Bahamas News
Prime Minister reveals aggressive agenda for Grand Bahama’s economy
#Nassau, January 30, 2019 – Bahamas – Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis shared with the Bahamian people that he is pleased with the jobless rate in Grand Bahama, as that northern island is tapped to become the country’s technology hub.
In the first of a series of three National Addresses delivered to the nation on Monday, January 28, 2019 the Prime Minister focused on what his government is proposing to do to boost economic growth across the Bahamian archipelago.
“The leading priority of our administration is economic growth and expansion of jobs and opportunity,” the Prime Minister told the nation. He said although his government is making considerable progress, there is still much work to do.
Referencing latest data from the Department of Statistics regarding employment growth, the Prime Minister said he is pleased that the jobless rate in Grand Bahama is down from 12.4 percent to 11.9 percent. This is the first time since the Great Recession of 2008 employment rate is below 12 percent.
The number of discouraged workers also fell in Grand Bahama to a rate of 9.8 percent, according to latest data from the Department of Statistics. “While this is very good news, the jobless rate in Grand Bahama is still way too high. It must come down even more,” the Prime Minister said.
He then outlined plans for the revitalization of the economy of Grand Bahama. “We have a comprehensive and aggressive agenda to boost growth and jobs in Grand Bahama including transforming the island into a technology hub,” he noted.
He also disclosed that his government is actively exploring the opportunity to establish a transshipment port in Mayaguana in the Southern Bahamas, which would make the port in Grand Bahama stronger.
“Grand Bahama is vital for the overall growth and economic expansion of The Bahamas,” the Prime Minister said, adding that while employment has gone down on that island there is still a long way to go.
“We are making progress on the Bahama Bay resort and residential development, the former Ginn Sur Mer,” he said. “This development will include 173 condo-hotel units, a marina and the development of a smart city.”
The Prime Minister also pointed out that the government is on track to sell the Grand Lucayan resort, the temporary purchase of which was “absolutely necessary” for the economy of Grand Bahama. “Thankfully, the economy of Grand Bahama is recovering through new tourism projects and our ambitious programme to establish the island as a technology hub,” he said.
Grand Bahama has attracted several high-tech and back office firms employing Grand Bahamians chiefly as a result of the Commercial Enterprise Act 2017, the Prime Minister said.
And, among the new and diverse businesses on Grand Bahama is the Carnival Cruise Lines Ocean Medallion Project. The Ocean Medallion is a wearable device that enables a personal digital concierge for passengers, eliminating long check lines, cabin keys and credit cards. Already, a team of eight Bahamians have undergone training to learn how to install the Ocean Medallion hardware and software on cruise ships, and they continue to 
monitor those systems, the Prime Minister noted.
Also on Grand Bahama is a tech firm GIBC Digital – a digital transformation facilitator that helps organizations automate their manual processes, reduce costs, errors, and prevent cyber security threats among other things.
Other companies approved under the Commercial Enterprise Act listed by the Prime Minister include:
- Global United – a European-based medical call centre and administrative office;
- GB Biopharma – a company engaged in biomedical services;
- DevDigital Bahamas Limited – a Bahamian joint venture web development company;
- Agriculture Enterprises Development Limited – a Bahamian joint venture farming company that will engage in a pilot fruit and nut farm, producing coconut, castor and palm oil for the local market and for export;
- Bahamas Golden Harvest Limited – another Bahamian joint venture company which was approved to establish a chicken hatchery, produce eggs, chicken feed, cash crops and citrus on East End, Grand Bahama.
By Lindsay Thompson
Release: BIS
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.
