Barbados’ international business community has thrown its weight behind the government’s new anti-crime strategy, with the re-elected president of BIBA, the Association for Global Business, urging a national coalition to tackle a surge in violent crime that has shaken the island in 2025.
Marlon Yarde, head of what was formerly known as the Barbados International Business Association, described the government’s approach as a “frank, solution-focused dialogue” aimed at fostering national unity around a pressing issue.
In a statement following his reappointment as president during its annual general meeting on Tuesday, Yarde highlighted the importance of a whole-of-country response to violent crime, which has surged by 56 per cent so far in 2025.
BIBA had already initiated discussions on how the association could contribute to the “Clear, Hold, and Build” strategy, a three-phase plan that emerged during consultations with Prime Minister Mia Mottley and members of the Social Partnership, according to Yarde. The strategy was subsequently endorsed by the Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA), of which BIBA is a key member.
In the midst of a wave of multiple shootings, many of them regarded as reprisal killings, Yarded stressed this was not a challenge for the government alone to solve but required a united front from all sectors of society, including international business, to help restore the safety and social stability on which economic growth depends.
In outlining BIBA’s agenda for the coming year, Yarde announced a renewed focus on membership growth and retention, the expansion of the association’s involvement in green finance, and efforts to improve digitisation and competitiveness within the international business sector.
He also said there was a need for deeper collaboration across sectors to strengthen investment facilitation and enhance Barbados’ global outreach.
Yarde’s reappointment came alongside the installation of BIBA’s new board of directors for the 2025–26 term. The incoming team includes first vice-president Joanna Austin (Fraser Law), second vice-president Dionne Knight (Manufacturers P&C Ltd – Manulife Re), treasurer Sabrina Maynard (Clarke Gittens Farmer Attorneys-at-Law), and secretary Sharalee Gittens (Bank of Nova Scotia Offshore Banking Unit).
Board members are: Scott Stollmeyer (USA Risk Group), Glenna Smith (Smith Compliance Consulting), Stephen Robinson (Sagicor Life Inc), Dwane Pitcairn (Marsh Management Services Barbados), Nikita Gibson (Geneva International), Lana Fingall (Scotiabank Offshore Banking Unit), and Gayle Hutchinson (Trident Corporate Services Barbados).
Immediate past president Jamar Arthur-Selman (Centralis Barbados) and BIBA executive director Carmel Haynes will continue to serve on the board by virtue of their office. (IMC1)
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