Global Business Seminar

Transcription

1 Global Business Seminar Wednesday March 6, :30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Metro Toronto Convention Centre Room 205B 255 Front Street West Toronto, Ontario M5V 2W6

2 THE BARBADOS DOMICILE Barbados continues to be recognized internationally as a preferred jurisdiction for foreign investment, and an expanding network of double taxation agreements (DTAs) and bilateral investment treaties (BITs) with countries across the globe adds to its attractiveness. To date, Barbados has forty (40) DTAs in force and over four thousand (4,000) registered international business entities. Barbados is committed to the maintenance of high standards and places emphasis on competitiveness, while offering clients predictability and transparency in their investments. The country promotes an environment which encourages the establishment of businesses of substance, and its range of financial services legislation allows investors the flexibility to create the types of corporate structures specifically suited to their needs. Barbados sound regulatory framework has led to consistently high world rankings in banking stability, transparency, human development and global competitiveness, to name a few. Additionally, Barbados uniqueness is enhanced by the availability of a core of skilled local professionals, providing services at competitive costs and ensuring continuity of personnel. The country s business infrastructure features modern telecommunications and information technology, with related disaster contingency capability, reliable local utilities and international air and sea ports. This event will highlight the latest measures introduced by the Barbados government to ensure Barbados continues to be a wise choice for investors engaged in international business.

3 AGENDA 7:30 a.m. Registration & Breakfast 8:30 a.m. Welcome Mr. Kenneth Campbell Director, Investment Promotion, Invest Barbados 8:40 a.m. Barbados: The Jurisdiction of Choice for Businesses of Substance The Hon. Ronald Toppin, M.P. Minister of International Business and Industry 9:05 a.m. An Overview of Barbados Revised Taxation Regime Mr. Ben Arrindell, SCM Special Advisor to the Government of Barbados 9:45 a.m. Doing Business in Barbados: A Canadian Investor's Experience Mr. Joel Alleyne Chairman, Crucible International Inc. 10:15 a.m. Questions and Answers 10:40 a.m. Closing remarks and vote of thanks 10:45 a.m. Networking

4 PROFILE OF SPEAKERS The Hon. Ronald Toppin, M. P. Minister of International Business and Industry The Hon. Roland Toppin, M.P., served in Cabinet from 1995 until 2003, first as Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tourism and International Transport and then, as Minister of Commerce, Consumer Affairs and Business Development. As Minister of State, he successfully negotiated several Air Services Agreements with other countries and was responsible for the commencement of flights into Barbados by a number of airlines, including Virgin Atlantic out of London and Air Jamaica out of New York. As Minister of Commerce, Consumer Affairs and Business Development, he introduced a significant number of Bills into Parliament, resulting among other things, in the establishment of the Fair Trading Commission and a strong focus, primarily, on consumer protection. He also established the Office of Public Counsel and the Consumer Claims Tribunal which give consumers the opportunity, free of cost, to enforce their rights against companies and businesses. The Minister, a graduate of The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, and The Hugh Wooding Law School, was called to the local Bar in He has been a practising Attorney-at-Law since then, except for the periods when he has been a Government Minister.

5 PROFILE OF SPEAKERS Mr. Ben Arrindell, SCM Special Advisor to the Government of Barbados Ben Arrindell is Deputy Chairman of Cidel, currently consulting on business and product development opportunities utilizing Barbados treaty network. Prior to joining Cidel, Ben was an international tax and managing partner of Ernst & Young, Barbados. In this capacity, he provided services to international clients, including major multinational companies and high net worth individuals. Ben has over 30 years experience in both the UK and Barbados. He has served as advisor to the Barbados Government since 1998 on double taxation treaty strategy, the development of new legislation, and the impact of international tax developments on the Barbados International Business Sector. Ben is a member of the Barbados Tax Treaty Negotiating Team and has participated in negotiations with a number of countries including Canada, China, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, Spain and the US. He is also a frequent global speaker on international tax matters, and has made a significant contribution to the development and amendment of new and existing legislation in Barbados. Ben is currently a member of national, CARICOM and CARIFORUM advisory groups, including The Barbados Government s Council of Economic Advisors, The CARICOM Working Group on Fiscal Policy and The CARIFORUM Task Force on the Development of Caribbean International Financial Services. He has also served on the United Nations Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters ( ) and is a former Chairman and Director of the Board of the Barbados Private Sector Association ( ). Ben was awarded the Silver Crown of Merit ( SCM ) by the Government of Barbados for services to the Barbados International Financial Services Sector.

6 PROFILE OF SPEAKERS Mr. Joel Alleyne Chairman, Crucible International Inc. Joel Alleyne has been working in the field of management consulting for the last twenty-eight years. As a consultant, researcher, entrepreneur and manager, he has worked with many organizations across the Americas and in Europe in a variety of industries, including: professional services, health care; financial services; pharmaceutical, manufacturing, distribution and retail, computer manufacturers and other high-tech organizations, and government. An active speaker and a recognized international expert, Joel is involved in research and practice in the areas of: information technology, organizational informatics, healthcare informatics, new media, knowledge media and knowledge management. He has been a Research Associate with the McLuhan Program for Culture and Technology and was a Practitioner in Residence with the Knowledge Media Design Institute at the University of Toronto. In 2003 he was appointed to the Entovation 100 Global Knowledge Leadership Map. He recently completed a seven-year contract term in a knowledge leadership and strategy role working as Chief Information and Knowledge Officer for Borden Ladner Gervais LLP. Joel is currently teaching in the graduate programme and working towards a PhD in knowledge management/information studies at the University of Toronto ischool. He is also a faculty member and Senior Research Associate with the Kaieteur Institute for Knowledge Management and is a member of the Institute of Certified Management Consultants (ICMC). Joel is Chairman and CEO, Alleyne Inc., as well as the Executive Director of the Canadian Podiatric Medical Association. He is also past Executive Director of the Canadian Health Care Anti-Fraud Association and the Health Industry Electronic Commerce Association.

7 NOTES

8 BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN BARBADOS GENERAL Research and Development Health Tourism Renewable Energy Medical Schools FINANCIAL SERVICES Regular Business Companies International Insurance Companies International Banking Societies with Restricted Liability International Trusts Private Wealth Management Headquarters and Holding Companies International Trading Ships Registration INFORMATION SERVICES Contact Center Services Insurance Claims Processing Credit Card Application Processing Business Process Outsourcing Software Development Health Information Management MANUFACTURING Electronics Medical Supplies High Fashion Apparel High-end Niche Products Pharmaceuticals 110 Sheppard Avenue East Suite 205 North York ON M2N 6Y8 Tel: (416) Fax: (416) Register online: