Khaalis Rolle, President of The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce (BCOC) (at right) and the Director General, Wang Zhiping of the China Foreign Trade Centre (CFTC) (at left) signed a Trade Cooperative Agreement at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort where BCOC directors as well as members of the Embassy of the Republic of China to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and a delegation from the CFTC gathered. BCOC directors who were on hand for the signing included Winston Rolle, interim executive director, Azaleta Ishmael-Newry, Michelle Patterson (BeCon), Tim Covington, Michele Rassin, Yvette Sands, Chester Cooper and Merritt Storr. Photo by Warren Rolle.
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Nassau,
Bahamas – On September 6, 2010, relations between The Bahamas and China
were further solidified with the signing of a Trade Cooperative
Agreement with the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce (BCOC) and the China
Foreign Trade Centre (CFTC). As outlined in the Agreement,
“The China Foreign Trade Centre and the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce
agreed to jointly take effective actions to strengthen cooperation
between Chinese and Bahamian business institutions, with public
promotion, mutual visits, trade fair and exposition, business travel and
consultancy as major instruments for achieving their objectives,” as
was stated in the Agreement. One of the main goals is the
willingness by both Parties to make positive contributions to
strengthening ties between businesses in China and The Bahamas in their
respective fields.
Khaalis Rolle, President of The
Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and the Director General, Wang Zhiping of
the China Foreign Trade Centre made the historic signing at the Sheraton
Nassau Beach Resort where BCOC directors as well as members of the
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Commonwealth of The
Bahamas and a delegation from the CFTC gathered.
The signing was followed by a
workshop of approximately 100 persons with official remarks brought by
the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon.
Brent Symonette, the Chinese Ambassador, His Excellency Hu Dingxian and
Khaalis Rolle, President of the BCOC.
The detailed presentation by the
China Foreign Trade Centre involved the Canton Fair, a large event that
is held in three phases starting on October 15th and ending on November 4th in Guangzhuo, China where a Bahamian delegation is expected to attend.
The Canton Fair commenced in 1957
and takes place two times a year. It offers products and services from
20,000 suppliers and is an important venue for businesses in The
Bahamas and around the world. “It has the largest attendance, is the
best of business and has the broadest buyer distribution,” said Wang
Zhiping.
Left to right: Wang Quanhuo, first secretary, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Mrs. Wang Youli, China Trade Foreign Trade Centre/China Import and Export Fair (CIEF), Mrs. Peng Quiolaing, (CIEF), His Excellency, Hu Dingxian, Chinese Ambassador in The Bahamas, Honourable Brent Symonette, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Mrs. Wu Sui Ying, CIEF, Han Caibo, Translator, CIEF and Khaalis Rolle, President, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Azaleta Ishmael-Newry.
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“In the Caribbean, The Bahamas is an
important player in the China market and Bahamians are getting to know
more about “made in China,” said His Excellency, Hu Dingxian. “Trade
between our Countries is increasing annually, with exports from the Bahamas having surpassed $10 million in 2007, up 9.5%.”
Bahamas Chamber of Commerce
president, Khaalis Rolle stated that the Bahamas exports around $10
million to China each year, and the import/export market reached $348
million in the first half of 2010, and there is still tremendous
opportunity for growth.”
“As I reflect on the signing,” said
Rolle, “One word that comes to mind is “friendship” which is exemplified
when you look at the Stadium that is currently being built (at the
Sports Centre in Nassau). This Agreement is an expansion of trade opportunities. We need to embrace the economic presence of China and we should take advantage of the tremendous opportunities.”
“The trade signing will add another
dimension,” said the Deputy Prime Minister. “It will keep each side
informed and aims to facilitate business. This is a welcomed development as China is the second largest economy in the world.”
The
Bahamas Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to promote trade, expand commerce and
build better communities. More information can be found at www.thebahamaschamber.com..