WTO members will intensify their work over the coming months on ensuring that standards and regulations do not act as unnecessary obstacles to trade. In their discussion in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee, they will also work on developing guidance on how governments should test and certify products, with the aim of reducing trade barriers.
September 2020
A new phase of discussion on agriculture will begin at the WTO this month. WTO members will discuss, in the Committee on Agriculture, the impact of COVID-19 on the agricultural sector and will exchange information on their agricultural policies. Meeting in special session, they will seek to advance negotiations on agriculture, with a view to achieving a successful outcome by the 12th Ministerial Conference scheduled for 2021. Meetings will also take place on cotton and in the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Committee and the Standards and Trade Development Facility.
September 2020
The World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat has published a new information note on how WTO members have used trade measures to expedite access to critical medical goods and services as part of their responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.
September 2020
The Ministry of Labour and Social Partnership Relations in partnership with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) invites interested persons to sign up for the FREE online Coursera Workforce Recovery Programme.
The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) – Coursera Workforce Recovery Programme was conceptualized to be one of those programmes which seeks to reskill commonwealth citizens by providing access to a range of online courses. This initiative was designed to mitigate the increase in unemployment as a consequence of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
August 2020
PowerPoint Presentation on Directive 4, Phase 2 - May 4th - 17th, 2020
May 2020
Emergency Manageent (COVID-19) Curfew (No.4) Directive, 2020
May 2020
Links to COVID-19 Information
May 2020
Construction as a Safe and Essential Industry
May 2020
Barbados Electronic Single Window
September 2016
Over 70 business leaders from 22 countries in the region discussed how to move forward with the governments on the implementation of some of the American Business Dialogue recommendations focused on improving infrastructure and strengthening trade; facilitating financial resources for economic growth, stimulating innovation and development of human capital; and maximizing the potential of the region's energy resources.
May 2016
Growth in the volume of world trade is expected to remain sluggish in 2016 at 2.8%, unchanged from the 2.8% increase registered in 2015. Imports of developed countries should moderate this year while demand for imported goods in developing Asian economies should pick up. Global trade growth should rise to 3.6% in 2017, WTO economists reported on 7 April.
April 2016
The Barbados economy is estimated to have grown by 0.5 percent in 2015, thanks mainly to a stellar tourism performance. There was a 13 percent increase in airlift from major source markets, an expansion in room stock, and refurbishment of aging hotel plant. The tourism outturn was the best on record since 2007, with activity in the sector rebounding to pre-crisis levels. Tourism receipts grew by an estimated 5 percent, with arrivals up by 14 percent, and all major markets recorded double digit increases.
Source: Central Bank Barbados
http://www.centralbank.org.bb/Portals/0/Press%20Release%20December.pdf
January 2016
December 9, 2015
As negotiators review a preliminary draft agreement issued Wednesday at the UN Climate Change conference, COP 21, in Paris, CARICOM Ministers and Heads of delegations are pressing for outstanding concerns to be adequately represented in the final outcome agreement, due on Friday
http://today.caricom.org/2015/12/09/caricom-negotiators-push-key-issues-as-cop-21-releases-draft-agreement/
December 2015
SANTIAGO, Chile, Thursday April 9, 2015
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has revised slightly downward its 2015 economic growth projection for the region, forecasting now a one per cent increase in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
CMC
Read here: http://www.caribbean360.com/business/
April 2015
January 20, 2015, Bridgetown, Barbados
GOVERNMENT, which said it is committed to reducing Transfers and Subsidies, has registered some savings from that expenditure item over the course of the last year.
Information published on Government’s fiscal position shows expenditure on those allocations totalling $719.8 million at the end of last year.
January 2015
Tuesday, January 20 2015 WASHINGTON, United States
The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday sharply cut its 2015-2016 world growth forecast of only six months ago, saying lower oil prices did not offset pervasive weaknesses around the globe.
Retrieved from: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/IMF-slashes-2015-2016-world-growth-forecast
January 2015
Thursday, 27 November 2014 CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana
CARICOM nationals in six Members States are to benefit from a greater flow of tailored information on the CARICOM Single Market (CSM). This is under a new project that aims to connect nationals with the information they need to work, travel and do business in participating CARICOM countries.
December 2014
The Government of Barbados is committed to the implementation of global standards for the supervision and regulation of the international business and financial services sector.
November 2014
GEORGETOWN, Guyana
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nationals in six member states are to benefit from a greater flow of tailored information on the CARICOM Single Market (CSM). This is under a new project that aims to connect nationals with the information they need to work, travel and do business in participating CARICOM countries.
Source: Caribbean News Now
Read here:http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/
November 2014
November 13, 2014 Bridgetown, BARBADOS
Public and private sector entities across the region have been urged to improve business processes to best standards, in an effort to generate economic growth and employment.
By JoEllen R. Laryea
http://www.thebahamasweekly.com/
November 2014
October 22, 2014, Bridgetown Barbados
Minister of Industry Donville Inniss today issued a strong warning to hoteliers who are set to receive significant concessions from Government.
http://www.barbadostoday.bb/
Source: Barbados Today
October 2014
August 2014
Minister of Commerce and Industry Donville Inniss has promised to carry out an investigation into claims by one garment manufacturer that some clothing are entering the island with fraudulent labels.
Read here http://www.barbadostoday.bb/2014/08/28/import-concerns/
September 2014
Wednesday September 10th
As member states seek to more aggressively implement the Caricom Rapid Alert System for the Exchange of Information on Dangerous (Non-Foods) Consumer Goods (Carrex) system, Hilda Kelshall, consumer health and safety officer, CSME Secretariat in Barbados, says that countries need to become their brother’s keeper in a concerted effort to protect consumers.
Source: Trinidadian Guardian
Read here:http://www.guardian.co.tt/business/2014-09-10/caricom-implements-market-surveillance-system
September 2014
Bridgetown, September 01st 2014
The Barbados Private Sector Trade Team in collaboration with the Small Business Association will host a half day workshop to better equip women with what is needed to start, formalise or grow their own businesses. The workshop will be held at Begnalls Point, Pelican Craft Centre, Thursday 11th September 2014, from 8: 30 am to 1pm.
Source: Business Monday (pg 9)
September 2014
August 23 2014
Recent news of a seeming deadlock in trade negotiations between Canada and CARICOM member states again raised several questions concerning the ability of our negotiators to strike deals which are in the best interest of the region.
Source: Barbados Advocate
Read here:http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=editorial&NewsID=38313
August 2014