Compass, one of the leading U.S. real-estate brokerages, has announced its agreement to acquire rival Anywhere Real Estate for $1.6 billion in an all-stock deal, signaling a new wave of consolidation in the residential brokerage industry. The merger would combine two of the country’s largest brokerages, creating an enterprise valued at approximately $10 billion, including debt. Compass, with roughly...
Equity financing could be the missing piece to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Barbados scale up and thrive. That’s the view of Marlon Yarde, managing director of the Barbados Stock Exchange (BSE), who believes SMEs have a real opportunity to grow if they embrace equity capital through the BSE’s Innovation and Growth Market (IGM), its junior stock market. Yarde explained that while most...
Barbadians investing through Fortress Fund Managers (FFM) are enjoying higher returns this year, with the remainder of 2025 showing strong potential, according to the firm’s latest investor update. FFM chief executive officer and chief investment officer Peter Arender noted that global markets have provided opportunities, with Fortress funds reporting solid performance across multiple categories. The...
Barbados has officially launched the Innovation Growth Market (IGM200), a groundbreaking initiative designed to provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with structured, transparent, and credible access to equity financing. Managing Director of the Barbados Stock Exchange, Marlon Yarde, described IGM200 as “Barbados’ bridge between ambition and opportunity,” calling on SMEs, investors,...
Barbados is moving to bring Airbnb, Vrbo, Homestay, and other short-term rental platforms under tighter regulation, following the introduction of the Tourist Accommodation Bill in Parliament on Tuesday. The new legislation sets out a comprehensive framework for licensing, registering, classifying, and monitoring all tourist accommodation across the island. Under the bill, operators who fail to comply...
Barbados welcomed more than $120 billion in direct Canadian investment last year, ranking it as the fourth-largest destination worldwide for Canadian capital from both businesses and individuals. Despite these long-standing ties, Canada’s High Commissioner to Barbados, Brenda Wills, highlighted significant potential for further growth, particularly in light of evolving global trade dynamics. She...
This October, Barbados will become the dynamic bridge between in-person and virtual global networking as the Hybrid Global Business Week Conference 2025 launches at the elegant Wyndham Grand Barbados – Sam Lord’s Castle Resort from October 23 to 24, 2025. Bridging Global Business in a Hybrid World Presented by BIBA – The Association for Global Business, this two-day summit embraces the theme:...
In a landmark move this September 2025, IDB Invest has unveiled its first-ever partnership in Barbados with a non-bank financial institution - a five-year, USD 5 million (BBD 10 million) loan to Cave Shepherd Card Inc., trading as Payce Digital. Why This Matters Bridging the credit divide: This pioneering partnership aims to extend credit and digital payment services to underbanked and...
Barbados is moving forward with plans to revitalize its historic West Indian Sea Island Cotton industry through a new partnership with a foreign private investor — a deal set to significantly boost export earnings and restore global recognition for the island’s premium cotton. A Major Step for Exports Minister of Agriculture Indar Weir confirmed that a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the...
Barbados is set to welcome the Motivation Luxury Summit 2025 from September 13–17, positioning the island at the forefront of the global luxury travel and incentive travel industry. Over 100 esteemed participants, including host buyers and travel exhibitors, will converge on the island to explore the evolving future of luxury travel. Elevating Barbados as a Luxury Travel Hub For the Barbados...