[xml][/xml]
The Bahamas Weekly Facebook The Bahamas Weekly Twitter
News : Grand Bahama Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM


GBPA Sparks Interest at Abaco Business Outlook Conference
By The Grand Bahama Port Authority
Sep 30, 2016 - 5:18:26 AM

Email this article
 Mobile friendly page


IMG-9221.jpg
GBPA SPEAKS AT ABACO BUSINESS OUTLOOK – Derek Newbold, Sr. Manager of Business Development for The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) and Invest Grand Bahama (IGB), speaking at the 13th Annual Abaco Business Outlook.

Freeport, Grand Bahama - The annual Abaco Business Outlook Conference (ABO), hosted by The Counsellors Limited (TCL) is known as the premier event of the business year for locals of Abaco. This year’s event would be no different, as scores of business owners from around the country, assembled at the Abaco Beach Resort this past Thursday to hear from prominent community leaders, a forecasted outlook of both challenges and opportunities, for the island’s economy over the next twelve months.

The Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie, Prime Minister of The Bahamas, brought the keynote address, followed by a prominent line-up of local businessmen. However, of significant note on this year’s speaker platform was Derek Newbold, Sr. Manager of Business Development at The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA).

According to President of the TCL Group Joan Albury, having the Freeport presenter was a first for the Abaco conference.

“We were pleased to feature GBPA at this year’s event, as it was the first time we would feature a speaker from Freeport on the Abaco Outlook platform,” stated Albury. “Not only was his presentation informative regarding aspects of doing business in Freeport; it also highlighted Freeport as the Free Trade Zone (FTZ) of The Bahamas, a key fact the many of us as Bahamians don’t realize, nor do we fully understand the benefits it offers.” Albury continued.

IMG9222_2.jpg
SAYING HELLO - The Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie, Prime Minister of The Bahamas made a brief visit to the Invest Grand Bahama booth, during the 13th Annual Abaco Business Outlook, in Marsh Harbour Abaco, this past Thursday. Pictured is the Prime Minister with the Invest Grand Bahama Team – left to right – LaShawn Dames, Business Services Manager, GBPA; The Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie, Prime Minister of The Bahamas; Derek Newbold, Sr. Manager of Business Development for GBPA and IGB and Glendia Sweeting, Business Development Officer, GBPA

While the line-up of presenters spoke specifically to the Abaco economy, its challenges and forecasted opportunities, the Grand Bahama businessman and Port executive focused on how the benefits of Freeport, could be of value to all Bahamian islands.

“Leveraging The Free Trade Zone of The Bahamas For Economic Diversification and Empowerment was the title of my presentation. It spoke to the value and benefits they provide to countries that employ them as mechanism for job creation, investment attraction and economic diversification,” Newbold expressed.

“Freeport is the Free Trade Zone of The Bahamas, and its up to all of us to leverage the opportunities that exist within Freeport for the advancement and betterment of our country,” he concluded.

The 1-Day event catered to dozens of local and national business owners, most of whom expressed great interest in learning more about Freeport. GBPA President, Ian Rolle shared that he is pleased with feedback received as a result of GBPA’s participation at the Abaco Business Outlook event.

“The Business Outlook events hosted by TCL have a reputable history of assembling the most dynamic platform of industry experts, to share their advice on the economic outlook for the country,” cited Rolle. “Now in its 25th year, TCL events throughout the country, continue to provide sound information giving insight into key areas of our country’s economy; we need this now more than ever, given the state and competitiveness of economies worldwide,” Rolle continued. “The Abaco event was a first for GBPA and indeed an excellent opportunity to further educate the country about Freeport, the ongoing work of GBPA and the many benefits of Freeport as the FTZ of The Bahamas.”

9038_2.jpg
FREE TRADE ZONE OF THE BAHAMAS: Derek Newbold, sharing with participants at the recent Abaco Business Outlook, the benefits of Free Trade Zones regionally, and Freeport as the Free Trade Zone of The Bahamas.



Bookmark and Share




© Copyright 2016 by thebahamasweekly.com

Top of Page

Receive our Top Stories



Preview | Powered by CommandBlast

Grand Bahama
Latest Headlines
GBPA Announces Six Senses GB Hotel, Villas & More
GBDRF & SBP Bahamas jointly donate $450,000 to launch new home repair program for Grand Bahama Island
GBPA Launch Freeport Business Portal
The Grand Bahama Port Authority’s GB Ambassador program enables global understanding of Freeport’s rich offerings
Dr. Hamid Seyfi departing Grand Bahama