BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, April 24, CMC – Britain’s Under Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Henry Bellingham arrives here on Wednesday as part of a visit to several Caribbean countries including the British Overseas Territories of the Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands.

“I am delighted to be visiting Barbados to continue the high level of ministerial engagement between our governments and to build on the success of the recent UK Caribbean Ministerial Forum,” Bellingham said ahead of his two-day visit.

The UK-Caribbean Ministerial Forum was held in Grenada earlier this year.

“My government recognises the close historical ties that exist between our two countries.  We share many values and work closely on the full range of international issues, including on security co-operation, climate change, economic development and criminal justice reform,” said Bellingham, who will hold a number of bilateral meetings with government ministers and will sign a revised Double Taxation Agreement between the two countries.

The visiting British government minister will also meet UK business representatives and attend an event with the Barbados Special Olympic and Paralympics Associations which will include the launch of a London 2012 Olympic photography competition on the British High Commission’s Facebook page.

“This year presents a huge number of opportunities for Barbadians and other Caribbean nationals who will be visiting the UK.

“Olympians, businesses and tourists alike will be able to see what the UK has to offer across the full range of services, giving further prospects for bilateral cooperation between the regions,” he added.