Mr. Melvin Seymour, Permanent Secretary, U.S. Charge d’Affaires a.i. Lisa Johnson and The Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister for Grand Bahama.

On August 27-28, U.S. Charge d’Affaires a.i. Lisa Johnson, accompanied by U.S. Embassy representatives, visited Grand Bahama Island for an extensive two-day visit that included a courtesy call on the Minister for Grand Bahama, The Hon. Dr. Michael Darville as well as meetings with the U.S. Embassy’s key partners and stakeholders in the business, trade and industrial sectors.  During the courtesy call on Minister Darville, Charge Johnson and the Minister engaged in a productive dialogue on areas of mutual interest including the safety and security of American and Bahamian citizens and economic development.  She expressed her delight in the opportunity to learn more about the great city of Freeport with its long history of American presence, adding that she looks forward to many more visits to the island.

In welcoming the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires to the island, Minister Darville noted that the meeting served to strengthen the existing relationship shared by both countries through the equal exchange of information and the creation of valuable opportunities in the areas of education, trade expansion and knowledge in the tourism, maritime, industrial and energy sectors. 

While on Grand Bahama, Chargé Johnson hosted a reception for the United States Mission to The Bahamas’ key partners at the Pelican Bay Resort.  Among the invited guests on hand for the event were the Minister for Grand Bahama, Dr. Michael Darville, President of the Grand Bahama Christian Council, Rev. Peter Pinder, government officials, business and industry stakeholders, law enforcement representatives, members of civil society and media contacts. 

Leigh Termath, Vice President, G.B. Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Barry Malcolm, GB Chamber President, U.S. Charge d’Affaires a.i. Lisa Johnson and Political/Economic and Commercial Chief, David Allen.

In her remarks, Chargé Johnson thanked the invited guests for the strong and vibrant partnerships that the Embassy enjoys with them, pledging the Embassy’s continued commitment to partner with The Bahamas to promote shared values.  The Charge also saluted recent efforts by the government to promote gender equality and the passing of the Persons with Disabilities Bill.

“We want to help reach out to those sometimes marginalized groups such as women and girls, the disabled, those living with HIV/AIDS and the country’s significant Haitian population.”

Chargé Johnson noted that the Embassy will continue to support The Bahamas government’s efforts to diversify the economy and promote trade and investment, alternative energy and the protection of The Bahamas’ natural resources.

“Our recent work together to complete requirements for The Bahamas to become a beneficiary of the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act should also assist in driving new investment to Freeport as the agreement will expand the list of products eligible to be exported to the United States duty free.”

The two-day trip by the U.S. Embassy’s delegation also included meetings with representatives from the Grand Bahama Port Authority, the Freeport Container Port transshipment facility, the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce, Polymers International and the Okyanos Heart Institute. 

U.S. Charge d’Affaires a.i. Lisa Johnson, Political/Economic and Commercial Chief David Allen with former U.S. Ambassador to The Bahamas John Rood and representatives of the Okyanos Heart Institute.

U.S. Charge d’Affaires a.i. Lisa Johnson and Political/Economic and Commercial Chief David Allen with Freeport Container Port executives, Mr. Godfrey Smith, CEO and Mrs. Sherry Brookes, PA Corporate and Government Affairs.

U.S. Charge d’Affaires a.i. Lisa Johnson and Political/Economic-Commercial Chief David Allen with representatives of Polymers International.

U.S. Charge d’Affaires a.i. Lisa Johnson receives a gift from Grand Bahama Port Authority executives, Mrs. Deann Semour and Mr. Arthur Jones.

U.S. Charge d’Affaires a.i. Lisa Johnson tours the Okyanos Heart Institute.