From:TheBahamasWeekly.com
U.S. Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Lisa Johnson makes first official familiarization visit to Grand Bahama
By US Embassy Bahamas
Aug 29, 2014 - 3:16:19 PM
Mr. Melvin Seymour, Permanent Secretary, U.S. Charge d’Affaires a.i. Lisa Johnson and The Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister for Grand Bahama.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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U.S. Charge d’Affaires a.i. Lisa Johnson and Political/Economic-Commercial Chief David Allen with representatives of Polymers International.
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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.
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U.S. Charge d’Affaires a.i. Lisa Johnson tours the Okyanos Heart Institute.
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