Several deals have been struck and discussions progressed following a Scottish investment and trade mission to the Caribbean island of Barbados.
Involving 26 delegates from a range of sectors, agreements have been made across a range of areas, including manufacturing, education, training and hospitality.
The mission was organised by the island’s investment promotion agency, Invest Barbados, and included involvement by the British High Commission, the Renfrewshire Business Network of Scotland, the Department for International Trade (DIT) and Export Barbados.
Now in its third year, the trade and investment mission has been reaping success, with three companies already incorporated and working towards commencing operations in Barbados, while others are nearing the final stages of the incorporation process.
Recent deals made include those struck by Abergower, which offers document scanning and digitisation services in the UK and globally from offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
A partnership has now been signed between the company and a Barbados-based oral health care provider, supplying dental 3D printers, scanners and software and supported by Invest Barbados.
Robin Prior, managing director of Abergower, said: “The partnership agreement we have signed builds on last year’s mission, where we were able to see that Barbados could take full advantage of considerable expertise we have in converting paper-based documents to searchable digital content.
“We are supporting digital dentistry in Barbados through providing 3D printers and scanners, and promote the idea of dental tourism and also exploring the potential to use this as a base to expand further into the rest of the Caribbean.”
Other agreements made include Isocon Engineering delivering a commitment from the chief executive of Export Barbados to produce butanol, used as a solvent and a component of hydraulic and brake fluids, from waste produced in the rum industry.
It is also committed to a partnership with Export Barbados to construct the country’s first intermodal tank container service in the country’s Bridgetown Port. This will service tanks for large tank operators, cleaning and maintaining them so they can be used to export the likes of rum, whisky and fruit juice.
Meanwhile, software provider Eco Science Solutions is implementing its Herbo Enterprise Resource Planning solution within the medical cannabis industry in Barbados, as well as launching its Monetary Exchange Platform, giving the industry access to banking, which it previously lacked.
A1 Training International, which delivers health and safety training, is also in the process of arranging courses with Barbados Community College and the National Transformation Initiative.
The City of Glasgow College reported positive discussions regarding setting up maritime training courses with the University of the West Indies, Barbados Community College and Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology Barbados, to service the Caribbean.
And the British High Commissioner committed to supporting the local students that worked with Gary Maclean to travel to Glasgow to get future training at the City of Glasgow College. The former Masterchef winner and Scotland’s first National Chef, is currently executive chef at the college.
Kaye-Anne Greenidge, chief executive of Invest Barbados, said: “It is fantastic to see so many deals being struck, including in niche manufacturing and dental tourism, highlighting the many opportunities that exist on the island.
“As our nation seeks to further diversity its economy, Invest Barbados, and by extension the government of Barbados, stands committed to providing the supportive environment that will enable businesses to establish, expand and thrive.”
Jo Smith, founder of the Renfrewshire Business Network, added: "Scotland boasts many links with Barbados, and I am pleased to see these being strengthened between our two nations through this mission, with deals being struck and agreements made to progress discussions further.
"The support of Invest Barbados and the DIT has proven invaluable in progressing these relationships."
Don't miss the latest headlines with our twice-daily newsletter - sign up here for free.
