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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Felix Chang, Country Manager
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Abaco, Bahamas -
Under the theme “Charting the Course for Growth in Abaco”, the 11th Annual Abaco Business Outlook has been scheduled for September 24 at the Great Abaco Beach Resort, Marsh Harbour, where the Hon Michael Halkitis, Minister of State for Finance will deliver the keynote address.
Making the announcement of the Abaco event was Joan Albury, president, TCL Group and chief organiser of the six-part Business Outlook series.
Mrs. Albury revealed an impressive slate of speakers, noting that the day-long symposium will focus on new opportunities created by recent developments in infrastructure, tourism and the interpretation and management of Abaco’s abundant natural and historic sites to create new attractions, while contributing to their preservation.
Francis Clarke, Senior Project Engineer, Caribbean Civil Group
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Confirmed to speak are Ellison “Tommy” Thompson, Deputy Director General, Ministry Of Tourism; David Johnson, CEO, Bahamas Tourism Development Corporation; Felix Chang, Country Manager, China Harbour Engineering Company; Francis Clarke, Senior Project Engineer, Caribbean Civil Group; Lynn Gape, Deputy Executive Director, Bahamas National Trust; Neil Campbell, District Administrator, North Abaco and Roberts Myers, President, Bahamas Chamber of Commerce & Employers Confederation.
“We are pleased to bring the Outlook to Abaco at a time when developments are happening that promise to make the Abaco economy one of the most dynamic in the country. The Leonard M Thompson International Airport opened in May of this year. The Bahamas National Trust and the Abaco community are developing the Abaco Discovery Trail, combining the island’s rich natural and historic resources, which will serve tourism as well as the promotion and preservation of such resources. BNT’s Lynn Gape will be on hand to tell us about the latter venture. Of signal importance, the construction of the new North Abaco seaport is advancing. This facility has the greatest potential for propelling economic growth of any infrastructural projects in the Family Islands in recent years.
Lynn Gape, Deputy Executive Director, Bahamas National Trust
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“As is Business Outlook’s policy, we have brought together a slate of presenters from across the economic sectors to speak on these developments. We are privileged to have the participation of the Minister of State for Finance, the Hon. Michael Halkitis, who is expected to address the new VAT legislation. Joining him on the platform will be seven other expert informants,” Mrs. Albury said.
Mrs. Albury continued, “We are most pleased that Felix Chang, Country Manager, the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) is slated to speak. CHEC is building the $40 million North Abaco Port in Coopers Town, Abaco and Mr. Chang’s oversight of the Port project makes him eminently qualified to report on its progress.
“I have been impressed to learn that CHEC has received more than 160 awards for projects, which include the design and construction of world record engineering and construction feats. They have built two of the three longest sea crossing bridges in the world: China’s Hangzhou Bay Bridge and the Shanghai Donghai Bridge. We thought it important to have a well-rounded presentation on the subject of the North Abaco Port. Consequently, the audience will also hear from Francis Clarke, Senior Project Engineer for Caribbean Civil Group (CCG), which is providing project oversight for its client the Ministry of Works. CCG has to its credit some of the key engineering design projects in New Providence in recent times, including the Baha Mar Corridor 7 project works at the Lynden Pindling International Airport Expansion,” Mrs. Albury said.
Additionally, TCL’s CEO noted that Dennis Lightbourn, President, Abaco Chamber of Commerce will be presenting the welcome and the Abaco Update and Neil Campbell, Abaco Local Government and Roberts Myers, President, Bahamas Chamber of Commerce & Employers Confederation will also take part.
“The combination of the two Chamber presidents and the Abaco Local Government representative will give a very necessary overview of how they expect various developments and the coming implementation of Value-Added Tax to impact the Abaco community and overall economy. I take this opportunity to thank the Abaco Chamber and the Ministry of Tourism for on-the-ground support. We are most grateful to all our stalwart sponsors for continuing and invaluable contributions to this needful effort of disseminating high quality information and education on subjects of local and national interest,” Mrs. Albury said.
Persons interested in attending Abaco Business Outlook 2014 may contact Wynsome Ferguson, Ministry of Tourism, Abaco at Tel. 242-367-3067; Kathy Ralph, Abaco Chamber of Commerce Tel.242-367-6279 or Margaret Albury, The Counsellors Ltd. Tel. 242-322-7505. Online registration is also available at www.tclevents.com.
© Copyright 2014 by thebahamasweekly.com
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