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Bank Provided Billions in Financing

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#Nassau, December 6, 2018 – Bahamas – Regional bank, CIBC First Caribbean has provided over USD$1.8 billion in funding for infrastructure projects over the past three years.

Of that amount USD$500 million have gone to support energy utility companies in the Bahamas, Aruba, Curacao and Jamaica said the bank’s Chief Executive Officer Colette Delaney as she delivered remarks at the opening of CARIF 2018 – 3rd Caribbean Infrastructure Forum at the Baha Mar Resort, Nassau.

“We believe that as a leading regional bank, we have an important role to play in this sector.  Each of the projects we funded was created in response to some specific opportunity or need that existed somewhere in our region,” Ms. Delaney said.

The decision to co-sponsor the conference along with KPMG underlines CIBC FirstCaribbean’s ongoing commitment to the region.  Ms. Delaney said the two-day Agenda zeroed in on some of the pivotal challenges and opportunities confronting the region in terms of infrastructure planning and development.

“These include climate change with its consequent rise in sea level and all that this portends for a region whose key earner is white sandy beaches; stronger storms in areas where building codes are weak or non-existent; rising landfills and shrinking land space as islands struggle to cope with solid waste disposal.  These are some of the real challenges facing this region, which the right partnerships can turn into opportunities.

“Last year’s devastating hurricanes taught us some critically important lessons – chief among them was the very vulnerable nature of key infrastructure in the Caribbean.  We all saw how storms can paralyse entire island-nations many of which have one or two major highways, a single air and seaport, a single power plant and key government and private sector buildings clustered in one location.

The CEO said Hurricanes Irma and Maria had a direct impact on CIBC FirstCaribbean operations in five territories – Anguilla, Antigua, British Virgin Islands, Dominica and St. Maarten.

Ms. Delaney said that if the region is to continue to grow and maximise its fullest potential then “regional bankers and builders, politicians and policy-makers must ensure that future projects – roads, bridges, ports, office buildings and hotels – are not only constructed to withstand the super storms of the future but are also situated in locations that give due consideration to storm surges, overflowing rivers and landslides”.

“In addition, we must also ensure that insurance coverage to mitigate these risks is adequately implemented, regulated and maintained.”

She added that even though this region is blessed with an almost infinite supply of sun, wind, water and thermal energy, with some exceptions, they remain largely untapped resources throughout the region.  Creative private public partnerships for the development and diversification of the energy sector, is need to bring about a more balanced use of green energy along with that derived from traditional fossil fuels.

“It is clear,” she said, “that both public and private investment in physical capital is crucial to driving Caribbean economic development and consequently the creation of wealth for its citizens.

“As an example, a quick look at a sample of 128 developed and developing countries suggests that the quality of a country’s seaport infrastructure and shipping logistics, coupled with widespread access to both telecommunications and electricity are all highly correlated with a country’s GDP per capita and thus, its overall level of development.

“Conversely, a lack of investment in critical infrastructure and essential services in a well planned and executed manner can cripple a country’s economic growth and stifle business development opportunities and foreign direct investment.”

Dr. The Most Honourable Hubert A. Minnis, Prime Minister of The Bahamas opened the conference at Baha Mar noting the timely nature and importance of the infrastructure and financing discussions for the entire region over the next two-days.  He thanked CIBC FirstCaribbean and other sponsors for hosting the important event.

 

Press Release: CIBC First Caribbean

Photo Captions:

Header: Prime Minister of the Bahamas Dr. The Most Honourable Hubert A. Minnis at the start of the CARIF 2018 conference with CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Managing Director, Bahamas and TCI, Marie Rodland-Allen (left) and CEO Colette Delaney.

Insert: Bahamas Prime Minister Dr. The Most Honourable Hubert A. Minnis shares a light moment with Chief Executive Officer of CIBC FirstCaribbean Colette Delaney (left) and the bank’s Managing Director, Bahamas and TCI, Marie Rodland-Allen.

 

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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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