Bahamas News
Symonette Discusses Bahamas as Commercial Arbitration Centre
#Bahamas, February 3, 2018 – Nassau – Minister of Financial Services, Trade and Industry and Immigration, the Hon. Brent Symonette says that the government is committed to easing the way business is conducted in the country. The Minister made the comments while delivering opening remarks at the 6th Annual Arbitration and Investment Seminar, held at the Harry C. Moore Library and Information Centre at the University of The Bahamas on Monday, January 29.
“While The Bahamas is recognized internationally as a mature, well-regulated and sophisticated international financial centre with international financial institutions delivering a myriad of services including banking, private banking and trust service, investment advisory services and insurance among others, there are real concerns about the ease of doing business in The Bahamas which has the potential to erode our competitive advantage in these areas globally,” said Minister Symonette.
He said that as globalization continues, The Bahamas has to meet the demands of the global community including its perception of the country as a business centre and its expectations.
“We cannot be left behind as our regional neighbors make changes to the way they do business to position their countries globally,” he said. “Too much is at stake for the Bahamian people, particularly the youth of our country, the backbone of the future.”
He said with this objective in mind, the government would implement a number of initiatives aimed at improving the ease in which business is conducted. He pointed to three priority areas.
“Those areas include the business license process, the investor proposal process and various immigration processes, including work permits,” said Minister Symonette, “The government will also move to bring ‘greater transparency’ to the processes of doing business in The Bahamas.”
He said that as it pertains to resolving disputes, the government remains committed to the establishment of the country as a modern and sophisticated international commercial arbitration centre.
“We believe that given our developed financial services sector and large ship registry, there are opportunities which can allow these matters to be arbitrated here in The Bahamas creating jobs for Bahamian professionals while having trickle down for the economy at large. The potential for long term employment opportunities for Bahamian professionals has to be stressed.”
Topics discussed at the summit included, ‘Smooth or Rough seas? Challenges to Maritime Arbitration,’ ‘Court-Connected Mediation & Arbitration, Anti-Suit Injunctions, Helpful or Harmful’ and ‘Construction Adjudication: Baha Mar Open, Now Have We Learned the Lessons for Construction Dispute Resolution?’
Release: BIS
Photo Caption:
Header: Attendees look on during the 6th Annual Arbitration and Investment Summit — Caribbean, Latin America and Other Emerging Markets 2018. The event was held under the theme, ‘Arbitration, Alternative Dispute Resolution; Cooperation vs. Competition.’ The summit was held at the Harry C. Moore Library at the University of the Bahamas on Monday. (BIS Photo/Derek Smith)
Insert: Minister of Financial Services, Trade & Industry and Immigration, the Hon. Brent Symonette, delivering opening remarks at the 6th Annual Arbitration and Investment Summit — Caribbean, Latin America and Other Emerging Markets 2018. The event was held under the theme, ‘Arbitration, Alternative Dispute Resolution; Cooperation vs. Competition.’ The summit was held at the Harry C. Moore Library at the University of the Bahamas on Monday, January 29, 2018. (BIS Photo/Derek Smith)
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NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.
Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is
inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.
This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.
The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.
The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.
Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.
“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the
nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.
“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”
The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.
Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.
Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice. Monument is made to celebrate, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.
NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady
Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.
CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.
The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.
Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.
“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.
Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.
“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the
Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.
“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.
Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.
“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top. In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla. Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.
The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.
For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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