Bahamas News
Bahamas Development Bank Poised to Expand Products and Services
#Nassau, October 29, 2019 – The Bahamas – The Bahamas Development Bank is presently undergoing a transformation through which it intends to expand its products and services to maximize existing powers under the Bahamas Development Bank Act, 1974.
The Bahamas Development Bank (BDB) is making efforts to incubate emerging or struggling industries to expand the economy, create moreopportunities and ensure that natural resources will continue to provide for future generations, Managing Director Dave Smith said in his address of the annual Exuma Business Outlook on the topic, ‘Connecting Resources, Maximizing Opportunities: Transforming Exuma.’
He continued: “These kinds of transformative programs have a higher rate of success/sustainability because BDB is able to connect technical expertise, funding, and governmental support through partnerships with international agencies such as IICA (Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, CARDI(CaribbeanAgricultural Research and Development Institute),and various government ministries, departments and agencies such as the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources.”
This approach, he said, creates an environment that facilitates the “ease of getting into and/or doing business”through the bank’s favorable credit terms, coordination that reduces barriers and greater awareness of the available concessions under various encouragement Acts.
The 13th annual Exuma Business Outlook was held October 24th at Sandals Emerald Bay resort. The theme for the event was ‘Stimulating Growth: We’ve Made it our Business.’
Providing an overview, Mr. Smith said the bank’s mandate is to advance opportunities for economic empowerment for Bahamians. Established in 1974, he said unlike any other bank in this country it is a developmental finance institution, driven by profit and the responsibility to create positive externalities that support overall national development through economic investment.
During the past four decades BDB has extended credit to hundreds of entrepreneurs in various sectors such as manufacturing, fishing, services, transportation and tourism; played a significant role in building essential inter-island connections and acted as the principal funding agent for mailboat services and more.
“This kind of facilitation translates into wealth creation, job creation, increased exports and reduced imports, thus transforming and growingour economy,” he noted.
Today, the bank continues to act as a catalyst for economic development providing loan funding for small and medium Bahamian enterprises through partnerships with the Small Business Development Center.
Mr. Smith highlighted the bank’s investment in a number of programmes and initiatives aimed at spurring economic activity across the archipelago. He cited two examples: the Industrialization of Cascarilla in Acklins, Crooked Island and Samana Cay and an Apiary Programme in Grand Bahama where more than 30 young persons were trained in “bee keeping.”
He advised that a sustainable approach to development that includes climate resiliency for businesses and residents is more necessary since the passing of Hurricane Dorian.
“As we look to rebuild, BDB will champion opportunitiesfor Bahamians that will ultimately enhance our self-sufficiency. In the short term, we are proposing a poultry revitalization project for Grand Bahama and a small ruminant program for Long Island that will combine training, logistics, and market preparedness. We anticipate that these pilot projects will be duplicated where appropriate,” he said.
Bonefishing tours, fishing boats and equipment, vehicles and taxis, hotels and motels are among the industries that the BDB has extended loans for in Exuma.
He said the bank is working to strengthen partnerships with impactful organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce.
As BDB transforms, Mr. Smith noted: “While our credit extension facilities have supported SME growth across the archipelago over the last four decades, we will increase our efficacy by expanding or activities to include those typically offered in our region by development financing institutions (e.g. capital leases, guarantees, equity positions) in concert with other local development institutions.”
“Further, as BDB continues to be a catalyst for economic development we recognize stakeholder collaboration and partnership, service consistency and communication to raise awareness in the areas of access and opportunity as important axioms for BDB’s success. We intend to be transparent and inclusive as we craft and communicate our progress on specific programs and policies,” he added.
Release: BIS
Photo Caption: Bahamas Development Bank Managing Director, Dave Smith.
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.
