|
From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Bahamas Information Services Updates
NASSAU, Bahamas – As one of the leading countries in the financial services sector, the Bahamas has to offer services laced with 'integrity' and 'excellence.' This according to Minister of Financial Services, the Hon. Hope Strachan, should be the standard for doing business in this country. Minister Strachan made the remarks while making a presentation on the topic, ‘Progressive Initiatives Impacting the Financial Services Industry and the Future Outlook of the Financial Services Industry,’ during Accountants’ Week 2015, at Melia Nassau Beach Resort, November 14-22. The event is held under the theme “Building a Legacy of Integrity and Excellence.” “The words 'integrity' and 'excellence' are fitting standards for the future of the financial services industry,” she said. “Indeed they are words which our entire country must strive for each day and in everything we do.” She said that over the past years, however, these standards have not always been met and financial jurisdictions such as The Bahamas, have 'found themselves' missing the mark as a result of mediocrity, inefficiency, and questionable practices. “It is no surprise that at a time when there is news of corruption and dishonesty in certain government agencies, being perpetrated by trusted employees that we have fallen out of the top 100 countries in the world for ease of doing business,” said Minister Strachan.
She said that that the government has embarked on an aggressive campaign to drive the message that The Bahamas is still the 'premier' financial centre in the region. To this end, she, along with several members of her staff, has recently been traveling throughout Latin America and Asia to promote this message. “We participated in landfall events in Brazil, Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai organized by the Bahamas Financial Services Board (BFSB) and were major sponsors of the China Offshore Summit held in Shanghai, and Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Asia held in Singapore.” These events, she believes, provided opportunities for captive audiences participating, with a reach of over a thousand industry professionals and wealth intermediaries, to learn about The Bahamas and the products and services offered here.” Accountants Week 2015 is hosted by the Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA). The week of events includes a Kids Walk-a-thon and Health Fair, church service held at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral and weeklong panel discussions and presentations on timely topics affecting the industry. Some of the speakers during the event included Minister of Financial Services, the Hon. Hope Strachan; Governor of the Central Bank, Wendy Craigg; Financial Secretary & Acting VAT Comptroller, John Rolle; and 1st Vice-President, BICA, Gowan Bowe, among others.
|
