Eight participating governments passed the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Agreement Act. The Employment of Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth Citizens Act provides foreign nationals or Commonwealth citizens must obtain valid work permits. Pursuant to Schedule 3 of the Proceeds of Crime Act Cap 180 The Attorney Generals Chambers is the Central Authority for Mutual Legal Assistance Requests. Men and women have equal status under the law, and a government department of gender affairs is concerned with issues including gender equality and equal access to social, political, economic, and educational opportunities. Dame Susan Dougan, GCMG, OBE, Governor General of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at Government House on Wednesday, 29th March, 2023. Labor unions and businesses are generally satisfied with the arbitration panels, which have tripartite representation. Welcome to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. The reserve requirement for commercial banks was six percent of deposit liabilities. 458-6652. The 2020 World Bank Doing Business Report ranks St. Vincent and the Grenadines 168th of 190 countries in resolving insolvency. Title. As of March 31, 2020, there were 154 securities listed on the ECSE, comprising 134 sovereign debt instruments, 13 equities, and seven corporate bonds. Use added caution when attending crowded events, celebrations, music festivals, etc. All COVID-19 related travel restrictions have been lifted. The U.S. Embassy is not aware of any outstanding expropriation claims or nationalization of foreign enterprises in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The economy might struggle to hit its forecasted growth of around 3.7 percent in 2021, and in fact may continue to contract as the tourism sector is impacted by the ongoing pandemic. St. Vincent and the Grenadines is open to portfolio investment. Which Country Is Larger By Population? Flights are on Wednesdays and Sundays and involve a short layover in Barbados but no changing of planes. Georgetown HC. There is no elected local government. 17 August 2017. The judicial system consists of lower courts, called magistrates courts, and a family court. Bitt is expected to launch DCash in St. Vincent and the Grenadines in mid-2021. Some of the Grenadine Islands have annual regattas that include carnival-type activities. Article 139 of the EPA requires parties to ensure an adequate and effective implementation of the international treaties dealing with intellectual property to which they are parties, and of the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS).. Temporary Closure Of Rawacou Recreation Park. The unicameral legislature, the House of Assembly, has 21 members. Invest SVGs FDI policy is designed to attract investment into priority sectors. There is no hyperbaric chamber, and divers requiring treatment for decompression illness must be evacuated from the island. Laws and Regulations on Foreign Direct Investment. The slow court system and bureaucracy are widely seen as the main hindrances to timely resolution of commercial disputes. Earthquakes may occur at any time, often associated with seismic activity in the volcano. The private sector is involved in projects that benefit society, including in support of environmental, social, and cultural causes. Performance and Data Localization Requirements. It is composed of 15 members (called representatives) elected to . It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Find information ondual nationality,prevention of international child abductionandcustoms regulationson our websites. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a beneficiary of the U.S. Caribbean Basin Initiative, which aims to facilitate the economic development and export diversification of the Caribbean Basin economies by providing countries with duty-free access to the U.S. market for most goods. The EPA recognizes the protection and enforcement of intellectual property. Over the years, Vincentian cricketers have represented the West Indies in international cricket tournaments and have played professionally in England. The government confers certain benefits on registered trusts, including exemptions from various taxes and duties provided the settler was not insolvent at the time the trust was created or did not become insolvent because of the creation of the trust. The countrys markets are usually well stocked with fruits and vegetables. Companies holding at least five acres of land may restrict or prohibit the issue or transfer of their shares or debentures to non-nationals. HIV/AIDS receives great attention from the health authorities, and domestic violence is a growing area of concern. There is no obligation for the government to consider proposed amendments prior to implementation. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs or firearms are severe. If there are confiscation proceedings initiated or contemplated against a corrupt official, the courts can order disclosure of financial information. The law prohibits antiunion discrimination and dismissal for engagement in union activities. Office of the Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology, Office of the U.S. Fifteen members are elected at least every five years by universal adult suffrage, six senators are . The Arnos Vale Sports Complex, in Kingstown, has become a popular venue for one-day international cricket matches. Government of St. Vincent & the Grenadines Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Information Technology This website was developed with the assistance of the Government of Canada through the Project for the Regional Advancement of Statistics in the Caribbean (PRASC). Vaccinations:Be up-to-date on allvaccinations recommended bythe U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thank you to all travelers who complied with the travel protocols over the past two years, thus minimizing the risk of the importation and subsequent transmission of COVID-19 in SVG.Below is a list of archived Protocol Documents: Please click for full details of Protocols Documents: Covid-19 Quarantine Safety Operating Protocols-Vx Bequia Beach Hotel, Approved Accommodations for Quarantine List (Revised 12-08-21), Procedure for Travellers arriving by air to join a Yacht in SVG, Sputnik V Authorized in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Public Health (Emergency Authorisation of COVID-19 Vaccine) Rules, 2021, PCR Test Request for Departure SVG Form- PDF version | Electronic version, Permanent Secretary Mr. Cuthbert Knights Tel:(784) 457- 2586. These fiscal incentives may be granted to manufacturing and processing companies producing Approved Products. Companies must apply to Cabinet to become Approved Enterprises producing such products. Only a narrow list of exceptions outlining the grounds for nondisclosure exists, but there is no specific timeline for relevant authorities to make the requested response or disclosure. Most visits to St Vincent and the Grenadines are trouble-free, but there have been incidents of crime . . Political/Economic Section Saint Vincent and the Grenadines made its first appearance at the Olympics at the 1988 Seoul Games. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines court system consists of a lower and an upper judiciary. It is also a member of the UN World Intellectual Property Organization and is a signatory to its treaties. The government runs a free public library system. The Wages Council Act establishes the Wages Council, which addresses minimum wages, hours of work, overtime, vacation, sick leave, and maternity leave for specified categories of workers. We strongly recommendsupplemental insuranceto cover medical evacuations. Do not leave valuables unattended in public areas, on beaches, unsecured in hotel rooms, or in rental homes. News stories, speeches, letters and notices, Reports, analysis and official statistics, Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports, Emergency Alerts An attorney must submit the application and Cabinet must approve it. Invest SVG has the authority to screen and review FDI projects. The Center for Enterprise Development (CED) will have overall responsibility of the Programme supervision of the PRYME Implementation Unit. The capital and major port is Kingstown, on Saint Vincent. Sputnik V Authorized in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The Nine Mornings Festival takes place in Kingstown in the nine mornings preceding Christmas. Please click for full details. Dr Ralph Gonsalves Biography Contact Information Attorney General Hon. Coordinator for the Arctic Region, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, Office of International Religious Freedom, Office of the Special Envoy To Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Office of the Science and Technology Adviser, Bureau of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services, Bureau of Information Resource Management, Office of Management Strategy and Solutions, Bureau of International Organization Affairs, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, U.S. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary form of government. Thursday: There is a high chance of mostly cloudy skies and a few occasional showers. Non-nationals apply for a license to hold the land to the office of the Prime Minister through an attorney licensed to practice in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The ECSE is a regional securities market established by the ECCB and regulated by the Eastern Caribbean Securities Regulatory Commission. The country seeks to diversify its economy across several niche markets, particularly tourism, international financial services, agroprocessing, light manufacturing, renewable energy, creative industries, and information and communication technologies. Email Address: BridgetownPolEcon@state.gov. CARICOM has bilateral agreements with Cuba, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela. The rise of individualism, economic independence, and migration have led to a decrease in the importance of the extended family. COVID-19 Protocols Documents Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider. SOEs in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are wholly owned government entities. The administration of IPR laws is the responsibility of the Office of the Attorney General. The ministry responsible for national security oversees work permit applications. The British monarch is the head of state and is represented by an appointed governor-general. Automobiles may lack working safety and signaling devices. Article 66 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas establishing the CSME commits all 15 members to implement stronger intellectual property protection and enforcement. Friday: Similar weather conditions to . The Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act governs the countrys bankruptcy framework and grants certain rights to debtors and creditors. Sandy Bay HC. Through the Fiscal Incentives Act, St. Vincent and the Grenadines offers many incentives for investors and provides the necessary information on the laws, criteria, and application procedures to qualify for these incentives. Parties may appeal first to the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, an itinerant court that hears appeals from all OECS members. The Caribbean region has witnessed a withdrawal of correspondent banking services by U.S., Canadian, and European banks due to risk management concerns. The U.S. Embassy is not aware of any current investment disputes in the country. The government must serve a notice of acquisition on the person from whom the land is acquired. The sport of netball has also produced a number of strong Vincentian national teams. In its latest annual report, the ECCB listed the commercial banking sector in St. Vincent and the Grenadines as stable. Traffic Laws: Driving is on the left-hand side of the road. This includes travelers arriving by airplane and by private sea-going vessel. The Governor General may, if both parties consent, refer the dispute to an arbitration panel for settlement. Andres Bengtcen Ambassador Of The Kingdom Of Sweden To SVG Presented Credentials To The Governor General Of SVG, Dr. Contactthe Embassy of Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesbefore you travel with questions regarding travel with firearms. In the rural areas, celebrations of this festival are more diverse and include attempts to revive dying cultural practices. Information may also be posted to theU.S. Coast Guard homeport website, and the NGA broadcast warnings. St. Vincent and the Grenadines is not listed in the U.S. Trade Representatives 2021 Special 301 Report or in its 2020 Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy. Bitt completed its participation and formally exited the sandbox in 2019. After the attainment of independence in 1979 the multi-island state was renamed Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The EPA between the CARIFORUM states and the European Community contains the most detailed obligations in respect to intellectual property in any trade agreement to which St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a party. Data not available. Invest SVG has the main responsibility for investment supervision, while the Ministry of Economic Planning, Sustainable Development, Industry, Information and Labor tracks investments to collect information for national statistics and reporting purposes. St. Vincent and the Grenadines has a legislative framework protecting intellectual property rights (IPR). There are currently 28 state-owned enterprises (SOEs) operating in the following sectors: water, transportation, housing, transportation (ports), electricity, tourism, information and communication, telecommunications, investment and investment services, financial services, fisheries, agriculture, sports and culture, civil engineering, and infrastructure. Laws pertaining to Invest SVG also govern FDI. 2023 They are headed by boards of directors to which senior managers report. One of the mandates of the Department of Labor is to serve as a dispute resolution mechanism. Severe Weather Information Statement For Saint Vincent And The Grenadines Issued. Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines air carrier operations. Short-term forecasts project a sluggish recovery throughout 2021 and a return to pre-pandemic levels of growth and tourism by 2024. The country, however, has bilateral tax treaties with the United States, Canada, the UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland. Fifteen members are elected at least every five years by universal adult suffrage, six senators are appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the prime minister, and two on the advice of the leader of the opposition. The Enforcement Division of the Customs and Excise Department spearheads the preventative and enforcement aspects of IPR protection, which includes the detention, seizure, and forfeiture of counterfeit goods. The Caribbean Forum of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (CARIFORUM) and the European Community signed an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in 2008. The six independent countries and Montserrat (a British Overseas Territory) ratified the Revised Treaty of Basseterre establishing the OECS Economic Union, which entered into force in 2011. The Revised Treaty of Basseterre established the OECS. Contact Information. Financial Services Authority St Vincent & the Grenadines Important Information ADDRESS Business Hours: 8:00 am - 4:15 pm - weekdays Financial Services Authority 2nd Floor, Reigate Building P.O. Foreign investors may finance investments using domestic or foreign capital sources. The Aliens Land Holding Act regulates the holding of land and mortgages related to land by individuals who are non-nationals and companies controlled by non-nationals. It seeks to create opportunities for Saint Vincent and . International Commercial Arbitration and Foreign Courts. William Bligh, the former commander of HMS Bounty. The Caribs put up a strong resistance to European intrusion, which prevented colonisation on St Vincent until the early 18th century. See the FCDOs guidance on foreign travel insurance. Parties can be represented by legal counsel before the arbitration panel. The Trade Disputes (Arbitration and Inquiry) Act Chapter 215 provides for establishment of an arbitration tribunal and a board of inquiry in connection with trade disputes and allows provision for the settlement of such disputes. There are no requirements for foreign information technology providers to turn over source code and/or provide access to surveillance (backdoors into hardware and software keys for encryption, etc.). Weather Outlook - 13th April 2023 (6am) A few showers from time to time are forecast across Saint Vincent and the Grenadines during the next 3 days due to weak low level perturbations embedded within the easterly trades. See Crime, Dengue fever is endemic to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. The Banking Act requires all commercial banks and other institutions to be licensed. Global AIDS Coordinator and Global Health Diplomacy, Office of the U.S. Special Presidential Coordinator for the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Special Representative for Syria Engagement, U.S. Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority, Office of the U.S. The ECCB regulates financial institutions. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. 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