About the BPSTT
Who we are
The Barbados Private Sector Trade Team (BPSTT) is a division of the Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA) and was established in 2003. The mission of the Trade Team is to represent and promote the interests of Barbados’ private sector in the arena of international trade negotiations.
The BPSTT researches, documents and provides information to the private sector on a wide range of negotiations including special decisions taken in the World Trade Organization (WTO); the CARICOM-Cuba Free Trade Agreement; the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME); and the European Union-CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement, to name just a few.
Why we are here
The role of the Barbados Private Sector Trade Team is to contribute to trade negotiations involving Barbados, as well as those involving the wider region, on behalf of the Barbados private sector. These contributions are facilitated through the implementation of the BPSTT work plan which includes:
- Evaluation of the competitiveness of Barbadian businesses
- Assessment of impact of trade agreements
- Identification of opportunities for operating in the liberalised international trade environment.
Our Partners
The Barbados Private Sector Association is the umbrella agency of private sector organisations in Barbados. The Association promotes and defends the interests of the private sector at the national level. The BPSA provides these organisations and their members with representation, information and counsel, and also contributes on their behalf to national policy and social development. The BPSA represents the private sector in the tripartite mechanism - the Social Partnership - which is comprised of the Government of Barbados, the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB) and the BPSA.
As a division of the Barbados Private Sector Association, the BPSTT is mandated to provide research, communications and capacity-building support to its stakeholders.
The BPSTT has established strategic relationships with Barbados’ trade negotiators including the Office of Trade Negotiations (formerly Regional Negotiating Machinery), the Division of Foreign Trade as well as other negotiating entities.
Our Sponsors and Contributors
The BPSTT is sponsored by the Private Sector Organisations (PSOs) that comprise the membership of the Barbados Private Section Association (BPSA). The member organisations are:
- Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS)
- Barbados Bankers’ Association (TBBA)
- Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI)
- Barbados Employers’ Confederation (BEC)
- Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA)
- Barbados International Business Association (BIBA)
- Barbados Manufacturers’ Association (BMA)
- Barbados Small Business Association (SBA)
- The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados (ICAB)
- Barbados Coalition of Service Industries (BCSI)
Our Work
Through research and analysis, our aim is:
- To provide input to the trade negotiation processes
- To influence emerging trade rules
- To foster a keener awareness and understanding of international trade negotiation issues among the private sector
- To examine the competitiveness of Barbadian products and services within regional, hemispheric and global contexts
- To identify the critical issues affecting the growth and development of Barbadian businesses under a liberalised trade regime
- To identify opportunities for sustainable growth and improved competitiveness of key economic sectors in the liberalized trade environment
- To clearly, coherently and effectively articulate the interests of the private sector in trade negotiations
We are at your service
There are a variety of ways that you may access the information you need from the Barbados Private Sector Trade Team. These include:
- Periodic briefings and workshops on major emerging trends and issues.
- Issue papers highlighting important matters of concern for Barbados' businesses.
- Negotiating briefs for presentation to the national and regional negotiators, clearly articulating private sector interests.