Bahamas News

Bahamas poised for digital innovation, says PM

Published

5 years ago

November 2, 2018

#Nassau, November 2, 2018 – Bahamas – The Bahamas is poised for a new time of innovation and transformation, according to Dr. the Most Hon. Hubert A. Minnis, Prime Minister, as the nation adapts to today’s digital world.

He was addressing the Royal Bank of Canada Re-imagining Banking Reception held at the Grand Hyatt, Baha Mar Convention Centre on Wednesday, October 31, 2018.

Royal Bank of Canada is the oldest bank to be established in The Bahamas; with its first branch opening in 1908. And throughout its 110 years of existence, it has served as the principal banker of The Government of The Bahamas, for many years

“Royal Bank has been a significant contributor to the development and growth of the modern Bahamas,” the Prime Minister said. He noted that this includes the development and financing of major projects namely: Arawak Cay Port Development, Princess Margaret Hospital Critical Care Block, the Harry C. Moore Library, Nassau Airport Development Company and the Franklyn Wilson Graduate School of Business at the University of The Bahamas.

Earlier this year, RBC announced that its flagship youth skills and empowerment programme – Future Launch – would be coming to The Bahamas.

“RBCs are launching this program around the world, and are pleased that the program will be here in The Bahamas,” the Prime Minister said.

The community engagement initiatives by RBC dovetail with the vision and various initiatives of the Government of The Bahamas, said the Prime Minister. Toward this end, the government recently launched the Small Business Development Center, for which an amount of over $25 million has been allocated to support micro- small- and medium-sized businesses.

“One of our guiding principles is that sustainable economic growth should be driven by Bahamian investment and creativity, in tandem with strategic foreign direct investment,” the Prime Minister said. “We believe that entrepreneurs are the primary drivers behind innovation and growth,” he added.

The Prime Minister said some of the goals set by his administration are to: stimulate Bahamian ownership, create jobs, and to reduce poverty.

“In order to achieve those goals, we realized that we had to address the blockages that prevent Bahamian ownership, that stifle job creation, and that perpetuate poverty,” he said. Therefore for his government, access and opportunity are important.

“Access to the kinds of opportunities that those who have traditionally succeeded in our economy often take for granted, including: good advice, help with planning and execution, contacts and networking, and of course, critically, access to capital,” he said.

He told RBC that private enterprises and banks like it should also play a vital role in helping small businesses and entrepreneurs to gain access to capital for business development. The Prime Minister then pointed out that the Bahamian economy is growing with tourism doing “exceedingly well.” Also a number of major investments are on the horizon.

“Given its history in The Bahamas, I know that the Royal Bank of Canada will continue to be a significant player in the economic life of The Bahamas.

“I look forward to an enhanced partnership between the Government and RBC in the development of more Bahamian entrepreneurs and small businesses.

“I also look forward to enhanced opportunities for corporate citizenship by RBC, especially in the area of youth development, including for at-risk youth,” the Prime Minister said.

By Lindsay Thompson

Photo Caption: Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Hubert Minnis addresses the RBC Re-imagining Banking reception at the Grand Hyatt, Baha Mar, October 31, 2018; also mingles with RBC executives, along with Minister of Financial Services, Trade & Industry and Immigration, the Hon. Brent Symonette.

(BIS Photos/Yontalay Bowe)

Bahamas News

Royal Caribbean Club in The Bahamas started after delays

Published

7 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Shanieka

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#TheBahamas#RoyalCaribbean, April 23, 2024- After being delayed following its announcement in 2020, Royal Caribbean’s new 17 acre Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas, is now in the works and is scheduled to be ready for 2025, according to reports. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Monday April 22, signifying the start of construction in the next few months. This project is huge for The Bahamas as it’s a first of kind for the nation, with a unique public private partnership allowing Bahamians to hold up to 49 percent in equity.

Bahamas News

Nassau Cruise Port Donates Nearly $2 Million Towards Food Security

Published

3 days ago

April 22, 2024

Shanieka

Nassau, Bahamas: The Nassau Cruise Port has donated $1.95 million towards
projects that will assist the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources in its aim
to increase food security for The Bahamas.

The donation officially occurred at the Ministry’s offices recently, where Minister
of Agriculture and Marine Resources Hon. Jomo Campbell, Minister of Labour
Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle, Permanent Secretary Neil Campbell and Nassau Cruise
Port CEO Mike Maura listened to a number of presentations including one for a
poultry programme for schools, a chicken broiler production programme, the
redevelopment of the Blue Hill Road Farmers Market and an Authentic
Bahamian Cultural Concept Store,

Mr. Maura said he was impressed by the presentations.

“I had the privilege to listen the presentations and review presentations that
touched on food security and the need for us to be self-sufficient, which as a
Bahamian I support completely. At the Nassau Cruise Port, we get excited
about the prospects of offering more authentic food to the millions of visitors
that we have each year,” he said.

“And then, in addition to that, we had presentations around the further
development of our artisans, which is so important to us as well. The guests
visiting our shores are looking for something that really touches The Bahamas
and can’t be found somewhere else. The Nassau Cruise Port has made a pledge to BAIC and its affiliates. We will be supporting the projects that were presented and we can’t wait to get started.”

Minister Glover-Rolle, who is also the Member of Parliament for Golden Gates,
hailed Nassau Cruise Port as a “great community partner.”

“Thank you for the opportunity to not only present but agreeing to participate.
Our Minister of Agriculture has a goal of reducing food imports by 25 percent by
the year 2025 and our project in the Golden Gates Community speaks to that,”
she said.

“We have a number of backyard farmers, farmers and fishers in our community
in Golden Gates. Being able to use the Blue Hill Road Farmers Market, which is
going to be dubbed the ‘Fish Fry of the South,’ as a hub for food security but
also a hub where artisans and handicraft persons can come and sell their wares
is wonderful. So, we are happy that you have agreed to partner with us and we
look forward to a partnership and we hope to welcome some of your visitors
when this amazing renovation is done.”

Minister Campbell also lauded the Nassau Cruise Port for its efforts.

“I would like to say thank you to the presenters for the presentations that are
several steps in the right direction for our country, to Mr. Maura and his board at
the Nassau Cruise Port and I would like to say thanks to God for this partnership
and bringing us all together as we move forward, upward, together in building a
better, brighter, future for The Bahamas,” he said.

Bahamas News

Career Symposium 2024 Connects University Students with Successful Professionals

Published

1 week ago

April 16, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

Nassau, THE BAHAMAS — Some of the most successful and accomplished professionals and business leaders in the country recently shared their experiences and nuggets of wisdom with students at University of The Bahamas (UB) about thriving in a wide range of careers.

The University Centre for Counselling and Career Services and the Career and Job Placement Advisory Unit collaborated to host the 2024 Career Symposium which brought students face to face with leaders in the careers to which they aspire.

Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Maria Oriakhi, said the symposium was key to developing potential as university students strive to leave their mark on the world.

Ms. Rickell Curry

“In the spirit of collaboration and growth, let us engage in meaningful dialogue, cultivate relationships, and harness the power of collective wisdom to shape our futures,” said Dr. Oriakhi. “Together, let us embark on this journey of exploration and discovery, united in our commitment to realizing our fullest potential and making meaningful contributions to our communities and beyond.”

Promoting careers in psychology, Ms. Curry noted that psychologists are equipped with the ability to help others, troubleshoot areas of weakness within themselves, and become better people and professionals in the process.

“The floor is yours to be able to explore. There’s no job where you don’t have to deal with people, so learning, even if you get a bachelor’s in psychology, is a great grounding,” she said.

Dr. Darville, one of few interventional radiologists in The Bahamas, offered another nugget of advice on choosing an area of study.

Dr. Elizabeth Darville

“It is important to know enough about yourself in order to make the decisions you want to make,” said Dr. Darville. “You have to work on yourself first and know what you want to do. Radiology gives you a chance to have fun. It gives you a chance to mold your career closer to your personal life than other medical specialties might.”

Another growing field is project management which Mr. Hepburn called a life skill. He also urged a commitment to lifelong learning.

“Individuals that continue to learn become unstoppable, period,” said Mr. Hepburn. “It is so true. When you learn, you become unstoppable because nothing can stop you in your process of development.

Mr. Wellington Hepburn

“The more you know, the more valuable you are. We need individuals who are cross functional—that can operate in different capacities. So please understand that your learning should never stop.”

With small and medium-sized businesses helping to drive the economy at an incredible rate, Ms. Rolle affirmed the importance of entrepreneurship in any economy.

“When we talk about entrepreneurship, we usually look at it from a myopic standpoint,” she said. Ms. Rolle. “What do I mean by that? Small, but usually about self: ‘how do I make more money?’ And in some cases, some look at entrepreneurship as a way of survival. ‘I need to make a couple extra dollars, I have this bill to pay’. Those types of things.

Ms. Samantha Rolle

“But entrepreneurship really, in its truest form, is about innovation, whether it’s a new concept or any existing concept that you innovate new ways, or help expand the economy.”

The career symposium was held at the Harry C. Moore Library and Information Centre and is held every academic year.

PHOTO CAPTIONS

Career Symposium 1: UB Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Maria Oriakhi, delivers the opening address at the 2024 Career Symposium.
Career Symposium 2: Students and guest speakers enjoy a lighthearted moment during the 2024 Career Symposium.
Career Symposium 3: Ms. Rickell Curry speaks to students during the 2024 Career Symposium.
Career Symposium 4: Dr. Elizabeth Darville delivers remarks during the 2024 Career Symposium.
Career Symposium 5: Mr. Wellington Hepburn educates students on the importance of project management during the 2024 Career Symposium.
Career Symposium 6: Ms. Samantha Rolle talks about the role and importance of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship in any economy.