Barbados Investment & Development Corporation

Facts At A Glance

Area: 430 sq km (166 sq mi)
Population: 274,746
Capital city: Bridgetown (pop. 80,000)
People: African (90%), English, Scottish & East Indians
Language: English
Literacy Rate: 97%
Religion: Anglican (50%), Methodist, Catholic, Pentecostal and others

GDP: US$2.5 billion (2002)
GDP growth rate: 3%
GDP per capita: US$7,350
Major industries: Tourism, sugar, financial services, information services, agriculture, fishing
Major trading partners: Caribbean Community (CARICOM), UK, USA

Government: since November 30, 1966, an Independent state within the British Commonwealth
Governor-General: Sir Clifford Husbands

Cabinet Members

• The Hon. David J.H. Thompson, M.P., Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Investment, Labour, Civil Service and Energy
• The Hon. Freundel J. Stuart , M.P., Deputy Prime Minister, Attorney General and Minister of Home Affairs
• Dr. The Hon. David C. Estwick, M.P., Minister of Economic Affairs, Empowerment, Innovation, Trade, Industry and Commerce
• The Hon. Ronald D. Jones, M.P., Minister of Education and Human Resources Development
• The Hon. Michael A. Lashley, M.P., Minister of Housing and Lands
• The Hon. Richard L. Sealy, M.P., Minister of Tourism
• The Hon. Stephen D. Blackett, M.P., Minister of Community Development and Culture
• The Hon. John D.E. Boyce, M.P., Minister of Transport and Works
• Dr. The Hon. Esther R. Byer-Suckoo, M.P., Minister of Youth, Family and Sports
• The Hon. E. George Hutson, M.P., Minister of International Business and International Transport
• Dr. The Hon. Denis S. Lowe, M.P., Minister of the Environment, Water Resources and Drainage
• The Hon. Christopher P. Sinckler, M.P., Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment, Urban and Rural Development
• Senator The Hon. Haynesley L. Benn, Minister of Agriculture
• Senator The Hon. Maxine P.O. McClean, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
• The Hon. Donville O. Inniss, M.P., Minister of Health
• The Hon. Patrick M.T. Todd, M.P., Minister of State, Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development
• Senator The Hon. Darcy W. Boyce, Minister of State (Finance, Investment, Telecommunications and Energy)
• Senator The Hon. Arni B. Walters, Minister of State (Labour and Immigration)
• Senator The Hon. Irene Sandiford-Garner, Parliamentary Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office