BBnet Hosts Barbados Ambassador as Ireland-Caribbean Business Links Grow

(L–R) Gurmukh Neote, CEO, BBnet; H.E. Cleviston Haynes, Ambassador of Barbados to Ireland.

Visit highlights BBnet's work with the Government of Barbados and opportunities across technology, connectivity, aviation, tourism and international business.

BBnet welcomed H.E. Cleviston Haynes, Ambassador of Barbados to Ireland, and his delegation to its Shannon headquarters recently. The visit focused on strengthening business links between Ireland, Barbados and the wider Caribbean. 

Building on BBnet’s Work in Barbados

The Ambassador and representatives from Invest Barbados met the BBnet team, learned more about the company's work in Barbados, and explored how to build on BBnet's existing relationship with the Barbadian Government and expand BBnet’s offering to the private sector.

BBnet already works in conjunction with local partners for the Barbadian Government on connectivity projects. That relationship gave the delegation a real foundation to discuss further opportunities in Barbados and beyond. Discussions also covered Barbados' position as a gateway to the wider Caribbean and Latin American markets, and what that gateway means for BBnet and other interested Irish businesses.

(L-R) Stephen Hall, COO BBnet; Shane Thomas, Invest Barbados; Gurmukh Neote, CEO BBnet; H.E. Cleviston Haynes, Ambassador of Barbados to Ireland; Minister Counsellor Kendra Holdip, deputy head of mission, Embassy of Barbados to Ireland; Julia Hope, Invest Barbados; Sebastian Wyszynski, Operations Manager BBnet. 

Connecting Shannon and Barbados

The visit then moved to Shannon Chamber, where BBnet worked with Shannon Chamber to set up a roundtable bringing together business, tourism, education and local government representatives. The session showcased the strength and diversity of Shannon's international business ecosystem and identified where Shannon, the Mid-West and Barbados could work more closely together.

Both economies share clear common ground: both are outward-looking, internationally connected, and focused on tourism, enterprise, education, innovation and sustainable development. The roundtable covered opportunities across aviation, technology, security, telecommunications, education, hospitality, renewable energy, sustainability, enterprise development and international investment.

Barbados emerged as a gateway for Irish businesses into the Caribbean and Latin America. Shannon and the Mid-West demonstrated the same role in reverse, as an internationally connected gateway to Europe.

Education stood out as a strong area for collaboration. Shannon College of Hotel Management pointed to its long-standing links with Barbados through its graduates, and the potential to build further partnerships with Barbadian education providers.

The discussion made clear that collaboration runs both ways: opportunities for Barbadian businesses in Ireland, and for Irish companies expanding into Barbados, the Caribbean and Latin America.

Companies at the roundtable included Enterprise Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, Tierney's Office Automation, Airborne Capital, Core Optimisation and BBnet, alongside representatives from local government and education.

Shannon Airport as an International Gateway

The visit closed at Shannon Airport, where The Shannon Airport Group gave an overview of the airport and the wider Shannon Airport Business Park. The delegation heard about Shannon's international connectivity, including links to North America, the UK and Europe, its US Customs and Border Protection preclearance facilities, and the concentration of aviation, technology and international businesses in the Business Park. The visit underlined Shannon's role as an international gateway and the strength of the aviation ecosystem built around the airport.

(L-R)  Shane Thomas, Invest Barbados; Julia Hope, Invest Barbados; Minister Counsellor Kendra Holdip, deputy head of mission, Embassy of Barbados to Ireland; Caroline Kelleher, director of public affairs, The Shannon Airport Group; H.E. Cleviston Haynes, Ambassador of Barbados to Ireland; Helen Downes, CEO, Shannon Chamber; Gurmukh Neote, CEO BBnet; Carol Mahony, Sales and Marketing BBnet; Gian Kaur, Commercial Officer BBnet. 

A Word from BBnet CEO Gurmukh Neote

Commenting on the visit, BBnet CEO Gurmukh Neote said:

“We were delighted to welcome Ambassador Haynes and his delegation to Shannon and to share more about the work we already do in Barbados.

“Our relationship with Barbados started 12 years ago and shows what a Shannon-based company can build internationally, and we see significant scope to build further. The visit also highlighted how much opportunity exists for collaboration between Irish and Barbadian businesses across connectivity, technology, aviation, tourism and more.

“This was about more than showcasing what BBnet does. It was about bringing the Ambassador and Invest Barbados into the Shannon business community and building connections that lead to practical opportunities for both sides. We look forward to continuing those discussions and exploring what we can achieve together.”

Ireland Investment Mission to Barbados

The visit also highlighted Invest Barbados' Investment Mission, now in its seventh year and extending to Ireland for the first time. Running 9 to 13 November 2026, the mission will give Irish businesses the chance to explore investment and commercial opportunities in Barbados across sectors including financial services, ICT, renewable energy and manufacturing.

For BBnet, the visit marks another step in building its relationship with Barbados and creating new connections between Shannon, Ireland, the Caribbean and Latin America.

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