The National Trade Council (NTC) convened its first meeting on Tuesday under
the chairmanship of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, Ambassador
Clarence Pilgrim.
In a statement, the ministry said the meeting brought together representatives from
across the public sector. The NTC acts as a consultative and coordinating
resourceful body, aimed at tracking/following trade-related issues, challenges, and
opportunities, at all levels, which may have a direct or indirect impact on Antigua
and Barbuda.
The ministry statement said the meeting provides a forum for stakeholder
consultation, dialogue, engagement, and analysis, among governmental
policymakers, on trade-related policies and their implementation and effect. This
will, in turn, aid in maximizing potential benefits for the expansion of the local
economy.
“There were discussions held on the Distribution and Price of Goods Cap 138. The
price control order is currently under revision, with thirty-six (36) items that are
subject to control. Some items are to be removed and others are to be added
intending to reduce Non-Communicable Diseases (NDCs) in Antigua and Barbuda.
Consultation has been carried out with several focus groups to include a wide
cross-section of stakeholders. These consultations are ongoing,” according to the
statement.
The National Trade Council received a report on the Harmonization of Policy,
Legislative, and Regulatory Regime for Business Services in the OECS Economic
Union. The OECS Commission has initiated a series of consultations within the
OECS Protocol Member States. These consultations are aimed at fulfilling the
mandate of the Revised Treaty of Basseterre (RTB) Protocol under Article 26.
There are five (5) business services sectors of focus across the Economic Union.
These are the Blue Economy, Medical Tourism, Digital Health, Construction and
Related Services, and Business Process Outsourcing. The Commission is
conducting a series of in-country and virtual missions in collaboration with the
Ministry of Trade involving industry stakeholders and representatives from the
Attorney General's Office to assess the legislative and regulatory framework
governing the business services sector.
Veterinary and Livestock issues were also on the table for discussion. The issues
discussed were the restriction on the importation of specific poultry and meat items
for the control of the movement of diseases and the safety and protection of health
in Antigua and Barbuda. The veterinary and livestock division representative
reported that Antigua and Barbuda is self-sufficient in egg production, however,
close monitoring of the handling and sale of eggs are still of some concern for the
division. Measures are being formulated to ensure proper guidelines and being
followed for care and distribution.
In closing, the Chair commended the Council on its efforts thus far and committed
to the continued discourse and collaboration for the distilling, synchronization, and
centralizing of trade-related matters.
