Bahamas News
United States Holds US-CARICOM Partnership Reception in Honour of Relationship
March 6, 2023 – Ahead of the 44th Regular Meeting of the Heads of Government of CARICOM, officials of the United States Embassy in Nassau held a reception in honour of the leaders of the Caribbean Community.
The U.S. -CARICOM Partnership Reception was held on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2023 at the U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission’s Residence, and hosted by Charge d’Affaires Usha Pitts.
Present were the Hon. Philip Davis, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Chair of CARICOM; Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon. Fred Mitchell; Her Excellency Leslia Miller-Brice, Bahamas High Commissioner to CARICOM; and Dr. Carla Natalie Barnett, Secretary General, CARICOM; the 27-member U.S. Delegation led by Brian Nichols, U.S. Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs; and John Kerry, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate. Other high level representatives from The Bahamas, the U.S. and CARICOM were also present.
“What a pleasure to be with you all tonight, as we celebrate the time-honoured relationship between the United States and the nations of CARICOM,” said Prime Minister Davis.
He extended heartfelt appreciation to the United States for its ongoing commitment to supporting the nations of CARICOM as member-states build a more secure and prosperous future for its people.
He also specifically thanked Mr. Kerry his “comrade in arms” for his continued support in the fight against Climate Change.
And, in his remarks, Mr. Kerry spoke about continued efforts to advance international cooperation among nations particularly vulnerable to the climate crisis. He also thanked Prime Minister Davis for the “extraordinary job” in hosting CARICOM.
Mr. Kerry said he has the privilege of representing US President Joe Biden and that the US is a part of the solution.
“It takes every country to be a part of this journey. We all have a vested interest to do what our citizens want us to do — deal with this issue — climate change. We are all in this together.
He was “looking forward to CARICOM becoming more important regionally and globally,” he said.
While observing that what happens in one country can have ripple effects on the entire hemisphere, the prime minister said all must work expeditiously to bridge the gaps and strengthen durable partnerships.
“My friends let me say once more, we stand to gain so much by coming together. The fabric of our societies is already interwoven. Our Caribbean sons and daughters are going on to do great things in the United States,” he said.
“It is no secret that ours is a shared history, and that our tomorrows are closely intertwined. More and more, the challenges we face are refusing to confine themselves to the boundaries of nation and region.”
According to the prime minister, together, all partners are better equipped to confront the existential threats of climate change, to pursue a people-centred approach to development, and to address social inequality in all its forms.
He also observed that unity would be the key in cultivating a just, equitable and prosperous hemisphere.
“We have already seen the power of cooperation proven by the success of CARICOM nations in lobbying for a loss and damage fund at COP27,” the prime minister said.
He pointed out that this is seen in the security partnership between the United States and The Bahamas, an enterprise that has endured since our independence in 1973.
And most recently, that partnership saw the donation of 20 new hybrid SUVs to The Bahamas – a contribution that will go a long way in assisting the crime-fighting efforts of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.
On behalf of the Caribbean Community, the prime minister also acknowledged the $5.53million Pfizer vaccines in the fight against COVID-19, donated by the US in 2021, at the request of then Chair of CARICOM Dr. the Hon. Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.
“For those gifts and many others, we say thank you. And we look forward to future collaboration not only in the realm of security, but trade, health, and human rights,” he said.
Added the prime minister, “As we, the leaders of CARICOM, zealously pursue the sustainable development of our respective territories, [we] know that the continued investment of the United States will go a long way in safeguarding harmony and strengthening resilience within our region.
“Collaboration in the areas of economic diversification, clean energy transition, and climate resilience is especially welcomed.”
Moreover, having just witnessed the “immense talent” of Barbadian singer Rihanna at the Super Bowl LVII halftime show, “I think it’s safe to say that the Caribbean-American connection is an impressive one, capable of astounding not merely at level of the hemisphere, but the entire globe,” the prime minister said.
Moving forward, he said he would be delighted to see new opportunities emerge for deepening cultural and educational exchange between the Caribbean and the United States.
“The future is certainly ripe for fresh enterprises in the sectors of tourism, education, and the orange economy, so let us innovate and endeavour to strengthen the existing ties between our regions,” the prime minister said.
“I look forward to sharing in the fruits of our labour and I trust ours is a partnership that will carry on promoting peace, stability, and wellbeing in the Americas,” he concluded.
“The work of Assistant Secretary Nichols will reflect the shared partnership, continued US support for The Bahamas, and improved coordination with CARICOM, as mentioned by Charge d’Affaires Pitts in her opening remarks.”
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.
