G20 Nations Must Recognize the Stimulus Effect of International Financial Centres in the Global Economy

Poll Shows British Public Expects Companies to Use Offshore Investment Strategies, but Doesn't Understand Benefits to Domestic Economies

TORONTO, June 9, 2010 - A survey released today by Invest Barbados showed that the majority of
people in the UK, the US and Canada believe that investments in low tax
jurisdictions (international financial centres) are good for business, but
bad for their local economies. The survey revealed broad misconceptions among
major G20 nations about the beneficial role of international financial
centres in the global economy.

The UK led the three countries in the belief that low tax jurisdictions
were bad for the economy at 72 per cent, although more than half thought they
were good for business.

                    For additional survey results click here:
                   files.newswire.ca/887/Chart.pdf

"In recent years there has been much rhetoric in several G20 countries
against tax havens in a way that stigmatizes legitimate international
financial centres," said Minister Darcy Boyce, Minister of State, Finance,
Investment, Telecommunications and Energy for Barbados.

"The reality is that well-regulated, transparent tax-treaty based
centres, like Barbados, assist in the growth of both British multinationals
and their home economy by generating higher tax revenues and job creation in
the UK in the long term. At a time when most G20 nations need sustainable
stimulus structures, governments should recognize the domestic benefits of
legitimate international financial centres.

Barbados was the only independent jurisdiction in the Caribbean to be
"white-listed" originally by the Organization for Economic Co-operation &
Development (OECD) and has a long standing Double Taxation Agreement with the
United Kingdom Government. OECD white-listed jurisdictions are those that
have substantially implemented the internationally agreed tax standard and
agree to exchange tax information.

Summary of other key findings:

    - 70 per cent of British people agreed it was important that executives
      of publicly traded companies explore the use of low tax jurisdictions
      to increase share value.

    - 59 per cent of British people opposed British foreign
      investment in low tax jurisdictions. That opposition turned into strong
      support once they learned of the positive effects foreign investments
      had at home:

    - 75 per cent support investment in low tax jurisdictions that brings in
      increased tax revenue.

    - 86 per cent support investment that creates jobs at home.

About Invest Barbados

Invest Barbados (IB) is an economic development agency of the
government of Barbados. IB is responsible for attracting, winning and
sustaining international investment for Barbados. The corporation is also
responsible for promoting exports of indigenous services and helping to
develop and manage the Barbados Business brand.

About the poll

Ipsos Reid Polling conducted the survey for Invest Barbados
between April 29th and May 23rd 2010 in Canada, the US and the UK. Interviews
were conducted among a national sample of the general population (18+) of
3071 adults. With a sample of this size, the results are considered accurate
to within plus or minus .8% with a 95% confidence level. Interviews were also
conducted with a sample of 592 (plus or minus 4.0%) High Net Worth
individuals as defined as having financial assets equivalent to $500K or
greater and a sample of 626 (plus or minus 3.9%) business managers, owners,
professionals and executives (MOPEs) with the professional group limited to
those holding financial or legal position.

            For more information or to contact a spokesperson, please
                                  contact:

             Gillian Brooks, Mansfield Communications Inc., Toronto

               Phone: +1-416-599-0024 ext. 238 / gillian@mcipr.com

For more information or to contact a spokesperson, please contact: Gillian Brooks, Mansfield Communications Inc., Toronto, Phone: +1-416-599-0024 ext. 238 / gillian at mcipr.com