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International Business and International Transport Minister, George Hutson?? (right) and Spain’s Ambassador to Barbados , Joaquin de Aristegui, shake hands after signing yesterday’s accord.
Support has been forthcoming for the establishment of air linkages between Barbados and the Republic of Spain.
It has come from Minister of International Business and International Transport, George Hutson.
Speaking minutes before the signing of a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) between Barbados and Spain yesterday, Minister Hutson expressed the hope that the accord could pave the way for additional bilateral agreements.
??"In my capacity as Minister responsible for International Transport, I am also hopeful that the double taxation Convention will provide the impetus for other bilateral agreements such as an Air Services Agreement.
"I note your extensive air links and investments into Latin America and I believe that there is significant scope for including Barbados in a triangular process to encourage trade, business and tourism between our countries. Barbados could serve as a major hub to support travel throughout the Caribbean and Latin American countries," the International Transport Minister said.
To date, Barbados has some 18 tax treaties in force. The treaty with Spain brings the number of signed treaties, awaiting ratification (to enter into force) to five. The others are with ??Ghana, Luxembourg, Panama and Portugal. Four initialled treaties with Italy, Vietnam, Belgium and the Czech Republic are currently awaiting signature.
The Ministry is hopeful that the signed DTAs would be ratified and the initialled draft DTAs also signed and implemented during the course of next year.????cgaskin@barbados.gov.bb