Computer and Related Services under the CARIFORUM- EC Economic Partnership Agreement

May 08 2012 | Research

What about the European company that has offices here in Barbados? Are Barbadian Computer Services firms allowed to provide services to these entities?

Barbadian service providers can provide computer and related services to EC consumers in Barbados.  No limitations of a market access or national treatment type have been imposed by the EC on this form of supply. 

The Barbados Private Sector Trade Team is here to answer any questions you may have about conducting trade in the European Community under the terms of the CARIFORUM-EC Economic Partnership Agreement.  If after reading these questions and answers you still have queries, please contact us directly by email at info@tradeteam.bb, or by speaking with one of our Trade Officials at 1-246-430-6541.

Computer and Related Services

Our Company here in Barbados would like to offer our Computer Consulting Services from here to an EC company. Is such an arrangement permitted under the EPA?

A Barbadian services provider can supply computer and related services from its home state (i.e. Barbados) to a consumer in the EC.  No limitations of a market access or national treatment type have been imposed by the EC on this form of supply.

Computer and Related Services

I am an Independent Computer Services Professional. I’ve been offered a contract to provide computer services to a client in Europe. Does the EPA have provisions for me to travel to the EU to fulfill the contract should I accept it?

As an Independent Professional you are allowed under the EPA to travel to Europe to service a contract under the following conditions:

In order to apply for temporary entry, you must be a self-employed Computer Services Provider established here in Barbados (or another CARIFORUM territory), and your contract in Europe may not be for a period longer than 12 months.  You are required to have at least six (6) years of experience in the field and must possess a university degree or equivalent qualification, and professional qualifications where required by law.

As a Barbadian, your temporary entry will be for no more than six (6) months cumulatively during any 12-month period, or for the length of the contract, whichever is less, (This period is 25 weeks in Luxembourg.) and only the work under the contract is permitted during your stay in Europe.  You will not be permitted to perform any other work.

The following countries impose conditions on Independent Computer Services Professionals from Barbados wishing to work in their countries:

In Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia & Sweden there are no market access or national treatment restrictions imposed on Barbadian service providers.  

In Spain, Italy & Poland an economic needs test will be applied for independent professionals, as well as in Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia & United Kingdom.

Computer and Related Services

Would a Barbadian Computer Services Firm be allowed to service a contract in the EC that doesn’t require staff to relocate to the European country on a permanent basis, but travel there to service the project?

Yes.  The EPA has provisions for Computer Services suppliers who have a contract with a consumer in EC Member States to travel to these countries to provide services with the following conditions:

These opportunities to service contracts in EC Member States are subject to the following conditions:

In Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia & Sweden, there are no market access or national treatment restrictions imposed on Barbadian service providers. 

Latvia will apply an economic needs test for contractual service suppliers.

In Belgium, an economic needs test will be applied, except for contractual service suppliers when the annual wage is above the amount defined by the relevant laws and regulations and Demark will apply an economic needs test except for contractual service supplies who wish to stay for up to three months.

In Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia & United Kingdom, economic needs tests will be applied.

Computer and Related Services

Once a Barbadian company has been given permission to operate in the EU under the Agreement, what are the options for sending staff from this country to work in Europe?

Generally, the senior Barbadian staff responsible for establishing a commercial presence in Europe may stay for 90 days in any 12-month period. Key personnel will be allowed to work in Europe for a period of up to 3 years, and graduate trainees may stay for one year. Staff in these categories will be, of course, subject to normal visa and immigration requirements.

Computer and Related Services