DOCSLIB.ORG

WT/L/1036 4 July 2018 (18-4137) Page: 1/8 General Council 26-27 July 2018 Original: English/French CANADIAN TARIFF TREATMENT

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
WT/L/1036 4 July 2018 (18-4137) Page: 1/8 General Council 26-27 July 2018 Original: English/French CANADIAN TARIFF TREATMENT WT/L/1036 4 July 2018 (18-4137) Page: 1/8 General Council Original: English/French 26-27 July 2018 CANADIAN TARIFF TREATMENT FOR COMMONWEALTH CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES 2018 REPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ON THE TRADE-RELATED PROVISIONS OF CARIBCAN The following communication, dated 28 June 2018, is being circulated at the request of the delegation of Canada. _______________ 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1. CARIBCAN is an economic and trade development assistance program for the Commonwealth Caribbean countries and territories established as a result of a commitment by Canada at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Nassau in October 1985. 1.2. The objectives of CARIBCAN are to enhance Commonwealth Caribbean trade and export earnings, improve the trade and economic development prospects of the region, promote new investment opportunities, and encourage enhanced economic integration and co-operation. The main feature of CARIBCAN is the unilateral extension by Canada, beginning on 15 June 1986, of duty-free access to the Canadian market for most commodities originating in Commonwealth Caribbean countries. 1.3. On 28 November 1986, a decision by the Contracting Parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) waived until 15 June 1998, the provisions of paragraph 1 of Article 1 of the General Agreement, "only to the extent necessary to permit the Government of Canada to provide duty-free treatment to eligible imports of Commonwealth Caribbean countries benefiting from the provisions of CARIBCAN, without being required to extend the same duty-free treatment to like products of any other contracting party." (L/6102). On 28 July 2015 the WTO extended the CARIBCAN waiver (WT/L/958) until 31 December 2023. The conditions associated with the CARIBCAN waiver remain unchanged. 1.4. This report is being made in accordance with paragraph 3 of the WTO waiver of 28 July 2015 and Article IX of the WTO Agreement. 2 COUNTRY COVERAGE 2.1. The Customs Tariff lists 18 countries or dependent territories which are eligible to receive the duty-free benefits accorded under CARIBCAN, namely: Anguilla, Antigua-Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Christopher (St. Kitts) and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. No country or territory additions or deletions from this list have occurred since CARIBCAN was enacted on 15 June 1986. WT/L/1036 - 2 - 3 PRODUCT COVERAGE 3.1. There have been no amendments to CARIBCAN product coverage since the changes made in February 1998. 3.2. Today, product exclusions from the duty-free provisions of CARIBCAN are: - Goods of HS Chapters 50 to 65 inclusive; - Goods covered by tariff items with "over access commitment" rates of duty established in the "tariffication" process. 4 RULES OF ORIGIN 4.1. The rules of origin for the purposes of the Commonwealth Caribbean Countries Tariff (CCCT) treatment are set out in regulations enacted pursuant to Section 16 of the Customs Tariff. 4.2. To qualify for the duty-free treatment accorded to Commonwealth Caribbean countries, at least 60% of the ex-factory price of the goods as packed for shipment to Canada must originate in one or more beneficiary countries or Canada. The 60% qualifying content may be cumulated from various CARIBCAN beneficiary countries or Canada. The goods must be finished in the beneficiary country in the form in which they are imported into Canada. Pursuant to the Proof of Origin Regulations, either a duly completed Certificate of Origin, Form A, or a written statement of origin signed by the exporter, must be presented to Customs at the time of release, accounting or refund. 5 TRADE UNDER CARIBCAN 5.1. Canada-CARIBCAN trade statistics are annexed in a series of tables to this report and include 2017 trade data. In general, these trade statistics indicate that: - In 2017, 98% of total Canadian imports from CARIBCAN beneficiaries entered Canada free of duty. As shown in Annex III, just over $1.0 billion of this trade entered under MFN free rates while $4.4 million entered duty-free under General Preferential Tariff (GPT). $30.1 million of this trade entered under the preferential CARIBCAN tariff (CCCT). Annex IV shows the top twenty-five commodity imports benefiting from the CARIBCAN preference. - Total Canada-CARIBCAN trade (exports plus imports) was CAN $1.9 billion in 2017. The value of Canadian imports from the region has risen from $1.0 billion in 2007 to $1.1 billion in 2017. The value of Canadian exports to CARIBCAN countries has increased from $769 million in 2007 to $817 million in 2017. 6 STATISTICAL ANNEXES: Annex I: Total Imports from CARIBCAN Beneficiaries 2007 - 2017 Annex II: Total Canadian exports to CARIBCAN Beneficiaries 2007 - 2017 Annex III: 2017 Imports from CARIBCAN Beneficiaries by Tariff Treatment Annex IV: Top 25 Merchandise Imports from CARIBCAN Beneficiaries which entered Canada under the CARIBCAN Duty-Free Tariff Treatment (CCCT) in 2017 _______________ ANNEX I Total Canadian Imports from CARIBCAN Beneficiaries 2007 – 2017 (thousands of Canadian dollars) Country 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Anguilla 149 211 308 320 271 272 606 360 226 29 105 Antigua and Barbuda 564 5,468 446 422 414 1,741 625 448 466 216 282 Bahamas 63,303 73,519 30,995 55,121 21,881 146,573 44,069 92,051 35,720 13,641 12,901 Barbados 8,117 8,498 8,663 9,680 6,921 9,578 18,851 12,942 11,557 11,888 12,173 Belize 10,959 10,842 7,247 6,177 7,516 3,221 2,579 1,777 3,786 2,080 1,904 Bermuda 3,192 1,910 10,968 1,389 979 29,015 17,709 31,013 35,319 38,650 30,160 British Virgin Islands 1,994 13,246 720 622 821 1,102 28,258 2,529 1,520 938 2,868 Cayman Islands 314 193 645 304 778 415 210 215 662 2,102 2,299 Dominica 398 337 390 145 289 264 1,153 356 728 231 397 WT/L/1036 Grenada 701 877 509 601 1,718 2,268 1,904 2,018 2,211 1,577 819 - 3 Guyana 161,534 225,084 300,318 290,736 394,657 453,997 486,488 335,752 271,554 666,959 661,486 - Jamaica 370,906 327,580 164,764 161,934 275,412 101,951 205,772 264,949 241,310 204,888 191,258 Montserrat 222 139 69 327 291 197 36 333 233 59 164 St. Christopher (Kitts) and 4,270 5,236 7,033 8,092 9,166 9,638 8,784 6,249 4,072 2,971 3,503 Nevis St. Lucia 313 155 2,289 203 273 268 349 423 509 692 688 St. Vincent and the 568 136 219 162 259 170 173 126 110 143 71 Grenadines Trinidad and Tobago 413,473 341,400 314,955 459,179 388,961 246,424 188,761 557,843 342,388 189,494 176,076 Turks and Caicos Islands 5,146 1,933 299 112 119 186 254 416 843 148 107 Total: 1,046,123 1,016,764 850,837 995,526 1,110,726 1,007,280 1,006,581 1,309,800 953,214 1,136,706 1,097,261 Source: Statistics Canada. ANNEX II Total Canadian Exports to CARIBCAN Beneficiaries 2007-2017 (thousands of Canadian dollars) Country 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Anguilla 1,386 2,590 1,833 865 2,318 607 850 1,007 1,271 1,612 1,873 Antigua and Barbuda 17,174 21,194 20,095 19,211 9,590 18,273 15,172 10,112 9,990 8,495 8,328 Bahamas 91,210 226,436 146,232 150,620 127,275 486,780 189,761 242,015 68,832 114,895 214,579 Barbados 55,216 45,392 55,448 36,675 44,248 58,853 147,317 187,559 66,607 37,412 33,649 Belize 6,395 6,594 5,544 5,536 4,976 7,464 7,295 19,133 9,258 10,597 14,799 Bermuda 59,035 61,823 56,630 37,647 73,760 22,122 33,658 29,914 36,408 67,260 44,494 British Virgin Islands 2,057 8,694 3,271 22,175 48,168 1,619 2,536 28,628 12,399 3,531 3,774 Cayman Islands 55,092 14,019 6,403 6,224 6,993 8,189 58,645 8,136 8,345 9,674 23,332 Dominica 4,531 5,619 4,386 4,447 3,748 3,864 4,595 6,157 4,551 3,452 5,717 Grenada 5,928 5,653 5,535 5,092 4,423 5,288 4,537 5,648 5,786 7,608 8,664 Guyana 25,710 20,318 27,705 28,076 35,385 25,201 17,902 25,081 23,849 34,114 26,056 WT/L/1036 Jamaica 190,138 187,298 117,954 125,076 106,081 129,416 114,177 111,919 104,329 101,674 112,932 - 4 Montserrat 252 383 272 226 325 380 264 164 232 256 503 - St. Christopher (Kitts) 8,753 7,930 6,242 6,706 5,678 6,524 7,355 9,116 6,756 6,056 8,474 and Nevis St. Lucia 15,083 12,309 10,040 35,745 8,476 9,183 10,247 11,202 9,925 9,561 8,303 St.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Current International Trade Agreements 26 3.1
    TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO TRADE POLICY 2019 - 2023 TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DIVERSIFICATION CONTENTSCONTENTS Acronyms and Abbreviations 1 Foreword 3 Acknowledgements 4 Executive Summary 5 Chapter 1. Introductory Perspectives 10 1.1. Background and Overarching Principles of the Policy 10 1.2. Role of Trade in Domestic Economy 16 1.3. Goals and Foundations of the Policy and Strategy 22 Chapter 2. Methodology, Goals, Objectives and Key Strategies 23 2.1. Methodology 23 2.2. Guiding Principles 24 2.3. Goals 25 2.4. Objectives 25 2.5. Key Strategies 25 Chapter 3. Current International Trade Agreements 26 3.1. World Trade Organization: Multilateral Trade Agreements 27 3.2. Policy Positions on Regional Trade Agreements 28 3.2.1. CARICOM/CSME 28 3.2.2. The CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) 29 3.2.3. CBERA/CBPTA 31 3.2.4. CARIBCAN 31 3.3. Bilateral Trade Agreements 32 CONTENTSCONTENTS Chapter 4. International Trade Challenges and Policy Measures 33 4.1. Overarching Policy Objectives 33 4.2. Constraints on Institutional Capacity for Negotiations 34 4.3. Policy Measures to Enhance Technical Negotiating Capacity 34 4.4. Constraints and Challenges Affecting Market Access for Exports 35 4.4.1. Significant Non-tariff Barriers 35 4.4.2. Application of CARICOM Trade Promotion Schemes 36 4.4.3. Challenges of Tariff Escalations and Peaks 36 4.4.4. Prohibitive Rules of Origin and Erosion of Trade Preferences 36 4.5. Policy Measures to Enhance Market Access 36 4.6. Challenges and Constraints Affecting Trade Facilitation 39 4.6.1. Inadequate Infrastructure 40 4.6.2.
    [Show full text]
  • Caribbean Community
    REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO MINISTRY OF TRADE, INDUSTRY, INVESTMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS TRADE POLICY AND STRATEGY 2013-2017 Table of Contents List of Abbreviations and Acronyms . 1 Foreword . 3 Acknowledgements . 4 Executive Summary . 5 1: Introduction . 9 2: Analysis of Trade and Economic Performance . 14 3: Characteristics of Trinidad and Tobago's Trade Policy . 28 3.1 Trade Policy Objectives . 30 3.2 Objective 1: Expanding Market Access for Trinidad and Tobago Goods and Services Globally and Regionally 30 3.3 Objective 2: Safeguarding Sensitive Productive Sectors . 38 3.4 Objective 3: Increasing Production, Competitiveness and Export of High Value Goods and Services . 40 particularly in the Non-Energy Sector 3.5 Objective 4: Improving the Business and Trade-Enabling Environment . 50 3.6 Objective 5: Strengthening the Institutional Framework for Trade . 53 3.7 Objective 6: Mobilizing Resources to Finance the Needs of the Trade Related Sectors . 55 3.8 Objective 7: Mainstreaming Trade Policy into the Wider Macro-Economic and Development Policy-Setting . 56 3.9 Objective 8: Regional and Hemispheric Integration and Cooperation . 57 4: Implementation and Monitoring . 58 Appendix I: LIST OF ORGANISATIONS CONSULTED . 61 Appendix II: LOG FRAMEWORK - TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO TRADE POLICY IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX . 62 TRADE POLICY AND STRATEGY 2013-2017 List of Abbreviations and Acronyms ACP Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group COPA Airlines Panamanian Aviation Company AD Anti-Dumping CROSQ Caribbean Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality
    [Show full text]
  • Economic Integration with Unequal Partners: the Caribbean and North America
    Number 205 ECONOMIC INTEGRATION WITH UNEQUAL PARTNERS: THE CARIBBEAN AND NORTH AMERICA R. Delisle Worrell Central Bank of Barbados Copyright 1994 This publication is one of a series of Working Papers of the Latin American Program of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. The series includes papers in the humanities and social sciences from Program Fellows, Guest Scholars, workshops, colloquia, and conferences. The series aims to extend the Program's discussions to a wider community throughout the Americas, to help authors obtain timely criticism of work in progress, and to provide, directly or indirectly, scholarly and intellectual context for contemporary policy concerns. Single copies of Working Papers may be obtained without charge by writing to: Latin American Program Working Papers The Woodrow Wilson Center 1000 Jefferson Drive, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20560 The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars was created by Congress in 1968 as a "living institution expressing the ideals and concerns of Woodrow Wilson symbolizing and strengthening the fruitful relations between the world of learning and the world of public affairs." The Center's Latin American Program was established in 1977. LATIN AMERICAN PROGRAM STAFF Joseph S. Tulchin, Program Director Gary Bland, Senior Program Associate Lucy E. Hetrick, Program Assistant Bernice Gonzales Romero, Program Associate Allison M. Garland, Program Associate Preface The Latin American Program is pleased to publish the following work as part of its occasional Working Paper series. This paper is the product of research by R. Delisle Worrell, deputy governor of the Central Bank of Barbados, conducted in part while he was a Guest Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center from October 1, 1993 to December 31, 1993.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction
    1 CANADA AND THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY: PROSPECTS FOR AN ENHANCED TRADE ARRANGEMENT * RAMESH CHAITOO AND ANN WESTON Introduction The election of a Conservative Government in Canada in January 2006 was followed by a review of Canada’s trade strategy, which led to an “aggressive bilateral trade negotiations agenda” notably in the Americas (FAITC, June 2007). According to the government, free trade agreements (FTAs) are needed to maintain competitiveness with the United States (which has now signed 16 FTAs) and to reinforce Canada’s place in the North American production platform. Competition with the European Union (EU), which has signed FTAs with a number of countries in the region, is another likely factor. Canadian agricultural exporters, service providers, and financial and mining companies have also sought improved market access and predictability of treatment through FTAs. One group with which the Canadian government has embarked on trade negotiations is CARICOM – the 15‐member economic community in the Caribbean.1 This was announced in July 2007 by Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper and CARICOM Chairman, then‐Prime Minister of Barbados, Owen Arthur.2 CARICOM was then deeply involved in negotiation of an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU which was concluded in December 2007.3 So it was only in early 2008 that Canada‐CARICOM negotiations could start in earnest. Given * Ramesh Chaitoo is Head of the Services Trade Unit at the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery based in Barbados. He was previously a Senior Associate of the Centre for Trade Policy and Law at Carleton University in Ottawa. Ann Weston is Vice-President and Research Coordinator at The North-South Institute in Ottawa.
    [Show full text]
  • Exploring the Potential Benefits of the Proposed CARICOM-Canada Free Trade Arrangement (FTA)
    Hosein and Khadan, Journal of International and Global Economic Studies, 4(1), June 2011, 74-87 74 Exploring the Potential Benefits of the Proposed CARICOM-Canada Free Trade Arrangement (FTA) Roger Hosein and Jeetendra Khadan* University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago Abstract This study investigates the potential benefits that can be derived from the proposed CARICOM-Canada FTA for CARICOM countries. The paper employs two approaches namely, a trade complementarity approach and a partial equilibrium model approach. The level of trade complementarity between CARICOM and Canada will determine how well the export and import structures of both countries match and hence indicate the potential success of the FTA. A partial equilibrium model that is based on an imperfect substitution framework is then employed to assess the trade, revenue and welfare implications associated with the FTA. The results of the trade complementarity index shows that three of the five CARICOM countries selected for this experiment have relatively low levels of trade complementarity with Canada while the other two exhibited no trade complementarity. The results from the partial equilibrium model also provide evidence to support this finding in that there will be a significant fall in tariff revenues and welfare for each of the listed CARICOM member states. Keywords: free trade arrangements, trade complementarity index, partial equilibrium model, welfare effects. JEL Classification: F14, F15, F17 1. Introduction The present trading environment between CARICOM and Canada is covered by the Caribbean- Canada Trade Agreement (CARIBCAN) of 1986. The CARIBCAN agreement is essentially a non-reciprocal preferential trade agreement which allows unilateral duty free access to the Canadian market for almost all imports originating from the Commonwealth Caribbean countries.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Executive Summary St. Lucia's Economy Is Expected to Grow by 1.7
    Executive Summary St. Lucia’s economy is expected to grow by 1.7% in 2014. The island nation has been able to attract foreign business and investment, especially in its offshore banking and tourism industries. Tourism is the main economic sector accounting for more than 60% of jobs in the workforce. The Government of St. Lucia strongly encourages foreign direct investment, particularly tourism and hotel development, information and communication technology, manufacturing, international financial services, agro business and creative industries. Foreign nationals receive the same legal protections as local citizens. The police and court systems are efficient and unbiased in commercial matters, and the government operates in a generally transparent manner. St. Lucia’s legal system is based on British common law. The judiciary is independent, and trials are generally fair. Companies registered in St. Lucia have the right to repatriate all capital, royalties, dividends and profits free of all taxes or any other charges on foreign exchange transactions. There are no exchange controls in St. Lucia and the invoicing of foreign trade transactions may be made in any currency. St. Lucia bases its legal system on the British common law system. The Constitution guarantees constitutional independence of the judiciary. St. Lucia is a member of to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The WTO Dispute Settlement Panel and Appellate Body resolve disputes over WTO agreements, while courts of appropriate jurisdiction resolve private disputes. Local enterprises generally welcome joint ventures with foreign investors in order to access technology, expertise, markets, and capital. Companies registered in St. Lucia have the right to repatriate all capital royalties, dividends and profits free of all taxes or any other charges on foreign exchange transactions.
    [Show full text]
  • Promoting Sustainable Fish Trade Between Caricom States and Their Trading Partners the Eu and Us: the Case of St Vincent and the Grenadines
    PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE FISH TRADE BETWEEN CARICOM STATES AND THEIR TRADING PARTNERS THE EU AND US: THE CASE OF ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES Ferique Shortte The United Nations - Nippon Foundation of Japan Fellowship Programme 2012-2013 14th DECEMBER, 2013 1 | P a g e Disclaimer The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines, The United Nations, Nippon Foundation of Japan, the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) or the University of Wollongong. ©2013 Ferique Shortte. 2 | P a g e Copyright Statement This copy of the research paper has been supplied on condition that anyone who consults it is understood to recognise that its copyright rests with its author and that no quotation, diagrams and information derived from it may be published without accurate citation. Contact Information Ferique Shortte, Email: [email protected] Suggested Citation: Ferique Shortte, ‘Promoting Sustainable Fish Trade between CARICOM States and Their Trading Partners the EU and US: The Case of St Vincent and the Grenadines’, Research Paper, United Nations - Nippon Foundation Fellowship, 2013. 3 | P a g e Abstract Ferique Shortte Promoting Sustainable Fish Trade between CARICOM States and Their Trading Partners the EU and US: The Case of St Vincent and the Grenadines Fish and fishery products are ranked among the most traded food commodities globally; the majority of fish that are being traded comes from developing countries. It is estimated that worldwide capture fisheries stands at 90 million tonnes with an estimated sale value of US$93.9 billion.
    [Show full text]
  • December 2008 CARICOM – CANADA FREE TRADE
    December 2008 CARICOM – CANADA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT The main objective of this document is to seek the views of the business community and civil society on a negotiating strategy for The Bahamas with respect to a proposed Caricom- Canada Free Trade Agreement. I. OVERVIEW The Commonwealth Heads of Government, meeting in Nassau in October 1985 agreed to a trade and development agreement between the Caribbean and Canada. The objectives of the trade and development agreement that was formalized in June 1986 was to improve trade and development, promote new investments and encourage regional integration and cooperation. This preferential trade agreement, commonly referred to as Caribcan is a preferential trade agreement that allows the countries of the Caribbean to export goods to Canada free of duty except those goods in HS Chapter 50-65, textile and clothing and those where Canada has undertaken tarrification such as diary and other agricultural goods. Goods From Table 1, it is noted that The Bahamas is the fourth largest Caricom exporter to Canada after Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana. Table 1: Duty Free 2006 Imports from CARIBCAN Beneficiaries by Tariff Treatment (in Canadian dollars) Country Total MFN Free GPT Free Caribcan Total Free Total Free Imports (CCCT) as % of Free Total Imports Anguilla 152,626 63,648 - - 63,648 42 Antigua and - 59 Barbuda 407,172 156,450 81,748 238,198 Bahamas 23,274,439 17,049,085 29 4,859,771 21,908,885 94 Barbados 13,615,006 6,028,717 4,172,829 2,949,387 13,150,933 97 Belize 9,557,830 8,379,874 193,384 63,240 8,636,498 90 Bermuda 16,782,954 16,084,955 - 2,283 16,087,238 96 Br.
    [Show full text]
  • US International Trade Commission
    U.S. International Trade Commission COMMISSIONERS Daniel R. Pearson, Chairman Shara L. Aranoff, Vice Chairman Deanna Tanner Okun Charlotte R. Lane Irving A. Williamson Dean A. Pinkert Robert A. Rogowsky Director of Operations Robert B. Koopman Director of Economics Address all communications to Secretary to the Commission United States International Trade Commission Washington, DC 20436 U.S. INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION COMMISSIONERS Daniel R. Pearson, Chairman Shara L. Aranoff, Vice Chairman Deanna Tanner Okun Charlotte R. Lane Irving A. Williamson Dean A. Pinkert _______________________________ Robert A. Rogowsky Director of Operations ______________________________ Robert B. Koopman Director of Economics ______________________________ Address all communications to Secretary to the Commission United States International Trade Commission Washington, DC 20436 U.S. International Trade Commission Washington, DC 20436 www.usitc.gov The Year in Trade 2006 Operation of the Trade Agreements Program 58th Report Publication 3927 July 2007 This report was prepared principally prepared by: The Office of Economics James Fetzer, Project Leader JustinoDeLaCruz,Deputy Project Leader Nannette Christ, Kelly Clark, Cindy Cohen, William Greene, Joanne Guth, Alexander Hammer, Walker Pollard, James Stamps, and Edward C. Wilson Office of General Counsel Willliam W. Gearhart and Robin Turner Office of Tariff Affairs and Trade Agreements Naomi Freeman and Dan Shepherdson Office of Investigations Barbara Bryan, Mary Messer, and Andy Rylyk Office of Unfair Import Investigations Anne Goalwin Office of Industries Dawn Heuschel Office of Information Technology Systems Barbara V. Bobbitt Supporting assistance was provided by: Patricia M. Thomas Intern: Dean Gudicello Office of Publishing PREFACE This report is the 58th in a series of annual reports submitted to the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Background to Negotiations on CARICOM Canada Trading Arrangements
    Background to Negotiations on CARICOM Canada Trading Arrangements Discussions on new trading arrangements commenced as far back as 2001 in a Canada/ CARICOM Summit held in Montego Bay, Jamaica. In July 2004, CARICOM Heads of Government mandated the CRNM to proceed with preparations for and commencement of formal negotiations with Canada. The Caribbean has a long history of trade and cultural ties with Canada. A 2001 survey revealed that there were more than 530,000 people of Caribbean origin living in Canada compared to 256,000 from the whole of Latin America. In 2002, two-way merchandise trade between CARICOM and Canada totalled C$1.2 billion of which there was a positive balance in favour of CARICOM of C$335 million. In 2000, bilateral services trade between CARICOM and Canada amounted to C$2.28 billion with a CARICOM surplus of C$703 million. Leading CARICOM exports to Canada are gold, alumina/bauxite, fisheries and agri-food products, mineral fuels, petroleum oils, steel rods and industrial chemicals. By comparison, the CARICOM countries offer Canadian companies a growing market for computers and components, and telecommunications equipment. In 2000, Canada exported C$346.91 million worth of goods to the CARICOM and imported C$539.98 million, for two-way merchandise trade of just underC$887 million in 2000; this figure does not capture many goods transhipped through the USA. Canadian investments in the region, centred in the financial, mining and energy sectors, are estimated by one source at C$25 billion, making CARICOM the third most important investment destination after the United States and the United Kingdom.
    [Show full text]
  • OAS TRADE UNIT STUDIES Analyses on Trade and Integration in the Americas
    OAS TRADE UNIT STUDIES Analyses on trade and integration in the Americas Proliferation of Sub-Regional Trade Agreements in the Americas: An Assessment of Key Analytical and Policy Issues José M. Salazar-Xirinachs A Publication of the Organization of American States Trade Unit October 2002 OAS TRADE UNIT STUDIES The OAS Trade Unit Studies series addresses issues of importance to trade and economic integration in the Western Hemisphere. The reports are prepared by the Trade Unit staff and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the OAS Member States. An electronic version of this document is available on the Internet at a site maintained by the Trade Unit's Foreign Trade Information System, which is also known by its Spanish acronym, SICE. The address is: http://www.sice.oas.org. Secretary General César Gaviria Assistant Secretary General Luigi Einaudi October 2002 OEA/Ser.D/XXII SG/TU/TUS-14 2002 Organization of American States, General Secretariat. All rights reserved. This publication or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or transmitted in any way without the permission of the General Secretariat of the OAS. The ideas, thoughts and opinions contained herein are not necessarily those of the OAS or of its Member States. All inquiries regarding this publication should be directed to: Organization of American States, Trade Unit, 1889 F Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20006, U.S.A. Electronic Mail: [email protected]. OAS TRADE UNIT STUDIES Proliferation of Sub-Regional Trade Agreements in the Americas: An Assessment of Key Analytical and Policy Issues* José M. Salazar-Xirinachs** A Publication of the Organization of American States Trade Unit 1889 F Street, N.W.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Executive Summary Dominica's Economy Is Expected to Grow by 1.7
    Executive Summary Dominica’s economy is expected to grow by 1.7% in 2014. Fueled by a public sector investment program, the government has undertaken a growth strategy to foster economic growth and create employment. Opportunities for investment exist in alternative energy, tourism services and education. The Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica strongly encourages foreign direct investment, particularly in the sectors of hotel accommodation, including eco-lodges and flagship boutique hotels; nature and adventure tourism services; fine dining restaurants; information and technology services; film, music and video production; agro-processing; manufacturing; bulk water export and bottled water operations; medical and nursing schools; health and wellness tourism; geothermal and biomass industries; biodiversity; aquaculture; and English language training services. The government has instituted a number of investment incentives for businesses considering the possibility of locating in Dominica, encouraging both domestic and foreign private investment. Government policies provide liberal tax holidays, duty-free import of equipment and materials, exemption from value added tax on some capital investments, and withholding tax exemptions on dividends, interest payments and some external payments and income. Dominica employs a system of eminent domain to pay compensation when property needs to be acquired in the public interest. There have been no reported tendencies of the government to discriminate against U.S. investments, companies or landholdings. There are no laws forcing local ownership in specified sectors. Foreign investors in Dominica can repatriate all profits, dividends and import capital. There are no restrictions on the repatriation of dividends for totally foreign-owned firms; however a mixed foreign-domestic company may repatriate profits to the extent of its foreign participation.
    [Show full text]