Wide-ranging trade policy review ‘underway’

Barbados has begun a sweeping review of its trade policy to help shape a new national approach, with foreign trade minister Senator Chris Sinckler calling on ministries, the private sector and citizens to take part in consultations that will determine the country’s economic direction.

In Tuesday’s House Estimates hearings on appropriations for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Sinckler revealed: “Barbados is currently undergoing a complete trade policy review. I want to encourage every ministry to participate fulsomely in that trade policy review.”  

He noted that members of the private sector have already started receiving invitations to take part in consultations and stressed that the process will be widened to include the wider public.  

“We are going to be bringing those consultations to the average citizens,” he said. “We are going to find ways in order to connect with ordinary citizens so that they can input into that new trade policy for Barbados.”

Sinckler underscored the importance of public participation, arguing that while governments negotiate agreements, it is businesses and individuals who ultimately drive trade.  

“We can negotiate as government agreements, but it is businesses and people who really trade and do business… those are the people we want to hear from because they must inform how we move forward in terms of our engagements.”