Political stability and strong governance, reflecting mature political, legal, and economic institutions; Monetary stability, supported by a long-standing, fixed-exchange-rate regime; and Strong human development indicators, reflecting high per-capita income and good education and health systems. Limited fiscal flexibility, due to a relatively high gross general government debt level and a resulting high interest burden; and A small, open economy, with few growth prospects outside the tourism sector, and high current account deficits, which leave Barbados vulnerable to negative external factors. The ratings on Barbados reflect improved but still-high external pressures, resulting from high current account deficits (6.8% of GDP expected in 2007), and limited fiscal flexibility, due to the government's relatively high debt and interest burdens. This is balanced by
