Bahamas News
Minister Sweeting Leads Delegation To Jamaica
Delegation to Visit Denbigh Agricultural Show and Poultry Farms
#TheBahamas, July 21, 2022 – Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs Hon. Clay Sweeting will lead a delegation to Jamaica to visit the 68th Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show set for July 25 – August 1.
According to officials, the event “is the oldest, largest and most dynamic Agricultural Show in the English-Speaking Caribbean and attracts over 80,000 patrons.”
The delegation will include officials from the ministry, the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI), the Bahamas Agricultural Industrial Corporation (BAIC) and the Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority (BAHFSA).
“This is the first time the show is being held in two years and features include youth in agriculture, agricultural displays, children’s village and a health and wellness village,” Minister Sweeting said.
“I am very excited that our team in the ministry inclusive of technical officers, BAIC, BAHFSA and BAMSI will be able to visit, experience and draw knowledge from such an event.”
Chairman of BAIC Leroy Major said that the corporation looks to engage with investors during the week.
“This mission aligns with BAIC’s mandate and as the ministry’s commercial arm, our input in high level discussions with potential investors in the agriculture sector cannot be underestimated,” he said.
“With significant interest expressed in animal feed production, poultry processing, egg production and other agro-industrial enterprises, BAIC is well poised to contribute to discussions while balancing external interests and national development.” 
Chairman of BAMSI Tyrel Young also spoke about the importance of the mission for the tertiary institution.
“BAMSI is looking to source new vendors, tissue culture and other farming inputs. Also, we are looking to partner with local Jamaican entities in the processing industry, industrial farming industry and poultry farming industry to possibly engage in Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) for the training of BAMSI staff in these areas,” he said.
“This will widen the experience and knowledge of our extension officers, which will allow BAMSI to be the trainers – as we should be – to farmers and processors in regards to these sectors.”
During the week, the delegation is also expected to visit poultry farming facilities such as Caribbean Broilers and Jamaica Broilers.
Minister Sweeting explained that the government is looking to revitalize the country’s poultry industry.
“The poultry industry is one of the fastest-growing agricultural sub-sectors, especially in developing countries with an expected growth rate of 15 percent by 2027. There is a huge market for poultry products in The Bahamas that has been untapped for years but can be revitalized,” he said.
“Chicken is a mainstay of the national diet in this country. They are relatively easy to raise, however we only domestically produce around five per cent of our consumption. The Bahamas was once 100 percent self-sufficient in table eggs and we had a thriving broiler as well. It is important that as a government we provide policies to encourage growth in this sub-sector. However, we also need the support and want to encourage private development investment to revive the industry. It is important that we are direct with our approach to feed ourselves and to create opportunities simultaneously.”
The minister noted that Jamaica is one of the Caribbean countries that has developed a robust poultry sector with a significant investment in the industry.
“The poultry industry in Jamaica contributes between 15 and 20 percent of the Agricultural gross domestic product (GDP). It creates directly and indirectly economic activity and livelihood for over 100,000 persons and is a major alleviator of unemployment in the rural areas,” Minister Sweeting said.
“Our Caribbean counterparts such as Jamaica have done extremely well, and we hope to replicate a model similar to their poultry structure in The Bahamas.”
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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