Regulatory Environment 

Investor considerations                                                                                 

• Price controls are imposed on staple goods.

• Licences are required for certain operations.

• Most goods may be freely imported under an open free trade policy

The Acountant  General issues trade licenses for wholesaling and retailing. Doctors and Lawyers are registered but they do not pay an annual fee..

Most goods may be freely imported under an open general license granted by the Ministry of Finance. Certain commodities require individual licenses unless imported from Caricom countries. Montserrat follows Caricom rules of origin.

The Companies Act and other statutes dealing with company affairs are administered by the Registrar of Companies in the Supreme Court Registry.

AII businesses are required to register in accordance with the  Registration of Business Names  Ordinance, which requires details of the business name and persons carrying on the business and the general nature of the business.

Price controls

The Ministry of  Finance, thru the Price Control Division of the Development Unit exercises control over the retail prices of certain commodities, mainly foodstuffs, the permitted markups are as shown in the table:

Vl-Permitted Markups of Certain Commodities                                                          

                                                                        Wholesale                      Retail                             

Frozen or chilled goods:                                      %                                     %

Meat…………………………………………......10                                    26

Other goods …………………………………....11                                    33

Special industries

Banking

The banking Ordinance 1991 governs licensing and regulates the business of commercial banks and is policed by the Ministry of Finance.

Insurance

Insurance companies, whether or not established in Montserrat, that carry on business in Montserrat are subject to the provisions of the Insurance Ordinance 1977. The act creates the  office of Registrar of Insurance, who is charged with general administration of the provisions of the Ordinance. The Ordinance provides, inter alia, for the registration of insurance and intermediaries, establishment of a statutory fund and related limitations on statutory fund investments, annual returns and accounts.

Patents, trademarks and copyrights                                         

Trademarks are protected for 10years and patents for 14 years. Renewal of trademarks is a formality but it is necessary to petition to the Administrator in Council   for the renewal of a patent. Montserrat law does not deal with the registration of copyrights, merely the infringement thereof in respect of copyrights registered elsewhere.