Barbados was a founding member of the WTO.  Barbados became a Contracting Party to the GATT in 1967 and in December 1994 signed the Marrakesh Agreement to establish the WTO along with other members of the GATT.  As a small island economy, Barbados is highly dependent on trade and consequently on an efficient multilateral trading system. 

Barbados is represented at the WTO by a Permanent Representative and supporting staff from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.  The Office of the Permanent Representative is located at:

18A Chemin Francois-Lehmann
CH-1218
Grand Saconnex
Geneva
Switzerland.

In the WTO Barbados is actively pursuing the advancement of Special and Differential Treatment and Small Economies issues.  Between February 2004 and February 2005, Barbados' Ambassador, H.E. Mr. C. T. Clarke chaired the Committee on Trade and Development in both the Regular Session and Dedicated Session (which addresses the small economy matters).  Barbados' first Ambassador to Geneva was Mr. E. R. Griffith. 

Some of the proposals sponsored by Barbados within the WTO may be found here.  Additional Userfiles/File by Barbados can be accessed via the WTO website by using their search feature available through the Document Online Facility. 

Barbados underwent its first Trade Policy Review in June 2002.  Each member of the WTO must undergo periodic reviews of their trade policies.  Click here for Barbados' Trade Policy Review Userfiles/File.

Click here to download full text of the booklet 'Barbados and the WTO: What you need to know'.

Click here to access the WTO web-site.