Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/299/REV.1 |
S-IV§6 |
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2014 |
Measures |
Other support measures |
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Relevant information
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(…) Other support measures include in-kind government contributions for: maintenance of private access roads (up to 50% of materials and technical services), pest and disease control (up to 100% of supplies and labour), as well as irrigation and processing systems, soil and water conservation, and renewable energy installations (up to 50% of technical expertise). Applications for incentives must be accompanied by a business plan that demonstrates the project's viability; those with estimated support value not exceeding EC$100,000 are decided at the Ministry level, whereas requests above that threshold require approval by the Cabinet. No estimates of forgone revenue and provided in-kind support were available for 2007-13.
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Keywords
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Soil
Conservation
Renewable
Energy
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/299/REV.1 |
S-III§43 |
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2014 |
Measures |
Export licences |
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Relevant information
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No new export restrictions or bans have been introduced since 2007. Export-licensing requirements remain in place for, inter alia: narcotics and drugs; ginger and dry coconut, and rare or threatened plants and animals. Licences for ginger, dry coconut, and exports requiring a CITES permit are administered by the MAFFRD, which also issues export permits for fish and seafood, conditional on provision of the relevant health certificate. Seasonal export bans on lobster are notified annually by publication in the media; a moratorium on sea eggs fishing (and exportation) remains in place.
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/299/REV.1 |
S-III§52 |
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2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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Relevant information
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The Special Development Areas Act aims at encouraging investment in the areas of Vieux Fort, Anse la Raye, Soufriere, Canaries and Dennery, which have been designated as such. The concessions offered under the Act include: exemption on import duty, stamp duty and consumption tax on inputs for the construction of new buildings and the renovation or refurbishment of existing buildings; exemption on land and house tax and on stamp duty payable by vendors and purchasers on the initial purchase of property; higher tax allowances; and accelerated depreciation. Agricultural and fisheries-related activities; tourism projects highlighting the heritage and natural environment of St. Lucia; residential complexes; commercial or industrial buildings; facilities directed towards the improvement or expansion of services to the tourism sector; water based activities; and arts and cultural investments are eligible to benefits under this Act.
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/299/REV.1 |
S-III§49 |
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2014 |
Measures |
Import licences, Risk assessment |
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Relevant information
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As a signatory to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, Antigua and Barbuda does not permit the importation or sale of living modified organisms (LMOs) unless approval has been obtained from the competent national authority. That approval must be based, in part, on the results of a risk assessment.
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Keywords
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Government TPR |
WT/TPR/G/299/REV.1 |
G-I§4 |
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2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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Relevant information
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SVG (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) is a small open economy susceptible to external economic shocks and natural disasters and dependence on international trade. The susceptibility of SVG to a variety of natural disasters, principally hurricanes and flooding is well known. The limited availability of social safety nets for rapid responses to economic adjustments has contributed to economic and social dislocations, particularly within rural communities. Due to both external and internal challenges, the GoSVG has to continuously, redefined developmental policies. The downturn of the economy was partly due to a declining productive sector, rising import bill and a trade deficit ratio of 8:1. This situation was further exacerbated as a result of the exigencies of international trade, the reduction of trade preferences in the agricultural sector and the impact of natural disasters. This has led to high public sector debt, fiscal imbalances and persistent unemployment and poverty.
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Keywords
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Government TPR |
WT/TPR/G/299/REV.1 |
G-II§20 |
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2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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Relevant information
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(…) Growth in the agriculture sector is forecasted to be fuelled mainly by the on-going replanting drive following plant diseases and natural disasters and activities under the Banana Accompanying Measures (BAM). (…)
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/299/REV.1 |
S-I§2 |
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2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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Relevant information
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(…) Despite the adverse impact of several natural disasters, agriculture continued to account for some 6% of GDP in 2013, largely due to continued output diversification. The manufacturing sector remains relatively small, with a GDP contribution of less than 5%. (…)
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/299/REV.1 |
S-I§4 |
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2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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Relevant information
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Several unfavourable events, including a series of natural disasters, the global economic crisis and the collapse of major insurance companies in the sub-region (Common Report), severely tested the resilience of the Vincentian economy during the review period. In these difficult circumstances, real GDP contracted during 2008-10, but returned to an upward trajectory from 2011 (Table 1.1). The fiscal position deteriorated somewhat, but the overall fiscal deficit, after grants remained at annual levels of under 3% of GDP; the deficit before grants hovers around 6% of GDP. At end-September 2012, the total public debt of St. Vincent and the Grenadines amounted to EC$1.31 billion (approximately 69.9% of GDP), with the external component accounting for some 57% (EC$747.3 million).
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Keywords
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Government TPR |
WT/TPR/G/299/REV.1 |
G-I§5 |
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2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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Relevant information
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The overall development agenda of St. Vincent and the Grenadines as defined in the National Economic and Social Development Plan (NESDP) 2013-2025, has been built around five (5) strategic goals: (i) Re-engineering economic growth; (ii) Enabling increased human and social development; (iii) Promoting good governance and increasing the effectiveness of public administration; (iv) Improving physical infrastructure, preserving the environment and building resilience to climate change; and (v) Building national pride, identity and culture.
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Keywords
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Environment
Climate
Conservation
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Government TPR |
WT/TPR/G/299/REV.1 |
G-I§6 |
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2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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Relevant information
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During the medium term (2013-15) Government's over-arching focus will be to stabilize the economy while at the same time address issues of poverty reduction and promote social participation. Government will seek to achieve these goals through the following: Maintaining strong macroeconomic fundamentals; Promoting entrepreneurship and conservation of the natural environment; Improving the general health of the population; Creating an adaptable, functional and literate population; Maximizing the benefits afforded through integration into the OECS Economic union, CSME and the Global Economy; Enhancing effectiveness and efficiency in the provision of public goods and services; Creating an energy sector that ensures sustainable supply and efficient use of energy; Developing the telecommunications sector; Enhancing the road network; and Reducing the adverse impact of climate change and other natural disasters. These measures are deemed as critical elements in facilitating Government's vision of not only a modern competitive post-colonial economy but more importantly, improving the quality of living for all Vincentians.
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Keywords
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Conservation
Environment
Energy
Sustainable
Climate
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