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Ambassador, Cuban Delegation Meet Top Bahamian Businesses at Palm Cay Captain’s Table

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Nassau, 06 Sept 2015 – The cucumber mojitos were served on linen-draped trays and the white-gloved waiters quietly whisked plates to and fro, but make no mistake about it. The real meat of a recent evening at Palm Cay Club & Marina was serious business as Cuba and The Bahamas began talks about how they could work together to create a dual-destination product to attract a tourist market that is expected to explode as Cuba prepares to open its doors to millions.

The event, the first in a series called The Captain’s Table aimed at bringing business and civic leaders together with a noteworthy guest of honour, was held September 2. It was the first day of the Cuban delegation’s visit to The Bahamas and the private setting was designed for exploratory overtures.

“We wanted to create an opportunity for business representatives and a few top hoteliers and tour operators to meet
with an impressive delegation from Cuba in an environment that afforded all parties the chance to talk openly about their interests and to see where those interests might overlap,” said organizer Diane Phillips. “The members’ lounge at Palm Cay was perfect. The privacy allowed people to speak freely and to find common ground on which they could work together. As a dual destination, The Bahamas and Cuba will be a winning combination. And the Cuban delegation saw that immediately – it was not an either-or, but a let’s work it out so we can work together to make this happen.”

The delegation, led by Cuban Ambassador Ernesto Guzman, included the General Director, and other top-ranking persons from the Ministry of Tourism of Cuba and from Havanatur, along with Yoslaidy Clemente Lopez of the Cuban Embassy in The Bahamas.

“The opportunity offered by the Captain’s Table to facilitate the exchange between Cuban and Bahamian business men and companies involved in the tourism industry was unique for both sides,” said the Ambassador. “The evening allowed us to get to know the existing potential in our countries for the development and expansion of an industry that can catapult other areas of interest such as agriculture, health and education among others. I think that the Cuban and Bahamians people will benefit of any project intelligently developed by our countries in an unforeseeable way.”

Guests knew in advance that there would be no politicians, no media and no more than 18 at the single table to allow for free flow of conversation and exchange of ideas. According to Palm Cay General Manager Richard Browning, the Captain’s Table concept struck a chord.

“We see the Captain’s Table as a great initiative for like-minded business people in The Bahamas to meet in a relaxed environment, an attractive setting that offers intimacy and encourages openness,” said Browning. “This Cuban visit has clearly proven that there is a desire for this type of get together.”

Among those at the dinner were Gowon Bowe, Chairman, Bahamas Chamber of Commerce; John Conway, General Manager, One&Only Ocean Club; Ed Fields, Sr Vice President, Atlantis; Paolo Garzaroli, Graycliff (and Historic Charles Towne); Gary Williams, Sandals consultant representing Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart; Youlanda Deveaux, Regional Vice President, Caribbean and Central America, Mandara Spa Bahamas Ltd, Steiner Resort Division; Simone Morgan-Gomez, Partner, Callenders law firm; Chris Ryan, Chief Financial Officer, NAD; Richard Browning, General Manager, Palm Cay Development, John Gomez, Cable Bahamas, A.J. Saunders, Majestic Tours and the Cuban delegation, including Richard Boadi, Sales Manager, Havanatur Bahamas. Attorney Morgan Gomez, who is bilingual, was among several who spoke Spanish.

“One of the things that made the evening so magical was the openness,” said Ms. Deveaux. “I know for our part we are very interested in exploring the luxury spa experience in Cuba. There were hoteliers who were quite frank about being interested in putting their brand in Cuba as soon as they reasonably can. Just about everyone present saw opportunities not only for them to invest in what will be the new hotspot for Caribbean tourism because it has been off limits to Americans for so long, but to work with key players in Cuba to present a marketing strategy that will appeal to those who think a trip to both places is a better choice than a visit to either one on its own.”

Palm Cay is a nearly 70-acre development on New Providence’s southeastern coast and includes an array of single family residences, townhomes and condominiums along with the island’s largest marina in terms of boat slips, a multi-storey restaurant and clubhouse with members’ lounge, swimming pools, tennis and 1,200 feet of pristine white sand beach.

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Invest TCI Strengthens Regional Investment Connections at Caribbean Investment Forum 2026 in Barbados

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Monday, 19th October 2026: Invest Turks and Caicos Agency (Invest TCI) strengthened its regional presence at the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) 2026, held October 5 – 7, 2026, in Bridgetown, Barbados, participating as both a sponsor of the Forum and representative of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ investment landscape.

The Caribbean Investment Forum brought together regional and international investors, government representatives, business leaders, entrepreneurs, investment promotion agencies, and development partners to explore investment opportunities, strengthen partnerships, and advance sustainable economic development throughout the Caribbean.

The Agency’s sponsorship of CIF 2026 formed part of its continued commitment to strengthening the visibility of the Turks and Caicos Islands within the regional investment community and building relationships with investors, development partners, investment promotion agencies, and businesses across the Caribbean.

The opening of the Forum was attended by the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, who emphasised the importance of scaling regional investment, strengthening economic cooperation, and transforming innovative ideas into commercially viable opportunities. Invest TCI was represented by Ms. Alexa Cooper, Domestic Investment Officer, and Mr. Hezron Henry, Marketing Support Officer. Throughout the Forum, the delegation engaged with stakeholders and promoted the Turks and Caicos Islands as a competitive investment destination while exploring opportunities for greater regional collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Speaking on her experience at the Forum, Ms. Alexa Cooper, Chief Domestic Investment Officer, said:

“CIF 2026 provided another valuable opportunity to engage with donor organisations, investors and Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) from across the Caribbean. A highlight for me was the introduction of an exclusive masterclass for fund managers, investors and support organisations, which offered practical insights into unlocking capital, strengthening investment ecosystems and supporting investment-ready businesses. I was equally impressed with the quality of projects pitched, which showcased the region’s innovation and investment potential. It was encouraging to see projects presented with a clearer understanding of investor expectations, reinforcing the importance of not simply developing projects, but ensuring they are well-structured, investment-ready and positioned to attract the right investment partners.”

Accompanying the Invest TCI delegation was Mr. Sean Penn, Chief Executive Officer of Sky Poultry Farm Ltd., the first commercial egg and poultry production facility in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Mr. Penn’s participation provided an opportunity to showcase the development of domestic enterprise within the Turks and Caicos Islands while highlighting the potential of agriculture and food production as part of the country’s broader economic diversification efforts.

Through his participation at CIF 2026, Mr. Penn had the opportunity to engage with regional stakeholders, gain exposure to developments within the Caribbean agricultural sector, and explore potential partnerships and opportunities related to agricultural investment, innovation, and enterprise development.

For Invest TCI, the combination of sponsorship, investment promotion and local business representation provided a multifaceted platform to advance the Agency’s mandate. It allowed Invest TCI not only to promote the Turks and Caicos Islands to prospective investors but also to facilitate greater exposure for a local enterprise operating within an emerging sector of the economy. The Forum also provided opportunities for the Invest TCI delegation to exchange knowledge with regional counterparts, strengthen institutional relationships, and gain insight into investment trends and opportunities affecting Caribbean economies.

As the Caribbean Investment Forum continues to expand its regional reach, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, was announced as the destination for the next edition of the Forum, providing another opportunity to bring together investors, policymakers, investment promotion agencies and businesses from across the Caribbean and beyond.

Invest TCI looks forward to the continued growth of the Caribbean Investment Forum and the opportunities it creates to deepen regional partnerships, promote investment, and connect Caribbean businesses with new markets and sources of capital. The Agency remains committed to attracting sustainable investment, supporting domestic enterprise, encouraging economic diversification, and developing partnerships that contribute to the long-term economic development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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Energy Minister Delivers Electrifying Keynote Opening Address at CAREC 2026  

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NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Bahamas’ Minister of Energy, Utilities and Aviation, The Honourable JoBeth Coleby-Davis, delivered an electrifying address during the opening ceremony of the 2026 CARILEC Resilient/Renewable Energy Community (CAREC) Conference and Exhibition, being held October 18–22, 2026, at the British Colonial Hotel in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Under the theme “Empowering Progress: Strategic Policy and Planning for the Energy Transition,” the event draws more than 200 industry leaders, policymakers, regulators, and energy professionals committed to advancing practical strategies for sustainable and reliable Caribbean power systems through renewable energy and emerging technologies.

During her address, titled “The New Energy Era: Transforming Policy into Progress,” Minister Coleby-Davis reminded attendees that The Bahamas’ national motto, “Forward, Upward, Onward, Together,” aptly describes what the region’s energy transition demands.

“Empowering Progress speaks directly to our national motto. Not waiting for progress, but creating the conditions that allow progress to happen. Meaningful progress, however, does not occur by accident. It requires vision, sound policy, strategic planning, strong institutions, and the determination to turn decisions into results,” said Minister Coleby-Davis.

Participants acknowledged that small island developing states share similar pressures, compounded by geographical challenges, small electricity markets, ageing infrastructure, geopolitical influences, and the growing threat of severe weather.

Tasked with ushering in a new energy era across the islands while addressing the challenges posed by The Bahamas’ unique archipelagic composition, Minister Coleby-Davis said, “Every island needs a different answer, but the same logic. As an archipelagic nation, we must provide electricity across many islands, each with its own demand and infrastructure needs. Our strategy, therefore, must be national in direction, but responsive to individual communities.”

Restating her Ministry’s three core messages—that energy is an economic and security priority, technology must be viewed as a tool to support strong institutional leadership, and natural gas should be considered a bridge, not a destination—Minister Coleby-Davis reiterated that “progress must now be reflected in functioning infrastructure, effective institutions, and better electricity services: from policy commitments to coordinated implementation, and from fragmented investment decisions to long-term planning.”

Organised by CARILEC and co-hosted by Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) and Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC), the annual Conference and Exhibition brings together the Caribbean energy community to advance practical solutions to the region’s most pressing energy challenges and accelerate progress towards more resilient, reliable, and sustainable power systems.

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Monument Supports Hands for Hunger With Paradise Plates Debut  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ leading wine and spirits distributor, proudly supported Paradise Plates, Hands for Hunger annual fundraiser with a flavorful offering of its newest product, Monument Beverage Co.

Monument, which launched this July and is available across six major islands, made its Paradise Plates debut. Guests enjoyed three bold flavors: Peach Passion, Ginger-Lime and Melon Fizz as they socialized throughout the evening.

Monument brand ambassadors engaged guests with knowledge on the ready-to-drink beverage’s unique taste and look. Many attendees were delighted to learn that Monument is 100% Bahamian-made and owned and enjoyed seeing the various national landmarks on the packaging.

The booth was adorned with vibrant brand colors, striped arches, tropical florals and a photo worthy backdrop featuring Monument cans filled with florals cascading down the wall.

At the end of the event, the entire Monument inventory had finished, making Monument’s Paradise Plates debut a huge success.

For more details on Caribbean Wines & Spirits, new products and specials, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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