Future Barbados, an independent public policy and research organisation that promotes long‑term economic resilience and sustainable development, has released a draft five‑year plan proposing $65m in targeted investment to shift the island from short‑term crisis responses to longer‑term resilience through science, technology and research and development.

A strategic five‑year investment plan — dubbed the Barbados Research and Development and Innovation (RDI) Roadmap — is valued at US$32.5m ($65m). Commissioned over a year ago with technical assistance from the Inter‑American Development Bank (IDB), the 75‑page blueprint is intended to formalise, finance and accelerate the island’s commercial science and technology activities.

Tamaisha Eytle Harvey, Director of Future Barbados, declared that investing heavily in innovation is no longer a luxury but an absolute necessity for small island developing states (SIDS).