GBPA explores opportunities with its Caribbean neighbour
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama — Tuesday, 26th February, 2013 – Freeport, Bahamas – During his first official visit to Grand Bahama, executives of The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) extended a warm welcome to His Excellency A. Antonio Rodrigue, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Haiti and members of his delegation.
Last week’s fact-finding mission coincided with the conclusion of the first ever Bahamas International Investment and Business Forum, hosted by GBPA, the Government of The Bahamas and the Commonwealth Business Council. “Discussions at the forum parlayed nicely into our talks with the Haitian delegation,” GBPA Chairman, Ian Fair revealed. “The main focus of the conference was maximizing Grand Bahama’s potential as the destination of choice for foreign direct investments. Coincidentally, the visiting group was eager to discuss potential opportunities for partnerships between our two countries.”
Also on hand to welcome the group was GBPA President, Ian Rolle. “Owing to the sophisticated infrastructure that we have here, we see Freeport as a potential platform for Haiti to export its goods to the world. We’re here for our Caribbean neighbours, for them to make use of our trans-shipment facilities and advantage as a free trade zone for the mutual benefit of both our countries,” he stated.
The possibility of manufacturing fruits grown in Haiti in Grand Bahama based factories was briefly touched on, as well as the option of Freeport serving as a distribution hub for Haitian handicrafts. As dates near for the upcoming Caribbean Design Trade Show to be held in Grand Bahama in June, it is expected that additional discussions will ensue as GBPA partners with the Ministry for Grand Bahama and other agencies to host this prestigious event.
Ambassador Rodrigue expressed his pleasure at being able to officially visit the island. “The reason why we’re here is because there are enormous possibilities we can develop and work on between Haiti and The Bahamas. The Port Authority plays a very important role in the development of the island and we were happy to discuss possible commercial trade or business investment opportunities that will benefit everybody,” he added.
A brief video, ‘Grand Bahama Island – Discover Endless Opportunities’, was viewed by all and prompted an invitation from His Excellency for GBPA officials to visit Haiti for a first hand glimpse of possible areas of interest. “It would be good for us to visit your country and see what exists there so that we can speak more intellectually on synergies,” said Fair as he readily accepted the invitation. “We’ve enjoyed a long association with Haiti, so whatever doors we can open we will be delighted to do so, to bring about an increase of trade in some form between Haiti and The Bahamas.”
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Pictured (left to right): Deann Seymour, Chief Financial Officer, GBPA; Ian Rolle, GBPA President; His Excellency A. Antonio Rodrigue, Ambassador of the Republic of Haiti; Ian Fair, GBPA Chairman; Henry St. George, Vice President, GBPA; Margarette Lemaire, Haitian Counsellor for Economic, Commercial and Cultural Affairs; Jean Turgot, Administrative Assistant in the Consular Section; and Ginger Moxey, Vice President, GBPA.
