2.2   Export subsidies, fina ncing, support, and promotion ................................................... 88 
3.3   Measures Affectin g Production and Trade ..................................................................... 89 
3.3.1   In centives ............................................................................................................  89 
3.3.2   Competition policy and price controls ........................................................................ 90 WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  3.3.2.1   Pric e contro ls ..................................................................................................... 90 
3.3.3   State-owned enterp rises and priv atization ................................................................. 91 
3.3.4   Governme nt procurement ....................................................................................... 91 
3.3.5   Intellectual property rights ...................................................................................... 92 
3.3.5.1   Trademarks ........................................................................................................ 92 
3.3.5.2   Patents and industrial designs ............................................................................... 92 
3.3.5.3   Copyright ........................................................................................................... 93 
3.3.5.4   Other intellec tual property  rights ........................................................................... 93 
3.3.5.5   Enforcement ....................................................................................................... 93 
4   TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR ..................................................................................... 94  
4.1   Agriculture ............................................................................................................. . 94 
4.2   Services ................................................................................................................ .. 94 
4.2.1   Financial services ................................................................................................... 95 
4.2.1.1   Overview ........................................................................................................... 95 
4.2.1.2   Banking .............................................................................................................  95 
4.2.1.3   Insura nce .......................................................................................................... 96 
4.2.1.4   Offsho re services ................................................................................................ 97 
4.2.2   Telecommunications ............................................................................................... 98 
4.2.3   Transport .............................................................................................................  98 
4.2.3.1   Mariti me tran sport .............................................................................................. 98 
4.2.3.2   Air transport ....................................................................................................... 99 
4.2.4   Tourism .............................................................................................................. 100  
4.2.5   Other offshore services ......................................................................................... 102 
REFERENC ES ................................................................................................................ 103  
5   APPENDIX TABLES .................................................................................................. 104  
 
CHARTS 
 
Chart 1.1 Merchandise trade by  SITC section,  2007 and 2012 ................................................ 72 
Chart 1.2 Merchandise trade, by main origin and destinat ion, 2007 an d 2012 ........................... 73 
Chart 3.1 Applied MFN tariff  rates distri bution , 2013 ............................................................. 83 
Chart 3.2 Average MFN tariff rates, by HS section, 2013 ........................................................ 83 
 
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 ...................................................................... 75 
Table 2.2 Antigua and Barbuda Notifications, 2007-13 ........................................................... 77 
Table 3.1 Structure of the ta riff schedule,  2006 and 2013 ...................................................... 80 
Table 3.2 Summary analysis  of the MFN tariff, 2013.............................................................. 80 WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  Table 4.1 Antigua and Barbuda tourist arriva ls 2007-1 2....................................................... 100  
 
APPENDIX TABLES 
 
Table A1. 1 Merchandise exports and re-e xports by SITC se ction, 2007- 12 ............................ 104  
Table A1. 2 Domestic merchandise exports by SITC section, 2007-12 .................................... 105  
Table A1. 3 Merchandise imports by SITC section, 2007-12 .................................................. 106  
Table A1. 4 Merchandise exports and re-e xports by trading partner, 2007-12 ......................... 107  
Table A1. 5 Domestic merchandise expo rts by trading part ner, 2007- 12 ................................ 109  
Table A1. 6 Merchandise imports by trading part ner, 2007- 12 .............................................. 110  WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  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$16,000. The small size and island location makes the country highly 
dependent on imports. Merchandise imports a ccounted for approximately 40% of GDP in 2012, 
while the share of merchandise exports was only 5% of GDP. 
1.2.  Antigua and Barbuda has a very narrow economic base with the tourism sector responsible 
for 60-70% of economic activity, and government an d financial services for most of the remaining 
30-40%. The lack of diversification and high dependence on imports leaves Antigua and Barbuda extremely vulnerable to exogenous shocks. 
1.3.  As such, the global financial crisis in 2008 seriously affected Antigua and Barbuda. Real GDP 
contracted by nearly 11% in 2009, 8.6% in 2010, and over 2% in 2011 (Table 1.1). The financial crisis adversely impacted the tourism source markets, resulting in a significant decline in stay-over 
tourist arrivals.
1 Additionally, per capita expenditure by tourists declined.2 The financial crisis also 
resulted in the collapse of two banks incorporated in Antigua and Barbuda. 
Table 1.1 Basic macroeconomic indicators, 2007-13 
  2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Real sector          
Nominal GDP at market prices 
(EC$ 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 GDP 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 growth (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 services 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 .. 
    of which       .. 
      Consumption tax 2.0 0.5 0.8 1.0 1.1 1.0 .. 
                                               
1 Tourist arrivals declined by 13.5% in 2009/10 (IMF, 2013). 
2 Real expenditure per tourist fell by nearly 20% between 1999 and 2011 (IMF, 2013). WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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    2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
     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 expenditure 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, Livestock 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 
Manufacturing 1.7 1.6 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.1 2.2 
Electricity & water 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 & retail 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 intermediation 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 estate, renting and business 
activities 8.0 8.0 9.0 10.6 11.7 11.8 11.7 
Public administration, defence & 
compulsory social security 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 social work 2.1 2.1 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.5 2.5 
Other community, social & 
personal services 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 Ba rbuda, 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 ha d 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 loss 
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 supervision 
become apparent; these include infrequent onsite examinations and weak enforcement of 
corrective measures for non-compliance. 
1.7.  The authorities realize the need for stru ctural changes in order to restore growth and 
macroeconomic stability in the medium–term. The authorities are focusing on improving WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  productivity and diversifying 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 for monetary policy for the whole 
OECS area since 1976, keeping the EC dollar pegged to the U.S. dollar at a rate of EC$2.70/US$1. 
Movements in the EC dollar real effective exchange  rate are related largely to changes in the value 
of the U.S. dollar vis-à-vis other major currencies. 
1.9.  During the period under review inflation was subdued, mainly due to weak domestic demand, 
which was perpetuated 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 fisca l 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. Additional revenue-enhancing measures to be implemente d 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 measures 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 domestic 
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 th e 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 successful 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 productivity and diversification 1.13.  As the public sector is the largest employ er in the country and the civil service employment 
is the benchmark for employment in other sectors of the economy, the authorities recognize that 
the productivity of public sector workers 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 authorities 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 th at have been initiated include a cancer treatment 
centre. The authorities also plan to diversify the tourism segment, and are encouraging non-
traditional avenues such as sports tourism. WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  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 authorities recognized th e 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 supervisio n has been slow. The IMF continues to stress the 
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 implemente d on an ECCB-wide basis, which would require 
significant coordination across different countries. 
1.4.3  Balance of payments  
1.17.  Antigua and Barbuda's current account deficit 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 st eady, on the other hand imports declined by 
nearly 40%. The fall in imports was brought about by the recession which dampened demand. 
1.18.  The services 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/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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   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 effective 
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$ million) -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 authorities. 
1.19.  The capital and financial account surplus sh owed 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 ba lance 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 same period. Exports of non-factor services remained st eady 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 manufactured 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 transport 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/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  Chart 1.1 Merchandise trade by SITC section, 2007 and 2012 
2007 2012
(a)    Exports and re-exports
Total: US$174 million
(b)    Im ports 
Total: US$727 million Total: US$532 millionTotal: 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 [1 2.12.13]; and UNSD Comtrade database. 
1.5.2  Direction of trade 
1.23.  Antigua and Barbuda's main export destination in 2012 was the EU27 followed by the United 
States and Barbados (Chart 1.2 and Tables 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 WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  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).  
Chart 1.2 Merchandise trade, by main origin and destination, 2007 and 2012 
2007 2012
(a)    Ex ports and re-ex ports
Total: US$174 million
(b)    Im ports 
Total : US$727 million Total: US$532 millionSt 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 [1 2.12.13]; and UNSD Comtrade database. WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  2  TRADE POLICY REGIME: FRAMEWORK AND OBJECTIVES 
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 treaties and related agreements may be 
signed by the Prime Minister or any other minister authorized to sign on behalf of the Government. 
Cabinet also authorizes ratification of and accession to international agreements. Parliamentary 
involvement is relevant only for enactment of enabling legislation. 
2.3.  The Barbuda Council is the principal organ of local government for the island of Barbuda. The 
Council administers agriculture and forestry issues, public health, medical and sanitary facilities, 
electricity, water, and other public utilities; constructs, 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, an d any law that does not conform to it is void to 
the extent of the inconsistency. Bills are drafte d at the request of a government ministry and 
introduced in either House, with the exception of a finance or money bill, which must always be introduced in the House of Representatives. Usually, a bill will have three readings. A bill that 
commences in either House must be passed at it s third reading, with or without amendments, 
before moving onto the other House. Bills become law only after receiving the assent of the Governor General and publication in the official 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. There is also an industrial court, which deals with matters arising from labour and employment disputes. In all cases, there is a 
right to appeal to the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal. Final appeal is to the Judicial Committee 
of the Privy Council. 
2.6.  In 2005, Antigua and Barbuda joined other CARICOM States in establishing the Caribbean 
Court of Justice (CCJ) with independent trade jurisd iction for dealing 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. In this respect, it was agreed by all 
OECS members that they would accede to the appell ate 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 did not incorporate the Marrakesh Agreement into domestic law as a 
single piece of legislation. However, certain provisions of the Agreement are part of domestic law 
and may be invoked by private individuals before local courts. 
2.8.  The Department for Trade, Industry and Co mmerce of the Ministry of Finance, the Economy, 
and Public Administration has primary responsibili ty for formulating and implementing trade policy. 
Proposals are submitted by the technical staff to the Minister, upon whose approval they are sent 
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 assessmen t of trade policy. 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 Registra r of Trademarks, Copyrights and Intellectual 
Property. WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  2.10.  As a member of the OECS 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-rest rictive foreign investment policy, with foreign 
investors receiving 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 granted 
automatically provided that all applicable taxes have been paid. Domestic borrowing by foreigners 
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 incentives. These are based on the size of the capital investment 
and the number of employees that will be employ ed 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 
building 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 discrepancies 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 they 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 individual s or EC$13.5 million for two or more persons, 
with each minimum 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 need 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 EC$2 WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  million and that the business is majority owned by citizens 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 employees are citizens of 
Antigua and Barbuda and 40% of the inputs are procured from Antigua 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 protection 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 partners. Under the GATS, Antigua and Barbuda made initial commitments on tourism; 
professional services; computer and related serv ices; research and development; recreational 
services; maritime transport; and financial services (section 4). Antigua and Barbuda 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 extension of time allowed for pr oviding 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 economy". In July 2007, the General Council decided to extend  the date for the dismantlement of export 
subsidies to end 2015. On 23 October 2012, the Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing 
Measures approved the final extension of the tran sition period until end 2013, for export subsidy 
programmes of 19 developing countries including Antigua and Barbuda. 
2.20.  In 2003, 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 Report 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 compliance 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 Panel 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 reques ted 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 Agr eement. On 23 July 2007, the United States 
(i) objected to the level of suspension of conc essions and obligations proposed by Antigua and 
Barbuda; and (ii) claimed that Antigua and Barbuda's proposal did not follow the principles and 
procedures set forth in Article 22.3 of the DSU. At its meeting on 24 July 2007, the DSB 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 accruing to Antigua and Barbuda was 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 statement 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. An tigua and Barbuda had formally notified the 
United States of its desire to seek recourse to th e good offices of the Director-General in finding a WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  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 the DSB to 
authorize the suspension of concessions and obligations to the United States in respect of 
intellectual property rights. Pursuant to the re quest by Antigua and Barbuda under Article 22.7 of 
the DSU, the DSB agreed to grant authorization to suspend the application to the United States of 
concessions or other obligations consistent with the Decision by the Arbitrator. 
2.24.  Antigua and Barbuda 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 GATT 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 notified 
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 the 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/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  WTO 
Agreement Description Most recent notification and date 
SCM Article 25 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 ar eas, including trade policy, services, consumer 
protection, competition policy, transport policy, an d agricultural policy. The protocols have been 
consolidated into the Revised Treaty, 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 signed bilateral agreements with the 
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Colombia, th e Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Cuba, and the 
European Union. 
2.28.  The Economic Partnership Agreement (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 EU committed to removing all 
tariffs and quotas on CARIFORUM exports immediatel y, 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 reductions 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 gran ted preferential access to the Canadian market, 
through CARIBCAN, and to the United 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, the EC, Japan, New Zealand, and Switzerland. WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  3  TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE 
3.1  Measures Directly Affecting Imports  3.1.1  Procedures 3.1.  Customs procedures are governed by th e Customs (Control and Management) Act of 2013. 
Under the provisions of the Act, all imports 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 assigns a number to the importer. 
3.2.  Under the provisions of the Act, customs de cisions may be appealed. In the first instance, the 
importer may appeal to the comptroller of customs; if 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 se cond schedule of the 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, the transaction value of similar goods, the deducted valuation, and computed valuation, in that order. However, the order of application of the 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 CARICOM preferential rules of origin. To comply with these 
rules, goods are deemed to be from the Common  Market if they have been: (a) completely 
produced within CARICOM; or (b) produced with in CARICOM wholly or partly from materials 
imported from third countries, provided a substantial transformation has taken place within 
CARICOM. Substantial transformation may be achieved by change of tariff heading, or by 
complying with the requirements defined specifically for each tariff heading in Part A of the List in Schedule II of the CARICOM Treaty. Under a "safeguard" 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 Development to authorize such imports. Duty-free treatment is accorded only if goods are shipped directly between member 
States. Additionally, a certificate of origin from the exporting country is required with verification 
taking place at the importing end. 
3.7.  Under the CARICOM Treaty's derogation facili ty to the application of Common Market Rules of 
Origin, a derogation granted to Antigua and Barbuda for coffee beans in 2004 remains in effect. 
Antigua and Barbuda, like other CARICOM members, was expected to implement the rules of 
origin contained in the Amended Schedule I of th e revised 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 MFN tariff in Antigua and Barbuda varied between duty free and 70%. 
All tariffs are applied on an ad valorem basis. The 2013 tariff is based on the HS 2007 WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  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 Structure of the tariff schedule, 2006 and 2013 
(%) 
  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 (including 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 "pea ks" (% of all tariff lines)b 28.0 29.9 
18. Overall standard deviation 9.6 10.5 
19. Nuisance applied 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 tariff 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 pr ovided by the authorities of Antigua and Barbuda. 
3.1.3.2  Tariff bindings 
3.9.  In the Uruguay Round, Antigua and Barbuda bound all tariff 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 ge nerally bound at a ceiling of 100%, with an 
implementation period of six years; exceptions that were bound at higher rates include beer, 
spirits, margarine, and bananas. The average bound tariff is 62.5%. The 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 applied rate is 70%, while the bound rate is 50%. 
Table 3.2 Summary analysis of the MFN tariff, 2013 
Description MFN 
Final bound 
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/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  Description MFN 
Final bound 
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-electric 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/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  Description MFN 
Final bound 
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 ammunition 24 40.2 0 - 70 0.7 50.0 
 20 Miscellaneous 
 manufacture 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) classification, 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 an d Barbuda applies the CARICOM Common External 
Tariff (CET). National exceptions to the CET are detailed in "List A" (items in respect of which 
member states wish to encourage national production) and "List C" (items for which minimum 
rates have been agreed, but can be increased up to bound levels by members). Applied tariff rates for List C products are determined by the di fferent CARICOM member countries. Common rates 
are determined by all members, but only for reference purposes. 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 tariffs; tariff quotas are not used. 
3.11.  The average applied MFN tariff 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 and the average applied MFN rates (over 50%) gives the authorities considerable 
scope to increase tariffs, which creates some unpredictability for importers. Over 90% of applied 
tariff rates range from zero to 25%, while the modal or most common rate is 5%; nearly 10% of tariff lines are duty free (Chart 3.1). 
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 agricultural products rose from 16.2% in 2006 to 18.1% in 2013. The av erage 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. 
                                               
3 Exceptions to the CET are included in Lists A, C,  and D, annexed to the CET. Rates vary by country 
and products. For produc ts included in List A, mainly agricultur al products, packaging material, ceramics, 
washing machines and dryers, and sa nitary 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 sensitive, mainly alcoholic beverages, tobacco, oil products, jewellery, electrical appliances, and motor vehicles; these products face rate s above the CET rates, up to 70%. WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
- 83 - 
 
  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>25
Number of tariff linesNumber of lines (% of total)Duty rate
 
 
Note: Figures in parenthesis indicate the share of total lines. 
 Source: WTO Secretariat calculations, based on data pr ovided by the authorities of Antigua and Barbuda. 
Chart 3.2 Average MFN tariff rates, by HS section, 2013 
020406080100120140
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21Per cent
01 Live animals & prod.
02 Vegetable products03 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 equipment19 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 pr ovided by the authorities of Antigua and Barbuda. WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  3.1.4  Other charges affecting imports 
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 agencies and products are exempt, 
including entities with which the Government of Antigua and Barbuda has 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 servic es intended solely for export; books of printed 
matter; medicines; pharmaceutical goods; 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 Initiati ve, and certain manufacturers were exempted 
under the Manufacturers Initiative.  
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 Manufacturers Initiative. 
3.17.  The Environmental Protection Levy Act of 2002 provides for a levy on imported and 
domestically produced goods so as to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment. The levy 
applies at EC$0.25 per container on glass and pl astic containers and EC$1,000-EC$4,000 on motor 
vehicles. Tyres, electric accumulators, white goods, air conditioners, vacuum cleaners, 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 (Con trol and Management) Act of 2013 prohibits the 
import of firearms having a disguised appearance; 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 certain diseases are present are also prohibited. The Uniforms Act of 1997 bans the imports of camouflage uniforms. Imports of refrigerators, 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 and safety grounds and the relevant 
imports require a permit or sanitary/phytosanitary certificate. The import of any herb or plant or any part of any herb or plant for use as medicine or drug by man or animals, or which may be 
used as medicine 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; substances used to manufacture drugs; firearms; and 
ammunition are also restricted and require pr ior permission. Additionally, imports of any 
mechanical game, device, or appliance, that can be  used to play at any game of chance for money 
is restricted under the Customs (Control and Management) Act of 2013; the same Act restricts the import of tear gas and any ingredient 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 Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Act of  2008 lists controlled pesticides and chemicals 
(schedule 2). The import of these is restricted an d requires a licence from the Pesticides and Toxic 
Chemicals Control Board. WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  3.22.  During the period under review, there wa s 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 the External Trade (Import 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 indicated that this is for data-collection purposes. Non-automatic licensing is applied on products subject to tariffication under Article 164 
of the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (aerated beve rages, beer, stout, ale, porter, pasta, candles, 
solar water heaters, oxygen in cylinder, carbon dioxide in cylinder, acetylene in cylinder, chairs and other 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 antibiotics; firearms, fireworks, arms and ammunition; and chemicals 
controlled by the Montreal Protocol). For all other products, licences are granted on request. The import licensing regime is administered by the Ministry of Finance and the Economy.  
3.24.  There is no licensing fee or administrative charge, and no deposit or advance payment is 
required for the issuance of a licences. In practi ce, licences are often requested and issued upon 
the arrival of the goods. A licence is valid, in mo st cases, for one month from the date of issue, 
extendable upon request. Licences are not transfer able between importers; there is no penalty for 
the non-use of a licence. Licences are required on a seasonal basis for imports of certain agricultural products. 
3.25.  The External Trade (Import Prohibition) Or der 2001 prohibits the import without a licence of 
goods from or originating 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 anti-
dumping and countervailing legislation. Anti-dum ping and countervailing measures are addressed 
in the Customs Duties (Dumping and Subsidies) Act, of 1959, which was notified to the WTO in 
2002.
6 Questions were posed regarding this legislation, mainly on issues concerning the lack of 
provisions on various essential elements of an anti-dumping investigation. Antigua and Barbuda has still not provided answers. Antigua and Barbuda notified to the WTO that it has not established 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 future.
7 
3.27.  At the time of the last Review, 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 Barbuda, as a less developed country, 
may invoke the special provisions in Chapter 7 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, in particular 
Articles 150 and 164. Article 150 (Safeguard Measures) of the revised treaty entitles a disadvantaged country to limit imports of goods from other member states for up to three years, and to take such other measures as COTED may authorize. Article 164 (Promotion of Industrial 
Development) allows less developed CARICOM countries to petition COTED to suspend 
Community-origin treatment 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 Articles 150 or 164. 
3.29.  Antigua and Barbuda 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 
                                               
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. 
6 WTO documents G/ADP/N/1/ATG/2 and G/SCM/N/1/ATG/2, 19 March 2002. 
7 WTO document G/ADP/N/193/ATG, 27 September 2011. WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  Caribbean Community (Movement of Factors) Act, 2006, provides 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 Stan dards (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 preparation and 
promulgation of technical regulations and stan dards, and for dealing with standards-related 
matters, such as metrology and quality.  
3.32.  The ABBS is a member of the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality 
(CROSQ), Codex Alimentarius (WHO/FAO), and th e Inter-American Metrology System (SIM). The 
ABBS also has subscriber membership in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and is an affiliate member of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). 
3.33.  Under the provisions of the Standards Ac t of 1987, and the Standards Regulations of 1998, 
standards formulation and development is mainly the responsibility of ABBS.
9 The mandate to 
prepare a technical regulation or standard generally comes from the Standards Council, which is 
composed of representatives from several 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 representative of cons umers, and a technical secretary, submits a draft 
standard 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 the 
standard is intended to be a compulsory standard/technical regulation, it is also submitted to the 
Ministry of Legal Affairs and Justice, and thereaft er 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 standards 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 standards bodies, and CODEX have 
also been used in drafting ABBS standards/technical regulations. 
3.35.  Under the provisions of the Act, standards may be voluntary or compulsory (technical 
regulations), although they generally start as voluntary and become technical regulations upon 
analysis. Standards may, on the recommendation of the ABBS, be declared by Order of the 
Minister to be a compulsory standard if they are intended primarily to protect the consumer or user against danger to health and safety; to pr event fraud or deception arising from misleading 
advertising or labelling; to ensure 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 published in the Gazette  in this respect. 
3.36.  Forty three standards have been made public as National (Voluntary) Standards.  
3.37.  There is no fully functional certification bo dy in Antigua and Barbuda, as the ABBS lacks the 
necessary technical resources. The authorities stated that certification activities are carried out on a regional basis. Furthermore, the ABBS that lack s the technical regulations and resources to carry 
out market surveillance. 
3.38.  The Government Chemistry Laboratory carries out basic testing, and there 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 
                                               
8 Online information. Viewed at: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tbt_e/tbt_enquiry_points_e.htm. 
9 Standards are formulated generally by consen sus between the ABBS an d concerned parties. WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  approval where possible and where necessary, to  approve the aforementioned laboratories for 
certification work on behalf of the ABBS. The ABBS has the legal authority to delegate this responsibility. Accreditation is done at the regional level. 
3.39.  The necessary technical regulations th at form the basis for conformity 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 Inte rnational System of units and the British 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 National 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 
included 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 Protec tion Act of 2012, a government agency will be 
designated as the National Plant Protection Orga nization (NPPO). The NPPO would be responsible 
for the implementation of the International 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 
plant and plant products; 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 IPPC focal point; and providing information regarding import and export regulations in force. 
3.43.  Imports of plants and plant products ar e governed by the Plant Protection Act of 2012, 
whereby certain products require an import permit  from the NPPO and must be accompanied 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 unpr ocessed plant products and commodities and 
non-commercial untreated seeds are subject to technical quarantine regulations and control, depending on the country of origin and the presence  of particular pests and diseases of quarantine 
importance to Antigua and Barbuda. 
3.45.  The importation of soil or products containing soil is prohibited. Imported plants should be 
free of soil. A pest-risk assessment is conducted on  each requested commodity before a decision is 
made whether the risk of importation is acceptable (minimal or non-existent). The importer is 
issued an import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture for each shipment and is instructed to communicate Antigua and Barbuda's import requ irements to the exporter. Plant quarantine 
inspectors, stationed at the two main ports of entr y, are responsible for conducting inspections of 
all plants and plant products that enter via these and the minor ports. Surveillance for general pest management is carried out periodically in high-risk areas within the country. From time to time, surveys are conducted for pests of quarantine sign ificance 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 the Department of Agriculture is in 
the process of developing a website that will include bilateral agreements, the list of quarantined 
pests, legislation, entry requirements, and other related material. Special import restrictions apply to some products, for example mangoes from countries 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 serves as the focal point for the IPPC. WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  3.48.  Imports of animals, poultry, livestock, and poultry products must be in accordance with the 
Animal Health Legislation, the Animals (Disease s and Importation) Act of 1953, and the Animals 
(International Movement and Disease) Act, which covers quarantine and the species subject to it. These products must be accompanied by a cert ificate 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  restrictions 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, Antigua and Barbuda does not permit 
the importation or sale of living modified orga nisms (LMOs) unless approval has been obtained 
from the competent national authority. That approv al must be based, in part, on the results of a 
risk assessment. 
3.50.  At the time of its last Review, Antigua and Barbuda had notified to the SPS Committee its 
(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 movement of animals into and out of  Antigua and Barbuda with the aim of preventing 
and controlling the spread of certain animal diseases. A draft Food Safety Act had also been notified to the WTO. The bill's purpose is to regu late the sale of food by producers, processors, 
manufacturers or handlers of food, as well as the import and export 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 International Plant Protection Convention 
(IPPC), and a member of the Co dex Alimentarius Commission.  
3.52.  The Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Act of 2008 contains the main provisions on the 
registration, import, sale, transport, disposal, control, and inspection of pesticides. The Act 
establishes the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board, which functions under the Ministry of 
Agriculture. The Board is in charge of implementi ng the Act. The Board is also responsible for, 
inter alia,  considering applications for registration; granting 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 (C ontrol and Management) Act of 2013. The new Act 
has not changed export procedures. Exporters must fu rnish 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 and 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 expo rts of molasses or sugar as there is no longer a 
sugar industry in Antigua and Barbuda. 
3.55.  The Customs (Control and Management) Act 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. Also, the export of wild birds or of any live 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 Committee on Agriculture that it provides 
export subsidies on agricultural products. Unde r Article 27 of the SCM Agreement, Antigua and 
Barbuda has notified the Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures that it provides WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  export subsidies: 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 elimination of export 
subsidies that take the form of full or partial exemptions from import duties and internal taxes and 
were in existence on 1 September 2001. In July 2007, the General Council extended the date for 
the dismantlement of export subsidies to en d 2015. On 23 October 2012, the Committee on 
Subsidies and Countervailing Measures approved the final extension 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 exporting part of their 
production and not enjoying a tax holiday or duty-free imports of raw materials and capital goods. 
A longer maximum period of tax holiday (15 year s) was granted to enclave enterprises exporting 
all of their production. The Act was repealed in 2013.  
3.60.  Enterprises registered under the Free Trade and Processing Zone Act of 1994 are exempt 
from customs duty and other taxes on imports of  machinery, equipment, spare parts, and items 
needed to construct and operate facilities within the free trade and processing zone (FTPZ). Firms are also exempt from customs duty and other taxes on imports of goods to be used as inputs in the production of goods produced or assembled wi thin the FTPZ. Additionally, firms benefit from 
exemption from: income and other taxes of any kind; export taxes; government levies; and any 
taxes on the repatriation of profits earned in the zone.
11 
3.61.  To operate in the FTPZ, a licence is need ed. Licence and registration are granted only to 
corporations, regardless of where they are incorporated, or a branch or unit of such corporation. 
The decision to grant a licence is based on considerations such as the level of investment; the project's capacity to generate employment; generation of foreign exchange; technological 
adaptability and transfer possibilities; and envi ronmental impact. The licence fee ranges between 
US$10,000 and US$20,000 and does 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 licence fees re ceived from sports book and internet gambling 
represent the main source of revenues from the FTPZ. Nevertheless, the size of these operations 
has declined considerably in recent years.  
3.63.  The authorities indicated that amendments to the Act are ongoing 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 guarantee facilities 
provided by the ECCB Export Credit Guarantee Scheme, covering political and commercial risks. 
However, the scheme was abolished in 2009. 
3.65.  Exporters may also receive export promotion support from the OECS Export Development 
Unit. During the period under review, th e 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 
                                               
10 WTO documents G/SCM/N/253/ATG and G/SCM/N/260/ATG, 31 July 2013.  
11 However, firms are required to pay social securi ty, medical benefits, and the education levy on the 
earnings of any person employed  in any industrial or commercial activity within the FTPZ. WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  poverty reduction. In this regard, concessions and incentives are offered to investors under 
various schemes. 
3.67.  Incentive schemes currently in place are 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 Ac t. In addition there is also a citizenship by 
investment 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 production begins, and losses 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 as a 
result of the project (section 2). Furthermore, the Act created the Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority (ABIA), which started functi oning 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 wellness, 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 on the profits from sales of approved products fo r up to 15 years. The tax holiday period under the 
Fiscal Incentives Act depended on the group in wh ich the enterprise was categorized, according to 
the local value-added generated or whether it was geared for export. As of July 2013, some 35 firms were registered under the Fiscal Incentives 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$25 million in 2004 (last available year). 
3.3.2  Competition policy and price controls 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 States. 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 enforcement in the CSME (Common Report). The EPA contains provisions with respect to competition policy (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, while 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 Ministry of Justice and Public Safety. WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  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 Safe ty 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 result in a warning, subsequent violations may result in fines (not 
exceeding EC$5,000) and prosecution. 
3.3.3  State-owned enterp rises and privatization 
3.75.  Antigua and Barbuda has notified no state trading enterprise to the WTO. 
3.76.  The Central Marketing Corporation (CMC), 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 licensing regime, which restricts imports of an assortment of vegetables that 
local farmers can produce. The CMC may exercise sole responsibility for the importation and marketing of carrots, cabbage, onions, sweet peppers, and tomatoes. However, according to the 
authorities, the system of licences is being phased out, and the CMC's monopoly is not enforced; 
private importation of these commodities is unrestricted. 
3.3.4  Government procurement 
3.77.  During the period under review, Antigu a and Barbuda introduced new legislation 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 pr ocess, as well as to make the process more 
transparent. The Act is particularly focused on encouraging public competition in the procurement 
process; fostering and encouraging broad participation in the procurement process in Antigua and Barbuda and overseas; increasing public confiden ce 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 esta blishment of a procurement unit in the Ministry 
of Finance. Competitive, sealed bids are the preferred method of procurement. 
3.78.  Until the new Act enters into force, the Tenders Board under the Ministry of Finance is 
responsible for government procurement. The Boar d 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 agen cy, the Board must either: invite members of the 
public in general to make offers for the supply of the articles, works or services, by notice published in the Gazette  and in local or overseas newspapers; or, subject to the approval of the 
Minister, invite such bodies or persons as ma y be selected by the Board to make offers. 
3.80.  In making its decision, the Board must take into account the quality 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 accept 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 must publish in the Gazette  the name of the person or body to whom the 
contract is awarded, the amount of the tender, and the date on which the award was made. 
3.81.  The current Tenders Board Act regulations allow agencies to establish their own 
procurement departments for small amounts, and exempt the Government or any statutory body 
from the tender procedure if it is satisfied th at it is expedient and desirable so to do.  
3.82.  Antigua and Barbuda does not apply any national or regional preferences in the 
procurement process.  
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. WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  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 Intellectual Pr operty Office Act of 2003, the office of the 
Registrar of Intellectual Property is responsible for all functions relating to the grant of patents and 
utility model certificates; the registration of in dustrial designs, marks, collective marks, and 
geographical indications; supervising and perfor ming other duties conferred by the intellectual 
property legislation or its regulations; and carry ing out studies, programmes or exchanges of items 
or services on domestic and international IP issues, 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 Intellectual Property Organization and 
contracting party to a number of intellectual property conventions.12 
3.3.5.1  Trademarks 
3.86.  The Trade Mark Act of 2003 and the implem enting regulations govern trademarks; the Act 
entered into force in 2006. The Act and the regulati ons are part of the programme of the Ministry 
of Justice and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to update the intellectual property laws 
required for modern trade and investment protection. Under the Trade Marks Law of 2003, service marks may be registered. The exclusive right to a trademark is acquired through registration in 
the Register of Marks. The term of protection is  the standard ten years, renewable for consecutive 
periods of ten years each. The Act provides for the right of priority of an earlier national or regional 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 trademarks registered in Antigua and Barbuda during 2007-12, all by 
non-residents; there were also 1,480 registrations 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 the right to a patent belongs to the inventor. Furthermore, the Act specifies, the procedures for filing for and obtaining a patent, as well as the 
rights of the patent 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 where the patent is not exploited or 
insufficiently exploited. It also allows for exploita tion of the patent 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 practices. The Act 
also addresses Antigua and Barbuda's obligations under the Patent Cooperation Treaty. 
3.89.  Under the provisions of the Industrial Desi gns Act of 2003, only a new industrial design may 
be registered. The Act stipulates that the right to registration of an industrial design belongs to the 
creator. Procedures for registering 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 consecutive 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 Antigua and Barbuda during the review period. Over the 
same period, there 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.  
                                               
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. 
13 WIPO online information. Viewed at: 
http://www.wipo.int/ipstats/en/statistics/country_profile/countries/ag.html. 
14 WIPO online information. Viewed at: 
http://www.wipo.int/ipstats/en/statistics/country_profile/countries/ag.html. WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  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 typographica l arrangements of published editions. Databases 
may be treated as original literary works, but only if the compilation is the author's own 
intellectual creation. Collections of folklore are also afforded protection. Copyright protection is generally for life plus 50 years, but it is limited to 25 years for typographical arrangements of 
published editions. The Copyright Act addresses rules on copyright owners' economic and moral 
rights, joint authorship, the ownership and assignme nt of rights, licensing, exceptions, the rights 
conferred in performances, and the available reme dies 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 Geographical Indications Act of 2003, which entered into effect in 2006, allows for any 
interested person or group of producers or consumers to initiate proceedings in Court so as to 
prevent misleading the public or unfair competition,  with respect to geographical indications. The 
law provides for registration, but also states that protection is available 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 stip ulates the procedures for registration of these 
designs. 
3.3.5.5  Enforcement 
3.94.  The IPR enforcement system in Antigua and Barbuda is based on a combination of 
legislation and common law. 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 ca ses lies with the Supreme Court of Judicature 
(comprising the High Court of Justice and the courts  of appeal), with final appeal to the Judicial 
Committee of the Privy Council. If the owner of the intellectual property right or a licensee feels 
that his/her right has been infringed they may init iate civil proceedings. In the case of copyright 
and neighbouring rights, and protection of secret information, owners of IPRs may assert their rights, without the need for registration. Registrati on is required for the protection of trademarks, 
patents, industrial designs and integrated circuits, and plant breeders' rights. However, 
unregistered trademarks may be protected under common law. 
3.96.  Enforcement measures include: injunctions; damages, including recovery of profits, and 
expenses, including attorney's fees; and destruction or other disposal of infringing goods and 
materials/implements for their production. Under common law, a right 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 Au thorities of the release into free circulation of 
such goods. In addition, the Copyright Act of  2003 allows the customs authorities to seize 
imported copies of published copyright material if a notice of objection has been given to the Comptroller of Customs and Excise.  
3.97.  The trademark, copyright 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/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  4  TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR 
4.1  Agriculture 4.1.  The agriculture and fisheries sector in Anti gua and Barbuda is small. During the period under 
review, the sector's contribution to GDP rema ined below 2%, while employing between 10% and 
12% of the workforce, implying that labour produc tivity in the sector 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 consumption. 
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 energy and 
labour costs; and over-exploitation of marine food  sources. The sector also faces significant risks 
from natural disasters such as hurricanes. To mi tigate the above the Government plans to enact a 
food security law; pursue a policy of import su bstitution; increase budgetary allocation for the 
sector; and implement 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. According to the authorities, 2,000 households have registered under this initiative. 
4.4.  The Fisheries Act of 2006 is aimed at pr omoting sustainable development and the responsible 
management of fisheries and aquaculture activities. Under the provisions of the Act, all fishing 
vessels must be registered and have a valid fishing licence. 
4.5.  Employment and investment in the sector 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 agricultural products is 105.7%. The top rate (45%) applies to beverages, spirits, and tobacco. Impo rts of some agricultural products may require 
licences; non-automatic licences may be required for 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 six of the 12 broadly defi ned service areas, or 32 of the approximately 
160 subsectors: financial services (insurance services); business services (professional services, computer and related services, research and development services); tourism and travel related 
services (hotels and restaurants); recreational, cultural and sporting services (entertainment 
services); and transport services (maritime transport services). Unlike all other OECS-WTO Members, Antigua and Barbuda has not yet submitted an initial offer on services in the 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 limitations regarding natural persons 
and commercial presence. With respect to the latter, the schedule contains a general approval requirement and encourages joint ventures. With respect to the movement of natural persons, the 
schedule contains a labour market test, permitti ng employment of foreign 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 telecommunication services, allowing for 
preferential treatment for CARICOM service suppliers. WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  4.2.1  Financial services 
4.2.1.1  Overview 4.9.  As of March 2013, the financial sector in Antigua and Barbuda comprised eight domestic 
commercial banks, 13 offshore banks, 23 insurance companies and agents, and six credit unions. 
Domestic banks are regulated by the Eastern Cari bbean 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 importance and the widespread 
influence of the sector on the rest of the econom y. 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 li cences 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 may 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  the same requirements as locally owned banks 
and permitted to provide the same services. Howe ver, 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 application. 
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 for 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 Stanford 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 form of a three-year loan of EC$89 million (3% of Antigua and Barbuda's GDP). 
Furthermore, it was decided to create a new bank to take over the operations of BOA. The 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 customer 
accounts. 
4.13.  BOA financial 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 the 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 underperforming 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 banking 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 assets were investments in associated concerns. Furthermore, accounts for 2008 show that 
the ratio of NPLs was 8% (3% above the ECCBs statutory limit), the ratio of regulatory capital to 
risk-weighted assets had dropped below the stat utory requirement and exposure 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 Fina ncial Holdings (Bank of St. Lucia), Antigua Commercial Bank, National 
Commercial Bank (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), and National Bank of Dominica. 
16 Nearly 30% of the under-performing loan s were attributed to the public sector. WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  4.16.  This rapid expansion coupled with loses in certain investments, placed liquidity pressures on 
the bank. Consequently, in July 2011, the ECCB in tervened and assumed control of ABIB, 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 institutions 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 finance the operations or the expansio n 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 result of the above failures, the capital adequacy ratio of domestic banks declined to 
4.1% in 2011, while the ratio of unsatisfactory loan s to total assets rose to nearly 13%. Net profits 
as a proportion of average assets declined 0.3%.18  
4.19.  To mitigate the risk of future bank failures, the authorities are taking both on an OECS-wide 
basis as well as Antigua 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 (201 3) seeks to restructure 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 and 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 and Barbuda and to cooperate with various investigations. Lastly, 
clause five of the new Act outlines the three ma in functions of the commission as regulatory, 
collaborative and advisory. 
4.20.  Additionally, the Resolution Trust Company (RTC) was incorporated and registered in 2011, 
with the purpose of providing financial assistance to financial institutions to restore liquidity and solvency to distressed institutions, and to provide technical and managerial support to restructure financial institutions. 
4.2.1.3  Insurance 
4.21.  In 2013, 23 domestic insurance companies were registered and operating in Antigua and 
Barbuda; eight 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 Internationa l  a n d  D o m e s t i c  I n s u r a n c e ,  w h o  i s  p a r t  o f  t h e  
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 constituted in accordance with the laws of the country in which the head office is situated, have paid-up share 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 Companies 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 directors, 
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 registra tion (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/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  companies) are also payable. The FSRC has the righ t to refuse applications if they are deemed not 
to be in the public interest, 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 premiums on all classes of insurance, whether new policies or renewals. 
4.26.  The global financial crisis of 2008 resulted in the collapse of CL Financial Group 
(Common Report), which was the parent compan y of two insurance companies in Antigua and 
Barbuda, CLICO and BAICO. These companies ar e 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 Report). 
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, there 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 amended), the International Trusts Act, the 
International Limited Liability Act, the International Foundations Act and Corporate Management and Trust Service Providers Act, and the Financial Services Regulatory Act. 
4.28.  International banks and insurance companie s 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 two international 
insurance companies. 
4.29.  The minimum 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 only 
conduct transactions in currencies other than th ose 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 office and a registered agent licensed under the Corporate Management and Trus t Service Providers Act. Annual licence fees are 
US$25,000 for an international bank and US$10,000 for an international insurance business. The 
initial registration fees for international ba nks are US$25,000 for Cla ss I and III banks, and 
US$15,000 for Class II banks; annual licence 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 (SIB) 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 Stanford 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 moratorium 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/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  4.2.2  Telecommunications 
4.31.  Antigua and Barbuda made commitments in the WTO extended negotiations on basic 
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 pr ovision of international services until 2012. In 
July 2012, four telecommunications providers (Cable  & Wireless trading as LIME, Digicel, Antigua 
Computer Technology, and APUA) were granted licences to provide international 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 facilities 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 sect or is the Telecommunications Act of 1951. The 
authorities stated that new telecommunications 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 the Telecommunications Division. The Cabinet has the authority to make rules on types and forms 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 and the duties of licensees. Licences have been granted to companies offering cable TV, under sea cable, and internet services. According to 
the authorities, there has been no standard approa ch to granting licences, with varying terms and 
conditions attached. The new Telecommunications Act is expected to rectify this with a uniform approach to granting licences.  
4.33.  Antigua and Barbuda is the only OECS-WTO  Member that is not a member of the Eastern 
Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL). According to the authorities, the reason is because of the cross-subsidies provided by the telecommunications sector to electricity and water utilities. 
4.34.  The telecommunications sector contributes slightly over 3% to Antigua and Barbuda's GDP 
and employs around 400 people. At the end of 2012, fixed-line penetration was at 70% of households, while Internet penetration was around 55%. Mobile phone penetration rates exceed 
100%. Investment 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 ca lls; calls 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 same rate to all mobile operators. An international call to the United States costs around EC$1.50 per minute, although it can be 
considerably lower 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 network 
being cheaper. 
4.36.  The 15% sales tax is levied on all tele communications services provided 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 transport 
4.37.  During the period under review, the admini stration 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 in ternational conventions and agreements to which 
Antigua and Barbuda is a party. The Department of Marine Services and Marine Shipping (ADOMS) WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  (part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), regulate s merchant shipping activities. However, ultimate 
responsibility for merchant shipping and ship regi stration lies with the Prime Minister of Antigua 
and Barbuda. 
4.38.  Under the provisions of the Aliens Restri ction Act, the masters, chief officers, and chief 
engineers of merchant ships registered in Antigu a and Barbuda are required to be nationals of 
Antigua and Barbuda, except on vessels employed mainly in voyages between ports outside Antigua and Barbuda. 
4.39.  Only ships registered in Antigua and Barbuda may engage in cabotage. A ship is considered 
t o  b e  r e g i s t e r e d  i n  A n t i g u a  a n d  B a r b u d a  i f  i t  i s  o w n e d  o r  e f f e c t i v e l y  c o n t r o l l e d  b y  c i t i z e n s  o f  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 annual 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 loca l 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 Government owns and controls the ports. 
4.41.  The Antigua Port Authority is responsible for developing the harbours of Antigua and 
Barbuda, operating and managing port services, an d 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 oper ated, 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 Barbuda by maritime transportation. 
4.2.3.2  Air transport 
4.43.  Antigua and Barbuda has not made any GA TS 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 Licensing 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 overall responsibility for the development and supervision 
of civil aviation in Antigua and Barbuda. Ministeria l approval is not required when granting an air 
transport licence to citizens of Antigua and Barbuda or a member State of the OECS or CARICOM; 
or a body incorporated in Antigua and Barbuda th at is substantially controlled by citizens of 
Antigua and Barbuda or an 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 advantage of the applicant over 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, unl ess 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 restrictions on cabotage services, 
however, the Minister has the authority to make regulations for the control of commercial aircraft carrying goods and services within Antigua and Barbuda. No such regulations have been issued. 
4.47.  Antigua and Barbuda is one of the main ci vil aviation centres within the OECS. It has two 
airports, the V.C. Bird International Airport in An tigua, and Codrington Airport in Barbuda. Carriers 
that operate flights to Antigua and Barbuda are from the region, the United States, the WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  United Kingdom, and Canada. Air cargo is processed at the V.C. Bird International Airport in 
Antigua. The airports are government owned, and airport management is the responsibility of the 
Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority, a govern ment-owned statutory body established 2007. The 
Authority is governed by a Board of Directors, appointed by Cabinet, and is required to make 
annual reports to Parliament. The rationale for setting up the Airport Authority was to manage the 
airports in a more 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 perm itted 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 ex pansion and development of the airport. This 
includes work on the runway as well as the build ing of a new terminal. Additionally, in late 2013, 
the Government was in the process of finalizing negotiations to secure a US$45 million loan from China for the construction of a new airport terminal. 
4.49.  The main regional airline is LIAT, which is incorporated in Antigua and Barbuda. The 
Government of Antigua has a share in LIAT, along with certain other governments in the region. During the review period, LIAT merged with Caribbean Star Airlines Ltd. There are no foreign 
investment restrictions 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. Antigua and Barbuda's air transport 
arrangements with the United States are regu lated by the 1977 U.S.-U.K. Bermuda II Agreement, 
to which Antigua and Barbuda acceded after its independence in 1981. Antigua and Barbuda has 
agreements with a number of countries to provide direct air passengers transport services. These agreements have not been notified to ICAO, which decreases transparency with respect to the 
provision of these services. Antigua and Barbuda is also a signatory to the CARICOM Multilateral 
Air Services Agreement (MASA), which is registered with ICAO. 
4.2.4  Tourism 
4.51.  In its GATS schedule, Antigua and Barb uda 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) about 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 expenditur e 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 visitors  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 visitors 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 countries  25,491 26,155 24,598 26,399 27,025 28,170
 Stay-over visitors by sea  .. .. .. .. .. ..
 Cruise-ship passengers  672,788 596,120 709,795 557,030 604,506 567,707WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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   2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
  Yacht passengers  24,722 25,913 21,226 25,886 24,403 28,060
 Number of cruise ship calls  380 317 367 304 328 333
 Number of yacht 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
 
.. Not available.  Source: Eastern Caribbean Centra l Bank. Viewed at: http://eccb-
centralbank.org/Media/data_dec2013/Tour ism%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 more and better jobs, ensure higher returns on investment, 
and contribute to greater economic empowerment 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 establis hed 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 measures 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 elements of the country's 
marketing strategy. These include an aggressive airlift strategy, an integrated online marketing 
strategy, an internet strategy, a press trip strategy, and a travel agent familiarization programme. 
These efforts were made easier with the introduc tion of the 2% marketing fund, established in 
2012 when the ABST transitional rate for hotels was increased from 10.5% to 12.5%. It is 
intended to provide a dedicated stream of fundin g to support marketing and promotion activities. 
4.57.  The Government of Antigua and Barbuda signed a memorandum of agreement with the 
Antigua Hotel and Tourist Association in 2008, under which hotels were given concessions on capital items, operating equipment, and security apparatus. 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 incentives 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 au thorities 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 preserve natural and man-made historical sites. This implies that any 
business that contributes substantially to the maintenance or preservation of strategic natural or manmade historical sites will be able to reduce its corporate income tax liability; the business will also be able to access an 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, developers may import building materials and equipment duty free, or drawback customs duti es 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 2003, are eligible for relief from corporate income tax for seven 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 re novating 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 rooms; 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, dividends, and profits. 
Incentives may also be granted under project-specific legislation. According to the authorities, 
these incentives are no longer applicable. 
                                               
19 Government of Antigua and Barbuda. WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  4.2.5  Other offshore services 
4.61.  International business companies must be incorporated under the International Business 
Corporations (IBC) Act (as amended), and are re gulated by the Financial Services Regulatory 
Commission. 
4.62.  Under the International Business Corporations Act of 1982, international business 
corporations (IBCs) may be formed by an attorney or professional 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, incorporation may be completed 
within 24 hours. IBCs are eligible for an array of incentives that include exemptions from various taxes including customs duties. Under the provisions of the International Business Corporation (Amendment) Act of 2002, IBCs would not be charged income tax, capital gains tax, and asset 
transfer tax. The International Business Corporations (Amendment) Act of 2005 introduced a 
modification to the minimum capital requirements; these are now subject to variation through regulations. 
4.63.  The International Trust Act of 2007 provides for the establishment of international trusts by 
non-residents. However, at least one of the trustees must be domiciled in Antigua and Barbuda. 
4.64.  In 2007, an amendment to the Interactiv e Gaming and Interactive Wagering Regulations, 
2007 (the Gaming Regulations) 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 th e FSRC to access extra-territorial information and 
have control 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 adequacy of 
licensees. There is a US$100,000 minimum reserve requirement, and the Commission is 
authorized to establish higher thresholds based on its assessment of risk. The enhanced 
monitoring and examinations powers in the regulations enable the Commission to more effectively monitor the adequacy of the capital reserve on an  on-going basis. Furthermore, the Commission 
was granted enhanced surveillance powers over business associates of licensees providing key 
services, such as payment providers and aggregators (poker-room operators often located 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 the remote 
gaming regulatory and supervisory regime. The ch anges 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/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  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_pape rs/Rethinking%20polic y%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 the 2012 Article IV Consultation . Country Report 13/76, March. 
Viewed at: http://www.imf.org/exte rnal/pubs/ft/scr/2013/cr1376.pdf. WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  5  APPENDIX TABLES 
Table A1. 1 Merchandise exports and re -exports by SITC section, 2007-12 
(US$ million 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 oils, 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 Miscellaneous 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 available.  Source: Eastern Caribbean Central Bank  online information. Viewed at: http://www.eccb-
centralbank.org/Statistics/index.asp . 
 WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  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, inedible, 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 classified 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 available.  Source: Eastern Caribbean Central Bank online  information. Viewed at: http://www.eccb-
centralbank.org/Statistics/index.asp. WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  Table A1. 3 Merchandise imports by SITC section, 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 materials, 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 transactions not 
 classified elsewhere in SITC  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
 
Source: Eastern Caribbean Central Bank online  information. Viewed at: http://www.eccb-
centralbank.org/Statistics/index.asp. WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  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 Tobago 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 Antilles 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 Inde pendent 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/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  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 
 
.. Not available.  
a Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) includes Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, 
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russian Federa tion, Tajikistan, Turkme nistan, Ukraine, and 
Uzbekistan. 
 Note: 0.0% in the table represents negligible trade.  
Source: UNSD, Comtrade database (SITC Re v.3); and Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. WT/TPR/S/299/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  Table A1. 5 Domestic merchandise ex ports 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 Inde pendent 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 
 
.. Not available. 
a Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) includes Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, 
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russian Federa tion, Tajikistan, Turkme nistan, 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/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  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 Inde pendent 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/Rev.1 • Antigua and Barbuda 
 
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  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 Pe ople'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 
 
.. Not available. 
a Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) includes Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, 
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russian Federa tion, Tajikistan, Turkme nistan, Ukraine, and 
Uzbekistan. 
 Note: 0.0% in the table represents negligible trade.  
Source: WTO Secretariat based on data provided  by the authorities of Antigua and Barbuda.