Bahamas News
U.S. and The Bahamas Renew the Air Transport Preclearance Agreement
By LLONELLA GILBERT
Bahamas Information Services
NASSAU, The Bahamas – Official Signing of the Air Transport Preclearance Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Commonwealth of The Bahamas took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, February 5, 2024.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon. Frederick Mitchell explained that this is a renewal of an agreement signed between the two countries in April 1974, which eases the flow of people between The Bahamas and the U.S. It also
creates a high level of security for the two countries.
In 1974, it was signed by the then Minister of External Affairs the Hon. Paul Adderley and U.S. Ambassador to The Bahamas Ronald Spiers.
Minister Mitchell said, “As we sign this Agreement, the government and people of The Bahamas renew their commitment to strengthening our relations, security and ease of access for both countries.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner, Diane Sabatino signed on behalf of the United States.
Assistant Commissioner Sabatino explained that the Agreement predates the existence of the Department of Homeland Security as well as U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
“This renewed agreement marks the opportunity for us to consider expanded opportunities to further reinforce the partnerships that we have with you in The Bahamas, and look for ways to enhance economic prosperity while ensuring safe travel between The Bahamas and the U.S.”
She noted that preclearance opens an additional gateway into the U.S. and it really maximizes the use of aircraft and gate utilization. Further, it leads to streamlining of passenger processing.
“This new agreement represents a modernized operational framework to be more flexible, to be more nimble and increase the partnership between the two countries.”
Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of the United States of America, Usha Pitts said the main point of the Preclearance Agreement is that Americans can go through preclearance in The Bahamas as if they are boarding a domestic flight.
“When they return to the U.S., they can just get onto their connecting flight and get on with their day. They do not have to wait in long lines at international terminals.
“For Bahamians they enjoy this benefit as well, but even better, it allows the U.S. to grant Bahamians U.S. Visa-free travel, which is a benefit that very few countries enjoy.”
The Charge d’Affaires said there are only six countries in the world that have this kind of Preclearance Agreement.
Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation Permanent Secretary, Reginald Saunders noted that this new preclearance agreement reaffirms the commitment of The Bahamas and the U.S. to further strengthening their relationship and mutual border integrity, and supersedes the existing Air Transport Preclearance Agreement signed in 1974 and amended in 2010. 
He explained that apart from preclearance of all U.S. bound passengers, the new agreement also provides for the additional manpower of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers during peak times at the Lynden Pindling International Airport.
“With the new benchmark of nine million visitors to our country in 2023, this updated agreement will help in improving the travel experience of all U.S. bound passengers from The Bahamas.
“Moreover, as our early projections of tourists’ arrivals in 2024 continue to look impressive, having a stress-free travel experience also bodes well for both air carriers and tourism.”
PS Saunders said officials at the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation continue to negotiate with various airlines and stakeholders to increase airlift to The Bahamas which in turn increases the number of travellers.
He said, “We are also pleased that U.S. Customs and Border Protection is considering the addition of The Bahamas to the global entry list. This measure will greatly reduce the wait time at LPIA by allowing pre-approved passengers expedient clearance to bypass lines and access global processing technology.”
PHOTO CAPTION
Official Signing of the Air Transport Preclearance Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and The Commonwealth of The Bahamas took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, February 5, 2024. The Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon. Frederick Mitchell signed on behalf of The Bahamas and U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner, Diane Sabatino signed on behalf of the United States. Also pictured seated are Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of the United States of America, Usha Pitts and Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jamahl Strachan.
(BIS Photos/Kemuel Stubbs)
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.
