Bahamas News
GB Ministry creating “one-stop shop” for business development; entrepreneurs urged not to wait until the entire commercial scope comes into view to prepare…
By ANDREW COAKLEY
Bahamas Information Services
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas — Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey is convinced that the ideals and objectives of the UB Ignite Program are perfectly aligned with the ideals and objectives of the Ministry for Grand Bahama, when it comes to providing investment opportunities and preparing Grand Bahamians to take advantage of such opportunities.
In fact, Minister Moxey says when she considers UB Ignite and Innovate 242, what comes to mind are all of the possibilities that exist in Grand Bahama with over $2B of investment taking place.
“I think all of it ties into UB Ignite and its overall objectives,” added Ms. Moxey. “We are aligned. I see us partnering and working together to ensure that our people are able to take advantage of all of the opportunities that’s happening on Grand Bahama Island right now.”
Minister Moxey was the keynote speaker at the opening ceremony for the UB-North Innovation Summit 2024 at Grand Lucayan resort on Saturday, November 16, 2024, which was conducted by the University of The Bahamas.
The opening ceremony was a part of a two-day Summit that was geared towards attracting upstart, innovative businesses throughout Grand Bahama.
Under the theme “breaking boundaries through technology and innovation,” this year’s summit focused on Artificial Intelligence and its effect on today’s business environment.
In her address at the opening of Innovate 242, the Minister for Grand Bahama noted that while there are many opportunities for business, innovative approaches to business ideas and the launch of possible new business models are coming on stream, the key to taking advantage
of open doors will be preparation.
She encouraged UB students, young entrepreneurs and prospective innovators not to wait until the entire scope of possibilities is revealed before they begin preparing for opportunities.
“You have to prepare for all of this from now,” she advised. “You can’t wait until it’s here to begin planning, because it will be too late. There are going to be opportunities for everyone.”
Minister Moxey pointed out that Grand Bahama has seen a dramatic drop in its population over the years due to many things, including the destruction of hurricanes. She noted that Grand Bahama used to have a population of between 55,000 to 60,000, but now it’s down to a population of about 47,000.
“We’ve lost a lot of people,” she admitted, “but a lot are coming back home now because of the many developments happening and the opportunities opening back up.
“Consider, property values on Grand Bahama Island are among the best in the country. We have to recognize that. Real estate on GB is through the roof. We have to also recognize who’s buying these properties – foreigners and even people from Nassau are buying the properties. But I encourage Grand Bahamians to take advantage of what we have happening right now.”
The Minister specifically pointed to some of the investments in the pipeline or currently under way in Grand Bahama, inclusive of the $665 million Grand Bahama Shipyard expansion, the $600 million Celebration Key Cruise Port, the $210 million Freeport Health Campus, the $73 million Lawithon South Riding Point development, the $250 million Six Senses Resort, and the $80 million Royal Caribbean MSC/ITM Cruise Port.
“All of the investments are real,” she said. “It’s not pie in the sky. It’s happening now. So, I want you all to prepare to take advantage of all that’s happening. To me, it ties into why we are here as entrepreneurs and innovators. That’s what we have to be; we have to be innovative in the way we do things.”
The Grand Bahama Minister pointed out that as Cabinet Chair of an initiative called Innovate 242, her role is to help to establish The Bahamas as the center of innovation for the Caribbean and for Grand Bahama to become the center for sustainability.
“Why not Grand Bahama? We’ve been through it all. We are the home of resilience. I think we can teach a thing or two when it comes to sustainability and resiliency. We are the model for climate change in the region. So, why not take advantage of that?”
To assist entrepreneurs and innovators, Minister Moxey said that her Ministry is creating a “one-stop shop” for business development. The objective is to assist entrepreneurs with their idea from concept to launch. Within that one-stop shop will exist representatives from all of the relevant agencies needed to start a business, including representatives from the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Invest Grand Bahama, Inland Revenue, Small Business Development Center, Bahamas Development Bank, BAIC, and Venture Capital Fund.
She added that the Business Incubator will also have incubation spaces for businesses, as well as rooms that will be sponsored by some of the major international organizations on the island, and will be used for workshops and meetings.
PHOTO CAPTION
Minister for Grand Bahama, Hon. Ginger Moxey was the keynote speaker during the opening of the UB-North Innovation Summit 2024 at Grand Lucayan resort on Saturday, November 16, 2024.
(BIS Photo/Andrew Miller)
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.
