Freeport, GB, Bahamas – Next week the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce will continue its relevant and informative monthly luncheons with special guest The Right Honourable Owen S. Arthur, M.P. and former Barbados Prime Minister.

Arthur will address the Grand Bahama business community on Monday, July 15th at their July luncheon, held at the Pelican Bay Resort which is sold out for the event.  “We are honoured to have such a renowned guest who will speak to us on the Value Added Tax system which is soon to be implemented in our country,” said Barry Malcolm, GBCC President.  “Arthur’s financial background is invaluable to those of us who are trying to understand and prepare for the VAT system execution.”

The Former Prime Minister of Barbados was a professional economist who began his career in Jamaica and returned home to Barbados in 1981, where he served as Chief Project Analyst in the Ministry of Finance and Planning before becoming a Senator in 1983 and 1984 an elected official. He became leader of the Opposition in 1993, Barbados Labour Party (BLP). During his tenure he was Minister of Finance and Minister of Economic Affairs for nearly nine years. He became Prime Minister of Barbados in 1994 and remained so until 2008, to date the longest serving Barbadian Prime Minister.

Arthur will be the second speaker to address the VAT, previously well known Grand Bahama Attorney Carey Leonard discussed the VAT along with other impending legislation and the implications of that in  relation to the Grand Bahama Port Authority’s Hawksbill Creek Agreement.

The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce’s current board is actively working to engage the local business community in discussions of these kinds and will be bringing more qualified and provocative speakers in the coming months. In addition, there are many other opportunities to learn and network, through the monthly Mix and Mingles and the upcoming Membership drive scheduled for July 26th.