Bahamas News
Grand Bahama’s Small Business Incentive Program proving to be successful
#Bahamas, March 5, 2018 – Grand Bahama – The success of the newly launched Grand Bahama Micro and Small Business Economic, Empowerment and Incentive Program was evident in the certification of a second group of potential entrepreneurs from the program on Monday, February 26, 2018, in the Office of the Prime Minister.
The certification of 15 new business owners and the expectation of the program’s being extended to not just a third, but also a fourth group of individuals has brought to light what Minister of State for Grand Bahama, Senator Kwasi Thompson has been touting all along “that small businesses will be a big part of the economic turnaround for Grand Bahama.”
In addition to the 15 new self-starter businesses, eight existing businesses also received financial grants and certification to help in the growth of their already established enterprises. The businesses represented a cross section of careers, including restaurant, pastry and bakery, nails and cosmetics, bone fishing, sign making, perfume making and landscaping.
Senator Kwasi Thompson told the group of entrepreneurs that there are positive signs and good things happening in Freeport, if they chose to see those positive signs. “I want to encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities that are coming,” said Minister Thompson.
The Minister outlined some of the projects that are in the process of coming to fruition in Grand Bahama, which he said, will help to revamp the economy of Grand Bahama. Projects like the sale and re-opening of the Lucayan Resort, the re-started resort in West End that had once been a Ginn project, the Oban Oil Refinery project, two small projects in West End, inclusive the Sea Wood Fishing Village and the Blue Marlin Cove marina, two light manufacturing companies and other such projects.
“I don’t outline these projects or bring them up to suggest that Grand Bahama has turned any corner or that Grand Bahama is doing well, but I bring them up and talk about them because we all need to know that there are positive things happening in Grand Bahama,” added Minister Thompson.
“We also need to know what opportunities there are for us here in Grand Bahama. Think out of the box. Don’t limit yourself to the old ways of doing business. The good thing is that we have the access where your entire market does not have to be only people in Freeport, Grand Bahama, or even just in The Bahamas.
“The entire world now can become your market.”
He said that the time has come now where Bahamians begin to think globally and think about exporting their talents and their goods and services.
“You have the talent, you have the skills, to be able to compete with anyone, anywhere in the world,” added Minister Thompson. “In fact, you are the best in the world at what you do, because nobody could be Bahamian better than you and nobody can produce Bahamian better than you.”
Also giving the new business owners, as well as the established entrepreneurs, some words of encouragement was Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Michael Pintard, who reminded the business owners that they have to be committed and disciplined, not just in how they manage their respective companies, but how they manage their finances.
“You have to be prepared to wake up early, pray up, show up, stay late if necessary, in order to build your empire. Not everyone is an entrepreneur, so you are a unique group among hundreds of thousands in the Bahamas.
“But if our economy in Grand Bahama is to recover and if the Bahamas is to grow at the rate which we believe it has the potential to grow, much of that success is going to come as a result of the efforts by people such as yourselves. So we are happy to be working in conjunction with you.”
Minister Pintard pointed out that micro and small business enterprises help to fuel the economy of countries around the world and that The Bahamas was no exception. He said that one of the things that is presently being discussed among the government and the private sector is how to obtain the number of people required by Bahamian and foreign business owners, in order to sustain those businesses.
He said one of the things he and Minister Thompson discussed while putting together the program, was deciding the types of businesses they ought to fund.
“The view was that we should fund businesses that have an opportunity to make it with the present population size we have,” said Minister Pintard.
“So, you are uniquely positioned because although it would benefit you to have in excess of thousands more consumers in which to market your products and services, you have the capacity to do a volume of business that would be beneficial to you, your family and this community, right now.
“We wanted to identify businesses that would be in the creative arts, businesses that would affect tourism, or that would deal with personal consumption…and all of you represent these kinds of businesses.”
He admitted that every business will find itself in a competitive market, not just locally or nationally, but internationally, and with the ability to be paired with mentors who will assist them in ensuring that their respective businesses are successful.
By: Andrew Coakley
Photo Captions:
Header: Fifteen new self-starter companies and eight already existing businesses all received certificates and financial grants after successfully completing the required classes in the Grand Bahama Micro and Small Business, Economic Empowerment and Incentive Program on Monday, February 26, 2018 in the Office of the Prime Minister (Grand Bahama). Pictured with the graduates were Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Michael Pintard (seated, centre); Minister of State for Grand Bahama, Senator Kwasi Thompson (seated, second from left); Carla Roker-Brown, Program Coordinator in the Ministry of Youth (seated right); Lady Naomi Wallace-Whitfield, from the Office of the Prime Minister (seated, second from right) and Shavonia McBride, from the Office of the Prime Minister (seated, left).
First insert: Minister of State for Grand Bahama, Senator Kwasi Thompson reminded new and existing business owners to look at the positive things taking place in Grand Bahama and not focus on the negative. The Minister outlined a number of proposed projects to be undertaken in Grand Bahama, which will help to bring about an economic turnaround for the island’s economy.
Second insert: Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Michael Pintard encouraged new business owners to be prepared to put in the time, commitment and dedication to make their respective businesses successful.
BIS Photos/Lisa Davis
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.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
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!
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.
