Barbadian–German relations are thebilateral relations betweenBarbados andGermany. Barbados is represented in Germany through its embassy inBrussels (Belgium) and Germany is represented in Barbados from its regional embassy for the Eastern Caribbean inPort of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago)[1] and an Honorary Consul inChrist Church.[2] Barbados and Germany formally established diplomatic relations on 14 March 1967.[3]
From the late 1620s until 1966, Barbados constituted as a part of theBritish Empire and was a prominent regional base for British forces. In 1874, the German barkPierre Buyper was wrecked on the coast of Barbados.[4]During World War I and II a number of Barbadian troops were enlisted with the British forces to fight in the war with Germany.[5] Twelve Barbados men made up the Second Barbados Contingent of Volunteers for the Armed Forces. They were recruited for theRoyal Air Force. They left Barbados for England in November 1940 to fight against Germany. On 11 September 1942German submarine U-514 was patrolling the waters of Barbados[6] where it torpedoed the Canadian steam merchant shipCornwallis off the coastline of the capital city. The ship was brought ashore in Barbados before it was released and torpedoed a second time and sank. The shipwreck was later turned into a reef and Marine park.[5][7]
According to prize winning Barbadian novelistAustin Clarke, Barbados suffered economic hardship after it was nearly cut off from global trade by Germany.[8][when?]
Barbadian and German economic trade are not very significant, the German government is one of the main stakeholders in the Barbados-basedCaribbean Development Bank (CDB), which lends to the various territories throughout theCaribbean region.[9]
Barbados receives substantial income from Germany from the spending by German tourists.[11] In 2002 German tourism to Barbados dropped by 23 percent.[12] Barbados's main exports to Germany are agricultural products.[11]Banks Barbados Brewery in Barbados imported over 1 millionBarbadian dollars of computerized production equipment from Germany in 1994–1995.[13]
Germans nationals travelling to Barbados for tourism remains one of the modern day cultural ties between both nations.[14] In 2010, the German airlineCondor announced to Barbadian aviation officials that it would be doubling[15] its weekly flights between Barbados and Germany.[16]
The Agreement between the Government of Barbados and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany for the Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments — Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), was signed 2 December 1994.[17]
Short-stay visa waver agreement (for stays up to three months), covering Barbadian and German nationals, signed and entered force on 28 May 2009.[18]
Rupee (musician) is asoca musician fromBarbados. He was born in military barracks in Germany to a German mother and a Bajan father, who was serving in the British armed forces at the time. He later migrated to Barbados. Female Barbadian reggae singerTabitha Johnson was also born inGermany and she was born to a German mother and a Bajan father just likeRupee (musician) was.[19] Around 160 Barbadian Emigrants live in Germany.[20]
^Forde-Craigg, Sheena, ed. (13 October 2022)."Barbados & Germany Discuss Climate Change Matters". Prime Minister's Office.www.gisbarbados.gov.bb (Press release). Barbados: Government of Barbados. Government Information Service. Retrieved17 October 2024.
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