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James ‘Jimmy’ Clarke, the newly appointed Chairman of the Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA), has issued a stark warning about the pervasive impact of crime on the nation’s economy and social stability. Speaking at his inauguration ceremony held at the UWI Cave Hill School of Business, Clarke emphasized that crime is not merely a national concern but a significant threat to Barbados’ investment prospects and societal cohesion. He highlighted violent crime, drug trafficking, gang violence, cybercrime, and fraud as key issues that instill fear, cause financial losses, and tarnish the country’s reputation among investors and tourists.

Clarke stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of these crimes to foster a safer and more prosperous society. Outgoing Chair Trisha Tannis echoed these concerns, urging the BPSA to continue its active collaboration with government-led crime prevention initiatives. She referenced recent high-level engagements with the Attorney General and police leadership, calling on businesses to remain socially conscious and supportive of vulnerable groups, such as persons with disabilities.

With decades of experience as a trained engineer and business leader, Clarke outlined a vision for Barbados that prioritizes practical, collaborative solutions to enhance competitiveness, resilience, and social stability. He identified education, mental health support, and economic opportunities as critical tools to steer young people away from crime. While acknowledging positive economic indicators such as GDP growth and declining inflation since 2022, Clarke noted that the high cost of living remains a pressing challenge. He urged stakeholders to focus on efficiency, productivity, and ease of doing business to mitigate added costs.

Clarke also highlighted the need to address noncommunicable diseases through lifestyle changes, early education, and access to affordable, nutritious food. He warned of the staggering costs of medical care and lost productivity, advocating for sustainable models to improve public health. Looking ahead, Clarke called on businesses to diversify their operations, embrace digital technologies, and explore new markets to reduce reliance on traditional industries. He emphasized the private sector’s role as socially responsible institutions that support employees and contribute to community development.

In his closing remarks, Clarke underscored the importance of collaboration among government, labor, and civil society to create a vibrant society that fosters investment, supports businesses, and positions Barbados as a regional and global economic leader.

Barbados has been downgraded to the Tier 2 Watch List in the 2025 United States Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, a move that could tarnish the island’s global standing in the fight against human trafficking. The U.S. State Department cited Barbados’ failure to identify or assist trafficking victims for three consecutive years, the absence of prosecutions, and the lack of a new national action plan since the previous one expired in 2023 as key reasons for the downgrade. The TIP Report is a globally recognized benchmark for assessing a country’s commitment to combating human trafficking, and the Tier 2 Watch List designation signals concerns about Barbados’ efforts in this critical area. However, questions have been raised about the fairness and applicability of the U.S. evaluation criteria, particularly for small, developing nations like Barbados. Attorney General Dale Marshall emphasized that the downgrade is based on U.S. domestic legislation, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, rather than a global standard. While the report acknowledged Barbados’ “significant efforts,” it criticized the country for not showing “overall increasing efforts” compared to the previous year. Marshall revealed that a new action plan for 2025/26 is in development and that Barbados is addressing the report’s concerns. He also noted that human trafficking is not widespread in Barbados, based on available data, and that the country’s response aligns with its risk level and resources. The absence of identified victims over three years could indicate either a lack of trafficking incidents or deficiencies in detection, highlighting the need for improved data collection and victim screening. Barbados must address gaps in its anti-trafficking framework, including updating its national action plan and revising outdated provisions in the Trafficking in Persons Prevention Act. While the Attorney General rejected the feasibility of dedicated victim services and specialized courts, Barbados must ensure its approach is proactive rather than reactive. This moment calls for measured action, including enhanced training for frontline personnel and a stronger national framework. At the same time, Barbados must advocate for fair and transparent evaluations from international bodies, given the potential reputational, aid, and diplomatic consequences of such rankings.