By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

Barbados is looking to deepen its trade relationships with Colombia and with countries in the African continent.

The country will be sending a 15-member joint public-private sector mission to Colombia led by Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development Donville Inniss.

Joining the delegation are representatives from the Ministry of International Business, Invest Barbados, The Barbados Investment and Development Corporation, The Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., Blue Financial Group, Chancery Chambers, Harridyal-Sodha & Associates, JLT Barbados and Scotiabank and Thompson Henry & Associates.

Inniss called Colombia an “attractive country with which Barbados can conduct business,” and that he planned to “robustly engage them” on the trip.

The Minister said he planned to address matters such as a double taxation agreement, air services and an increase in investments from Barbados into Colombia with influential members of Colombia’s business sector.

He also pointed to plans for the country to “work hand in hand” in strengthening relationships with Africa.

“We are ‘upping’ our work on the African continent diplomatically through the work there in terms of diplomatic relations therein but in addition to that we are looking to attract inward investment, but notwithstanding also facilitate investment through Barbados into key African countries, namely, Rwanda, Kenya, Burkina Faso and South Africa,” Inniss said. “So, the international business sector continues to be very buoyant and vibrant for us.”