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11.22. As a signatory to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, Antigua and Barbuda does not permit the importation or sale of living modified organisms (LMOs). Imports are allowed if an approval, based on a risk assessment, from the competent national authority was obtained.

11.24. (...) Non-automatic licensing is applied on products subject to tariffication under Article 164 of the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (aerated beverages, beer, stout, ale, porter, pasta, candles, solar water heaters, oxygen in cylinder, carbon dioxide in cylinder, acetylene in cylinder, chairs and other seats of wood and upholstered fabric, other furniture of wood and upholstered fabric, mops); imports of animals, poultry, livestock, and poultry products; plants and plant products; pesticides; drugs and antibiotics; firearms, fireworks, arms and ammunition; and chemicals controlled by the Montreal Protocol.

11.26. (...) For specific goods such as refrigerators, motor vehicles, air conditioning units and other equipment which can operate using Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS), a Refrigerant Form must be completed in addition to the Import License Form. The Refrigerant Forms are obtained from the Ozone Unit within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Trade. (....)

12.3. Following the passage of Hurricane Irma in 2017, which devasted the agriculture sector, there is now renewed focus on improving the resilience of the sector to the impact of natural disasters and climate change. In the case of Barbuda, 1,407 persons were made homeless with the passage of Irma and the agriculture sector completely ruined - crops, livestock, bees, the fishing industry, infrastructure, machinery and equipment were either totally destroyed or significantly damaged. To address these challenges, agriculture (including fisheries) has emerged as a strategic priority of the Government as it is recognized that the sector is key in advancing food and nutrition security, livelihoods, environmental protection and rural economic and social development - including health (support in the fight against NCD).

12.4. (...) Priorities between (2016-20) sought to improve access to and generate water from irrigation, attract new investment in agriculture, reduce vulnerability to disaster and climate change risks and expand and improve agro-processing.

12.9. Over the years, the tourism sector has been adversely affected by natural disasters such as hurricanes and economic shocks in the major tourism source markets. (...)

12.10. Major progress made during the review period include expansion in hotel room stock with the addition of luxury brands and boutique hotels to over 3500 rooms as of December 2019; Green Tourism Initiative to foster efforts in the tourism industry to implement projects/programmes related to energy conservation and use of renewable energy, water conservation, waste disposal practices, recycling, green building practices, customer education, and other conservation practices; Construction of a 5th cruise pier to accommodate the world's largest cruise ships, development of new commercial properties, as well as renovations of Heritage Quay via a public-private partnership with Global Ports Holding (GPH) at an investment of USD 57 million; Enhance the tourism product to leverage international competitiveness to facilitate the development of other varieties of tourism accommodation; Further development and diversification of geographic source markets and niche markets; Transform Barbuda into a Green, Low Density, High-end tourism destination; Develop tourism-related human resources/capabilities and improve worker welfare; Promulgate a tourism master plan and develop a green growth strategy for the tourism sector; Mainstream environmental sustainability and adaptation of the tourism sector to climate change; Accelerate efforts to attract foreign investment to reposition the tourism industry and develop new and emerging industries

13.1. Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the OECS Economic Union guided by the Revised Treaty of Basseterre which was signed on 18 June 2010 during the 51th Meeting of the Authority of Heads of Government of OECS Member States. The Treaty established a single financial and economic space within which goods, people and capital move freely, monetary and fiscal policies are harmonized and countries continue to adopt a common approach to trade, health, education and environment, as well as to sectoral development in agriculture, tourism and energy. (...)

13.9. Since the last OECS trade policy review, many developments have occurred on the multilateral and plurilateral trade agenda, including, but not limited to the entry into force of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA); the conclusion of a Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, albeit with outstanding elements to be negotiated; the launch of several Joint Statement Initiatives (JSIs), namely with respect to (...) Plastics Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade, Trade and Environmental Sustainability, and Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform. (...)

14.1. During the period, Antigua and Barbuda was subjected to the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a series of catastrophic hurricanes and other adverse weather occurrences. This helped to further strain the already limited human and financial resource capacities of the economy. (...)