Bahamas News
Agreement signed with IDB to unlock $1.3 Million for Small Businesses in The Bahamas
#NASSAU, Bahamas – January 26, 2020 – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest said one of the best parts of his job is having the ability to direct resources to aspiring Bahamian entrepreneurs to help them fulfill their creative dreams.
“So today is a special day. We are signing a technical cooperation agreement that will unlock $1.3 million in resources from the Inter-American Development Bank system to expand the work and reach of the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC),” DPM Turnquest explained during the assignment ceremony at the IDB’s Bahamas Office, Wednesday, January 22, 2020.
He added, “On behalf of the government I am pleased to say that the ‘Accelerate Bahamas’ Project is another fulfilment of our promise to stimulate the entrepreneurial ecosystem in The Bahamas, and support the development, growth and dynamism of Bahamian micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs).
“Personally, it is an absolute privilege to be in this position, as I have always had a fondness for entrepreneurs. Their passion, enthusiasm and dogged determination is inspiring and infectious.”
The DPM noted that to the broader economic impact, however, it has been well documented and demonstrated that small business is the engine of the economy and backbone of the private sector. In The Bahamas, there are close to 23,000 business licenses issued and it is estimated that MSMEs consist of 98 per cent of them. They hire 47 per cent of all employees, while contributing between 20 percent to 30 percent of the Gross Domestic Product.
Signing the contracts for the agreements were Executive Director, SBDC, Davinia Grant (seated centre) and the IDB Country Representative, Daniela Carrera Marquis (seated at right). Also pictured seated is Private Sector Consultant & Complete Caribbean Liaison, Mikia Carter. Standing from left: Chief Executive Officer, Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation, Jeffrey Beckles; Chairman, Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation, Khrystle L. Rutherford- Ferguson; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest; Chairman, SBDC, Geoffrey Andrews; and President, University of The Bahamas, Dr. Rodney Smith. (BIS Photos/Kent Minnis)
The DPM stated that foreign direct investment alone cannot power a sustainable economy. “Sustained economic growth must be driven by Bahamian investment and creativity in tandem with strategic foreign direct investment. This goes to the heart of why the Minnis administration has been so adamant about stimulating Bahamian ownership. MSMEs create jobs, they build wealth and they grow the economy.”
He explained that the SBDC sits at the centre of the government’s investment plan for entrepreneurs. Our investment in the Access Accelerator represents the largest single allocation of investment funds for Bahamian entrepreneurs that has ever been made by the Government of The Bahamas.
DPM Turnquest noted that prior to the streamlining of efforts through the SBDC, the entrepreneurial ecosystem in The Bahamas for supporting the development of MSMEs and start-ups was fragmented. There was insufficient access to training programs and business advisory services and, even more, insufficient access to capital.
“I am proud to say that the directors, management and staff of the SBDC have been tremendous stewards of their public charge. Their impact is being felt by hundreds and hundreds of Bahamians who have benefited from training, mentorship and other forms of ongoing business support, including, most importantly, access to badly needed capital.”
Signing the contracts for the agreements were the IDB Country Representative, Daniela Carrera Marquis and Executive Director, SBDC, Davinia Grant.
BIS PRESS RELEASE BY LLONELLA GILBERT
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.
