Nassau Guardian - Under the theme "Partnering to Build a Better Exuma", the 4th annual Exuma Business Outlook (EBO) is scheduled to be held October 15 in George Town. As is the pattern of the three Business Outlooks created and organized by TCL group, presentations and discussions at the Exuma forum will cover The Bahamas' main economic sectors and other promising revenue streams.

Among those presenting on areas such as tourism, financial services, entrepreneurship, fishing and agribusiness will be Director General of Tourism Vernice Walkine and Floyd Armbrister, Exuma businessman and president of the Exuma Chamber of Commerce, which is partnering with TCL to organize EBO.

Mr. Armbrister commented on the reason for the Exuma Chamber's involvement in the Outlook. "The Exuma Business Outlook is a very, very good program. It is necessary because it gives Exumians the opportunity to hear from experts about what's going on and allows them to give their views as well. The people need to be more vocal about how they would like to see their island develop, rather than sitting back waiting for others to do it. This way, they can be the main beneficiaries. When others do the development, they get the greatest benefit."

The dynamic lineup of speakers continues with a number of persons representing key economic sectors, including Robert Myers, a director of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce; who is also the president of Caribbean Landscape, Ltd. and Co-chairman, Bahamas Landscape Association. Also rostered are Hillary Deveaux, Executive Director of the Securities Commission; Algernon Cargill , Director, National Insurance Board; I. Chester Cooper, President & CEO, British American Financial and Teddy Clark, Chief Councillor, Local Government, Exuma.

A panel focusing on "Lessons Learned from Four Seasons" will be anchored by veteran tourism and business professionals Cordell Thompson, Ken Bowe and Reg Smith.

"We are fortunate to have as sponsors for EBO British American Financial, Bank of The Bahamas, Sun Oil, Securities Commission, A.I.D. and Sky Bahamas. It couldn't happen without them. That we could secure the support of these dynamic groups tells us that they believe, as TCL believes, that there is hope for a better and stronger Exuma through partnerships as this year's theme suggests," said Joan Albury, President of TCL Group.

Mrs. Albury added: "We are deeply conscious of the role Exuma Business Outlook must play this time round. There has been so much negative talk about the future of the island since Four Seasons went into receivership. In contrast, we see many opportunities for a turnaround if people are aware of their importance and seize the day with hard work and persistence. Sandals, which has proven to be a dynamic and resilient enterprise, has bought the Four Seasons property. When Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham spoke at the launch of Exuma Chamber of Commerce earlier this year, he revealed that government has a number of infrastructural projects planned for the island."

Mr. Armbrister also spoke with cautious optimism about the Exuma economy. "Although the hotel (Four Seasons) closed, the greatest impact was on the workers who came from other islands. Conditions didn't change much for local people. One of the positive signs is that the people of Exuma are becoming more inquisitive about what is happening and more engaged," he said.

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