Bahamas News
Minister of Foreign Affairs bilateral trade meetings at CARICOM
#MontegoBay, July 07, 2018 – Jamaica – Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Darren Henfield attended CARICOM, July 4-6 2018 bilateral meetings on trade issues impacting region and The Bahamas. He attended the business working breakfast session, where the CARICOM Heads heard from the prime ministerial sub-committee on external and trade relations.
“The focus of the meeting was to hear reports on three main issues – the World Trade Organization, the post ACP-the Cotonou Agreement, and trade as it relates to the European Union post Brexit. We know that the Cotonou Agreement is coming to a close by 2020 and we are in the process of trying to negotiate our way forward, as a region.
“And then of course, Bexit is upon us and so we have to figure a way to communicate with them after they would have departed the European Union,” he said.
Mr. Henfiend said that The Bahamas, as well as the region, is a bit concerned as a number of trade wars are brewing with major trading partners in the WTO. “So we are going to have to look at this very carefully and hope that these issues can be readily resolved.”
Added Mr. Henfield: “We are operating in a free capitalistic society and market and economy and so trade is what the WTO is all about. Some 96 or more percent of the world’s trade goes through countries that are part of WTO.”
Regarding discussions on integration, Mr. Henfield said he believes the Bahamian people are not fully ready to open the borders of The Bahamas, for obvious reasons.
“We are a small developing country with (about) 400,000 in population. I believe we are among the more integrated countries in the region, quietly.”
He noted that in various stages of development, The Bahamas recruited professionals from all over the region namely Barbados, whose professionals came to The Bahamas to work in areas such land surveying, engineering, doctors, lawyers and particularly teachers.
“We have a free open application for immigration to The Bahamas to apply for positions that are available,” Mr. Henfield said.
As far as Haiti is concerned an estimated, $58 million in remittances left The Bahamas for Haiti in 2017, he said.
“Experts say that’s World Bank figures. Experts say if you multiply that by three you account for what goes into the informal economy and so you are looking at an average of maybe $150 million. Larger countries call this overseas development assistance. We can’t call it overseas development assistance but it’s money from migrants; from Caribbean people, going back to support another Caribbean economy.
“So even though we are not signatory to CARICOM SME and this open movement of people because of obvious reasons, we think it happens informally in The Bahamas and formally in some instances,” Mr. Henfield said.
By: Lindsay Thompson (BIS)
Photo Caption: Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Hubert A. Minnis (right) leads The Bahamas delegation at the 39th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) July 4-6, 2018 in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Among key agenda items are crime and security strategy, disaster management and climate change, and the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). Pictured chatting with Dr. Minnis is, left, President of Haiti, His Excellency Jovenel Moise; and centre, Bahamas Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Darren Henfield. (BIS Photo/Yontalay Bowe)
RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited (“RBC”) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Kerryl-Lyn King-Henry as Country Manager and Area Vice President (“AVP”), Personal and Commercial Banking, Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).
In her new role as Country Manager and AVP, King-Henry will take on full responsibility for the bank’s operations, strategy, and development in the TCI market, with a strong focus on solidifying partnerships with the Government, regulatory bodies, and the local community.
King-Henry brings to the role a dynamism influenced by nearly 25 years of industry experience. Prior to her new appointment, she served as AVP of Business Banking in Trinidad and Tobago. She has held progressively senior roles within both personal and commercial banking, as well as various functional units.
King-Henry holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, with a specialization in Leadership, FinTech and Big Data Analysis, in addition to a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Further enriching her professional profile, Kerryl-Lyn is a certified John C. Maxwell Coach, Trainer, Teacher, and Speaker. Her passion for leadership and development is matched by her commitment to community service, as she actively volunteers her time and leverages her professional expertise to mentor and support others. “
Kerryl-Lyn’s extensive experience and proven leadership capabilities make her the perfect choice to lead our operations in the Turks & Caicos Islands,” said Ericka Rolle, RBC’s Managing Director and Vice President, Personal Banking, The Bahamas and TCI.
“Her commitment to excellence, combined with a genuine passion for community engagement, aligns perfectly with our Bank’s purpose of helping clients thrive and communities prosper. We are excited to see the positive impact she will undoubtedly bring to her new role,” she added.
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