Digital trust is the foundation for transforming Barbados into a modern, inclusive and resilient smart nation and the establishment of a new Barbados Identity Ecosystem will enable secure seamless transactions for people and businesses.

This message from Minister of Innovation, Industry, Science and Technology, Jonathan Reid, came as he delivered his keynote address on day one of the Global Business Conference, hosted by BIBA – The Association for Global Business at Wyndham Grand Sam Lord’s Castle, as part of Global Business Week 2025.

Speaking on Thursday morning, Minister Reid announced that the Government of Barbados is launching a new communications campaign to strengthen public trust in its technology-driven national projects, beginning with the rollout of the digital identification (ID) cards.

Reid acknowledged that some Barbadians remained apprehensive about the digital ID initiative, a sentiment he said was typical with most new technology-based products. However, he assured citizens that the digital ID cards are a secure, advanced, and efficient means of verifying identity while enabling a wide range of seamless digital services.

He emphasized that it was “fundamental to build an advanced system of trust. That’s the only way digital identification and the digital economy is going to work.”

Reid, who is spearheading Barbados’ efforts to create a future-ready economy and position the island as a global leader in digital transformation, innovation, and sustainability, told delegates that the old, laminated identification cards—introduced nearly 50 years ago—are now outdated, easily forged, and inadequate for today’s demands.

Noting that the original cards were designed four decades ago primarily for voter registration, he said the new digital IDs can do much more. Still, he acknowledged, “you have a lack of trust” and “you have issues whether what is being told to you is the truth.”

To address this, the Ministry will, in the coming months, roll out a nationwide communications campaign to explain clearly and simply how the digital ID system benefits Barbadians and enhances convenience in everyday life.

At the same time, Minister Reid underscored that participation would remain voluntary.
“You can choose. And that’s fundamentally the message that we want to be bringing to the country over the next few months, that it’s just a simple thing of verifying who you are, what you have, what you own, what’s your responsibilities, what are your opportunities. . . That’s all. And it’s a place that can store those things, whether it’s on your phone, whether it’s a card, whether it’s a website,” he outlined.

On the broader issue of technology and economic growth, Senator Reid noted that significant investment in cybersecurity will be essential to underpin the government’s expanding use of digital platforms.

He also expressed confidence in Barbados’ ability to respond effectively to the complexities of digital transformation, drawing lessons from Singapore’s approach to industrialisation and innovation.

“One of the things I think they do astronomically well is the idea of building an industry, looking at new industries, but also leveraging the previous industries that they’ve done well in that category . . . and bringing that into the future categories of the economy,” Reid said.

He described Singapore’s model as “ruthlessly pragmatic,” noting the country’s export of $17 billion worth of agricultural products despite not growing most of them locally.
“Everything was brought in, processed, and shipped off to somewhere else. So, they very much understand their space,” he stated.

• By Geralyn Edward For BIBA – The Association for Global Business