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News : International : Caribbean News Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM


Freeport Shines at Major Central American & Caribbean Summit
By The Grand Bahama Port Authority
Feb 5, 2015 - 1:56:42 PM

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FREEPORT MAKING ITS MARK IN PANAMA - Derek Newbold, Senior Manager for Business Development and the Invest Grand Bahama Unit, represented GBPA at the 3rd Annual Central American & Caribbean Capital Projects & Infrastructure Summit, in Panama City, Panama. Newbold was featured as platform speaker at the Forum; he is pictured addressing the audience on the benefits of ‘Doing Business in Freeport’.

Panama City, Panama – The city of Freeport is making its mark in the global logistics arena, as executives of The Grand Bahama Port Authority Limited (GBPA), work actively to promote its attractiveness and opportunities for investment.  From Panama and Brazil, to Qatar, China and Switzerland; GBPA has been deliberate in highlighting the benefits of ‘Doing Business in Freeport’.

Derek Newbold, Senior Manager for Business Development and the Invest Grand Bahama Unit, represented GBPA at the 3rd Annual Central American & Caribbean Capital Projects & Infrastructure Summit, which opened in Panama City, Panama on Wednesday.

Featured as a platform speaker on the opening day, Newbold expressed that the forum presented yet another ideal opportunity to promote Freeport as the ‘premier hub’ for warehousing, distribution, and valued addition services in the Caribbean/Atlantic region.

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FREEPORT, A DESTINATION OF INTEREST – GBPA executives are busy touting the advantages of Grand Bahama island to the region. Pictured is Derek Newbold, GBPA’s Senior Manager for Business Development with Mr. Tomas M. Avila, Secretary General of Panama Maritime Authority. According to Newbold, the summit was exceptionally well attended and sponsored by major industry players.

“GBPA’s emphasis is on attracting investments that can take advantage of the physical and industrial infrastructure that currently exists in Freeport. The Summit provided a captive and attentive audience, representing a number of emerging and developed markets.” Newbold said. “My contribution focused on Freeport’s strategic location, investment incentives and development opportunities. Each segment was met with high interest and was very well received.” he continued.

President of GBPA, Ian Rolle shared that the company has taken a new approach ‎with regard to investment promotion activities and its participation at major  events. "While GBPA continues to exhibit at prominent industry conferences and trade forums, we have sought to have a speaking presence as well," commented  Rolle.

"This approach has given us greater leverage and reach; especially with key decision makers.  Freeport's reputation is gaining momentum and we have received a ‎number of invites over the past year. The Freeport story  is generating  a lot of interest in the region," he concluded.

Addressing an audience of more than 500 regional executives, Newbold added that the summit was exceptionally well attended and sponsored by major industry players.

“I’ve had meetings with a number of executives from major corporations, including Maersk, Sealand and MetroBank. They are all keen on participating in the growth of Freeport’s economy in some way and in the case of Maersk and Sealand, re-establishing a foothold.” Newbold added.

The 3rd Annual Central American & Caribbean Capital Projects & Infrastructure Summit is a 2-day forum, hosting more than 65 speakers from major capital project developers, concessionaires, investors and government regulators in the region. The Summits provides insight into investment and development opportunities, as well as challenges across the region’s energy, transport, mining, water & sanitation, social and telecommunications infrastructure sectors.

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