Map of Barbados

Economist Owen Arthur of the BLP became Prime Minister in 1995. Arthur aimed to boost economic growth and reduce high levels of unemployment. His government succeeded in attracting new investment from abroad, reforming Barbados' large public sector, and introducing a value-added tax. In 1995 Barbados joined the ACS. This association, made up of members of CARICOM and representatives from 12 other Caribbean nations, seeks to reduce tariffs between member nations. In 1996 Barbados and the United States signed an agreement to work together to combat the illegal drug trade in the region. Arthur's BLP was reelected in landslide victories in 1999 and 2003.