14 September, 2007 - Published 08:20 GMT

Barbados seeks investment

Barbados is looking to develop new business partnerships, in a further quest to build and expand the island's economy.

Economic Development Minister Mia Mottley has been meeting with officials from the International Services Sector and other investors in London, in a bid to promote investments in the island.

Miss Mottley told BBC Caribbean, that while the country will continue to focus on the services sector, it is taking steps to diversify from international financial services.

Outside of tourism, the international financial services sector is Bridgetown's leading income earner.

"We believe that there are opportunities in terms of education, health, business and professional services," she said.

Barbados has taken advantage of opportunities in Caricom.

However the economic development minister says it is now looking to nurture stronger business partnerships with larger commonwealth countries, where the education and health services are similar to those in the Caribbean.

"Traditionally providers of these services have not exported en masse in Barbados.

"What we have been trying to do is to work more systematically with a lot of these service providers, so that they can be in a position to take advantage of the commercial opportunities that are there," Miss Mottley said.

As another source of investment, Barbados is also seeking to develop its fledgling fashion industry.

"I've had the opportunity to meet with a number of persons from the London fashion industry in terms of helping us to structure out a road map as to how best to support designers from Barbados," Miss Mottley said.