(From left) Hank Ferguson, U.S. Embasssy Economic Specialist; David Allen, Political, Economic & Commercial Chief, U.S. Embassy; Yancy Caruthers, U.S. Embassy Political Officer; LaShawn Dames, GBPA Business Services Manager for Invest Grand Bahama Small Business Bureau; Derek Newbold, GBPA Senior Business Development Manager; Deann Seymour, GBPA Chief Financial Officer and Ian Rolle, GBPA President
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Freeport, Grand Bahama –
Officials from the United States
Embassy paid a courtesy call on The Grand Bahama Port Authority,
Limited (GBPA), this past week, during a visit to Grand Bahama. The new
Political, Economic & Commercial Chief, Mr. David Allen, accompanied
by Political Officer, Yancy Caruthers and Hank Ferguson,
Economic Specialist, met with GBPA executives, President Ian Rolle,
Deann Seymour Chief Financial Officer and Senior Business Development
Manager, Derek Newbold.
According
to President Rolle, discussions with the group were highly effective as
a number of key issues relative to the island’s economic growth,
attraction of
new projects, and opportunities for trade missions to the island were
discussed.
“We
were pleased to host the visit of Mr. Allen, in his new capacity as
Political, Economic and Commercial Chief and we look forward to working
with him over the
course of his tenure,” Rolle stated. “He has shared some exciting
opportunities that could be of great benefit to the island, which we
will definitely pursue,” he continued.
Visiting
officials enjoyed a tour of the city’s industrial and commercial
sectors, which was preceded by a detailed ‘Invest Grand Bahama’
presentation given by
Derek Newbold.
(Left)David Allen, Political, Economic & Commercial Chief, U.S. Embassy excepts gift of original silk batik artwork, created by Grand Bahamian artisan Tiffany Barrett from GBPA President Ian Rolle after a meeting focused on a number of key issues relative the island’s economic growth, attraction of new projects and trade mission opportunities for the island.
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“Grand
Bahama has a great deal to offer by way of investment opportunities,”
Newbold explained as he provided an extensive overview of the island’s
tourism, commercial
and industrial sectors. “Freeport offers significant investment
incentives to businesses in a broad range of sectors,” he continued.
“Areas
such as real-estate development, alternative energy, near-shore
logistics and valued addition services are all growth sectors we are
working vigorously to
promote; we welcome opportunities to attract investors who can add
value to these areas,” Newbold concluded.
The
tour and presentation with GBPA executives concluded with a lunch
meeting. President Rolle shared his enthusiasm following discussions
with Embassy officials,
and noted that this would be the first of many meetings.
“We
have enjoyed a very beneficial ongoing relationship with Embassy
officials in the past; I’m certain, that our relationship with Mr. Allen
will be no different,
and will produce great results not only for Grand Bahama but the entire
country.”
(From left) Hank Ferguson, U.S. Embasssy Economic Specialist; Deann Seymour, GBPA Chief Financial Officer; David Allen, Political, Economic & Commercial Chief, U.S. Embassy; Ian Rolle, GBPA President; Yancy Caruthers, U.S. Embassy Political Officer and Derek Newbold, GBPA Senior Business Development Manager.
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