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 — 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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