Barbados
Capital: Bridgetown HDI: 0.785 (57th)
Language: English
GDP (PPP): $4.658 billion
Currency: Bajan Dollar
Population: 277,821
Barbados is a sovereign island country in the Lesser Antilles, in the Americas. It is 34 kilometres (21 miles) in length and up to 23 km (14 mi) in width, covering an area of 432 km2 (167 sq mi). It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 km (62 mi) east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about 168 km (104 mi) east of the islands of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and 400 km (250 mi) north-east of Trinidad and Tobago. Barbados is outside of the principal Atlantic hurricane belt. Its capital is Bridgetown. Barbados is 1,600 mi (2,600 km) Southeast of Miami.
Inhabited by Kalinago people since the 13th century, and prior to that by other Amerindians, Barbados was visited by Spanish navigators in the late 15th century and claimed for the Spanish Crown. It first appeared in a Spanish map in 1511. The Portuguese visited the island in 1536, but they left it unclaimed, with their only remnants being an introduction of wild hogs for a good supply of meat whenever the island was visited. An English ship, the Olive Blossom, arrived in Barbados in 1625; its men took possession of it in the name of King James I. In 1627, the first permanent settlers arrived from England, and it became an English and later British colony.
In 1966, Barbados became an independent state and Commonwealth realm with the British Monarch (presently Queen Elizabeth II) as hereditary head of state. It has a population of 280,121 people, predominantly of African descent. Despite being classified as an Atlantic island, Barbados is considered to be a part of the Caribbean, where it is ranked as a leading tourist destination. Forty percent of the tourists come from the UK, with the US and Canada making up the next large groups of visitors to the island.
RESEARCH
Economic Overview
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Barbados Economy – overview
http://www.indexmundi.com/barbados/economy_overview.html
Barbados’ tourism, financial services, and construction industries have been hard hit since the onset of the global economic crisis in 2008. Barbados’ public debt-to-GDP ratio rose from 56% in 2008 to 101% in 2015. Growth prospects are limited because of a weak tourism outlook and planned austerity measures.
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Barbados Economy 2016,
http://www.theodora.com/wfbcurrent/barbados/barbados_economy.html
Barbados is the wealthiest and most developed country in the Eastern Caribbean and enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in Latin America.
Industry Trends & Business Climate
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Barbados Business: Business Environment
http://www.barbados.org/business_environment.php#.V_-q_CsoM6Y
Barbados’ business environment is a diverse but stable one. Barbados is one of the most stable locations in the world for business. The island benefits from a long tradition of political and social stability, a highly-skilled and productive workforce, sophisticated international telecommunication services, and a superior infrastructure.
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Barbados Industry Guide
http://businessbarbados.com/industries/
The service sector includes, among others, government services, tourism services, and finance and business services. The finance and business services industry is the largest component of GDP by industry since it accounts for 31.0 per cent of GDP.
Establishing a Presence
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Alternative Business Structures
http://businessbarbados.com/investor-guide/establishing-a-business/alternative-structures/
Barbados has established special tax regimes and incentives to encourage direct investment and economic growth in both the international business and financial services sector and the domestic sector.
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Starting a Business in Barbados
http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/barbados/starting-a-business
This site provides a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in Barbados.
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Registering your Business | BIDC
http://www.bidc.org/registering-your-business
All businesses must register with The Corporate Affairs And Intellectual Property Office (CAIPO) located at 7th Floor, Baobab Tower, Warrens, St. Michael. There you must register your business as a sole proprietorship, partnership or a limited liability company.
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Barbados: Types of Company
http://www.lowtax.net/information/barbados/barbados-company-introduction.html
The Companies Act 1982 legislates companies in Barbados. It was modelled on the Canadian Business Corporation Act. Company forms available under the Act are limited liability companies, companies without share capital (for non-profit purposes) and mutual insurance companies.
Taxes
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Barbados Corporate Tax Rate | 2005-2016
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/barbados/corporate-tax-rate
The Corporate Tax Rate in Barbados stands at 25 percent.
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Corporation Tax – Business Barbados
http://businessbarbados.com/investor-guide/taxation/corporation-tax/
For Barbados tax purposes, a company is subject to tax depending on whether the company is resident and/or domiciled in Barbados. A company is considered to be tax resident in Barbados if its central management and control is located in Barbados whereas it is deemed to be domiciled in Barbados where it is incorporated in Barbados.
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Barbados Personal Income Tax Rate | 2006-2016
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/barbados/personal-income-tax-rate
The Personal Income Tax Rate in Barbados stands at 35 percent.
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Barbados – Taxes on personal income
http://taxsummaries.pwc.com/uk/taxsummaries/wwts.nsf/ID/Barbados-Individual-Taxes-on-personal-income
This site providesa table for personal income tax liability
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Barbados Sales Tax Rate | VAT | 2006-2016
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/barbados/sales-tax-rate
The Sales Tax Rate in Barbados stands at 17.50 percent. Sales Tax Rate in Barbados averaged 16.25 percent from 2006 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 17.50 percent in 2011 and a record low of 15 percent in 2007. Sales Tax Rate in Barbados is reported by the Ministry of Finance, Barbados.
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Barbados Sales Tax Rate | VAT Forecast 2016-2020
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/barbados/sales-tax-rate/forecast
In the long-term, the Barbados Sales Tax Rate | VAT is projected to trend around 17.50 percent in 2020, according to our econometric models.
Visas
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Barbados Travel Documents Required – Passports & Visas
http://www.barbados.org/docs_requirements.htm#.V__dvCsoM6Y
Every person entering Barbados, including all North American citizens (Americans and Canadians),should be in possession of a valid passport and a valid return ticket.
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Barbados Visa: Application, Requirements
https://barbados.visahq.com/
Comprehensive Information on Barbados Visa Requirements
Infrastructure
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Barbados Transportation – Taxi, Train, Bus & Airport Tips
https://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Caribbean_and_Central_America/Barbados/Transportation-Barbados-TG-C-1.html
151 tips on getting to and getting around Barbados from real travelers and locals.
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Great public transport makes it easy to visit Barbados
https://www.visitbarbados.org/your-stay/get-around-the-island/public-transportation
By the time you reach your hotel you’re guaranteed to come across a bus – Barbados’ least expensive way to travel anywhere on the island.
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Telecommunications in Barbados
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecommunications_in_Barbados
Communications in Barbados refers to the telephony, Internet, postal, radio, and television systems
Employer Obligations
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Labour and Employment Environment
https://www.totallybarbados.com/barbados/Business/Labour_and_Employment_Environment/
A brief commentary on the labor market in Barbados
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Labour Legislation in Barbados
http://barbadosemployers.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Labour-Legislation.pdf
A dated (2012) commentary on labor legislation in Barbados
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Barbados : Severance Payments – ILO
http://blue.lim.ilo.org/cariblex/barbados_act11.shtml
A descripiton of laws related to employment dismissal and severence payments
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Labour and Employment Environment
https://www.totallybarbados.com/barbados/Business/Labour_and_Employment_Environment/
A brief commentary on the labor market in Barbados
Culture/Living
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Cost of Living in Barbados
https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Barbados
Average prices of more than 40 products and services in Barbados. Prices of restaurants, food, transportation, utilities and housing are included.
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Cost of Living in Barbados. 2016 prices
https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/country/barbados
Cost of living comparisons in more than 1,600 cities all over the world.
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Barbados Weather and Climate
http://barbados.org/weather.htm#.V__m1CsoM6Y
Barbados weather is generally warm and sunny all year round with an average daytime high of 30°C / 86°F. In fact, Barbados has over 3,000 hours of sunshine each year!
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Barbados Monthly Weather Forecast
https://weather.com/weather/monthly/l/Barbados+BGI:9:BB#/!
Monthyl weather forecast from the Weather Channel
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Barbados Safety Tips – Staying Safe in Paradise
http://www.barbados.org/barbados-safety-tips.htm#.V__pMSsoM6Y
This site provides suggestions for a safe visit to Barbados
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Barbados travel advice – GOV.UK
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/barbados/safety-and-security
Latest travel advice for Barbados including safety and security, entry requirements, travelwarnings and health
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The Education System in Barbados
http://businessbarbados.com/investor-guide/relocating-to-barbados/education/
The education system in Barbados is modelled after the British system, producing one of the highest standards of education in the English speaking Caribbean.
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Barbados – Education and Schools
http://www.expatfocus.com/expatriate-barbados-education-schools
Barbadian schools are all English speaking and so children of expats have no problems with the language. Primary education begins at age 5 and secondary is from 11 to 16 years of age. Education is administered by the Ministry of Education and is free in Government schools.
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Bank Holidays in Barbados in 2016
http://www.officeholidays.com/countries/barbados/index.php
Comprehensive list of National Bank Holidays that are celebrated in Barbados during 2016 with dates and information on the origin and meaning of holidays.
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Holidays and observances in Barbados in 2016
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/barbados/
Overview of holidays and many observances in Barbados during the year 2016
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The World Factbook — Central Intelligence Agency
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bb.html
See “People and Society” on this site
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Demographics of Barbados – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Barbados
This site discusses the demographics of Barbados, including population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.
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How to Master Business Etiquette in Barbados
http://www.careeraddict.com/master-business-etiquette-in-barbados
A few tips on proper business etiquette in Barbados
Trade
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Barbados Customs Regulations
https://barbados.visahq.com/customs/
Barbados Customs regulations and procedures for importing and exporting goods at border.
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Barbados Importing & Exporting Information
http://www.accessbarbados.com/barbados_import_export.php
All freight imported into Barbados has to be cleared throughBarbados customs; different regulations apply depending on the nature of the item.
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Trade Agreements | BIDC
http://www.bidc.org/data/trade-agreements
Barbados considers trade agreements as vehicles to obtain increased market access for its goods and services, at the multilateral, regional and bilateral levels.
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WTO | Barbados – Member information
https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/countries_e/barbados_e.htm
This site provides key information on Barbados’s participation in the WTO. Barbados has been a WTO member since 1 January 1995 and a member of GATT since 15 February 1967.
Housing and Rentals
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300+ Rentals · Barbados – Airbnb
https://www.airbnb.com/s/Barbados?page=1&s_tag=H63OrZsS&allow_override%5B%5D=
Rent from people in Barbados from $25/night. Find unique places to stay with local hosts
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Barbados hotels – TripAdvisor
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g147262-Barbados-Hotels.html
Find 46,098 traveler reviews, candid photos, and prices for 99 hotels in Barbados.
Travel
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Barbados Travel Guide | Fodor’s Travel
http://www.fodors.com/world/caribbean/barbados
Expert picks for your Barbados vacation, including hotels, restaurants, entertainment, shopping, top attractions, and more.
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Barbados 2016: Best of Barbados Tourism
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g147262-Barbados-Vacations.html
TripAdvisor has 172,070 reviews of Barbados Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best Barbados resource
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