BAHAMAS   -  Trade Information Database

Trade Policy of Bahamas - Selected Documents

This section centralises information relating to Bahamas' national trade policy. Government trade policy overviews, national development strategy papers as well as information on agreements, regulations, standards, and the investment climate are also presented in this section.
 NATIONAL TRADE POLICY

"The Bahamas is the only country in the region that does not belong to a free trade agreement or a customs union. It has been a member of CARICOM since 1983, but does not participate in the group’s single market and economy arrangements. It is a member of the Association of Caribbean States. The Bahamas is a beneficiary of a number of preferential trade arrangements, which include other than the Cotonou Agreement, the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI)... and CARIBCAN..." National Trade Capacity Building Strategy, 2003

 

  REGIONAL & GLOBAL CONTEXT
 

Bahamas is a member of the Caribbean Common Market and Community (CARICOM). Bahamas does not participate in the WTO, but it has applied for membership.
 
    Regional Level
 

The Bahamas does not participate in CARICOM's external agreements nor in the CSME initiative. The Bahamas is, however, a member of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (CRNM).

►CARICOM
Background Information, Legal Framework of Integration, External Trade Agreements, On-going Negotiations, CSME Initiative

 ►CRNM
 Background Information, Studies and Publications
 
 
    Global Level
 

International Organisations
 Reports & Country Strategies on Bahamas
 IDB Country Strategy, 2004
IDB-Regional Operation Department 3
 IMF Art.IV Consultation, 2003
Staff for the Consultation with Bahamas
 
   

Budget Policy
Budget Communication 2004-2005

Budget Communication 2003-2004
Budget Communication 2001-2002
The Rt. Hon. Sir William Allen, Minister of Finance


 Policy on Electronic Commerce

Electronic Commerce and the Bahamian Digital Agenda, 2003
Ministry of Finance

 Trade Policy Documents
 National Trade Capacity Building Strategy, 2003
 Government of Bahamas
Bahamas - European Community Country Strategy Paper, 2002
Government of Bahamas and EU Commission
The Need for a Unique Strategic Framework, 2004
Government of Bahamas

  RELEVANT PUBLICATIONS

► On Bahamas
 National Investment Policy, 2002. Office of the Prime Minister
 Legal & Regulatory Framework for the Digital Economy - The Bahamian Strategy, 2003. Bethel, R. Ministry of Finance
 

► On Trade Policy
 World Trade Report 2004, 2004. World Trade Organisation
 World Trade Report 2003, 2003. World Trade Organisation

► On the Regional and Global Context
 CARICOM Report, 2002. Taccone, J. and Nogueira, U (coordinators)
Trade Policy and Caribbean Development, 2001. Barclay, L; Henry, R and James, V
Globalisation and Small Developing Countries. Bernal, R.  (source: CRNM website)
 Survey of the Caribbean Tax Systems, 2004. Dos Santos, P and Bain, L