Barbados can become the hub of international business in the region for companies coming from Europe, North America and Asia. According to newly-appointed President of the Barbados International Business Association (BIB A) Thomas Sears, the potential is there for future growth in the sector which already employs 4 000 Barbadians, generates 60 per cent of the islands corporate taxes, and also benefits local service providers such as lawyers, accountants, and auditors, a s well as the tourism sector. I see a very prosperous future for Barbados in the area of international business. The opportunities are there for the sector to grow and flourish, but what we need to do is work closely with Government to ensure th a t every element of the experience in Barbados is positive. When you look at other jurisdictions such as the Cayman Islands, Bermuda and The Bahamas, international business represents about 50 per cent of their economies.