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‘Talk About the Opportunities, and Sell the Strengths’ Minister Thompson Tells Grand Bahamians

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#Bahamas, November 21, 2017 – Grand Bahama – Minister of State for Grand Bahama in the Office of The Prime Minister, Senator Kwasi Thompson says it is important for people to choose carefully the words they use to describe Grand Bahama in its current state.

In his address of the Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA) during its seminar held in Grand Bahama on Saturday, November 18, 2017, as part of Accountant’s Week, the Minister noted that words matter and how Grand Bahamians choose to describe themselves will matter to someone looking to invest in the island.

“There are opportunities available in and for Grand Bahama,” said Minister Thompson, “we are not dead or closed. And it is those opportunities that we should be talking about and selling our strengths, which we certainly have lots of.”

Focusing on the Association’s theme for their seminar in Grand Bahama, which was “Preparing Grand Bahama for regional and global opportunities,” Minister Thompson noted that the theme was in perfect alignment with his government’s mandate: to bring economic growth and relief to the island of Grand Bahama.

The Minister pointed out that the government, over the past six months since taking office, had begun the process of revitalizing Grand Bahama through initiatives geared toward diversifying the island’s economy, taking steps aimed at improving the ease of doing business, strengthening the island’s tourism product, and entrepreneurial and small business job creation.

With excitement, which he says is inevitable whenever he speaks about revitalizing Grand Bahama, Senator Thompson painstakingly outlined some of those initiatives and programs that have been, or will be, carried out by the government to help in restoration of Grand Bahama’s economy.

He spoke about the recent Tech Summit held in Grand Bahama over a week ago, which was designed to lay the foundation in building the Second City as the Tech Hub of The Bahamas. “The Government believes that Grand Bahama has the potential to become the Silicon Valley of the Caribbean,” said Minister Thompson. “We believe that this can and should become the third pillar of our economy.

“There are real opportunities for data centers, some of which have already applied for cyber security industries, for block chain technology, Data Protection and Security, Business Incorporation Center and Technology Corporate Headquarters and conferences.”

Minister Thompson also noted that Grand Bahama has the opportunity to be the leader in a market that it alone has – and that is the stopover cruise market.

Grand Bahama has huge potential to capitalize on the stopover visitor market with launch of a new fast ferry – FRS – which sails between Freeport and Miami; with the existing service of Balearia fast ferry between Freeport and Fort Lauderdale; and with the Celebration cruise ship that sails between Freeport and West Palm Beach.   “We are in discussions with Balearia, which has already committed to increasing its calls.   We have negotiated the addition of the SS Classica, which will bring twice as many stopover passengers to Freeport,” said Minister Thompson.

The Minister said Grand Bahama has economic opportunities in agriculture as a supplemental industry, and the government has already heard proposals on developing farming in East End that it hopes can be made reality.

He said there are economic opportunities in light manufacturing.  Recent negotiations took place between the government and Wind River Tobacco Company to bring their manufacturing plant to Grand Bahama, which would provide much-needed jobs for Grand Bahamians.

With so many opportunities becoming available to revitalize Grand Bahama’s economy, Minister Thompson noted, it becomes important to increase the ease of doing business in The Bahamas, particularly Grand Bahama. “This will foster an environment for foreign investors, with whom we collaborate to stimulate the economy and create jobs for Bahamians,” added Minister Thompson.

“My government is actively working to establish the Grand Bahama Investment Unit, which will mirror the Bahamas Investment Authority, located in the capital. With this unit, “we will be able to quickly see investment requests for Grand Bahama through from start to finish, thereby creating more work opportunities for Bahamians.”

By: Andrew Coakley (BIS)

PHOTO CAPTION

TALKING ECONOMICS – Minister of State for Grand Bahama, Senator Kwasi Thompson (left) chats with  Gowon Bowe, president of the Bahamas institute of Chartered Accountants before of the start of BICA’s seminar in Grand Bahama on Saturday, November 18, 2017.   Minister Thompson was the guest speaker for the first session on Saturday.  (BIS Photo/Andrew Coakley)

 

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Twist To Win Ends in a Grand Style with Four $5,000 Mall at Marathon Shopping Sprees  

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Twist To Win grand finale winners (l-r) Brian Bethel, Taraceta Neely, Ashia Demeritte and Merlin Adams posing along with their winnings from the shopping spree.

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.

The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.

With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.

Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.

Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.

Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!

After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.

The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.

At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.

Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.

Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.

The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.

Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.

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 The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival.                                                                                                                                                                              Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.

As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.

Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole, with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’.                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.

Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.

Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the listening booth.

Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.

For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!

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CWS Brings a Galore of Bubbles at Annual Jollification Festival  

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Caribbean Wines & Spirits team members smiling behind one of the company’s two bars at Jollification

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.

Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.

The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members.  Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.

Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine.  To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.

On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking in the comfort of the chic lounge.  In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.

The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.

Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.

To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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