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Last Updated: May 3, 2018 - 12:56:38 PM |
Members of the Bahamas Association of Advertising and Marketing professionals (BAAM!) recently attended an industry-specific World Trade Organization (WTO) Consultation session to better understand the reasons for country membership and how to maximize the opportunities afforded by the worldwide trade organization. BAAM! members include such public communication areas as marketing, advertising, public relations, research, graphics, digital and print production and content. (Photo – BAAM!)
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Nassau, The Bahamas - Members of the Bahamas Association of Advertising and Marketing professionals (BAAM!) recently attended an industry-specific World Trade Organization (WTO) Consultation session to better understand the reasons for country membership and how to maximize the opportunities afforded by the worldwide trade organization.
During the sessions, a Consultation Questionnaire to assist the WTO Negotiation Team included questions on protectionist measures that might be needed by the industry and to solicit other helpful information deemed pertinent to the growth of the sector and its nation building contributions.
A follow-up meeting was organized by BAAM!, attended by a wider cross section of individuals and companies from the spectrum of services provided under the general heading of public communications. This includes public communication areas such as marketing, advertising, public relations, research, graphics, digital production and content, design, etc. It was agreed that BAAM! would submit one completed WTO Consultation questionnaire representative of their group’s responses, over individual submissions.
BAAM! has members throughout The Bahamas. Sarah Kirkby of Barefoot Marketing, based in Freeport, who attended the Nassau meetings, coordinates the activities in Grand Bahama.
“I was pleased to represent our sector at the Nassau meeting. It’s important to present a united front when needs dictate. It’s been a pleasure working on this initiative in support of one another and toward a common goal,” said Ms. Kirkby.
Jana Indi Johnson, VP at AdWorks Multimedia Marketing, who heads BAAM!, said the WTO outreach united the public communications service providers in a positive and productive way and allowed members to reach a consensus on their needs, as it relates to WTO membership.
“We are happy to come together for the sake of our sector when needed. We believe strongly in our joint nation building contributions and we want to ensure the longevity and continued viability of our sector,” said Ms. Johnson.
BAAM’s current objective is to ensure that the concerns of Advertising, Public Relations, Marketing and Market Research Firms are taken into consideration, prior to The Bahamas’ accession to WTO. Further, to lobby for legislation that will protect their sector. The Bahamas Association of Advertising and Marketing professionals came together during the VAT implementation in 2015, and continues to monitor government and civil society as it relates to their business interests. Information on BAAM! can be garnered from Jana Indi Johnson on 322-4652.
The government considers it important to create a more open and competitive economy in order to enable Bahamians to compete successfully in today’s global environment. Membership in the WTO is an important tool that can play a key role in achieving this goal. The Bahamas is the only country in the Western Hemisphere that is not currently a member of the WTO. This means that unless The Bahamas signs a trade agreement with the countries current and future trade partners, they are free to impose any trade barriers that they wish against Bahamian goods and services, even if those trade barriers are contrary to WTO rules.
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