WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DU COMMERCE  
ORGANIZACIÓN MUNDIAL DEL COMERCIO WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
19 November 2008 
 (08-5653) 
Trade Policy Review Body 
17 and 19 September 2008 Original:  English/Spanish 
                anglais/espagnol                 inglés/español 
  
TRADE POLICY REVIEW 
BARBADOS 
Minutes of Meeting
 
Addendum  
Chairperson:  H.E. Mr. Yonov Frederick Agah (Nigeria) 
 This document contains the advance written questions, and replies provided by Barbados.1 
__________________________________________________________________________________  
Organe d'examen des politiques commerciales 
17 et 19 septembre 2008 
 
EXAMEN DES POLITIQUES COMMERCIALES 
BARBADE 
Compte rendu de la réunion
 
Addendum  
Président:  S.E. M. Yonov Frederick Agah (Nigeria) 
 
 Le présent document contient les questions écrites communiquées à l'avance et les réponses fournies par la Barbade.
1 
__________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
Órgano de Examen de las Políticas Comerciales 
17 y 19 de septiembre de 2008  
EXAMEN DE LAS POLÍTICAS COMERCIALES 
BARBADOS 
Acta de la reunión
 
Addendum  
Presidente:  Excmo. Sr. Yonov Frederick Agah (Nigeria) 
 
 En el presente documento figuran las pre guntas presentadas anticipadamente por escrito, 
junto con las respuestas facilitadas por Barbados.1 
                                                      
1 In English and Spanish only./En anglais et espagnol seulement./En inglés y español solamente.   
    WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
 Page 3 
 
 
 ADVANCE WRITTEN QUESTIONS BY MEMBERS 
 
CHINA  
 
1. As far as the economic and trade performances of Barbados are concerned, how has the recent 
international economic slow down affected Barbados? 
 2. Does the Caribbean Single Market and Economy have the objective or timetable for a single currency?  
3. China highly commends Barba dos’ active participation in the DDA rules negotiations as the 
coordinator of SVEs. Please elaborate Barbados’ c oncrete position on the fishery subsidy negotiations 
and share its idea with Members on how to formulate S&D provisions.   
BRAZIL 
 1. Please explain the main challenges faced in order to enforce technical regulations and the 
measures that have been taken so far to facilitate their implementation.  
 2. Please provide a general overview of the curre nt situation of the telecommunications sector, 
after its liberalization.   MEXICO 
 
Se solicita a Barbados  responder a las siguientes pr eguntas formuladas con base en lo señalado en el 
documento  WT/TPR/G/203 del 13 de agosto de 2008  
 
IV.  POLÍTICAS COMERCIALES, POR SECTORES / 4) Servicios /  ii) Servicios bancarios y de 
seguros /  a) Características principales del mercado  
• En el párrafo 57 se señala que La Ley de In stituciones Financieras obliga a los bancos a 
obtener una licencia expedida por el Minist ro responsable de las finanzas.  México 
desearía conocer cuáles son los requisitos para obtener una licencia. 
IV. POLÍTICAS COMERCIALES, POR SECTORES / 4) Servicios /  iii)  Telecomunicaciones /  b) 
Marco jurídico 
• En el párrafo 78 se indica que para poseer o explotar redes de telecomunicaciones y 
prestar estos servicios, debe obtenerse una  licencia del Mini sterio de Asuntos 
Económicos, el cual tiene la facultad discr ecional de otorgar las licencias, previo 
dictamen del Oficial Superior de Telecomunicaciones. México desearía saber cuales son 
los requisitos para obtener una licencia, y si el tratamiento es similar para empresas 
nacionales y extranjeras. 
IV. POLÍTICAS COMERCIALES, POR SECTORES /  4) Se rvicios /  iv) Transporte /  a) Transporte 
aéreo  
• En el párrafo 92 se mencionan los acuerdos bila terales de servicios aéreos  que Barbados 
ha concertado con varios países. México desearía saber si Barbados tiene previsto 
celebrar acuerdos con otros países, además de los indicados. WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
Page 4  
 
 IV. POLÍTICAS COMERCIALES, POR SECTORES /  4) Se rvicios /  iv) Transporte /  b) Transporte 
marítimo  
• En el párrafo 99 se hace referencia al Regist ro de buques de Barbados y a los requisitos 
de las convenciones en que es parte Barbados . Desearíamos saber de que convenciones es 
parte Barbados. 
 IV. POLÍTICAS COMERCIALES, POR SECTORES /  4)  Servicios /  vi) Servicios Profesionales 
 
• En el párrafo 108 se menciona que en la  CARICOM se están elaborando modelos de 
directrices para la concesión de licencias a los arquitectos, las enfermeras, los contables y 
los ingenieros, así como para la regulación de esas profesiones, y que ya se encuentran en 
su etapa final. México desearía tener información sobre dichos modelos de directrices, 
podrían indicarnos a quien nos po demos dirigir para obtenerlos. 
 IV. POLÍTICAS COMERCIALES, POR SECTORES /  4) Servicios /  vi) Servicios Profesionales /  
a)  Servicios de contabilidad 
 
• En el párrafo 112 se señala que el Instituto de  Contables Colegiados de Barbados (ICAB) 
ha propuesto que el Gobierno autorice cierto grado de limitación de su responsabilidad 
profesional a los contables barbadenses cuando colaboran con proveedores extranjeros de 
servicios. Desearíamos saber a que se refi ere la limitación a de la responsabilidad 
profesional de los contables barbadenses. 
 
CANADA 
 
Report by the Secretariat (WT/TPR/S/203)
 
 
Part II. Trade policy regime: Framework and objectives; (5) International Relations; 
(ii) Participation in regional and bilateral agreements; (a) CARICOM; paragraph 29, page 16: 
 
Paragraph 16 of the Secretariat report notes that the CARICOM’s Single Market became operational in 2006, and that the Single Economy is scheduled to be fully implemented by 2015.  
1. Could Barbados indicate the extent to whic h it has harmonized its customs tariff schedule and 
rates with the other CARICOM members?  
Part III. Trade policies and practices by measu re; (2) Measures directly affecting imports; 
(vi) Tariffs; (a) MFN applied tariffs; paragraph 25, page 27: 
 Canada notes that Barbados has a number of applied tariff rates that exceed CARICOM’s Common 
External Tariff (CET).  2. Upon full implementation of the Single Ec onomy is 2015, will Barba dos and all CARICOM 
countries have a fully-harmonized CET with no national derogations? 
 
Part III. Trade policies and practices by measu re; (2) Measures directly affecting imports; 
(vi) Tariffs; (a) MFN applied tariffs; paragraph 26, page 27:  
The Secretariat reported that Barbados has incr eased customs duties on certain manufactured goods 
from 20% to 60% in 2001, but has returned a number of these to the CET rate in 2006. 
  WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
 Page 5 
 
 
 3. Could Barbados provide a lis t of the goods for which the increases were initially made in 
2001?  4. Could Barbados identify which of those goods, if any, have not been returned to the CET 
rate? 
 
5. For any rates that have not been returned to  the CET rate, does Barbados intend to do so in 
the future?  
III. Trade policies and practices by measure; (4 ) Measures Affecting Production and Trade; 
(VI) Intellectual Property Rights; paragraph 155, page 53:  
Canada notes that according to the Secretariat Report, “Barbados enacted the Intellectual Property 
(miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2006-2 to ame nd the Patents Act, the Trade marks Act and 
Regulations, and the Industrial D esigns Act and Regulations to make better provision for the 
regulation of intellectual property and to ensure  compliance with certain aspects of the TRIPs 
Agreement.”   6. Canada would be grateful if  Barbados could provide more in formation regarding the aspects 
of TRIPS that have been covered by the new legislation.  III. Trade policies and practices by measure; (4 ) Measures Affecting Production and Trade; 
(VI) Intellectual Property Rights; paragraph 160, page 55: 
 
According to the Secretariat Report as concerns In tellectual Property Rights (IPRs) actions, “there is 
no provision requiring ex officio  action by Customs officials. Customs authorities are authorized, 
under copyright and trade mark legislation, to seize goods that infringe IPRs to prevent them from 
entering the country, upon application by the right  holder or another authorized person to the 
Comptroller of customs.”   7. Canada would be grateful to receive more information regarding the process through which a 
right holder could apply to the Comptroller to initiate an IPR action. 
 
IV. Trade Policies by Sector; (4) Services; ( iii) Telecommunications; paragraphs 70 and 71, 
page 70: 
 
The Secretariat notes that the exclusivity granted to  Cable and Wireless, set to expire in 2011, was 
renegotiated and that full liberalization in the telecommunications sector was achieved early 
(February 2005).   8. Is Barbados considering bindi ng this liberalization by removing the modes 1 and 3 exclusivity 
limitation on facilities-based telecommunication services from its GATS offer?  
 
IV. Trade Policies by Sector; (4) Services; (v i) Professional services; page 76, paragraph 108:  
 
The Secretariat Report notes that "Model guidelines for the licensing and regulation of architects, nurses, accountants, and engineers are in the fina l stages of development at the CARICOM level." 
 
Once finalized, will Barbados be adopting these CARI COM model guidelines, and if so, how will this 
affect the way in which professions ar e currently regulated in Barbados?  
 WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
Page 6  
 
 ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FROM CANADA 
 Report by the Secretariat (WT/TPR/S/203)
 
 Part IV. Trade Policies by Sector: (4) Services;  (ii) Banking and Insurance; paragraph 64, 
page 69: 
 
Paragraph 64 of the Secretariat Report states that  the “measures to strengthen supervision of the 
insurance sector are under consideration.”  
1. Canada would be interested to know mo re about what specific measures are under 
consideration and how close they may be to implementation?  
IV. Trade Policies by Sector: (4) Services; (ii) Banking and Insurance; paragraph 56, page 68: 
 
Paragraph 56 of the Secretariat re port states that “Barba dos' offshore regime has been under scrutiny 
by the OECD. However, it was not blacklisted as non-cooperative by the OECD Financial Action 
Task Force [.]”  2. Canada appreciates the ongoing work of Ba rbados in combating money laundering.  We 
would be interested in learning more about an y Anti-Money Laundering policies that Barbados may 
be considering implementing in the near future.   
 
JAPAN  
 
Secretariat Report (WT/TPR/S/203) 
 
III. TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE (4) MEASURES AFFECTING PRODUCTION AND TRADE (vi) Intellectual property rights 
(Question 1: page 55, paragraph 156) 
 
According to the Secretariat report, Barbados’s patent legislation includes provision allowing the 
exploitation by the Government within Barbados of an invention protected by patent, in the interests 
of the ‘development of an essential sector in the economy of Barbados’.  (1) Could Barbados elaborate on the ‘development of an essential sector in the economy of Barbados’? 
 
(2) Please indicate specific case, if any, in whic h the Government has explored compulsory licensing 
on the basis of the aforementioned provision.    
(Question 2: page 55, paragraph 159) 
 Please provide information on how many criminal sa nctions the Government of Barbados has taken 
against infringement of intellectual property rights?   WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
 Page 7 
 
 
 ARGENTINA  
 
WT/TPR/S/203, INFORME DE LA SECRETARIA 
 III. POLÍTICAS Y PRÁCTICAS COMERCIALES POR MEDIDAS 
 
2) Medidas que afectan directamente a las importaciones ix) Medidas Sanitarias y Fitosanitarias 
 
Párrafo 68, página 42  
El Informe de la Secretaría refi ere en este párrafo a las importaciones de carne y productos cárnicos, e  
indica que las reexpediciones aprobadas se autorizan sólo a través de un país en el que no se hayan 
producido un brote de fiebre aftosa o las demás enfe rmedades prescritas por la OIE en los 12 meses 
anteriores. ¿Podría Barbados informar si estos plazo s son similares a los que se aplican respecto de los 
países originarios de esas importaciones? Caso contra rio, ¿cuáles serían los fundamentos para esta 
diferenciación? Asimismo, ¿podría Ba rbados informar cuáles son los otros requisitos para adquirir la 
condición de país libre de aftosa y en  qué criterios se fundan los mismos? 
 UNITED STATES 
 
I.  ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 
(2) Macroeconomic Developments  
(ii) Fiscal policy 
 
Page 4, paragraph 12:   Is the Government of Barbados c onsidering changes in legislation and 
practice to reduce the level of dependence on bor der taxation as a source of government revenue? 
 
III.  TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE 
(2) Measures Directly Affecting Imports (v) Other charges affecting imports 
 Page 28, paragraph 28:   The Secretariat’s report notes that Barbados “continues to charge an 
environmental levy on the c.i.f. value of imported goods (but not on domestic products).  The levy is 
raised at a general rate of 1.5%.  A rate of 2% is  levied on the value of goods imported in containers 
made of plastic, glass or metal; on goods imported in containers made of pa perboard; and on empty 
containers made of plastic, glass, metal or paperboa rd. Some items are subject to specific rates… This 
tax does not apply to domestically produced goods.  The stated purpose of this levy is to defray the 
costs of the disposal of refuse generated by the use of goods imported into Barbados, and to preserve 
and enhance the environment.”
 While we understand Barbados’s desire  to preserve the environment, 
we do not understand why the levy applies only to imported goods.  This causes us national treatment 
concerns, among others. 
 
• Please explain how this levy is consistent  with Barbados’s obligations under GATT 
Article III. 
• The report also notes that Barbados assesses the environmental levy as a percentage of the 
c.i.f. value of the goods imported in the specified containers and not on the value of the 
container alone.  Please explain how this is consistent with GATT Article VIII. 
• Are imports from Caricom countries subject to the environmental levy?  If not, why not? 
 WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
Page 8  
 
 (ix) Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures 
 Page 36, paragraph 58:   According to the Secretariat, “the main institutions involved in the 
establishment of SPS measures in Barbados are the Pl ant Protection Section and Veterinary Services 
within the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Deve lopment, and the BNSI within the Ministry of 
Trade, Industry and Commerce.” What is the Ministry  of Health’s role in establishing SPS measures?  
How is the Ministry of Health involv ed in the SPS decision-making process?  
 Page 36, paragraph 62:  According to the Secretariat’s Report, Barbados has not notified any SPS 
measures since 2002 because no notifiable measures ha ve been adopted.  How do the institutions 
involved in establishing SPS measures provide input to the enquiry point?  What is the process the 
enquiry point uses to coordinate this effort?  What  is the process used to determine if an adopted 
measure is notifiable? Has Barbados commented  on measures that any other country notified? 
 (4) Measures Affecting Production and Trade 
(vi) Intellectual Property Rights 
 Pages 52-55, paragraphs 152-160:   Please provide information as to how Barbados applies civil and 
criminal remedies (including damages and injunctions) in cases of copyright infringement so as to prevent infringements and constitute a deterrent to further infringements?  Please provide information 
on laws and/or regulations that allow competen t authorities to act upon their own initiative and to 
suspend the release of infringing goods. 
 Table III.7 of the Secretariat’s document indicates that  an industrial design cannot be registered if it 
provokes a breach of peace.  So that we understand the scope of this prohibition, please describe the 
kinds of industrial designs that Barbados  considers would provoke a breach of peace. 
 
The Secretariat’s Report indicates that Barbados’s patent legislation permits  government exploitation 
of a patented invention "for national security, health, or nutrition reason;  in the interests of the development of an essential sector in the economy of  Barbados; or for other public interest."  Please 
identify the provisions of Barbados's patent legislation that  allows for this use as well as the process 
that must be followed prior to issuing any such license. 
 
With regard to the authority of the High Court to grant a compulsory license for failure to exploit the 
patent,  is this grant of such a license conditioned on the expiry of the specified time period that 
expires last?  (See Article 5.A(4) of the Paris Conve ntion.)  Is the patentee able to justify lack of 
exploitation by legitimate reasons in order to prevent the grant of such a license? 
 
IV. TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR 
(2)
 AGRICULTURE  
 
Page 7, paragraph 21:  The Government’s document states that “… a National Food Security Plan 
has been developed by the Government of Barbados.”  When did the government develop this 
plan and when did the government implement it?  
 
(3) MANUFACTURING  
 Page 63, Paragraph 39:   The Secretariat’s Report states:  “The Government has supported the 
implementation of a ‘Buy Local Campaign’ whic h is managed by the Barbados Manufacturers' 
Association to encourage the purchase of locally manufactured goods.”  
 
• What role does the government play in implementing the “Buy Local Campaign”? What kind of 
support does the Government provide and to wh om?  Are financial incentives part of the  WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
 Page 9 
 
 
 “Campaign”? Who provides such incentives and who are the recipients?  Are any incentives 
contingent upon the use of domestic over imported goods?  If so, how is th is program consistent 
with Barbados’s obligations under Artic le 3.1(b) of the SCM Agreement? 
• How does the “Buy Local Campaign” relate  to Barbados’s regional commitments? 
• How is the “Buy Local Campaign” compatible w ith Barbadian GATT Article III commitments? 
 
(4) SERVICES  
(ii) Banking and insurance (c) Insurance legal framework 
Page 69, Paragraph 64:   According to the Secretariat’s Repor t, “The authorities note that measures 
to strengthen supervision of the insurance sector are under consideration.”  What is the status of these 
measures?  Please provide more informati on on the measures under consideration. 
 
HONG KONG, CHINA  
 
Maritime transport services and logistics services 
(WT/TPR/S/203, page 74, para 97)  
1. We note from the Secretariat’s Report that acco rding to Barbados’s authorities, there are no 
restrictions on the provision of international tran sport of freight and passengers services.  Would 
Barbados consider including some commitments for MTS and logistics services sector in its next offer to better reflect its de facto liberal regime a nd increase the legal certainty of its regime?   
 
(WT/TPR/S/203, page 74-75, para 100)  2. We note that while the Bridgetown Harbour , Barbados’s only port, is owned by the 
Government, some of the port services like depot services, maritime agency services, maritime freight 
forwarding services, stevedoring and maintenance and repair of vessels, are provided by the private 
sector.  We would like to know whether the opport unities to provide these services are open to foreign 
and local services providers on a non-discriminatory basis.  
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
 
II. TRADE POLICY REGIME: FRAMEWORK AND OBJECTIVES (3) TRADE POLICY FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION 
 
WTO Secretariat's Report, page 12, para. 9 
 
The Secretariat's report outlines that "[The] stated aims of Barbados' trade policy are: (i) to secure 
market access for Barbadian exports of goods and services; (ii) to encourage the growth and 
development of the country's productive sector; (iii)  to allow imports of goods and services in a way 
that would not undermine the quality of life or incre ase the cost of living; and (iv) to support other 
government initiatives for economic growth and deve lopment and services. Barbados considers trade 
agreements as vehicles to obtain increased market access for its goods and services, at the multilateral, 
regional and bilateral levels. To this end, it deems of utmost importance its participation in the WTO 
and the CARICOM, complementing this with bilateral trade agreements".  
 1. Could Barbados further elaborate on how it in tends to encourage sustainable development and 
core labour standards in this context? WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
Page 10  
 
 (5) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 
(ii) Other preferential agreements 
 
WTO Secretariat's Report, page 17, para. 33 
 Through its membership of CARICOM, Barbados h as signed preferential free-trade agreements with 
Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica  and Venezuela. None of these agreements has 
been notified to WTO.  2. Could Barbados confirm when it plans to notify the above-mentioned agreements to WTO? 
 
III. TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
(2)MEASURES DIRECTLY  AFFECTING IMPORTS 
(ii) Customs Valuation  
WTO Secretariat's Report, page 24, para. 17  
3. Could Barbados indicate when it intends to pr ovide replies to the checklist of issues on the 
implementation and administration of the customs valuation agreement? 
 
(iii) Rules of origin 
 
WTO Secretariat's Report, page 24, para. 19 
 
The Secretariat's report indicates that Barbados has not made yet any notification to the WTO 
concerning its preferential rules of origin. 
 
4. Could Barbados confirm when it intends to notif y to WTO: a) the fact that they do not apply 
non preferential rules of origin and b)  their preferential rules of origin ? 
 
(v) Other charges affecting imports  
WTO Secretariat's Report, page 28, para. 28  
Barbados continues to charge an environmental levy  on the c.i.f. value of imported goods (but not on 
domestic goods products). In the EC's view, the im position of this tax is discriminatory since it only 
applies to imported goods and not to domestic products. 
 
5. Could Barbados explain on what basis this le vy applies only to imports and whether it intends 
to remove this discrimination?  
(vii) Contingency measures 
 
WTO Secretariat's Report, page 33, para. 41 
 
The Secretariat's report states that following its  notification of legislation on anti-dumping and 
countervailing duties in 1995, questions by several  countries regarding Barbados's anti-dumping and 
countervailing legislation had been asked, however  as at early 2008 Barbados  had not responded to 
these questions. The authorities indicated that the process of updating legislation has been delayed 
since Barbados is also seeking to en sure that it is CSME compliant.  
 6. Could Barbados please indicate when it will ha ve completed the update of its legislation on 
anti-dumping and countervailing duties and notify it to the WTO? 
  WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
 Page 11 
 
 
 (ix) Standards and Sanitary and Phytosanitary Requirements 
 WTO Secretariat's Report, page 22, para. 5  
According to the WTO Secretariat Report, "Barbados has made only one SPS notification to the WTO, which was in 2002; still to be notified is the new Plant Protection Act, which entered into force 
in 2007. It is not clear to what extent SPS measures are established on the basis of an evaluation of the 
actual risks."  7. Could Barbados ensure that it will notify its  sanitary and phytosanitary measures to the WTO 
Members as it is foreseen under Art. 7 of the SPS ag reement, in particular any measures having a 
negative impact on trade? Which actions are taken to ensure that regular notifications will take place? 
 
COLOMBIA 
 
I. RELACIONES COMERCIALES 
 
En el documento WT/TPR/G/203, Página 10, Barbad os comenta sobre sus relaciones comerciales.  
 P./ Podría Barbados indicar si esta negociando profundizaciones, ampliaciones y nuevos acuerdos comerciales? Principalmente que sectores se beneficiarían de dichos acuerdos? 
 
II. POLÍTICAS Y PRÁCTICAS COMERCIALES, POR MEDIDAS 
1) Medidas que afectan directamente a las importaciones 
 
i) Procedimientos: 
a) De conformidad con el párrafo 12 del informe de la Secretaría, … “Las declaraciones de 
importación (Formulario C63 de declaración de me rcancías en aduana de  Barbados) deben ir 
acompañadas por hasta siete documentos:  una f actura comercial, un conocimiento aéreo o de 
embarque del transportista, un formulario de d eclaración del valor (C60) para las mercancías 
valoradas en más de 2.500 dólares de Barbados, un certificado de origen para los productos de la 
CARICOM, y una licencia de importación y un certif icado sanitario y veterinario, si se solicitan.  
Puede que las aduanas exijan también una lista de bultos cuando efectúan un examen físico de las 
mercancías.   En el siguiente párrafo, la Secretaría informa que  …” Barbados adoptó el Sistema Automatizado de 
Datos Aduaneros (SIDUNEA)++ en 2005.  Según las autoridades, la tramitación de documentos es 
ahora más rápida, los datos estadísticos han mejora do, y la presentación de cifras de ingresos y el 
rastreo de documentos son más claros.  Los documen tos exigidos para la importación pueden enviarse 
en formato electrónico por anticipado.  P./ De acuerdo con lo anterior, el gobierno de Barbados no exige presentación física de la documentación? Ha considerado la posibilidad de manejar electrónicamente un solo documento que 
incluya la información consolidada para una oper ación de importación? Tiene proyectado desarrollar 
algunos programas orientados a la facilitación del comercio?  b) Según el párrafo 13, se indica que  … “ El plazo para el despacho de aduanas de las importaciones puede variar, ya que hay un sistema de tres carriles para las importaciones:  un carril 
verde, por el que las importaciones pueden pasar rápidamente sin ser sometidas a inspección;  un 
carril amarillo, en el que las importaciones están sujetas a una inspección de los documentos correspondientes;  y un carril rojo, en el que también están sujetas a una inspección física.” 
 P./ Podría indicar cuales son los criterios tenidos en cuenta para inspeccionar una mercancía en cada 
uno de los tres carriles? WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
Page 12  
 
 ii) Otras cargas que afectan a las importaciones 
 
En el párrafo 28 del informe de la Secretaría. se menciona que … “Barbados sigue aplicando un 
gravamen ambiental sobre el valor c.i.f. de las mercancías importadas (pero no a los productos 
nacionales). 
 
P./ Este impuesto adicional sobre las importaci ones, ha sido notificado a la OMC como una 
restricción cuantitativa? Bajo que disposición del GATT de 1994, se fundamenta su aplicación? 
 
iii) Medidas sanitarias y fitosanitarias 
 
Párrafo 68 del Informe de la Secretaría:  “La carne y los productos cárnicos sólo pueden impor tarse de los países aprobados.  Las autoridades 
indican que la lista de países aprobados está incorporada en una Lista anexa a la Ley (de 
Enfermedades e Importación) de Anim ales;  sin embargo, no se disponía de  la lista para este examen.  
Las autoridades señalan que para incluir un nu evo país en esta lista deben seguirse varios 
procedimientos, con inclusión de un cu estionario y de la visita de func ionarios de Barbados al país, a 
fin de que las autoridades determinen si puede efect uarse la importación.  Para suprimir países de la 
lista, Barbados sigue las recomendaciones de la OIE.   Los envíos deben realizarse directamente del 
país de origen a Barbados, a menos que se autoricen las importaciones reexpedidas.  Las 
reexpediciones aprobadas se autorizan sólo a través de un país en el que no se haya producido un 
brote de fiebre aftosa o de las demás enfermedades  prescritas por la OIE en los 12 meses anteriores. 
El importador debe notificar los envíos recibidos a las autoridades y proporcionar a la Administración de Aduanas el certificado sanitario de origen orig inal con el sello de aprobación del Oficial de 
Cuarentena Animal.” 
 
P./ Podría el Gobierno de Barbados indicar el sitio  o página web donde pueda consultarse esta lista de 
países aprobados para importación de productos cárnicos?  
3) Medidas que afectan directamente a las exportaciones 
l) Procedimientos y documentación 
 En el párrafo 2, la Secretaria indica que ...“Los exportadores no están obliga dos a inscribirse en el 
registro, a menos que deseen realizar sus export aciones en el marco de preferencias comerciales 
 P./ Podría Barbados indicar como lleva el regist ro del valor y volumen de las empresas exportadoras 
que no requieren de registro y que tipo de c ontrol cambiario efectúa sobre estas empresas? 
 
iv. Concesiones arancelarias y fisca les, incluidas las subvenciones 
 
a) En el párrafo 83 se indica que: “Barbados administra varios programas de incentivos 
destinados total o parcialm ente a la promoción de las exportacion es.  Barbados solicitó la prórroga 
prevista en el párrafo 4 del artículo 27 del Acuerdo SMC y las disposiciones del documento 
G/SCM/39 para cinco de esos programas:  el Programa de incentivos fiscales, el Programa de desgravación por exportación, el Programa de de sgravación por investigación y el desarrollo, el 
Programa de incentivos a las empresas internacionales, y el Programa de sociedades de responsabilidad limitada.  En julio de 2007, el Con sejo General de la OMC decidió prorrogar la fecha 
para la eliminación de las subvenciones a la exportación hasta finales de 2015.” 
 P:/ Los demás programas de incentivos a las exportaciones ya fueron eliminados y desde que fecha? Actualmente otorga incentivos, ayudas o subvenciones a la exportación de productos? Podría indicar 
el Gobierno de Barbados cuales son estos programas y como funcionan?  WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
 Page 13 
 
 
 b) Por su parte, en el párrafo 87, la Secret aría indica que : “En el marco del Programa de 
desgravación por exportación, las empresas que exporten a países no pertenecientes a la CARICOM y que no reciban beneficios en virt ud de la Ley de incentivos fiscales tienen derecho a una reducción del 
impuesto sobre la renta o el impuesto de sociedades  con respecto a los beneficios obtenidos por la 
empresa por concepto de exportaciones.  La desgra vaciones se conceden con arreglo a lo dispuesto en 
la Ley de incentivos fiscales (artículo 14A y primera lista) y son gestionadas por el Comisario de la 
Administración Fiscal.”  P:/ Bajo que artículo del Acuer do sobre Subvenciones y Medidas Compensatorias, se clasifica este 
programa de ayuda destinado a la exportación? 
 
c) Se indica en el párrafo 97 que “ En 2005, Barbados estableció un Fondo para la promoción y 
comercialización de las exportaciones con arreglo a la Ley por la que se creó el Fondo para la 
promoción y comercialización de las exportaciones en el período 2005-2020.  El Fondo ofrece ayuda 
financiera en forma de subvenciones a entidad es públicas y privadas que exportan o promueven la 
venta de bienes y servicios barbadenses en los merca dos internacionales.  El 31de diciembre de 2007 
se habían aprobado subvenciones por un total de 12, 9 millones de dólares de Barbados (6,5 millones 
de dólares de Estados Unidos).”  P:/ Podría el Gobierno de Barbados indicar si este es uno de los programas cuya prórroga fue autorizada por el Artículo 27.4 del ASMC? Si corres ponde a uno de ellos, se podría concluir que el 
valor anual de las subvenciones otorgadas,  no muestran una tendencia creciente? 
 
RESPONSES TO ADVANCE WRITTEN QUESTIONS 
 Responses to Advance Written Questions From Argentina
 
 
III. TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
(1) Measures directly affecting imports 
(ix) Sanitary and phytosanitary measures Paragraph 68, page 42  
1. The Report by the Secretariat refers in this  paragraph to meat and meat product imports 
and mentions that approved transhipments are allowed only through a country that has not had an outbreak of foot and mouth disease or any othe r diseases listed by the World Organisation for 
Animal Health (OIE) in the previous 12 months.  Could Barbados indicate if these timeframes are 
similar to those applicable to the countries of origin  of these imports? If this is not the case, what 
are the reasons for this differentiation?   
 
All meat and meat products entering Barbados mu st be accompanied by sanitary certification which 
states either that the country of origin is free from foot and mouth disease or that the country of origin has not had an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the previous 12 months. 
 
2. Also could Barbados please indicate the requirements necessary for a country to acquire 
free of foot and mouth disease status and the criteria on which these requirements are based?   
Barbados’ recognition of a country free from foot a nd mouth disease is dependent upon that country 
being officially recognised as such by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).  
 Responses to Advance Written Questions From Brazil
 
 
1. Please explain the main challenges faced in order to enforce technical regulations and the 
measures that have been taken so far to facilitate their implementation. 
 WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
Page 14  
 
 The main challenges faced in enforcing techni cal regulations relates to the following: 
 (a) Labeling standards are subject to change a nd in order to accommodate new labeling standards 
businesses maybe required to replace machinery and employ temporary staff which can be time consuming and costly; 
 
(b) Human resource constraints which affect the ab ility to effectively police imports at the port of 
entry.  (c) The limited facilities at the ports of entr y to facilitate effective execution of duties. 
 
Government is currently developing a project to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the 
making of technical regulations and standards.  Th is project includes a capacity building component.  
 
2. Please provide a general overview of the current situation of the telecommunications sector, 
after its liberalization.  
 
Since the attainment of full liberalization in Fe bruary, 2005, the telecommunications sector has seen 
an increased level of competition in the market, a ccompanied by a marked reduction in prices related 
to the cellular phone segment of the sector.  Howeve r, given the small size of the Barbadian market it 
is not envisaged that there will be many players in the market. Government has nonetheless adopted a 
number of measures to underpin this competitiveness thrust.  
 Firstly, a Telecommunications Act Revision Committee (TARC) has been established to revise the current Telecommunications Act and all associated Regul ations, in order to make these laws relevant 
to the competitive environment. Foremost amongst th e activities of the TARC is the establishment of 
a new Universal Service Policy in which the Governme nt’s aim is to ensure that access to broadband 
services is made available to any Barbadian citizen residing in Barbados who desires such a facility. 
The statistics below provide an overview of the sector:   
Barbados ICT Statistics (As at 27th April, 2007) 
 Population:
   274,000 
No. of Households :    90,000 (est.) 
No. of Cell phones:  
• Prepaid:  205,613 
• Post Paid:    51,983 
• Total:   257,596 
No. of Fixed Lines:  
• Residential:    92,846 
• Business:    41,151 
• Total:   134,261 
No. of Broadcast Stations:  
• AM:     2 
• FM:   10 
• Total:   12 
No. of Internet Service Providers:     6 
No. of Cyber cafés:     2 6  
No. of Households with computers:   57,133 
No. of Internet Users (31st July, 2007):  
• Dial-up Internet Users:      16,767 
• Broadband Internet Users:  31,952 
• Total:        48,719  WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
 Page 15 
 
 
 No. of Public Call Boxes : 761 
No. of WiFi Hotspots:    16 
No. of VSATs :      7 
No. of Submarine Cable Landing sites : 2 
 Responses To Advance Written Questions From Canada
 
 1. Report by the Secretariat (WT/TPR/S/203) Part II. Trade policy regime: Framework and objectives ;(5) International relations; (ii) 
Participation in regional and bilateral ag reements; (a) CARICOM; paragraph 29, page 16: 
Paragraph 16 of the Secretariat report notes that the CARICOM’s Single Market became 
operational in 2006, and the Single Economy is scheduled to be fully implemented by 2015. 
 Could Barbados indicate the extent to which it has harmonized its customs tariff schedule and rates 
with the other CARICOM members? 
 Currently over 90% of the rates of Member States are harmonized. CARICOM Member States are in 
the process of upgrading to the HS2007.  This will result in a higher degree of harmonization in the 
schedules of CARICOM Member States. 
 
2. Part II. Trade policies and practices by me asure; (2) Measures directly affecting imports; 
(vi) Tariffs; (a) MFN applied tariffs; paragraph 25, page 27: Canada notes that Barbados has a 
number of applied tariff rates that exceed CARICOM’s Common External Tariff (CET). 
 Upon full implementation of the Single Ec onomy in 2015, will Barbados and all CARICOM 
countries have a fully harmonized CET with no national derogations?  
 The Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas makes provi sion for derogating from the Common External 
Tariff. These derogations are agreed to by all Memb er States on a case by case basis and in specified 
circumstances.  It is envisioned that with the establishment of the Single Economy, the region will 
have a fully harmonized schedule and CET w ith as few national derogations as possible. 
 3. Part III. Trade Policies and practices by meas ure; (2) Measures directly affecting imports; 
(vi) Tariffs; (a) MFN applied tariffs; paragraph 26, page 27:  The Secretariat reported that Barbados has in creased customs duties on certain manufactured 
goods from 20% to 60% in 2001,  but has returned a number of these to the CET rate in 2006.   
Could Barbados provide a list of the goods fo r which the increases were initially made in 2001? 
 
This full list can be found in Statutory Instrument 2001 No 118 attached at Appendix I.  
 
4. Could Barbados identify which of those goods , if any, have not been returned to the CET 
rate? 
 The list of products not yet returned to the C ET rate can be found attached at Appendix II. 
 
5. For any rates that have not been returned to the CET rate, does Barbados intend to do so in 
the future? 
The rates are under constant review.  Barbados will determine whether to adjust its rates based on the 
implications such a decision would have on the productive sectors of the economy. It must be emphasized that all of the rates are in keepi ng with Barbados’ commitments under the WTO.  
 
6. III. Trade policies and practices by measu re; (4) Measures Affecting Production and 
Trade; (vi) Intellectual Property Rights; paragraph 155, page 53: Canada notes that according to WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
Page 16  
 
 the Secretariat’s Report, “Barbados enacted the Intellectual Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) 
Act, 2006-2 to amend the Patents Act, the Trade marks Act and Regulations, and the Industrial 
Designs Act and Regulations to make better prov ision for the regulation of intellectual property 
and to ensure compliance with certain aspects of the TRIPs Agreement.” 
Canada would be grateful if Barbados could prov ide more information regar ding the aspects of 
TRIPS that have been covered by the new legislation  
Industrial Designs Legislation
 
 The Intellectual Property (Miscellaneous Provisions ) Act, 2006-2, amended the Industrial Designs 
Act, cap 309A to bring it into compliance with  the WTO Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of 
Intellectual Property (“TRIPS”). That Article provi des that: “The duration of protection available 
shall amount to at least 10 years.”  The following provision has been subs tituted by virtue of the amendment: 
 
“Subject to sections 36, 40 and 41, the registration of an industrial design is valid for a period of 10 years from the date of the application for its registration; and a registration may be renewed for a period of 5 years upon payment of the prescribed fee.” 
 The Intellectual Property (Miscellaneous Provisions ) Act 2006-2 also amended the Patents Act cap 
314 to bring it into compliance with Article 34 of TRIPS. 
 Patents Legislation:-
 
 Section 2 of the Intellectual Property (Miscella neous Provisions) Act 2006 – amends the existing 
Patents Act by the insertion of a new section 55A. In that new provision it is provided that:- 
 
(1) “Where the invention for which a patent is granted is a process for obtaining a new product, the same product produced by a person other than the owner of the patent or a 
licensee shall, unless the contrary is proved, be  taken in any proceedings to have been 
obtained by that process. 
 
(2) In determining whether a party has discharged the burden imposed upon him by this section, the court shall not require him to discl ose any manufacturing or commercial secrets if 
it appears to the court that it would be unreasonable to do so.” 
(See www.caipo.gov.bb for copies of legislation) 
 
7. III. Trade policies and practices by measu re; (4) Measures Affecting Production and 
Trade; (vi) Intellectual Property Rights; paragraph 160, page 55:  According to the Secretariat’s Report as concern s Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) actions, 
“there is no provision requiring ex officio actio n by Customs officials. Customs authorities are 
authorized, under copyright and trade mark legisla tion, to seize goods that infringe IPRs to prevent 
them from entering the country, upon application by the right holder or another authorized person 
to the Comptroller of Customs”  Canada would be grateful to receive more informa tion regarding the process through which a right 
holder could apply to the Comptroller to initiate an IPR action.  
In the context of goods entering the customs terri tory of Barbados which infringe on the IPRs of 
another, the Comptroller of Customs has the jurisd iction to seize not only at the port but within the 
customs territory.  His actions would be based on actual proof of infringement. 
  WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
 Page 17 
 
 
 Copyright Legislation  
 As far as the copyright legislation is concerned, Regulation 3 of the Copyright (Prohibited Imports) 
Regulations, 2004 prescribes the form of Notice which is  to be given to the Comptroller of Customs. 
Regulation 4 sets out the process through which a rights holder can apply to the Comptroller to initiate 
an IPR action. That Regulation provides:  
 (1) A person shall at the time of giving a notice referred to in Regulation 3 furnish to the 
Comptroller:  
 
(a) information that establishes the ownerships of the copyright in the work  in respect of which 
the copies are being imported, as belonging to the person giving notice;  
 (b) a detailed description of the work in which the copyright belonging to the person giving the 
notice is claimed to subsist; 
 
(c) a copy of the work to which the notice refers;  (d) the following information if it is within the knowledge or reasonable being of the owner: 
 i. a description of the infringing copies ex pected to be improved into the island; 
 
ii. the place of manufacture; 
 
iii. port of shipment or trans-shipment of the infringing copies;  
iv. the name of the vessel or aircraft used in the shipment or trans-shipment of the infringing 
 copies;  and   v. any other details respecting the shipment;  (e) as a means of providing security in respect of  any liability or expense which the Comptroller 
may incur for anything done as a consequence of a noti ce, enter into a bond in a form approved by the 
Comptroller in respect of each consignment of the infringing copies imported during the period when 
the notice is valid;  (f) enter into an undertaking, in Form 2 as set out  in the schedule, to indemnify the Comptroller 
against any liability suffered or expense incurred in consequence of the notice, by reason of the 
detention of any article or anything done to  an article detained by the Comptroller.  
 2. A notice shall be of no effect unless the Comp troller has accepted the notice and had notified 
the applicant in Form 3 as set out in the schedule of its acceptance.” 
 
Trademark Legislation
 
 Section 53 (A) of the Trademarks Act cap. 319, (as amended) of the Laws of Barbados sets out the 
process through which a rights holder can apply to th e Comptroller to initiate an IPR action. That 
section provides as follows: 
 
(1) The registered owner of a trademark may give  to the Comptroller of Customs a notice in the 
approved form objecting to the importation after th e date of the notice, of goods that infringe 
the trademark, and the notice shall be give n together with any prescribed document. 
 
(2) Where WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
Page 18  
 
 (a) the owner of the registered trademark ha s not given a notice under subsection (1); or 
 (b) any notice given under subsection (1) is no longer in force,  A registered user of the trademark having power to give a notice under  subsection (1), may ask the 
registered owner to give such notice in respect of the trademark. 
 (3) A notice given by the owner of a registered trademark remains in force for 2 years from the 
day on which the notice is given, unless it is re voked before the end of that period, by notice in 
writing given to the Comptroller of Customs by the person who is then the registered owner of the 
registered trademark.” 
 
Section 53G of the Act further provides that: 
 
For the purposes of section 53A, 53C, 53D, 53E and 53F, “approved form” means such form 
as is approved by the Comptroller of Customs.” 
(See www.caipo.gov.bb for copies of legislation) 
 
8. IV. Trade Policies by Sector; (4) Services; (iii) Telecommunications ; paragraphs 70 and 71, 
page 70:  
 
The Secretariat notes that the exclusivity granted to Cable and Wireless, set to expire in 2011, was 
renegotiated and that full liberalization in the telecommunications sector was achieved early 
(February 2005).  
Is Barbados considering binding this liberalizatio n by removing the modes 1 and 3 exclusivity 
limitations on facilities based telecomm unications from its GATS offer?  
 
Barbados is committed to liberalization of ser vices sectors at a rate commensurate with its 
development objectives and in the modes that would contribute to these objectives. Further 
commitments would be considered in the c ontext of official WTO services negotiations 
 
9. IV. Trade Policies by Sector; (4) Servi ces; (vi) Professional services; page 76, 
paragraph 108. 
 
The Secretariat Report notes that “Model guidelin es for the licensing and regulation of architects, 
nurses, accountants, and engineers are in the fina l stages of development at the CARICOM level.” 
Once finalized will Barbados be adopting these CARI COM model guidelines and if so, how will this 
affect the way in which professions are currently regulated in Barbados?   
 
As a member state of CARICOM, Barbados is invo lved in the development of the model guidelines 
and intends to adopt them when they are finali zed and agreed to at the level of CARICOM.  
 
These model guidelines are intended for the orderl y development and operation of these professions, 
and will help to ensure that internationa l standards are adhered to at all times. 
 
 List of products not yet returned to CET rate 
EX 11.01 Flour of wheat 
15.17 Margarine, Imitation La rd or other edible fats 
EX 17.04 Sugar confectionery not cont aining cocoa (excluding chewing gum) 
19.02 Pasta Products 
EX 19.05 Pastry, biscuits, cakes and other fine ba kers' wares, whether or not containing cocoa 
(excluding wafers including those that are sugar free 
EX 2005.209 Other: (Potato chips, Tortilla chips and oven chips) 
Table (cont'd)  WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
 Page 19 
 
 
  List of products not yet returned to CET rate 
EX38.08 Portland cement, cement powder, slag cement, super sulphate cement and similar hydraulic 
cements (excluding white portland cement) 
EX 39.23 Plastic bags (excludi ng degradable plastic bags) 
EX 42.02 Shopping bags, handbags, satc hels, school bags, knapsacks of any material except leather 
(excluding baby bags) 
EX 48.11 Gift wrap paper 
EX 48.17 Manufactured stationery item s (various) (excluding envelopes) 
EX 48.20 Manufactured stationery item s (various) (excluding photo albums) 
EX 48.21 Paper and paperboard labels, whether or no t printed or gummed (excluding certain types of 
pricing tags over printed labels, computer, laser and copier labe ls, duplicate telephone 
message books and quadrille pad 
EX 48.23 Calculating machine rolls 
EX 49.01 Brochures, pamphlets and leafle ts (excluding colour shade cards) 
EX 49.09 Picture post cards, Christmas and other gr eeting cards, printed by any process with or 
without trimmings 
EX 49.10 Calendars of any kind, paper or paperboard including calendar blocks 
61.03 Men's or boys' suits, ensembles, jackets, blazers, trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches 
and shorts (other than swimwear) knitted or crocheted 
EX 61.04 Women's or girls' suits, ensembles, dre sses, skirts and shorts, knitted or crocheted 
61.05 Men's or boys' shirts, knitted or crocheted 
61.06 Women's or girls' blouses shirts and shirt blouses. Knitted or crocheted 
EX 61.08 Women's or girls briefs and panties, knitted or crocheted.  
EX 61.09 Singlets and other ve sts, knitted and crocheted 
EX 6114 Other garments knitted or crocheted of cotton fibres 
EX 62.03 Men’s or boys’ suits, ensembles, jackets, blazers, trousers, (other than swimwear) 
62.05 Men’s or boys’ shirts 
62.06 Women' or girls' blouses shirts and shirt-blouses 
EX 62.07 Men’s or boys’ bathrobes, dressing gowns and similar articles 
EX 62.08 Women’s or girl’s singlets and other vests, slips, briefs, pa nties, nightdresses, bathrobes, 
dressing gowns and similar articles 
62.11 Swimwear 
EX 69.07.101 Clay tiles 
EX 73.08 Structures (excluding pref abricated buildings of heading No. 94.06) and parts of structures 
(for example, bridges, and br idge-sections, lock-gates, towe rs, lattice masts, doors and 
windows and their frames, thresholds for doors, shutters, balustrades, pillars, and columns, 
of iron or steel; plates, rods, an gles, shapes, sections, tubes, and the like, prepared for use in 
structures of iron or steel 
EX 7313.001 Barbed wire 
EX 7314 Welded wire mesh reinforcing fabric (BRC and similar products) including chain link 
fencing (excluding steel or galvanized weld ing wire mesh of sizes not manufactured 
locally) 
EX 7610.10 Aluminium window and doors and parts thereof 
EX 84.19 Solar water heaters 
EX 85.07 Lead acid accumulators (batteries) excluding motor cycle batteries for alarm systems 
EX 94.01 Upholstered chairs and other seats and pa rts thereof excluding high chairs, booster seats, 
plastic moulded furniture, automotive safety seats and baby car seats 
Table (cont'd)WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
Page 20  
 
  List of products not yet returned to CET rate 
EX 94.03 Wooden furniture of a kind used in offices  excluding motion chairs, wooden furniture of a 
kind used in the kitchen, wooden furniture of a kind used in the bedroom, other wooden 
furniture of a kind used in schools, church es and laboratories and other wooden furniture 
excluding play pens, changing tables and checkout counters 
EX 94.04 Mattresses and mattresses supports 
EX 94.06 Prefabricated buildings of steel 
EX 96.03 Brooms, brushes and mops  (excluding sponge mops, hair br ushes, paint brushes and tooth 
brushes) 
 
Responses To Advance Written Questions From China  
 
1. As far as the economic and trade perfor mances of Barbados are concerned, how has the 
recent international economic slowdown affected Barbados? 
 
Provisional data at the end of 2007 suggests that  the international economic slowdown has not as yet 
had a significant impact on the Barbadian economy .  Main economic indicators of industrial output 
and GDP have recorded positive advances for the Barb ados economy over the last three (3) years.  It 
should be noted however that there is a lag effect in respect of the impact of the world economy on the Barbadian economy.   
2. Does the Caribbean Single Market and Economy have the objective or timetable for a 
single currency? 
 
The Twenty-Eighth Conference of Heads of  Government in July 2007 adopted the Single 
Development Vision  which serves to provide a timeline for the implementation of the Single 
Economy component of the CSME. With reference to  a single currency, the timetable is as follows: 
 
Phase 1 -2006-2010:
 
 i. Adoption of a protocol on Monetary Integrati on to the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas setting out 
the framework for the completion of th e Caribbean Monetary Union; and  
 
ii.Agreement on the adoption of a numeraire CARI COM Currency Unit as a further step towards full 
Monetary Union; and  iii. Initiation of the Monetary Union with Category 1 (First Club) countries as the core-i.e. Member 
States that already satisfy the c onvergence criteria for the Union. 
 
Phase 2-2011-2015:
 
 i. Expansion of the Monetary Union to encompass Category 2 and Category 3 countries. 
 
The composition of the categories is as follows: 
Category 1: The Bahamas, Ba rbados, Trinidad and Tobago 
Category 2: Belize, the Eastern Caribbean  Currency Union, Guyana and Suriname 
Category 3: Jamaica  
3. China highly commends Barbados’ active participation in the DDA rules negotiations as 
the coordinator of SVEs. Please elaborate Bar bados’ concrete position on the fishery subsidy 
negotiations and share its idea with Memb ers on how to formulate S&D provisions.   WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
 Page 21 
 
 
 Barbados recognises the importance of the fisheries sector to developing countries, especially small 
island and coastal states, as an activity for liveli hood and food security and fo r the development of the 
sector within the context of its economic diversif ication programme.  To support the development of 
this industry it is important that developing  countries are allowed the necessary policy space and 
flexibility.  There are a number of persons who ar e dependent on the sector for their livelihoods.  
 
Barbados is of the view that effective special a nd differential treatment provisions, which are based on 
the needs and realities of the fisheries sector in th e developing countries, have to be an integral 
component of any outcome in the fishery subsidies negotiations.  Barbados also recognises that the 
negotiations have an environmental component and it is important that efforts must also be made to 
ensure the sustainability of fisher ies.  These sustainability measures,  however, must not inadvertently 
restrain or restrict fisheries activity in small,  developing countries especially where the industry is 
underdeveloped and where overcapacity is not an issue.   Countries like Barbados require flexibility to pr ovide concessions on fuel, bait, ice and other 
operating costs.  Government needs to provide in frastructural development support for the industry. 
We also need to provide incentives for the utili sation of environmentall y sound technologies and the 
adoption of social measures for the fishing community.   It is important that adequate flexibility is 
agreed to for small, vulnerable economies such as Barbados, to facilitate the development of their 
industries.   
In addition to the inbuilt flexibilities for the use of incentives for operational costs there is a need to 
provide the necessary technical assistance and capac ity building measures to allow Barbados, other 
SVEs, LDCs and other developing countries with si milar constraints to enhance their fisheries 
management capabilities, develop and sustain a fish eries management system, undertake notification 
requirements and enhance the monitoring of IUU fisheries.  
 
Barbados considers that the multilateral institutions  can provide an important source of technical 
assistance for this sector. Along with the SVEs, Barb ados has proposed the establishment of a Sub-
Committee under the Committee on Subsidies and Counter vailing Measures,  to deal exclusively with 
issues related to technical assistance and support prog rammes for the fisheries industry in line with 
any disciplines agreed to for fisheries subs idies at the World Trade Organization.   
 
Any disciplines on fisheries subsidies that are eventu ally agreed to must be easily implementable for 
developing countries and should not be overtly burdensome or contain onerous financial and 
administrative requirements for Barbados and other SVEs. Proposals such as a peer review must not act as a deterrent or an obstacle for developing countries that do not suffer from overcapacity.  
 
Responses To Advance Written Questions From the European Communities
 
 1. II. TRADE POLICY REGIME: FRAMEWO RK AND OBJECTIVES (3) TRADE POLICY 
FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION.  WTO S ecretariat's Report, page 12, para. 9 
 
The Secretariat's report outlines that "[The] stated aims of Barbados' trade policy are: (i) to secure 
market access for Barbadian expor ts of goods and services; (ii) to encourage the growth and 
development of the country's productive sector; (iii) to allow imports of goods and services in a way 
that would not undermine the quality of life or increase the cost of living; and (iv) to support other Government initiatives for economic growth and development and services. Barbados considers 
trade agreements as vehicles to obtain increased market access for its goods and services, at the 
multilateral, regional and bilatera l levels. To this end, it deems of utmost importance its 
participation in the WTO and the CARICOM, co mplementing this with bilateral trade 
agreements".   WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
Page 22  
 
 Could Barbados further elaborate on how it inte nds to encourage sustainable development and 
core labour standards in this context?  
Government will continue to work actively with the labour movement and the private sector to 
maintain core labour standards and promote su stainable development. Since the early 1990’s 
Barbados has established a Social Partnership which deliberates on importa nt labour issues, among 
other matters and which takes action based on a consensus.  
 
2. (5) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (ii)  Other preferential agreements 
WTO Secretariat's Report, page 17, para. 33 
Through its membership of CARICOM, Barbados ha s signed preferential free-trade agreements 
with Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and Venezuela. None of these 
agreements has been notified to WTO.  
Could Barbados confirm when it plans to no tify the above-mentioned agreements to WTO? 
 
Barbados intends to notify these preferential tr ade agreements no later than October 2008.  
 
3. III. TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE 
 
(2)MEASURES DIRECTLY AFFECTING IMPORTS 
(ii) Customs Valuation 
WTO Secretariat's Report, page 24, para. 17 Could Barbados indicate when it intends to prov ide replies to the checklist of issues on the 
implementation and administration of  the customs valuation agreement? 
 
Barbados intends to provide replies to th e checklist of issues on the implementation and 
administration of the customs valuation agreement as soon as practicable.  
4. (iii) Rules of origin 
WTO Secretariat's Report, page 24, para. 19 The Secretariat's report indicates that Barbados has not made yet any notification to the WTO 
concerning its preferential rules of origin. 
 Could Barbados confirm when it intends to notify to WTO: a) the fact that they do not apply non 
preferential rules of origin and b) their preferential rules of origin? 
 
Barbados does not have non-preferential rules of or igin.  Barbados intends to notify its preferential 
Rules of Origin by the end of October 2008. 
 
5. (v) Other charges affecting imports WTO Secretariat's Report, page 28, para. 28 Barbados continues to charge an environmental levy on the c.i.f. value of imported goods (but not 
on domestic goods products). In the EC's view, th e imposition of this tax is discriminatory since it 
only applies to imported goods and not to domestic products. 
 Could Barbados explain on what basis this levy ap plies only to imports and whether it intends to 
remove this discrimination? 
 This levy has been modified and now applies to goods imported as well as domestically produced 
goods.   WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
 Page 23 
 
 
 6. (vii) Contingency measures 
WTO Secretariat's Report, page 33, para. 41 The Secretariat's report states that following its notification of  legislation on anti-dumping and 
countervailing duties in 1995, questions by severa l countries regarding Barbados's anti-dumping 
and countervailing legislation had been asked,  however as at early 2008 Barbados had not 
responded to these questions. The authorities indicate d that the process of updating legislation has 
been delayed since Barbados is also seekin g to ensure that it is CSME compliant.  
 Could Barbados please indicate when it will have co mpleted the update of its legislation on anti-
dumping and countervailing duties and notify it to the WTO? 
 Barbados is awaiting the finalization of the CA RICOM draft model legislation which has been 
delayed. It is actively pursuing this matter.  
 
7. (ix) Standards and Sanitary and Phytosanitary Requirements 
WTO Secretariat's Report, page 22, para. 5 
According to the WTO Secretariat Report, "Barbados  has made only one SPS notification to the 
WTO, which was in 2002; still to be notified is th e new Plant Protection Act, which entered into 
force in 2007. It is not clear to what extent SPS measures are established on the basis of an 
evaluation of the actual risks."  
Any SPS measures established are (and always will)  be based on the parameters outlined in Article 5 
of the SPS agreement and this is stated in the Plant Protection Act 2007  under imports, in Section ii  
para 15 (2). This has been notified to the WTO. (Please see spsenquirypoint.gov.bb  for copies of the 
legislation)  
 
8. Could Barbados ensure that it will notify its sanitary and phytosanitary measures to the 
WTO Members as it is foreseen under Art. 7 of th e SPS agreement, in particular any measures 
having a negative impact on trade? Which actions a re taken to ensure that regular notifications 
will take place?  
Barbados will endeavor to notify of all measures that would have an impact on trade through the 
relevant SPS committee.  
 
Responses To Advance Written Questions From  Hong Kong, China
 
Maritime transport services and logistics services  
(WT/TPR/S/203, page 74, para 97) 
 
1. We note from the Secretariat’s Report that according to Barbados’s authorities, there are 
no restrictions on the provision of internationa l transport of freight and passengers services.  
Would Barbados consider including some commitments  for MTS and logistics services sector in its 
next offer to better reflect its de facto liberal reg ime and increase the legal certainty of its regime?   
 
Barbados is currently reviewing its  revised Services offers within  the context of the WTO services 
negotiations.  
 
(WT/TPR/S/203, page 74-75, para 100)  
2. We note that while the Bridgetown Har bour, Barbados’s only port, is owned by the 
Government, some of the port services like de pot services, maritime agency services, maritime 
freight forwarding services, stevedoring and mainte nance and repair of vessels, are provided by the WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
Page 24  
 
 private sector.  We would like to know wheth er the opportunities to provide these services are open 
to foreign and local services prov iders on a non-discriminatory basis. 
 
The Barbados Port and related services ha ve not been bound by Barbados under its WTO 
commitments, and therefore it reserves the right to  determine how and on what basis such services 
will be provided.  
 
Responses To Advance Written Questions From Japan
 
 
III. Trade Policies And Practices By Measure 
(4) Measures Affecting Production And Trade (vi) Intellectual property rights 
page 55, paragraph 156) 
 According to the Secretariat report, Barbados’s pate nt legislation includes provision allowing the 
exploitation by the Government within Barbados of an invention protected by patent, in the 
interests of the ‘development of an essentia l sector in the economy of Barbados’. 
 (2) Could Barbados elaborate on the ‘developm ent of an essential sector in the economy of 
Barbados’?  
An essential sector of the Barbadian economy can be described as those areas that  are considered vital 
to the continued development, protection and hea lth of the economy.  This description can include 
areas within the agriculture, industrial, energy a nd services sectors.  The use of this provision is 
governed by Section 49 of the Patents Act. (See www.caipo.gov.bb for copies of the legislation) 
 
(2) Please indicate specific case, if any, in  which the Government ha s explored compulsory 
licensing on the basis of the aforementioned provision.   
 
The Government of Barbados has never explored or made use of the provision to invoke compulsory 
licensing.  
(Question 2: page 55, paragraph 159) 
Please provide information on how many crimi nal sanctions the Government of Barbados has 
taken against infringement of intellectual property rights?  
There have been some convictions in the criminal  courts system for infringement of intellectual 
property rights, but information on the number of cases is not currently available. 
 
Responses To Advance Written Questions From Mexico
 
 1.  IV. Trade Policies by Sector/4) Services /ii) Banking and Insurance a) Main market features 
Paragraph 57 indicates that the Financial Institu tions Act requires banks to be licensed by the 
Minister responsible for Finance. Mexico wishes  to know what requirements are necessary to 
obtain a license.  
To obtain a license to operate a commercial bank in Barbados, application must be made through the 
Central Bank of Barbados which has the responsibility and makes recommendations to the Minister 
responsible for Finance in this regard. 
 
The licensing process involves, inter alia, (a) A determination of whether the applicant meets the eligibility criteria for a licence  
  WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
 Page 25 
 
 
 (b) An assessment of the proposed legal, manageri al and ownership structures of the licensee and 
its wider group; 
 (c) An assessment of the fitness and propriety of the shareholders, including the ultimate 
beneficial owners, proposed directors and senior management  
 
(d) A review of pro forma financial statemen ts and projections, including compliance with 
prudential indicators and the adequacy of the financial strength to support the proposed business plan  
 
(e) An assessment of the proposed strategic and operating plans, including systems of governance 
and risk management; and 
 (f) An assessment of the impact on and the contri bution to the development and reputation of the 
financial sector. 
 
The principal qualification criteria for cons ideration of applicants are as follows: 
(a) Well established regional or inte rnational banks or financial ins titutions or their subsidiaries 
or affiliates where the international bank or fi nancial institution has a proven track record and 
is subject to effective consolidated supervision. 
 
(b) Well established domestic financial institutions or their subsidiaries or affiliates where the 
institution has a proven track record.  
 (c) Joint venture between well established non financial entities and regulated financial 
companies. 
 
(d) Wholly owned subsidiaries of well-establis hed domestic, regional or  international non-bank 
corporations or their subsidiaries or affiliates.  
 (e) Applicant or group of high net worth individuals where: 
i. The applicant or group of applicants, not exceeding five persons, have a combined net 
worth of at least $100 million (US$50 million); and 
ii. The applicant or group is desirous of managing their own funds only. 
 The minimum capital for licensees varies according to the class of license. Commercial banks under 
the Financial Institutions Act are required to hol d a minimum of BDS$4 million in capital.  All 
licensees are required to satisfy a minimum capital adequacy ratio of 8% at all times. 
 Further information is found on the webs ite of the Central Bank of Barbados. 
www.centralbank.org.bb. 
 
2. IV. Trade Policies by Sector/4) Services/  iii) Telecommunications b) Legal Framework 
Paragraph 78 indicates that in order to own or  operate telecommunications  networks and provide 
telecommunications services, a license must be obtained from the Minister of Economic Affairs, who has the discretionary authority to grant a license, on the advice of the Chief Telecommunication Officer. Mexico would like to know what are the conditions to obtain a license, 
and if the process for licensing is similar for foreign and local companies. 
 The Telecommunications Act Cap 282b lists the requir ements to obtain a license to own or operate a 
telecommunications networks and provide telecommuni cations services in Barbados.  As outlined in 
the Act, the application must satisfy the following principal requirements:  WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
Page 26  
 
 • be accompanied by the prescribed fee 
 
• satisfy the Minister that the applicant will comply with all interconnection obligation, 
universal service obligations, licence obligatio ns, network build-out requirements and any 
other such obligations as imposed by the Act for the type of telecommunications network 
 
• fulfill all legal requirements for the holding of the licence  
 
• provide evidence that the applicant possesses th e technical qualifications necessary to fully 
perform the obligation attached to the licen ce for which the applicant is applying  
• satisfy the financial requirements, as imposed by  the Minister to construct and operate the 
telecommunication network or to provide the telecommunications services associated with the licence 
 
• provide a description of the telecommunication system  to be installed as well as a description 
of the equipment 
 
• provide a full explanation of the technical and operational configuration of the system 
 
• indicate the geographic service area in which is desired to provide service and to what number 
and categories of customer the services would be offered 
 
• indicate when there is a requirement of spectru m and include a copy of the relevant spectrum 
licence 
 
• provide technical support details such as  a description of the technical support facilities in 
Barbados, the technical personnel responsible fo r day-to-day operations and a description of 
routine maintenance procedures 
 
• provide evidence of experience in telecommuni cations, a marketing strategy, a business plan 
and a description of the management structure 
 
• provision of financial information such as a statement of accounts and an income statement 
 The conditions under which licences granted are non-di scriminatory.  However, an external company 
seeking to do business in Barbados must be duly register ed with the relevant authority.  Once this is 
done, the licensing process is similar to that for a local company. 
 
The relevant legislation can be found on the following websites: The Telecommunications Acts Cap 282B http://www.telecoms.gov.bb/Documents/telecommunications_act_cap282b.pdf The Telecommunications (Public Telecomm unications Licensing) regulations, 2003: 
http://www.telecoms.gov.bb/Documents/telecommunications_act_cap282b.pdf 
 The Companies Act Cap 08: http://www.barbadosbusiness.gov.bb/miib/Legiala tion/Documents/companies_act_cap308.pdf. 
 
3. IV. Trade Policies by Sector/4) S ervices/iv) Transport/ a) Air Transport 
Paragraph 92 mentions that bilateral air services agreements have been concluded with 
various countries. Mexico would like to know  if there are any other countries with which 
Barbados intends to conclude agreements, other than those indicated. 
  WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
 Page 27 
 
 
 Internal consideration is being given to a numbe r of countries for the commencement of air services 
discussions; however there has been no firm decision on this matter.  
4. IV. Trade Policies by Sector/4) Service s/ iv) Transport/ b) Maritime Transport 
Paragraph 99 makes reference to the Barbados Ship’s Registry and requirements of 
Conventions to which Barbados is party.  We would like to know which Conventions 
Barbados is party to.  
The list of International Maritime Law Instrument s to which Barbados is party is as follows:  
 
International Maritime Organization Conventions
 
 
• International Maritime Organization Convention, 1948 
• International Maritime Or ganization Amendments, 1991 
• International Maritime Or ganization Amendments, 1993 
• International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974, as amended (SOLAS 1974) 
• Protocol of 1978 relating  to the Internationa l Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 
Protocol 1974, as amended (SOLAS PROT 1978) 
• Protocol of 1988 relating  to the Internationa l Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 
Protocol 1974, as amended (SOLAS PROT 1988) 
• International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 (LL 1966) 
• Protocol of 1988 relating to the Internati onal Convention  on Load Lines, 1966 (LL PROT 
1988) 
• International Convention on Tonnage M easurement of Ships, 1969 (TONNAGE 1969) 
• Convention on the Internationa l Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, as 
amended (COLREG 1972) 
• International Convention for Safe Contai ners (CSC) 1972, as amended (CSC 1972) 
• International Convention of Standards of Tr aining, Certification and Watch keeping for 
Seafarers, 1978 as amended (STCW 1978) 
• International Convention on Maritim e Search and Rescue, 1979 (SAR 1979) 
• Convention on the Facilitation of Internationa l Maritime Traffic, 1965, as amended (FAL 
1965) 
• International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the 
Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL 73/78) 
• International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the 
Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (ANNEXES I and II) 
• International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the 
Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (ANNEXES III to VI) 
• Convention on the Prevention of Maritime Polluti on by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter 
(LC 1972) and its 1996 Protocol 
• International Convention Relati ng to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Oil Pollution 
Casualties,  1969 (INTERVENTION 1969) 
• Protocol Relating to Intervention on the High Seas  in Cases of Pollution by Substances other 
than Oil, 1973 as amended, (INTERVENTION PROT, 1973) 
• Protocol to the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969 
(CLC PROT 1976) 
• Protocol of 1992 to amend the Internationa l Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution 
Damage, 1969 (CLC PROT 1992) 
• Protocol of 2003 to amend the Internationa l Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution 
Damage, 1969 (CLC PROT 2003) 
• Protocol of 1992 to amend the Internati onal Convention on the Establishment of an 
International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage, 1971 (FUND PROT 1992) WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
Page 28  
 
 • Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 1974 
(PAL 1974) 
• Protocol to the Athens Convention relating to  the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage 
by Sea, 1974 (PAL 1976) 
• Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, 1976 (LLMC 1976) 
• Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation, 
1988 (SUA 1988) 
• Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Fixed Platforms located 
on the Continental Shelf , 1988 (SUA PROT 1988) 
 
International Labour Organization Conventions
 
 
• Merchant Shipping (Minimum standa rds) Convention, 1976 (No. 147) 
• Minimum Age (Sea) Convention, 1920 (No. 7) 
• Seaman’s Articles of Agreement, 1926 (No. 22) 
• Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) 
• Certification of Able Seamen  Convention, 1946 (No. 74) 
• Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention, 1948 (No. 87) 
• Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98) 
• Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) 
• Seafarers Identity Documents Convention, 1958 (No. 108) 
• Workers’ Representatives Convention, 1971 (No. 135) 
 
United Nations Conventions  
 
• Convention on Code of Conduct for Liner Conferences, 1974 
• Convention on the Carriage of Goods by Sea, 1978 
• United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea UNCLOS 
• Associated Multilateral Agreemen ts as a result of UNCLOS: 
o 1. Agreement to Promote Compliance with International Conservation and 
Management Measures By fishing vessels on the High Seas, 1993 
o 2. The Agreement for the Implementati on of the United Nations Convention of 
the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 Relating to the Conservation and 
Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks 1995 
 
5. IV. Trade Policies by Sector/ 4) Services/ vi) Professional Services 
In paragraph 108, it is mentioned that CARICOM is developing Model guidelines for licensing and 
regulation of architects, nurses, accountants and engineers, and th at these guidelines are in the 
final stages of development. Mexico would like to  have more information on these model guidelines 
and be advised as to whom such queries could be directed.  
The model guidelines for architects, nurses, account ants and engineers are being developed at the 
CARICOM level and are not yet ready for consid eration by the Councils of CARICOM. Further 
information can be obtained from: 
 The Secretary General The CARICOM Secretariat P.O. Box 10827 
Georgetown 
GUYANA 
 
  WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
 Page 29 
 
 
 6. IV.  Trade Policies by Sector/ 4) Services/ vi) Professional Services / a) Accounting Services 
Paragraph 112 indicates that the Institute of  Chartered Accountants of Barbados (ICAB) has 
proposed that Government permits some degree of  limitation on their professional liability in 
relation to Barbadian accountants when they a re working closely with foreign service providers. 
We would like to know what constitutes limitatio n of responsibility for Barbadian accountants. 
 It would not be correct to say that Barbadian accountants are seeking limitation on their professional 
liability when working with foreign service provide rs.  The limitation of pr ofessional liability relates 
to the fact that under the sole practitioner and the unlimited liab ility structure in partnerships, 
accountants in Barbados are personally liable and there is no limitation to the extent of that liability on 
the personal assets of the accountant. 
 The local accountant, therefore was at a disadvantage to its international counterparts who practiced 
under a limited liability structure.  The proposal to the Government was for the changes to the 
Companies Act which took place in 2007, that a llowed accountants in Barbados to practice under a 
limited liability structure, similar to their international counterpart s.  There are no current proposals 
by ICAB for additional changes. 
 
Responses To Advance Written Questions From United States of America
 
 1. Page 4, paragraph 12:  Is the Government of Barbados considering changes in legislation 
and practice to reduce the level of dependence on border taxation as a source of Government 
revenue?  
Government is not actively considering such changes to legislation at this time.  In 1997 Government 
instituted the VAT which has substantially reduced  its dependence on border taxation. Government 
continues to explore other practical and effectiv e measures of shifting from border taxation as a main 
source of Government revenue.  As a small deve loping country, customs duties not only provide 
revenue but provide essential protection for small vulnerable industries.  
 
2. III. Trade Policies and Practices by Measure 
(2) Measures Directly Affecting Imports 
(v) Other charges affecting imports 
Page 28, paragraph 28:  The Secretariat’s report notes that Barbados “continues to charge an 
environmental levy on the c.i.f. value of imported goods (but not on domestic products).  The levy is 
raised at a general rate of 1.5%.  A rate of 2% is  levied on the value of goods imported in containers 
made of plastic, glass or metal;  on goods im ported in containers made of paperboard; and on 
empty containers made of plastic, glass, metal or  paperboard. Some items are subject to specific 
rates… This tax does not apply to domestically produced  goods.  The stated purpose of this levy is to 
defray the costs of the disposal of refuse genera ted by the use of goods im ported into Barbados, and 
to preserve and enhance the environment.” While we understand Barbados’s desire to preserve the 
environment, we do not understand why the levy applies only to imported goods.  This causes us 
national treatment concerns, among others. 
 
Please explain how this levy is consistent w ith Barbados’s obligations under GATT Article III. 
 
This levy has been modified and now applies to imported goods as well as domestically produced 
goods.   3. The report also notes that Barbados assesses the environmental levy as a percentage of the 
c.i.f. value of the goods imported in the specified containers and not on the value of the container 
alone.  Please explain how this is consistent with GATT Article VIII.  WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
Page 30  
 
 The levy has been instituted to assist Government in  being able to deal with goods that can have a 
negative impact on the environment whether at the point of consumption or when the good has been 
disposed of. Examples of such goods are refrigerato rs, stoves, cars and accumulators. It is important 
that the levy be effective in assisting Government  in achieving its goal.  GATT VIII does not preclude 
a Government of a Member State from assessing the environmental levy as a percentage of the c.i.f 
value of a good imported.  Furthermore documentatio n related to the imported goods does not give the 
value of packaging related to that good.    In a ddition as implied above it is usually the good itself and 
not the container or packaging which usually poses a problem as far as environmental considerations 
are concerned.   4. Are imports from Caricom countries subject to the environmental levy?  If not, why not? 
 
Imports from CARICOM Countries are also subject to the environmental levy. 
 
5. (ix) Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures 
Page 36, paragraph 58:  According to the Secretaria t, “the main institutions involved in the 
establishment of SPS measures in Barbados are th e Plant Protection Section and Veterinary 
Services within the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the BNSI within the 
Ministry of Trade, Industry and Commerce.” What is the Ministry of Health’s role in establishing SPS measures?    
The Ministry of Health, National Insurance and Soci al Security is consulted by the above mentioned 
entities in respect of matters related to the protection of human health.  
 
6. How is the Ministry of Health invol ved in the SPS decision-making process?  
 
All requests for permission to import food (partic ularly of animal origin), receive formal 
consideration and comment from the Ministries of Agriculture and Health, prior to release by the 
Customs and Excise Department.    
7. Page 36, paragraph 62:  According to the S ecretariat’s Report, Barbados has not notified 
any SPS measures since 2002 because no notifiabl e measures have been adopted.  How do the 
institutions involved in establishing SPS meas ures provide input to the enquiry point?   
 
Any comments on individual SPS measures are circulated  by the Ministry of Agriculture to all other 
relevant national entities for discussion before a decision is taken.  
 
8. What is the process the Enquiry Po int uses to coordinate this effort? 
 
The relevant institutions/agencies c onvene various consultations with st akeholders to coordinate this 
effort  
9. What is the process used to determine if an adopted measure is notifiable?  
 
If a particular measure has implications for trade a nd is adopted at the national level then it will be 
notified. 
 
10. Has Barbados commented on measures that any other country notified? 
 
Barbados and other CARICOM countries have, on th e floor of the WTO, occasionally commented on 
measures taken by other countries.  
 
11. (4) Measures Affecting Production and Trade (vi) Intellectual Property Rights  WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
 Page 31 
 
 
 Pages 52-55, paragraphs 152-160:  Please provide information as to how Barbados applies civil 
and criminal remedies (including damages and injunc tions) in cases of copyright infringement so 
as to prevent infringements and constitute a deterrent to further infringements?   
 
In Barbados, civil and criminal remedies in cases of  copyright infringement are sought and granted in 
the Supreme Court of Judicature consisting of the High Court and the Court of Appeal as well as in 
the Magistrates Courts respectively.  Where a person’s rights are in danger of being infringed, are being infringed or have been infringed, the court may grant an injunction directed to the defendant forbidding any further infringement of the 
action complained of.  An injunction may be perman ent or interlocutory in nature.  Generally, an 
interlocutory injunction is obtai ned before trial of the case, once the court is satisfied that: 
  *there is a serious issue to be tried;  and 
*the damage to the right holder/Plaintiff in th e event of the injunction not being granted, will 
not be adequately ameliorated by monetary damages. 
 The party seeking the interlocutory injunction must give an undertaking to compensate the other parties in the event that the injunction is later found to be unjustified.  A permanent injunction is granted following a full trial of the issues and where the court makes a 
finding that the acts of the defendant have amounted  to an infringement of an intellectual property 
right.  In circumstances where the court has found that an in fringement of the plaintiff’s intellectual property 
right has occurred the right holder or plaintiff is entitled to an award of da mages.  Damages consist 
largely of the quantum of commercial loss due to the infringement of the Plaintiff’s Intellectual 
Property rights.  The court will make an award based upon evidence adduced by the right holder 
regarding the direct loss which has been sufficed as a result of the infringing acts of the defendant 
established at the trial.   It is also within the discretion of the court to order the offending party to pay the legal costs of the 
proceedings incurred by the other party.  In respect of the court costs and Attorney’s fees, such costs 
are normally ordered by the court to be taxed or agreed between the parties.   The courts may also order the infringing party or  parties to deliver-up the infringing/illicit items 
inclusive of copies together with the means to cr eate infringing materials.  Under the Copyright Act 
the court may, in addition to the order for deliv ery up of the infringing items include provision for 
their seizure and destruction.  By virtue of the 2004 amendment to the Copyrigh t Act any Magistrate, on completion of the summary 
trial of criminal proceedings relating to the in fringement of copyright impose a maximum fine of 
$100,000 or imprisonment for five years.  Where, however, the criminal proceedings are on 
indictment, the maximum fine which the High Court may impose is $500,000 or ten years 
imprisonment. 
(See www.caipo.gov.bb for copies of legislation) 
 12. Please provide information on laws and/or regulations that allow competent authorities to 
act upon their own initiative and to suspend the release of infringing goods. 
 
The Barbados Copyright Act makes provisions for me mbers of the Police Force who have been issued 
a warrant by a Magistrate to enter and search prem ises, remove or detain cer tain items.  Sections 138 
and 139 of the Copyright Act provide as follows: 
 WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
Page 32  
 
 Section 138 
(1) Subject to subsection (3), a member of the Poli ce Force, hereinafter referred to as an officer, to 
whom a warrant is issued pursuant to section 139 may,   (a) enter and search any premises or place; 
 
(b) stop, board and search any vessel, other than a ship of war, or any aircraft, other than a 
military aircraft;  or 
(c) stop and search any vehicle, in which the o fficer reasonably suspects there is an infringing 
copy of a work or an illicit recording or any article use or intended to be used for making 
infringing copies or illicit recording;  and 
 (d) seize, remove or detain   
(i) any article which appears to the officer to  be an infringing copy of an illicit recording 
or any other article which appears to hi m to be intended for use for making such 
copies or recordings; and 
 
(ii) anything which appears to him to be or to contain, or to be likely to be or contain, 
evidence of an offence under this Act. 
 
(2) An officer to whom a warrant has been i ssued under section 139 may, with such assistance as 
is necessary,   (a) break open any outer or inner door of any place wh ich he is authorized by this section to enter 
and search; 
 
(b) forcibly board any vessel, aircraft or vehicle which he is authorized under this Act to stop, 
board and search; 
 (c) remove by force any person or thing obstruc ting him in the exercise of any power conferred 
on him by this Act; 
 
(d) detain any person found in any place which he is authorized under this section to search until 
each place has been searched; 
 (e) detain any vessel or aircraft which he is authorized under this section to stop, board and 
search, and prevent any person from approaching or boarding such vessel or aircraft until it 
has been searched; 
 (f) detain any vehicle which he is authorized under this Act to stop and search until it has been 
searched. 
 
(3) It shall be the duty of any officer in the ex ecution of any directions given under subsection (1) 
to produce the warrant containing the directions to  the owner or occupier of any premises, place, 
vessel or aircraft entered or vehicle stopped, pursuan t to such directions if required by such owner or 
occupier to do so.  
Section 139 
  A magistrate may, if he is satisfied by pr oof upon oath that there is reasonable ground for 
believing that there is any building, ship, boat, airc raft, vehicle, box, receptacle or other structure or 
place, hereinafter called the “premises” any article  which may be seized, removed or detained under  WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
 Page 33 
 
 
 any provision of this Act, issue a warrant authoris ing a member of the Police Force not below the rank 
of Sergeant, with such assistance as may be  necessary, to enter and search the premises. 
(See www.caipo.gov.bb for copies of legislation) 
 
13. Table III.7 of the Secretariat’s document indi cates that an industrial design cannot be 
registered if it provokes a breach of peace.  So that we understand the scope of this prohibition, 
please describe the kinds of industrial designs that Barbados considers would provoke a breach of 
peace.  
In this regard, designs which are morally, racially  and religiously offensive, any design which speaks 
to profanity or violence would be considered within this category. 
 
14. The Secretariat’s Report indicates that Ba rbados’s patent legislation permits Government 
exploitation of a patented invention "for natio nal security, health, or nutrition reason; in the 
interests of the development of an essential sector in  the economy of Barbados; or for other public 
interest."  Please identify the provisions of Barbados' s patent legislation that allows for this use as 
well as the process that must be followed prior to issuing any such license. 
 
Section 49 of the Patents Act provides as follows: 
 (1) Where 
 
(a) the exploitation within Barbados of an inventio n protected by patent is, in the opinion of the 
Minister, necessary 
 (i) in the interests of national security;  (ii) in the interests of national health; 
 (iii) in the interests of national nutrition; 
 (iv) in the interests of the development of an essential sector of the economy of Barbados; 
or 
 (v) for other public interests;  (b) the High Court has determined that the manner of  exploitation by the owner of a patent or his 
licensee is anti-competitive, 
 The Minister may, without the consent of the owner of the patent, but subject to the payment of a reasonable amount for its exploitation, authorize by order the exploitation of the invention in 
Barbados by the Crown, by a Government agen cy or by any person named in the order. 
 
(2) Before the Minister makes an order under subsection (1),  (a) the views of the Director must be obtained regarding the use of the invention;  (b) the owner of the patent for the invention, a nd where there is a licence-contract, his licensee, 
must be notified of the Minister’s intenti on to make an order under subsection (1).  
 (3) All persons who have been notified under s ubsection (2), and any other interested persons 
shall, together with any person whose participation th e Minister considers desirable, be invited by the 
Minister to a hearing concerning authorization of the exploitation of the invention. 
 
(4) In determining a reasonable amount of payment under subsection (1), the Minister shall take 
into account the economic value of the use of the pa tented invention and the need to correct anti-
competitive practices.  WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
Page 34  
 
 (5) A request for the Minister’s authorization must  be accompanied by evidence that the owner of 
the patent has received, from the person seeking the au thorization, a request for a contractual licence, 
but that that person has been unable to obtain such a licence on reasonable commercial terms and 
conditions and within a reasonable time.  
(6) The following excep tions are applicable: 
 (a) subsections (2), (3) and (5) do not apply wh ere a state of emergency has been declared 
pursuant to any enactment, or in other circumst ances of extreme national urgency, but in any 
such case, the owner of the patent shall be notified of the Minister’s decision as soon as 
reasonably practicable;  
 (b) subsection (5) does not apply where the use is for public non-commercial purposes;  and 
 (c) subsection (3) does not apply where the Hi gh Court has determined that the manner of 
exploitation by the owner of a patent or his licensee is anti-competitive. 
 (7) The exploitation of a patented invention in  the field of semi-conductor technology shall only 
be authorized either for public non-commercial use or where the High Court has determined that the 
manner of exploitation of the patented invention, by  the owner of the patent or his licensee, is anti-
competitive and if the Minister is satisfied that the grant of the authorization would remedy such 
practice. 
 (8) The authorization shall not exclude  (a) the conclusion of licence-contracts by the owner of the patent;  or 
 
(b) the continued exercise by the owner of the patent of his rights under section 5(2).  (9) Where a third party has been designated by the Minister, the authorization may only be 
transferred with the enterprise or business of that pa rty or with the part of the enterprise or business 
within which the patented invention is being exploited. 
 
(10) The exploitation of the invention by the Crown, Government agency or third person referred to in subsection (1), shall be predominantly for th e supply of the market in Barbados and shall be 
limited to the purposes for which it was authorized.  
(11) The Minister may, upon the request of the owner of the patent, the Crown, Government 
agency or the third person referred to in subsection (1),  after hearing the parties, if any or both of them 
wish to be heard, vary the terms of the decision au thorizing the exploitation of the patented invention, 
to the extent that changed circum stances justify such variation. 
 (12) Upon the request of the owner of the patent, the Minister shall terminate the authorization if 
he is satisfied, after hearing the parties, if any or bot h of them wish to be heard, that the circumstances 
which led to his decision have ceased to exist a nd are unlikely to recur, or that the Crown, 
Government agency or third person referred to in s ubsection (1) has failed to comply with the terms of 
the decision.  
(13) Notwithstanding subsection (12), the Minister shall not terminate the authorization if he is 
satisfied that the need for adequate protection of  legitimate interests of the Crown, Government 
agency or third person justifies the ma intenance in force of the decision. 
 (14) A person aggrieved by a decision of the Minister under subsection (1), (11) or (12) may 
appeal to a Judge in chambers.  WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
 Page 35 
 
 
 (See www.caipo.gov.bb for copies of legislation) 
 
15. With regard to the authority of the High Court to grant a compulsory license for failure to 
exploit the patent, is this grant of such a li cense conditioned on the expiry of the specified time 
period that expires last?  (See Article 5.A (4) of the Paris Convention.) 
 Yes, the grant of the licence is conditioned on the e xpiry of the specified period of time that expires 
last 
 
16. Is the patentee able to justify lack of exploi tation by legitimate reasons in order to prevent 
the grant of such a license? 
 
Yes. The relevant provision is in  section 50 of the Act which states: 
 (1) After the expiration of a period of four years from the date of filing of the patent application 
or three years from the date of the grant of the patent, whichever period expires last, any person 
interested may apply to the High Court for the grant of a non-voluntary licence under a patent, on the ground that the patented invention is not exploite d or is insufficiently exploited by working the 
invention locally or by importation in Barbados.  (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a non-voluntary licence shall not be issued if the owner of the 
patent satisfies the High Court that circumstan ces exist which justify the non-exploitation or 
insufficient exploitation of the patented invention in Barbados.  (3) The High Court shall make an order setting out  
(a) the scope and function of the licence; 
 (b) the time limit within which the licensee shall be gin to exploit the patented invention; and  
 (c) the amount to be paid to the owner of the patent and the conditions of payment. 
 
(4) Any person to whom a licence is granted un der this section, shall exploit the patented 
invention in Barbados in accordance with the terms of  the order under subsection (3), and shall exploit 
the patented invention sufficiently.  (5) Where 
 
(a) the invention claimed in a patent, (in this sec tion referred to as the “later patent”) cannot be 
exploited in Barbados without infringing a pa tent granted on the basis of application 
benefiting from an earlier application, in this section referred to as the “earlier patent”; and 
 (b) the invention claimed in the later patent  involves an important technical advance of 
considerable economic importance in relation to the invention claimed in the earlier patent, 
 The High Court may, upon the request of the owner of the later patent, issue a non-voluntary licence to the extent necessary to avoid infringement of the earlier patent.  
(6) Where a non-voluntary licence is granted under subsection (5), the High Court shall, upon the 
request of the owner of the earlier patent, issue a non-voluntary licence in respect of the later patent.  (7) In the case of the grant of a non-voluntar y licence under subsection (5), subsection (3) 
applies, mutatis mutandis , with the exception that no time limit need be fixed. 
 WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
Page 36  
 
 (8) In the case of a non-voluntary licence issued unde r subsection (5), the transfer may be made 
only with the later patent, or, in the case of a non- voluntary licence granted un der subsection (6), only 
with the earlier patent.  (9) A licence granted under this section 
 
(a) is not exclusive;  (b) shall not be assigned otherwise than in c onnection with the goodwill of the business in which 
the patented invention is used, and  
 
(c) is limited to the supply of the patent ed invention predominantly in Barbados. 
 (10) Where the High Court is satisfied that the grounds on which any licence granted under this section have ceased to exist, it may, on the applicati on of any interested party, terminate such licence. 
 
(11) Any person to whom a licence is granted under this section shall pay such remuneration to the 
owner of the patent as may be agreed, or as may be  determined by a method agreed upon between that 
person and the owner of the patent, or in default of agreement, as is  determined by the High Court on 
the application of either party.  
(12) A licence shall not be granted under this section unless the person applying for the licence, 
having taken all reasonable steps to do so, has been unable to obtain a licence or to obtain a licence on 
reasonable terms from the owner of the patent.  (13) A licence shall not be granted under this section in  respect of a patent relating to an integrated 
circuit. 
 (14) A non-voluntary licence granted under this section is subject to payment of the prescribed fee. 
(See www.caipo.gov.bb for copies of legislation) 
 
17. IV. Trade Policies By Sector 
(2)
 AGRICULTURE 
Page 7, paragraph 21: The Government’s documen t states that “… a National Food Security Plan 
has been developed by the Government of Barbados.”  When did the Government develop this plan and when did the Government implement it?   
The draft National Food Security Plan it is currently being reviewed by the new administration which 
came in to office in January 2008.  No specific da te has been set for the implementation of the plan. 
 
18. (3)
 MANUFACTURING  
Page 63, Paragraph 39:  The Secretariat’s Report states:  “The Government has supported the implementation of a ‘Buy Local Campaign’ whic h is managed by the Barbados Manufacturers' 
Association to encourage the purcha se of locally manufactured goods.”  
 
• What role does the Government play in implementing the “Buy Local Campaign”?  
 
The Government of Barbados is represented on the Directorate Committee of the Brands of Barbados 
Campaign. This Directorate Committee which comprises both public and private sector, supervises 
the campaign and has oversight for the direction of the campaign.  
 
19. What kind of support does the Government provide and to whom? 
  WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
 Page 37 
 
 
 The Government of Barbados provides general, financial and technical support to the Campaign 
through the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC) which in turn interfaces with 
the Barbados Manufacturers’ Association (BMA) ,. It should be noted that the campaign was 
developed as part of Government ’s emergency measures in 2001, wh ich were aimed at keeping the 
productive sectors alive in the face of the global ec onomic downturn. Governme nt’s participation in 
this programme is currently being reviewed.  
 
20. Are financial incentives part of the “Campaign”?  
 
No, financial incentives are not part of the Campaign; 
 21. Who provides such incentives and who are the recipients? 
 
Financial incentives are not part of the Campaign; 
 
22. Are any incentives contingent upon th e use of domestic over imported goods?  
 
Not applicable.  
 
23. If so, how is this program consistent with Barbados’s obligat ions under Article 3.1(b) of the 
SCM Agreement? 
 
Not applicable. 
 
24. How does the “Buy Local Campaign” re late to Barbados’s regional commitments? 
 
The Campaign focuses specifically on the advertisi ng and marketing of locally produced products. It 
involves sensitization and creates an awareness of  the unique qualities of local products. Barbados’ 
import trade  continues to grow significantly . The programme is currently under review.  
 
25. How is the “Buy Local Campaign” com patible with Barbadian GATT Article III 
commitments? 
 The Campaign focuses specifically on the advertising and marketing of locally produced products.  It 
involves sensitization and creates an awareness of the unique qualities of local products.  The programme is currently under review.  
 
26. (4)
 SERVICES 
(ii) Banking and insurance (c) Insurance legal framework  Page 69, Paragraph 64:  According to the Secretar iat’s Report, “The authorities note that measures 
to strengthen supervision of the insurance sector are under consideration.” What is the status of 
these measures? 
 
The measures have not yet been cons idered by the Cabinet of Barbados. 
 
27. Please provide more information on the measures under consideration.  
Measures currently under consideration to strengthe n the regulation of the insurance sector include: 
 
• The introduction of risk-based measures to determine solvency by implementing the 
Minimum Continuing Capital and Surplus Requi rements (MCCSR) for insurance companies WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
Page 38  
 
 involved in writing long term insurance busin ess and the Minimum Capital Test for general 
insurance (property casualty).  
 
• The review of the legislation governing exem pt insurance (Exempt Insurance Act Cap 308A) 
to address solvency of exempt insurers. S uggested changes to the Segregated Cells 
regulations include solvency requirements for companies writing long term insurance 
business.  
 
• Enhanced fit and proper requirements, including corporate governance for Directors and 
Officers to ensure that they are pr udent in undertaking their duties. 
 
• Provision for the approval of the Supervisor  of Insurance of bond issues, takeovers, 
amalgamations, acquisitions or similar combinations. 
 
• Provision for enhanced minimum deposit requirements for branch operations 
 
• The strengthening of the legislation for the re gulation of intermediaries such as salesmen, 
brokers and agents with the object of increasing th eir ability to deal fairly with customers in 
the market and improve the market in which business is conducted. 
 
A review of the proposed anti-money laundering legislation for insurance companies. 
 
Responses To Advance Written Questions From Colombia
 
 
I. TRADE RELATIONS 
 In document WT/TPR/G/203, page 10, Barbados discusses its trade relations. 
 Q./ Could Barbados please indicate if it is negotia ting enhanced, extended and new trade agreements? 
Which sectors would benefit most from such agreements?  
Answer:   Barbados operates within the context of  the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).  Any 
decisions pertaining to enhanced, extended or new trade agreements are taken on a regional basis. 
Barbados as part of this Community will be undertak ing further negotiations in the future.  Given the 
structure of its economy, Barbados expects that the services sector will benefit the most from these 
agreements. 
 
II. TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE 
(1) MEASURES
 DIRECTLY  AFFECTING  IMPORTS 
(i) Procedures 
 (a) According to Paragraph 12 of the report by the Secretariat: “Import declarations (Barbados 
Customs Goods Declaration Form C63) must be accompanied by up to seven documents: a commercial invoice; a carriers bill of lading or ai rway bill; a declaration of value form (C60) for 
goods valued over BD$2500; a certificate of origin for CARICOM goods, and an import license and health and sanitary certificate if required. A pack ing list may be required by customs when goods are 
physically examined.” 
 
In the next paragraph, the Secretariat states: “B arbados adopted the Automated System for Customs 
Data (ASYCUDA) ++ system in 2005.  The authorities have reported speedier processing of 
documents as well as improved statistical data , and clearer presentation of revenue figures and 
document tracing. Import documentation may be sent electronically in advance.” 
  WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
 Page 39 
 
 
 Q./ According to the above, does the Government  of Barbados not require documentation to be 
presented in paper?  Has it considered the possib ility of electronically handl ing a single document that 
contains all information concerning an import opera tion?  Does it plan to develop trade facilitation 
programmes?  
Answer:   Hard copies of documentation must be presented in some instances.  The importer is 
required to present documentation if the ASYCUDA++ system routes the entry as “yellow”.   The C63 form contains all the pertinent informati on which is required.  The additional documentation 
supports what is declared in the C63 form.  
The following trade facilitation prog rammes are in place in Barbados- 
 
• Post-clearance audit Unit 
• Risk Management Unit 
• Valuation Agreement 
• Electronic submission of documentation 
• The Single Window facility will be facilitated once ASYCUDA World is in place. 
 (b)  Paragraph 13 indicates that: “The time taken for imports to clear customs varies:  There is a three-lane system for imports:  a green lane, where imports may pass through rapidly without 
inspection;  a yellow lane, where imports are subject  to documentary inspection;   and a red lane where 
they are also subject to physical inspection.”  Q./ Please indicate the criteria taken into consideration for inspecting goods in each of the three lanes. 
 
Answer:   Only goods in the red lane are inspect ed.  These goods are classified based on the 
information entered into the ASCYCUDA system.  
(ii) Other charges affecting imports 
 
Paragraph 28 of the report by the Secretariat states that “Barbados continues to charge an 
environmental levy on the c.i.f. value of imported goods (but not on domestic products).” 
 Q./ Has this additional tax on imports been notif ied to the WTO as a quantitative restriction? On 
which provision of GATT is its application based?  
Answer:   This levy has been modified and now ap plies to goods imported as well as domestically 
produced goods.   
(iii) Sanitary and phytosanitary measures 
 Paragraph 68 of the Secretariat report states: 
 “Meat and meat products may be imported only from approved countries.  The authorities indicate 
that the list of approved countries is incorporat ed in a Schedule to the Animals (Diseases and 
Importation) Act;  however the list was not available for this Review.  The authorities note that for an 
new country to be added to this  list, various procedures, incl uding a questionnaire and visit by 
Barbadian officials to the country, must be followed in order for the authorities  to determine whether 
importation may take place.  To remove countries from the list, Barbados follows the advice of the 
OIE. Shipments must be direct from the country of  origin to Barbados, unless approval is granted for 
imports that have been transshipped.  Approved transshipments are allowed only through a country 
where there has not been an outbreak of Foot  and Mouth Disease or other specified OIE listed 
diseases in the previous 12 months.  The importer must notify the authorities of incoming shipments WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
Page 40  
 
 and provide to Customs the original health certifi cate of origin stamped as approved by the Animal 
Health Quarantine Officer.”  Q./ Could the Government of Barbados please indicate the website or page where this list of approved 
countries for meat product imports can be obtained? 
 
Answer:   The list can be obtained from the website of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural 
Development in Barbados.  The relevant webpage  is: http://agriculture.gov.bb/default.asp?V_DOC 
_ID=1955.  (3) MEASURES DIRECTLY AFFECTING EXPORTS (1) Procedures and documentation 
 
In Paragraph 77, the Secretariat notes that “Exporters are not required to register, unless they wish to export under trade preferences.” 
 
Q./ Could Barbados please indicate how it keeps record of the value and volume traded by exporters that are not required to register, and the type of  foreign exchange regulations it applies to these 
enterprises?  Answer:   All trade is captured by the ASYCUDA ++ system which is currently in place.  All 
exporters are subject to foreign exchange regul ations as administered by the Central Bank of 
Barbados.  
(iv) Duty and tax concessions, including subsidies 
 (a) Paragraph 83 states that “Barbados manag es a number of incentives programmes targeted 
solely or partly at promoting exports.  Barb ados has requested the extension provided for under 
Article 27.4 of the SCM Agreement and the provis ions of documents G/SCM/39 for five of these 
programmes:  the Fiscal Incentiv e Programme; the Export Allowance Programme;  the Research and 
Development Allowance Programme;  the Internat ional Business Incentives Programme;  and the 
Societies With Restricted Liabilit y Programme.  In July 2007, the WTO General Council decided to 
extend the date for the dismantlement of  export subsidies until the end of 2015. 
 Q./ Have all other export incentives programmes been  eliminated and as of what date? Are export 
incentives, support, or subsidies currently provid ed? Could the Government of Barbados please list 
these programmes and indicate how they work? 
 
Answer:   Barbados has notified all programmes that ar e deemed incompatible with WTO obligations.  
Barbados has sought, and obtained, an extension for these programmes and a list and description of 
these programmes can be found in WTO document series G/SCM/N/BRB.  (b) On the other hand, under Paragraph 87, th e Secretariat states that: “Under the Export 
Allowance Programme, companies that export to a non-CARICOM country and do not obtain benefits 
under the Fiscal Incentives Act are entitled to a reba te of income or corporation tax on the export 
profits of the business.  Allowances are provided un der the authority of the Income Tax Act (section 
14A and first schedule) and are administer ed by the Commissioner of Inland Revenue.” 
 
Q./ Under what article of the Subsidies and Countervailing Measures Agreement does this export 
support programme fall?  Answer:   These programmes have been notified under Ar ticle 27.4 and these notifications have been 
submitted annually in accordance with Article 25.7. 
  WT/TPR/M/203/Add.1 
 Page 41 
 
 
 (c) Paragraph 97 points out that:  “In 2005 Barb ados put in place an Export Promotion and 
Marketing Fund, under the Export Promotion and Marketing Fund Act, 2005-20.  The Fund provides 
financial support in the form of grants to public and private sector entities that export or promote the 
sale of Barbadian goods and services in overseas market s.  As at 31 December 2007, grants for a total 
of BDS$12.9 million (US$6.5 million) had been approved.” 
 
Q./ Could the Government of Barbados please i ndicate if this is one of the programmes whose 
extension was authorized under Article 27.4 of the SCM Agreement?  If so, may it be concluded that 
the annual values of the subsidies provided do not show a rising trend? 
 
Answer:   This matter will be further researched and a response provided as soon as possible. 
 
__________