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Australia–Barbados relations

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Australia–Barbados relations
Map indicating locations of Barbados and Australia

Barbados
Australia

Foreign relations exist between Australia and Barbados. Neither country has a resident ambassador. The regional Australian High Commissioner to Barbados is accredited from Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago. Barbados is represented in Australia through its High Commission in Ottawa, (Canada). Barbados maintains an honorary consul and a tourist office[1] in Australia. Barbados and Australia established diplomatic relations on 7 January 1974. Both countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations, and comprised as former parts of the British Empire.

History

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Barbados and Australia established diplomatic relations on 7 January 1974 with J. C. Ingram as the first High Commissioner.[2] In 2001, Winfred Peppinck was appointed as High Commissioner.[3] From 1994 to 2004 Australia's High Commission in the Caribbean was resident in Bridgetown, Barbados. At that point the regional mission moved to Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago; due in part to the robust trade by Australian companies with Trinidad and Tobago's oil sector. It now serves Barbados and 13 other Caribbean countries.[4][5] The official opening of the new building was made on 14 December 2006.[6] By 2010, Philip Kentwell held the position of High Commissioner, now renamed Plenipotentiary Representative of Australia to the Caribbean Community.[7] Kentwell remarked to the media that a new resident consulate was presently being planned for Barbados awaiting an official appointee to that post.[8]

In 2018, the Freundel Stuart-led administration celebrated Australia Day in Barbados to highlight the 44-years of diplomatic relations between both nations.[9]

In 2021, the Barbadian Mia Mottley administration held talks with the government of Australia with the aim of furthering ties following Barbados transitioning to a republic as well as discussions on climate change.[10][11][12]

Economic relations

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Monthly value of Australian merchandise exports to Barbados (A$ millions) since 1988

In 2009, multinational BHP Billiton, headquartered in Melbourne, became the first company to be granted a concession to search for oil and gas in the maritime areas of Barbados.[13][14][15] The company was awarded offshore blocks in Carlisle Bay and Bimshire.[16][17] In 2011, the Barbados government minister of Finance stated that various legislation was remedied to allow the Australian energy company to begin exploration in the near-term.[18]

In 2009, both nations have given some consideration for the signing of a double taxation agreement between their two nations. Maxine McClean, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade for Barbados said: "You will no doubt agree that the negotiation and conclusion of relevant agreements will result in increased foreign direct investment, trade and general co-operation to our mutual benefit. In this regard Barbados looks forward greatly to the enhancement of its relationship and co-operation with Australia."[19]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Barbados Tourism Authority – locations". Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
  2. ^ "Australia Established Caribbean Ties". The Virgin Islands Daily News. Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Associated Press. 9 January 1974. Retrieved 19 May 2010.
  3. ^ "New High Commissioner appointed to Barbados". Australian Associated Press. 22 January 2001. Retrieved 19 May 2010.[dead link]
  4. ^ "Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs – Diplomatic Appointment: High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago". Archived from the original on 8 October 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2009.
  5. ^ "Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Country and Regional Information". Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Archived from the original on 9 June 2007. Retrieved 8 April 2009. Australia established a High Commission in Port of Spain in July 2004.
  6. ^ "Australia's Former Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Alexander Downer MP, officially opens the Australian High Commission, Trinidad and Tobago". Australian High Commission. Archived from the original on 2 December 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2009. On 14 December 2006
  7. ^ "Australian High Commission". Australian High Commission. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  8. ^ T., J. R. (21 June 2010). "Stronger ties". Barbados Advocate. Archived from the original on 26 February 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2010. Barbados is desirous of having a double taxation agreement with Australia. Word of this has come from Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean, as she spoke at a breakfast function yesterday to commemorate Australia Day at the Aqua Restaurant. ...
  9. ^ Lightbourne, Tanya (29 January 2018). "Barbados Hails 44 Years Of Diplomatic Relations With Australia". News. The Barbados Adocate. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  10. ^ "Barbados, Australia talk climate change". The Barbados Advocate. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2023., [
  11. ^ "PM Mottley wants deepening cooperation". The Barbados Advocate. 1 November 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  12. ^ "Mottley wants to increase cooperation with Australia". The Barbados Advocate. 31 October 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  13. ^ "Barbados, Australia talk of deeper relations". Caribbean Media Corporation at the BBC. 27 January 2009. Retrieved 19 May 2010.
  14. ^ "Barbados Closes Licensing Round with Bids from 3 Companies". RigZone.com. Retrieved 8 April 2009.
  15. ^ "Barbados issues licence to drill for oil". CaribbeanNetNews.com. Retrieved 10 April 2009. The proposal, submitted to an evaluation committee and accepted by Cabinet, was assessed on the basis of bid compliance, financial commitment, proposed signature bonus, training and environmental initiatives with BHP has operated in Australia, Gulf of Mexico, Britain and Trinidad and Tobago.[permanent dead link]
  16. ^ "Barbados, BHP Billiton finalizing contracts". TendersInfo. 24 June 2009. Retrieved 18 May 2010.[dead link]
  17. ^ Offshore Block Map[permanent dead link], Ministry of Energy, Government of Barbados
  18. ^ Closer to oil search
  19. ^ "Barbados seeking closer ties with Australia". Barbados Advocate. 27 January 2009. Archived from the original on 15 May 2011. Retrieved 11 May 2009.
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