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Barbados

BarbadosCaribbean
-8:00Hours behind the UAE
About the Country

General Information

National Identity
Official Language(s)English
National CurrencyBarbadian Dollar (BBD)
National Day(s)30 November (Independence Day)
Capitals
Political / Administrative CapitalBridgetown
Economic CapitalBridgetown
Cultural CapitalBridgetown
Transport & Connectivity
Flight Duration from the UAE≈ 18 – 21 h Connecting flights
Primary AirportGrantley Adams International Airport (BGI)
Primary PortPort of Bridgetown
Geography
Land Area-
Length of the CoastlineAbout 97 km
Highest PointMount Hillaby (336 m)
Primary Inland Water Body / RiverConstitution River (largest river) / Graeme Hall Swamp (largest wetland)
ClimateTropical maritime; wet and dry seasons; within the hurricane belt

Border Countries

None (island)
0

Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research

Key Facts

Barbados is widely regarded as the birthplace of rum, with rum production dating back to the 17th century.

Barbados is famous for its white-sand beaches and clear turquoise waters, facing the Caribbean in the west and the Atlantic in the east.

Flying fish is a national symbol of Barbados and a key ingredient in the country’s traditional cuisine.

The Barbados flag features a black broken trident, symbolising the island’s link to the sea and its break from colonial rule.

Harrison’s Cave is one of Barbados’s most famous natural attractions, featuring spectacular limestone caverns and underground streams.

Crop Over is Barbados’s largest cultural festival, celebrating the end of the sugar cane harvest season.

Cricket is the most popular sport in Barbados, and the island has produced many world-famous players.

Carlisle Bay is one of Barbados’s most famous natural harbours and is known for its shipwreck diving sites.

Barbados has one of the oldest parliamentary traditions in the Western Hemisphere, dating back to 1639.

The Green Monkey, brought from West Africa in the 17th century, is now a well-known part of Barbados’s wildlife.

The Oistins Fish Fry is a popular Friday-night event known for fresh seafood and local music.

Barbados became a republic in 2021, replacing the British monarch with a Barbadian president as head of state.

Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research

Economic Overview

Macroeconomic Snapshot

GDP, current prices-USD Billions
Real GDP growth-Annual percent change (%)
GDP per capita, current prices-USD per capita
Population-Millions of people
General government gross debt-% of GDP
Income levelWorld Bank classification-

Economic Comparison

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GDP, current pricesUSD Billions--
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Real GDP growthAnnual percent change (%)--
GDP per capita, current pricesUSD per capita--
PopulationMillions of people--
Unemployment rate% of total labor force--
Inflation rate (avg. consumer prices)Annual percent change (%)--
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Foreign Trade

No data available for this section yet.

Political Overview

Leadership

Head of State

The Most Hon. Jeffrey Davidson Bostic

Since November 2025

Head of Government

Hon. Mia Amor Mottley

Since May 2018

Minister of Foreign Affairs & Minister of Trade

Senator the Hon. Christopher Sinckler

Since February 2026

Minister of Finance

Hon. Ryan Straughn

Since February 2026

Minister of Economy

Hon. Marsha Caddle

Since February 2026

Minister of Defense

Hon. Mia Amor Mottley

Since February 2026

Political Summary

Political System

Unitary Parliamentary Republic

The President of Barbados is a ceremonial figurehead elected by a joint sitting of both houses of Parliament. The Prime Minister holds the actual executive authority. The President appoints the leader of the majority party in parliament to this role.

Ruling Party

Barbados Labour Party (BLP): Centre-left (since 2018)

Main Opposition Force(s)

Democratic Labour Party (DLP): Centre-left

Next Presidential Election

Expected in October 2029

Next Legislative Election

2031

Last Updated: May 2026Source: Internal Research

Membership in Key Organizations and Blocs

46Organizations
28Member
5Founding Member
1Partner, Observer or Participant
12Not a Member

Last Updated: July 2026Source: Official websites of the respective organizations

Competitiveness Indexes

IndexYearRank Out ofBarbadosUAE

No index matches.

Bilateral Relations

Diplomatic Relations and Representation

Date of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations8 Jan 199630 years of relations
UAE Ambassador
No Accredited Ambassador
H.E. Dr. Annalee Cecelia Babb
Foreign Ambassador
H.E. Dr. Annalee Cecelia BabbAmbassador of Barbados to the UAE · Resident

Last Updated: June 2026Source: MoFA; Internal Research

Consular Information

Tourists
Residents
Students
Golden Visa Holders
Barbados Nationalsin the UAE
----
UAE Citizensin Barbados
----

Main Agreements and MoUs

Agreement / MOUStatusNotes
CEPAComprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
Not Signed-
IPPAInvestment Protection and Promotion Agreement
Ratified
Signed in Dec 2023.Ratified by Barbados in Feb 2024.Ratified by the UAE in Feb 2025.
DTADouble Taxation Avoidance Agreement
Ratified
Signed on 22 Sep 2014.Entered into force on 18 Feb 2016.
ASAAir Services Agreement
Ratified
Signed on 23 Apr 2014.Ratified on 7 Apr 2015.
Ratified— Signed and entered into force
Signed— Signed, but entry into force or ratification is pending
Not Signed— No signed agreement exists

Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research

UAE Foreign Assistance

UAE Aid to BarbadosTotal Amount
Amount (USD Mn)-

Bilateral Visits

Official Visits from the UAE

  • H.E. Noura bint Mohamed Al KaabiMinister of State
    Jul2026
  • H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al NahyanMinister of Foreign Affairs
    Sep2023
  • H.E. Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al JaberMinister of Industry and Advanced Technology
    Aug2023
  • H.E. Reem bint Ebrahim Al HashimyMinister of State for International Cooperation
    Aug2023
  • H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al ZeyoudiMinister of State for Foreign Trade
    Aug2023
  • H.E. Reem bint Ebrahim Al HashimyMinister of State
    Jan2016

Official Visits to the UAE

  • H.E. Dr. Jerome WalcottMinister of Health and Wellness of Barbados
    Apr2025
  • H.E. Mia Amor MottleyPrime Minister of Barbados
    Feb2025
  • H.E. Dr. Shantal Munro-KnightMinister in the Office of the Prime Minister of Barbados, responsible for Sustainable Development
    Dec2023
  • H.E. Mia Amor MottleyPrime Minister of Barbados
    Dec2023
  • H.E. Kerrie SymmondsMinister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados
    Dec2023
  • H.E. Lisa CumminsMinister of Energy and Business Development of Barbados
    Dec2023
  • H.E. Dr. Shantal Munro-KnightMinister in the Office of the Prime Minister of Barbados, responsible for Sustainable Development
    Oct2022
  • H.E. Mia Amor MottleyPrime Minister of Barbados
    Mar2022

The officials’ titles shown reflect the positions held at the time of the visit.

Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research

Trade

Non-Oil Bilateral Trade

-

Rank Among UAE's Trade Partners

-Non-oil trade partner of the UAE
-Source of UAE imports
-Destination for UAE exports
-Destination for UAE re‑exports

Key Trade Commodities

-

Foreign Direct Investment Flows

FDI Inflows (Into the UAE)-
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Outflows (UAE Abroad)42.1USD Millions

Capex and jobs data include estimated values.

Last Updated: November 2026Source: fDi Markets

Major Companies and Investments

Major Barbadian Companies in the UAE

  • -

Major UAE Companies in Barbados

Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research

Business Support

Joint Business Council(s)-

Cooperation Opportunities

Priority level: HIGH / MEDIUM / EMERGING, based on overall attractiveness to the UAE.

Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research