An Investment Barbados delegation, representing the island nation’s official investment promotion organization, plans to hold its first event in Northern Ireland.
Held today (Monday) at Waterman House in Belfast, this forum signifies Invest Barbados' inaugural promotional event in the UK for the year. The gathering aims to highlight the numerous business and investment prospects accessible to local companies eyeing expansion into Barbados and beyond to the broader Caribbean region.
The choice to hold the event in this location mainly stems from the significant enthusiasm shown by businesses based in Northern Ireland towards the flourishing commercial environment of the region. Furthermore, potential investors’ increasing curiosity played a role alongside the influence of Belfast’s prominent business figures, Janet McKay and Gareth Robinson. Both these individuals possess robust connections with a Caribbean island due to their frequent visits.
Most recently, they took part in the organization’s UK Investment & Trade Mission to Barbados in November 2024, exploring potential business prospects there. This mission offered significant insight into the trading and investing advantages of the area, prompting both Janet and Gareth to urge Invest Barbados to broaden its involvement with the Northern Irish business sector.
A key role of Invest Barbados is serving as a bridge between international investors and the Barbadian government, making sure that the process of investing runs smoothly. This entity provides comprehensive support, which includes advertising Barbados as an appealing place for investments along with offering current and top-notch data to prospective financiers. Through such assistance, Invest Barbados helps foster a supportive environment for investment.
The forum in Belfast will highlight why Barbados is attracting an expanding roster of businesses of substance, elaborate on Invest Barbados' role and bring together a select group of 50 invited representatives from local businesses to explore opportunities across key sectors, including financial services, renewable energy, ICT, fintech, global education, life sciences, and niche manufacturing.
Significantly, this event will also mark the formal kickoff of the 2025 UK Investment & Trade Mission to Barbados, set for November 2025. It encourages businesses from Northern Ireland to express their interest in participating.
Suzanne Wylie, who leads NI Chamber, will be present to welcome Invest Barbados as a new corporate member of their business network.
She stated: “We are thrilled to have Invest Barbados join us in Northern Ireland for this significant occasion. Given their status as a respected corporate member of the NI Chamber, Invest Barbados holds a distinctive position in fostering stronger connections between these two regions. Currently, companies based in Northern Ireland are showing great ambition and enthusiasm towards exploring possibilities within international markets. This event provides an excellent platform for those interested in understanding more about doing business in Barbados, allowing them to gain direct insights from current market specialists regarding the various sectors where opportunities abound."
Another prominent speaker is His Excellency Mr. Milton Inniss, High Commissioner for Barbados to the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland, who will share his expertise on the expanding economic ties between these areas.
Kaye-Anne Greenidge, who leads Invest Barbados as CEO, will discuss the island's significant evolution and its key role within CARICOM, comprising 15 Caribbean countries and dependencies. She will also highlight the various possibilities available for doing business on the island.
She stated: "We are delighted to be hosting our inaugural business event in Northern Ireland. Additionally, we appreciate the increasing enthusiasm for engaging in commerce with our island and see this as an excellent chance to present the Barbados value proposition, aiding local enterprises in their growth and expansion. Our aim is to pursue, obtain, and facilitate sustainable investments that boost the economic and societal advancement of Barbados."
The increasing engagement from enterprises in Northern Ireland not only reflects a strong belief in our country but also highlights certain qualities of the island such as economic stability, favourable taxation benefits, and its pivotal position as an entry point to Latin America and the Caribbean. We anticipate enhancing these connections and eagerly welcome UK companies to participate in our forthcoming investment and trade delegation.
Gareth Robinson, the managing director of Verbatim Communications, participated in the 2024 Barbados trade mission and will talk about ways Northern Irish companies can use Invest Barbados' assistance to break into the Caribbean marketplace.
He commented, "It's terrific to witness the significant enthusiasm from Northern Irish businesses regarding Barbados. This occasion offers an exceptional chance to demonstrate the advantages of investing in this area and link up Northern Ireland firms with crucial stakeholders capable of aiding their growth."
One of the benefits of operating within Barbados is its 'pro-business' administration, coupled with a well-trained labour force and top-notch infrastructure. The island’s position in the Caribbean makes it convenient to reach markets across Latin America as well as North America. Additionally, Barbados boasts zero capital gains tax along with advantageous taxation levels and an agreeable regulatory climate, making it ideal for enterprises looking to broaden their global presence. Businesses here may also take advantage of extensive international treaties; currently, they have bilateral tax pacts with over 40 nations, such as the UK and the US.
The Belfast forum offers significant networking prospects, enabling Northern Irish business leaders to interact directly with Invest Barbados' representatives and pursue potentially advantageous partnerships.