Page 135 - Caribbean-Central America Profile 2018

ST VINCENT & THE GRENADINES

CARIBBEAN-CENTRAL AMERICA PROFILE 2018

awareness of the GOVERNMENT
regulatory environment St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a Parliamentary
of commerce and of Democracy within the Commonwealth of
the nature and value of Nations. Queen Elizabeth II is Head of State
intellectual property and is represented on the island by a Governor
rights. General. Independence was achieved on Oct.
27, 1979. The unicameral Parliament, the House
of Assembly, has 15 elected Representatives and
The agency is responsible six Senators who are appointed by the Governor
for granting commercial General on the advice of the Prime Minister.
rights to the owners of The Parliamentary Term of Office is five years,
intellectual property and although the Prime Minister may call elections
at any time.
for granting rights of
establishment to entities ELECTIONS
wishing to undertake General elections were held on Wednesday,
commercial and non-profit 9 December 2015. The Unity Labour Party
(ULP) retained government in St. Vincent and
activity in the domestic the Grenadines for a historic fourth consecutive
sector. CIPO functions term. In a tightly contested race, the ULP won
as regulator of trade eight seats, while the main opposition New
names, unincorporated Democratic Party (NDP), won seven seats. The
associations and domestic next elections are due by 2020.
and external companies. GOVERNMENT LEADERS
It further supports the Governor General
integrity of the domestic Sir Fredrick Nathaniel Ballantyne
sector by maintaining Government Buildings,
vital commercial records, Kingstown, St. Vincent
Email: metals@vincysurf.com Website: Emil.net which members of the Tel: (784) 456-1401
Fax: (784) 457-9701
public may inspect.
Prime Minister
CIPO has as its mission the provision of a sound Commerce and Intellectual Property Office Dr. Ralph Gonsalves
administrative and regulatory framework, Ground Floor, Methodist Building Government Buildings,
which supports the development of domestic Granby Street, Kingstown Kingstown, St. Vincent
commerce and the protection and maintenance St. Vincent & the Grenadines Tel: (784) 456-1703
of intellectual property rights. Of strategic Tel: (784) 456-1516 Fax: (784) 457-2152
importance in this regard is raising public Fax: (784) 457-1397
E-mail: office.cipo@mail.gov.vc E-mail: pmosvg@vincysurf.com

Starting a Business - Registration Requirements:
No. Procedure Time to complete Costs

1 Search and reserve company name 1 day XCD 25
2 Obtain and legalize the incorporation documents 1 day XCD 1,750
3 Register with the Commercial Registry 2 days XCD 950

4 File bylaws and notice of appointment of secretary 2 days XCD 150
5 Apply for a trade/industrial license 2 days XCD 100

6 Register with the Inland Revenue Department 1 day no charge
Enroll company and workers at the National Insurance
7 1 day no charge
Services
Source: The World Bank Group

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