Barbados continued its efforts to forge greater international business relations with the Latin American (LatAm) market, when Invest Barbados recently hosted its first inward mission for 2014, by way of an investment seminar and networking event for 10 LatAm delegates at the Hilton Barbados.
The event, which ran for two days on January 23 and 24, provided the opportunity for 44 local service providers to network and present on a number of topics relating to investment, tax offerings, international insurance and banking, wealth management and real estate, among others.
Both days included an interactive question and answer segment where delegates got the opportunity to pose questions to the panellists and have matters relating to the various topics clarified.
Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Senator Darcy Boyce, delivered the welcome address at the seminar, while Acting Chief Executive Officer of Invest Barbados, Emeline Taitt, gave the delegates an overview of Barbados??? investment climate.
Both of them, along with the other speakers, explained the Barbados value proposition and shared why the island is and will continue to be the jurisdiction of choice for several global investors.
Of its 33 double taxation agreements (DTAs) in force, Barbados currently has DTAs with Cuba, Mexico, Panama and Venezuela, and is in the process of adding to its treaty network other LatAm jurisdictions.
The delegates, who comprised tax advisors, mainly from major accounting firms including the ???Big Four???, based in Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica, New York, Venezuela and Panama, lauded Invest Barbados??? efforts for hosting a successful seminar. Some of the comments received from the delegates were as follows:
???Everything about the conference was great… There is evidence that Barbados is a very serious country, with modern legislation, an impressive list of double taxation treaties, and very good and qualified professionals.??It was definitely an exciting and productive seminar.???
???This opportunity has been extremely useful and was an eye opener to the opportunities that Barbados offers for the Latin American region???The programme was very well structured and the location and assistance from Invest Barbados was extraordinary.???
During the visit they were afforded the opportunity to network with their Barbadian counterparts at which time structures were developed for using the Barbados Jurisdiction.
Before leaving the island, they got the opportunity to experience the softer side of Barbados and were able to assess first-hand, several aspects of Barbados??? quality lifestyle.
cathy.lashley@barbados.gov.bb