The formation of the National Trade Council (NTC) is moving closer to reality as
letters have been dispatched to several organizations and government entities
asking them to nominate a representative to serve on the board of the NTC.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, Ambassador Clarence Pilgrim, who
will serve as the NTC’s chairman, said several organizations have responded
positively to the invitations to serve.
He said these organizations have until August 21 st , to submit their nominees to
serve on the NTC. “We have already planned our first meeting to take place in the
second week of September, with a packed agenda waiting for the members to
consider,” he reported.
Ambassador Pilgrim said one of the tasks that the NTC will seek to implement is to
look at the country’s current trade policies that will help create an enabling
environment for local businesses.
“Among our main tasks is to look at a series of strategic plans for the sector; to
include short medium and long-term development plans for trade expansion. We
will also look about creating several sub-committees who will be asked to look at
specific subject areas in detail and to submit a report,” he stated.
A Ministry of Trade statement said the National Trade Council shall be comprised
of senior representatives from the public and private sectors concerned with the
management and monitoring of trade-related matters.
The membership is as follows:
1. Ministry of Trade
*Headquarters
*Antigua and Barbuda Bureau of Standards
*Prices and Consumer Affairs
2. Ministry of Agriculture
* Headquarters
*Veterinary and Livestock Division
*Plant Protection
*Fisheries Division
3. Ministry of Finance
*Headquarters:
*Customs and Excise Division:
*Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority
4. Ministry of Legal Affairs Headquarters
*Immigration Department
5. Ministry of Labour
6. Ministry of Health (Chief Health Inspector)
*Department of Environment
7. International Trade
8. Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority (ABIA)
9. Antigua and Barbuda Chamber of Commerce
10. ***Antigua and Barbuda Coalition of Services Industries***
11. Manufacturers Association
“In the coming weeks, official correspondence will be sent to the agencies for
confirmation of their representatives and of the first official meeting of the
National Trade Council,” the statement noted.
The Ministry of Trade is also extending its appreciation to the stakeholders for
their valuable time and input that they will give, as the NTC works toward an
excellent, collaborative trade environment in Antigua and Barbuda.
