GUYANA   -  Trade Information Database

Trade Policy of Guyana - Selected Documents
This section centralises information relating to Guyana's national trade policy. Government trade policy overviews and national development strategy papers as well as information on agreements, regulations, standards, and the investment climate are also presented in this section.
Guyana's trade policy is clearly not developed in isolation, but rather within a regional and global trade context. Over the years, the number of commitments derived from participation in the World Trade Organisation (WTO), as well as CARICOM, and other regional trade fora has increased. As such, documents that provide somes insight into these regional and global policy frameworks have been included.

National Trade Policy
"As a result of the small size of the internal market and historical pattern of development, Guyana is exceptionally dependent on international trade as an engine of economic growth.
Guyana is also highly dependent on trade taxes as a source of government revenue. In 2002, consumption tax on imports accounted for nearly 30% of budgeted revenue in 2002, while the actual tariffs imposed on imports accounted for approximately 9% of budgeted revenue." Goverment Report to the WTO, 2003

General Policy Documents
►Main Policy Documents
National Development Strategy, 1997
Chapters 1-8
Chapters 9-20
Chapters 21-30
NDS Secretariat, Ministry of Finance

►Budget Policy
2009 Budget Speech
2005 Budget Speech
2004 Budget Speech
Mr. Saisnarine Kowlessar, Minister of Finance

►Social Policy Framework
Social Policy Framework, 2001
OECS / UNDP
Legal Framework
External Trade Agreements
Preferential Schemes
Bilateral Investment Treaties
►Trade Related Legislation
Intellectual Property Rights
Commercial Guide
Trade Regulations & Standards, 2004
Investment Climate, 2004
US Department of Commerce
 
Trade Policy Documents
►WTO Secretariat Trade Policy Review, 2003
Government Report WTO Secretariat
Structure of Trade Policy WTO Secretariat
Policies by Sector WTO Secretariat
Policies and Practices by Measure WTO Secretariat

►MOFTIC Foreign Trade Review
Review of Guyana's Foreign Trade 2002-2003 Ministry of Foreign Trade and international Cooperation
Review of Guyana's Foreign Trade 2001-2002 Ministry of Foreign Trade and international Cooperation

►Other Trade Policy Documents
The Need for a Unique Strategic Framework, 2004 MOFTIC
Removal of Restrictions Inconsistent with the Provisions of the Revised Treaty establishing CARICOM MOFTIC

►MOFTIC Press Releases
Issue 1, 2004 | Issue 2, 2004 | Issue 3, 2004
Issue 1, 2003 | Issue 2, 2003 | Issue 3, 2003 | Issue 4, 2003
Regional & Global Context
  Guyana is a member of the Caribbean Common Market and Community (CARICOM). Guyana has participated in the GATT since July 1966 and in the WTO since January 1995.

  Regional Level
  ►CARIFORUM-EC EPA

►CARICOM
Background Information, Legal Framework, External Agreements, On-going Negotiations, and more information.

  Global Level
  ►The World Trade Organisation-WTO
Understanding the WTO, The Agreements, Settlling Disputes, Cross-Cutting and New Issues, The Doha Agenda, Developing Countries, The Organization.

WTO Monitor Bulletin January 2004
WTO Monitor Bulletin October 2003
MOFTIC

► Other International Organisations
Reports & Country Strategies on Guyana
Doing Business, 2009
World Bank
EU - Aid for Trade Monitoring Report, 2008
World Trade Organisation
CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agrmt
ECLAC
Economic Survey of the Caribbean 2007-2008
Economic Survey of the Caribbean 2006-2007
ECLAC
IDB Country Strategy
IDB-Regional Operation Department 3
IMF Art.IV Consultation, 2007
IMF Art.IV Consultation, 2006
IMF Art.IV Consultation, 2004
Staff for the Consultation with Guyana
World Bank Country Strategy, 2002
LAC, World Bank
Relevant Publications
►On Guyana
EC Country Strategy Paper 2008 for Guyana European Commision & Co-Operative Republic of Guyana
A Trade Strategy for Guyana Craig VanGrasstek
Guyana - Development policy review - the challenges of governance and growth, 2003 Caribbean Country Management Unit, World Bank
Guyana - European Community Country Strategy Paper, 2002 Government of Guyana and EU Commission
►On Trade Policy
World Trade Organisation: Trade Report 2009
World Trade Organisation: Trade Report 2008
World Trade Organisation: Trade Report 2007
World Trade Organisation: Trade Report 2006
World Trade Organisation: Trade Report 2005
World Trade Organisation: Trade Report 2004
World Trade Organisation: Trade Report 2003

►On the Regional and Global Context
Taccone, J. and Nogueira, U (coordinators), 2002: CARICOM Report
Barclay, L; Henry, R and James, V, 2001: Trade Policy and Caribbean Development
Bernal, R: Globalisation and Small Developing Countries (source: CRNM website)
Dos Santos, P and Bain, L, 2004: Survey of the Caribbean Tax Systems
More Information
  Off-site links to:
Government of Guyana
Specialised Governmental Agencies
Business and Other Organisations
Regional and International Organisations