Foreign Trade
Barbados and the World Trade Ogranisation
Barbados was indeed a founding member of the WTO. Barbados, along with other leaders of GATT, joined the GATT Contracting Group in 1967. In December 1994, the deal was concluded by Marrakesh to form the WTO. As a small open economy, Barbados depends heavily on trade and thus on an effective multilateral trade system. The WTO was established on 1 January 1995. Originally, the Multilateral Trade Mechanism was formed under the GATT in 1947. The WTO has 164 members and 24 observer governments. Afghanistan became the 164th member on 29 July 2016. The WTO regulates over 97% of merchandise trade. The WTO secretariat is located In Geneva, Switzerland. The main role of the World Trade Organization is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible.
In the WTO Barbados is actively and continually 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).
His Excellency Chad Blackman, is the Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Barbados to the United Nations in Geneva and current WTO’s Chair of Trade and Environment Committee. The Permanent Representative’s Office is situated in:
Chemin François-Lehmann 18A
1218 Grand-Saconnex
Geneva
Switzerland
Barbados underwent its third review of the trade policies and practices of Barbados between the 27th and 29th January 2014. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of Barbados. The first Trade Policy Review was conducted in June 2002. Each member of the WTO must undergo periodic reviews of their trade policies.
BARBADOS' TRADE POLICY REVIEW DOCUMENTS
These need to be downloaded from old site
The following documents may be downloaded:
Barbados first Trade Policy Review, 2002 – Report by the Government
Barbados first Trade Policy Review, 2002 – Report by the Secretariat
Barbados second Trade Policy Review, 2008 – Report by the Government
Barbados second Trade Policy Review, 2008 – Report by the Secretariat
Barbados third Trade Policy Review, 2014 – Report by the Government
https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/g308_e.pdf
Barbados third Trade Policy Review, 2014 – Report by secretariat summary