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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.

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.

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.

(…) 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). (…)

(…) 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%. (…)

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).

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.

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.

The Government, in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and other stakeholders, has designed a programme to ensure the modernization and development of the agriculture sector. This programme, titled the Banana Accompanying Measures (BAM), is expected to run for five years, up to 18 March 2018. The implementation of the BAM is expected to result in improved agricultural infrastructure; improved access to credit facilities; good environmental management systems and land use practices; development of agribusinesses; improved feeder roads; increased institutional capacity; and the strengthening of Public-Private Partnership in the value chain.

(…) The SVGBS (St. Vincent and the Grenadines Bureau of Standards) is entitled to declare and review internationally recognized standards, ensures that imports are of the highest quality and that the health and safety of consumers are not compromised. It also has a duty to adequately protect the environment.