Barbados’ Fair Trading Commission (FTC) is advancing its consumer protection services with a major digital transformation and a push for expanded regulatory authority, as the agency marked its 25th year of operation during a public open day at its Green Hill headquarters on Friday. In an address to attendees, FTC Chief Executive Brian Reece outlined the agency’s key upcoming changes, centered on a new cloud-based digital case management system designed to cut red tape and improve accountability for consumer complaint handling.
Reece confirmed that the new case management platform, set to launch in the coming months, will be integrated into a fully updated FTC website, giving consumers 24/7 access to file complaints, communicate directly with FTC consumer advocates and staff, and track the progress of their claims in real time. Unlike the agency’s current paper-reliant processes, the system will create full transparency around complaint timelines, letting consumers know exactly how far along their case is and what steps remain to resolution. This level of visibility, Reece noted, will also hold the FTC itself accountable for delivering timely, effective results for the public.
The website overhaul is already underway to accommodate the new digital services, with the full launch of both the upgraded site and case management system expected within months. Beyond digital improvements, Reece also revealed that the FTC is actively pursuing legislative changes to expand its regulatory mandate. Currently, the agency only oversees fixed-line telecommunications services, but the FTC is pushing to add mobile service quality and broadband performance to its area of oversight, a move that would reflect the changing digital needs of Barbadian consumers.
Addressing public awareness of the FTC’s work, Reece said that overall Barbadians have a solid understanding of the agency’s core mission, but emphasized that ongoing public education remains a top priority. Events like the 25th anniversary open day, he explained, are designed not just to share information about existing services, but also to gather feedback from consumers on how the FTC can adapt its work to meet emerging needs.
The open day event featured partner displays and presentations from a range of relevant Barbadian agencies, including Barbados Light & Power, the Barbados Water Authority, Flow (Cable & Wireless), the Financial Literacy Bureau, Mission Barbados, and the Barbados National Standards Institute, among others. Reece noted that the collaborative event was structured to let the public engage directly with both FTC leadership and the utility and business agencies that are the source of many consumer complaints. The FTC handles a wide range of claims, from utility service issues to disputes over business practices such as warranty terms and consumer business contracts, and Reece reiterated that the agency’s core approach balances the interests of both consumers and ethical business operators.
As the FTC enters its 26th year of operation, the planned digital upgrades and regulatory expansion mark one of the most significant overhauls to the agency’s services since its founding, positioning it to better serve a modernizing Barbadian economy.