Barbadians do not need to leave the island to pursue well-paid international careers, says Carmel Haynes, Executive Director of BIBA, the Association for Global Business, who sees local opportunities as a way to curb brain drain.
Speaking to members of the media as the association launched Global Business Week 2026 with a church service at the Abundant Life Assembly, Haynes said several activities were planned to introduce students and young people to the range of career opportunities available in the sector.
A number of BIBA members attended the church service. (Photo by: Jenique Belgrave)
BIBA will host a secondary school symposium on Tuesday, followed by a career showcase at Barbados Community College on Wednesday.
“Those are particularly geared towards helping sensitise the next generation of global business professionals about the opportunities that are available in the sector and allow for our members to have one-on-one interactions to, perhaps, provide mentorship and guidance to students who are interested in careers in the global business sector.
“We believe this also helps with the challenge of brain drain, because it means that Barbadians don’t need to necessarily leave Barbados once they become qualified. They can find rewarding, good-paying, and international jobs right here in Barbados.”
The association will also focus on the growing impact of artificial intelligence on employment, with a public discussion forum scheduled to take place online and on radio.
“It will also look at how professionals can retool themselves and reskill in order to really take advantage of the AI revolution and not be left behind. Minister (of Technological and Vocational Training) Sandra Husbands will also be sharing with us how the ministry is helping students retool themselves and prepare themselves for the AI revolution,” Haynes added.
On Thursday and Friday, BIBA will host its flagship global business conference at Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord’s Castle.
Haynes said more than 200 people had already registered for the conference, which was expected to feature speakers from Bermuda, Canada, Dubai, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
The week is being held under the theme “Resilience: Adapting, Transforming, Thriving” and will conclude with a hike at the National Botanical Gardens to raise funds for St Luke’s Primary School in Brighton, St George.
(JB)
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