Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: PM opens Access Accelerator Small Business Development Centre, Over-the-Hill
#Nassau, May 9, 2019 – Bahamas – Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis officially opened a branch of the Small Business Development Centre at the Edmund Moxey Youth and Community Centre, specifically for residents in the area to access funding for economic empowerment.
He deemed opening the branch as part of his government’s ambitious and broader Over-the-Hill Revitalization Programme.
Also, the SBDC is an intrinsic part of the six pillars of the Over-the-Hill Community Development Partnership Initiative which are: Social Empowerment, Economic Empowerment, Rejuvenation, Smart Technology, Green Technology, and Youth and Elderly Empowerment.
The opening of this branch of the SBDC took place Wednesday, May 8, 2019, just hours after the injection of private sector funding in the amount of $100,000 by businessman Mark Holowesko. Before a packed community centre, the Prime Minister outlined to residents several goals of the SBDC, which they can take advantage of.
These goals include economic development and expansion for more Bahamians, the development of more small businesses and empowering entrepreneurs, and youth and community development Over-the-Hill.
“These goals share a single idea and objective, which is: One Bahamas for all Bahamians,” said the Prime Minister.
This SBDC branch at the Edmund Moxey Youth and Community Centre represents a dedicated location in the Over-the-Hill area as it is easily accessible and within walking distance for the residents.
“This new branch will provide enhanced, hands-on training with access to computers, and basic computer training through collaboration with existing programs,” the Prime Minister said.
Beginning May 14, classes will be held at the community centre on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 8 weeks between the hours of 6pm – 8pm.
Topics will include community tourism; sessions on taking advantage of concessions and financial management; and through a partnership with the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute — trade and entrepreneurship will be combined. The SBDC is also the product of a three-part arrangement between the Government (through the Ministry of Finance), the University of The Bahamas (UB) and the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC).
“I am very pleased that we are able to partner with various businesses and companies in our program for social and economic renewal and development,” the Prime Minister said.
He then informed that towards this end, the first phase of the redevelopment of Southern Recreation Grounds is nearly complete, thanks to $600,0000 which was donated by Albany Bahamas.
“I am advised that the redeveloped grounds will be one of the sites on a proposed heritage tour for tourists,” he added.
Out of the SBDC is the Access Accelerator initiative, which has four goals in mind:
1. To improve the environment that enables small business to flourish;
2. To increase direct financing to micro, small and medium enterprises;
3. To create and promote innovative programmes to support MSMEs; and,
4. To foster a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation, with a particular focus on marginalized groups.
In the past seven months, the SBDC has trained nearly 500 people through its two-weeks of classes; provided almost 300 substantial hours with its one-on-one business advisory services and registered over 3,500 people throughout The Bahamas. Fifty percent of those registered are in New Providence.
“It is anticipated that with the launch of this branch of the SBDC here this evening, this number will significantly increase for New Providence.
“The vision of the Over-the-Hill initiative is to see communities most of us originally hailed from, [become] thriving, prospering, and revitalized,” the Prime Minister said.
He concluded: “Our mission and my mission is to offer tangible hope and opportunity. Jobs and growth remain the government’s primary focus.
“More Bahamians must feel the economic recovery in their pocketbooks and bank accounts.”
By Lindsay Thompson
Release: BIS
Photo Caption: Prime Minister Minnis (at podium) officially opened a branch of the Small Business Development Centre at the Edmund Moxey Youth and Community Centre on Wednesday evening.
(BIS Photos/Yontalay Bowe)
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.
