Country Profile

The independent island country of the western atlantic ocean, barbados is situated on the east of the carribbean sea. Saint vincent & the grenadines and the saint lucia from the western side are recognised as the closest island neighbours of the barbados. The nation is vested on total 431 square kilometres land area. Barbados has the geographical composition which is considered as the non volcanic and is mainly composed of the limestone-coral. Barbados has been consistently ranked among the top 50 nations of the world. In 2007/2008 Human Development report, with 0.892 HDI value it has been ranked on the 31 out of the total 177 nations. With 281,968 people, barbados has achieved high literacy rate, which has been recorded above 95% in both male and female groups.

Snapshot

Economic Overview

• Tourism industry has been emerged out as the pivotal industry for the barbados economy.
• GDP has touched the mark of $5.53 billion mark.
• It has been recognized as the 8th largest caribbean market for agricultural products.
• Service sector has been registered as the major GDP contributor followed by industry and agriculture.

International Trade

Major Export Items
Sugar and Molasses, Rum, Other Foods and Beverages, Chemicals, Electrical Components

Main Destinations of Exports
Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, USA, Jamaica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts & Nevis

Major Import Items
Consumer Goods, Machinery, Foodstuffs, Construction Materials, Chemicals, Fuel, Electrical Components

Main Origins of Imports
USA, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Canada

Contacts of Trade Ministries/ Associations

Business Visa Rules

• Passport with minimum six moths of validity.
• Complete and signed visa application form with passport size photographs.
• Copy of return/onward ticket.
• Copy of letter of invitation from the business associate or company situated in barbados.
• Letter from the applicant's company stating his/her name, designation, purpose of visit, date of arrival along with the return date.
• If the visit is sponsored by the company then a letter in this regard is needed to be submitted which should clearly state that all the expenses incurred during the stay will be incur by the company itself but if the applicant is self employed then he/she is needed to give a written declaration with concern to its sound financial status that he/she is eligible to incur all expenses which will arise during stay in barbados.

Business Hours

Offices:   Monday to Friday from 08:00 - 16:00

Public Holidays