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Why Choose Barbados as Your Home? Well, we ask - why not???
There are many reasons why people have chosen Barbados as their new home.
A small island on the very eastern edge of the Caribbean chain, Barbados enjoys the demographic profile of a developed nation.
The island has an excellent social and economical infrastructure that services the development of the island.
» Social and political stability
» Strong growing economy
» Strong business oriented government
» Stable US dollar based currency
» Well-respected legal system
» Recognized as a clean jurisdiction
» Low crime rate
» High literacy rate
» High quality of education
» Well educated and skilled labor force
» Declining unemployment rate
» Booming high quality construction industry
» Well developed road network and other utilities
» Air transport hub
» Excellent telecommunications
» Clean and healthy environment
» Beautiful beaches and parks
» Wide choice of recreational facilities
The latest UNDP Human Development Index, which is based on the three criteria of national income, education and health, places Barbados 31st of the more than 150 countries surveyed, and 4th among developing nations. It is an honour that all Barbadians are proud of and strive to maintain in their everyday life.
Historically, Barbados has always enjoyed great political stability as, unlike the other islands in the Caribbean, it was only ever colonized by one nation, the British.
Independent since 1966 when the island depended on sugar cane as its economic core, Barbados now ranks tourism as its main foreign exchange earner. Other major interests lie in the international financial and business services, plus also light manufacturing and construction.
The current DLP Government (January 2008) is known for bringing the island into a business-friendly environment. The island has certainly successfully married this well with its thriving tourism product.
Barbados has competitive tax-efficient vehicles and double taxation agreements with many countries, including Canada, the UK, the USA and Switzerland to name a few, which makes it an ideal investment center.
Barbados has its own currency which is the Barbadian dollar. It is fixed at BDS $1.98 = US$1.00 in 1975 and retains the same value today.
Income of Barbadians is more fairly distributed than in most countries. The average inflation rate over the past 17 year has been just over 3%.
Encouraging Barbados as an ideal business and financial services hub is no easy task and as a result the government recognizes the need to offer and take advantage of the safety, security and stability of its political and social environment
Civil and democratic rights, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or gender, are deeply ingrained in Barbadian culture. The constitution safeguards all nationals with the freedom of speech, press, worship, movement and association.
The legal system of Barbados is derived from English common law and statues and is held in high regards both regionally and internationally. It is a parliamentary democracy and an independent sovereign state within the Commonwealth.
Barbados has a well below average crime rate and compares to that of Japan and Northern Ireland. Even personal theft, sex offences, consumer fraud and corruption are well below average and Barbados still remains safer than most US or European cities.
The government of Barbados recognizes the importance of education to its country and its people and provides assistance in many ways. The quality of education is of a very high standard, perhaps one of the highest in the region and the government continues its focus on enhancing the quality provided.
Over the years Barbados has supplied the world with an exceptional collection of scholars, artists, musicians, sportsmen and professionals in every walk of life.
Literacy rate is just under 98% and the present system provides for education at three levels: Primary, Secondary and Tertiary. There is free and universal access to education at primary and secondary levels, from ages 4-16 years.
The University of the West Indies in Barbados (it's one of three campuses, other two are in Trinidad and Jamaica) offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in the Humanities and Education, Law, Pure and Applied Sciences and Social Sciences, as well as clinical and postgraduate programs in Medicine.
The Barbados government also continues its efforts to reduce unemployment which has seen a decline from high levels of around 14% in the past years, to now less than 10%.
Since the late 1990's Barbados has seen a major increase in construction with new, redevelopments, new homes, office complexes, condominiums, golf courses and up-market residential communities being developed across the island. Choices in housing and real estate, from low-end commodity through to middle income and the luxurious, is wide. The property market is thriving, rewarding and secure at the moment and is currently in a position to continue developing and flourishing.
Barbados has a well developed network of roads and highways across the island covering the most rural of areas with access via both public and private transport.
Clean access to safe drinking water is available island-wide as is good sanitation. Barbados also boasts an efficient electricity supply with few power outages.
Telecommunications is of a world-class standard, which puts Barbados in an excellent environment for international investors.
Barbados is also a hub for many airlines and has with very good air links to regional and international destinations. Besides flights across the Caribbean, there are also many direct flights to the UK, the USA and Canada daily. The airport is recently re-furbished and of very high standard.
Besides the economic and legal framework that makes Barbados desirable to international investors in the tourism and business industries, there is also an environmental excellence that the island provides.
Barbados boasts some of the best beaches in the world - ideal for relaxing, sports and leisure. Parks for recreation can be found all over the island and are clean and safe.
Social amenities abound and both local and foreigners enjoy wide choices in entertainment. Besides a great night-life, there is also a very active day time entertainment scene. There are many clubs to join from beach clubs, sports club to any of the golf clubs around the island. Leisure activities range from motor sport, go-karting, shooting range, diving, horse-back riding, concerts, art-shows, theatre to name just a few. Whatever your tastes and budget, there is something for everyone.
Both locals and resident foreigners enjoy an enviable quality of life. Out of this 'melting pot' have evolved people who are, by both nature and necessity, productive, talented, creative, self-disciplined, intelligent, confident, proud and happy.
This makes Barbados an ideal environment in which to live, whether you are a returning national, relocating short term, setting up an international business or retiring.
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