Barbados has rolled out the welcome carpet to visitors from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Having recently established a diplomatic presence in the UAE, representatives from this country, including the first ever Ambassador to the UAE Gabriel Abed, and Invest Barbados chief executive officer Kaye-Anne Brathwaite recently participated in the opening of Expo 2020 Dubai, which takes place from October 1 to March 31 next year.
In a message to people from the UAE, Abed said his homeland was a welcoming place open to people who were keen to work and play.
“Barbados is one of the most beautiful nations in the world, our people are incredibly friendly, they are welcoming, our shores are made up of crystal clear blue waters and white sands. It’s one of the most idealistic places to come and take a vacation and to relax, but it’s also an environment for work beyond just play,” he said in a message aimed at potential visitors from the Middle East.
“Barbados is known for its culture, its sports, it’s music, it’s entertainment and its lifestyle. Barbados is an ideal places for Emiratis to come and visit because it’s such a familiar environment with year-round warm weather, beautiful beaches and amazingly friendly people. Come and visit us in Barbados.”
Invest Barbados officials said Expo Dubai provided the “unique opportunity” for Barbados to connect with the UAE, “while also providing opportunities to engage with the rest of the world in one location, showcasing who we are, where we want to be and our journey to get there”.
The Barbados pavilion at the expo focused on the theme Innovation and Transformation… From Sugar Cane to Blockchain, and reflected “the country’s global reach and interests, demonstrates its innovative heritage, agricultural past, economic growth through rum and other exports, tourism, culture and sports”.
It also showcased “a vision for the future steeped in sustainable and digital technologies”, said Invest Barbados.
Brathwaite said Barbados’ participation presented opportunities “for Barbados to build partnerships while strengthening our relationships with several countries”. (SC)
