Business Advantages

• A legal system based on English common law
  


• An independent judiciary ensuring fair and impartial dispute resolution
  


• Investment laws which are clear, transparent and modern, providing for easy incorporation and corporate maintenance
  


• No restrictions on foreign ownership of business enterprises
  


• An expanding network of Double Taxation Agreements and Bilateral Investment Treaties
  


• A range of special incentive entities for conducting international business
  


• An International Business Customer Charter detailing the commitments of regulatory agencies to provide swift, efficient and professional service to the international business sector
  


• Social, economic and political stability
  


• Modern infrastructure featuring a well-developed telecommunications and transport network
  


• A well-educated and highly skilled workforce generating a ready supply of professional services
  

• United Nations Human Development Index 2007: classified 31st out of 175 countries, 1st in the Caribbean and 3rd in the Americas after Canada and USA
  


• EIU Quality of Life Index 2006: ranked number 33 out of 111 countries
  


• World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Index 2007/8: ranked 50th among 131 countries and 5th in the Western Hemisphere; Business Competitiveness Index 2007/8: ranked 4th in the Western Hemisphere
  


• Transparency International 2007 Corruption Perception Index: ranked 23rd among 180 countries, 3 places after USA

Prudent Regulatory Environment

• Meets or exceeds international best practices
  


• Represented in main international financial organisations including the Offshore Group of Banking Supervisors, the International Association of Insurance Supervisors and the International Organisation of Securities Commissions
  


• Member of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force and regarded by anti-money laundering agencies as a clean and well-regulated domicile
  


• Wide-ranging business laws, including:
  

      » International Business Companies Act

      » Societies with Restricted Liability Act

      » Segregated Cell Legislation / Companies Act

      » International Financial Services Act

      » Financial Institutions Act

      » Insurance Act

      » Exempt Insurance Act

      » International Trusts Act

      » Mutual Funds Act

      » Money Laundering (Prevention Control) Act

      » Regulatory and governance standards approved by the
         OECD in 2002

• Barbados has concluded Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs) with the UK, Canada, USA, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, CARICOM, Venezuela, Cuba, China, Malta, Mauritius, Botswana, Austria and the Netherlands
  


• DTAs with Mexico, the Seychelles and Ghana are awaiting signature


• Under these taxation treaties, Barbadian resident companies are subject to lower rates of tax than would otherwise apply in the other contracting state


• The DTA with China gives companies operating out of Barbados more advantageous tax treatment than treaties China has concluded with other countries


• Barbados has also entered into Bilateral Investment Treaties with the UK, Venezuela, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Cuba, Canada, China and Mauritius

Excellent Professional Services

• Reputable international banks and major international accounting firms
  


• Presence of Management Companies offering the full range of corporate and investment services
  


• Institutional Investment Managers with access to products available in locations such as London, Hong Kong or New York
  


• Readily available ancillary services, such as legal, actuarial and consulting services

Modern Infrastructure

• World Class Telecommunications featuring international private leased circuits at any band width for voice and data, T1 connectivity, DSL and High-speed data links
  


• Internet penetration rate of approximately 60%
  
  
• Airport offering direct flights to major international cities such as London, New York, Miami, Toronto
  


• Extensive network of roads and modern seaport facilities
  

• Long-standing tradition of parliamentary democracy
  


• Consistent and significant currency surplus and carefully managed capital spending
  


• Low crime rate
  

Intellectual Property Protection

• Signatory to the Paris, Rome, Berne and Patents Co-operating Treaties and the TRIPS Agreement
  


• Legislation protecting holders of rights in relation to trademarks, patents, designs, copyrights and plant varieties
  

Special Incentive Entities

• Barbados offers a range of tax-efficient vehicles through which investors can conduct international business. The International Business Company and the Society with Restricted Liability can be used to conduct business with customers residing outside of Barbados. In addition, special incentive entities are available specifically for the provision of international financial services, namely, International Banks, Exempt Insurance Companies, Qualifying Insurance Companies, Offshore Trusts and International Trusts. All of these vehicles benefit from the following cost advantages:
  


• No capital gains tax
  


• Exemption from withholding tax on dividends, interest, management fees, royalties or other income paid to non-residents
  
  
• Exemption from taxes on transfers of securities and assets to non-residents
  


• Freedom from exchange controls
  

• Taxed on income on a sliding scale, from a maximum of 2.5% to a minimum of 1%
  


• Taxes paid in a foreign country may be credited against tax payable in Barbados, provided that the credit does not reduce the tax payable in Barbados to less than 1% of taxable income
  


• Profits exempt from tax if the company’s shares are all owned by an Offshore Trust, the company is managed by an international financial institution and its activities are restricted to buying, selling, holding or managing securities
  
  
• Tax concessions for specially qualified non-residents whose services are required for the business
  


• Equipment and machinery necessary for the conduct of business can be imported free of customs duty, consumption tax and stamp duties
  


• May keep books and records in a foreign currency
  


• May apply for a guarantee that benefits and exemptions will be valid for 15 years
  

• Taxed on income on a sliding scale, from a maximum of 2.5% to a minimum of 1%
  


• Taxes paid in a foreign country may be credited against tax payable in Barbados, provided that the credit does not reduce the tax payable in Barbados to less than 1% of taxable income
  


• Can also be treated as a corporation, a partnership or a disregarded entity for US tax purposes
  
  
• Exempt from all import duties on machinery or equipment for use in its business
  


• Tax concessions for specially qualified non-residents whose services are required for the business
  


• May apply for a guarantee that benefits and exemptions will be valid for 30 years
  


• Duration of ISRL cannot exceed 50 years
  

• Financial Services
  


• Information and Communication Technology
  


• Manufacturing
  
  
• Ships’ Registration & Shipping Incentives