NASSAU, The Bahamas - Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie has appointed the Hon. Picewell Forbes, the Member of Parliament for Central and South Andros as The Bahamas Non-Resident High Commissioner to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

The Prime Minister presented Mr. Forbes, 51, with his Instrument of Appointment during the official announcement ceremony in the House of Assembly Committee room on Tuesday, July 31, 2012. Also present were the Hon. Fred Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration and other Government officials.

Mr. Forbes will be accredited to the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana and to all Commonwealth Caribbean countries as High Commissioner. However, he will operate his duties from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nassau.

The Prime Minister said he was pleased to announce the first of the diplomatic appointments. Others will be made within the next 30 days.

“Mr. Forbes brings with him not only his wealth of experience as a Member of Parliament but also a background in the Caribbean,” the Prime Minister said.
Mr. Forbes, a graduate of the University of the West Indies in Jamaica, completed a Master’s degree at the Nova Southeastern University.  While in Jamaica, he served as president of the Guild of Graduates, the first and only Bahamian to have done so.

“This gave him a good base for knowing the region and its people.  He counts amongst his friends many who were students with him at the University,” the Prime Minister said.

Mr. Forbes, since his time at UWI has built a network in the Caribbean of other contacts and friends. He also attended as Member of Parliament, meetings, seminars and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of The Bahamas having a High Commissioner to CARICOM.

“We would have to travel around the region to ensure that our friends in the region knew that The Bahamas was back and re-engaged in the region. Our new High Commissioner will be charged with assisting in that responsibility. He brings a unique set of skills to do so and to support this mandate.”

According to the Prime Minister, Kingston, the capital of Jamaica is a very important hub as many Bahamian students live there and it is the place from which many of the European delegations serve The Bahamas.

“Our new High Commissioner will have the job of working to help to develop what we hope will become a consulate general in the not too distant future,” he said.

The Prime Minister said it was sure a proud moment for Mr. Forbes’ family and that he will do well.

“Congratulations and best wishes to you as you begin your important work.”
Mr. Forbes thanked God and the Prime Minister for the opportunity to serve his country. He also credited the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration the Hon. Fred Mitchell as his mentor and a great example of hard work.

Mr. Forbes pledged to represent The Bahamas and negotiate on its behalf at the negotiation level in CARICOM in areas of trade, investment and financial services.

Picewell Forbes was born on August 1, 1961 in Smith’s Hill, South Andros. He is married to the former Drucilla Wallace and they are the parents of four children, Demathio, Picella, Paige and Ramon. He is a member of the Church of God community. His interests include softball, baseball, cricket and traveling.

Mr. Forbes is a founding member and the Assistant treasurer of the Bahamas Press Club. He was also recognised by the Toastmasters (First Bahamas Branch) with the Community Award, the Bahamas Division of Toastmasters with the Cultural Award, and is an Honorary Citizen of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Mr. Forbes has been a member of the broadcasting community for a number years and has served in various capacities including announcer, deputy director, radio programming and production, acting assistant general manager, and most recently as deputy general manager of radio programming and production.