The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net FREEPORT - Kyle Hatcher, Economic Officer at the US Embassy, says a lot of opportunities exist for potential partnerships and investments in Freeport from the United States. Mr Hatcher was in Grand Bahama on Thursday. He met with officials at the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Grand Bahama Power Company, Freeport Container Port, and other business leaders here in Freeport. "We really feel like now is a good time for American citizens to take a second look at Freeport, and that will necessitate a little bit of awareness perhaps of businesses in Florida and other regions to come down and see what is already here," he said. Mr Hatcher believes that Grand Bahama's proximity to the United States and its tax-free advantages are ideal for investment. "We believe there is good opportunity for people to come down and...see what is available in terms of investment," he said. Mr Hatcher said several trade missions will take place in Freeport that will provide opportunity for US citizens to engage in. He said that the Embassy has several initiatives they hope to roll out this year, and indicated that there are a lot of trade expos held annually in the US. The economic officer said the International Franchise Expos will be held in New York in June by the National Restaurant Association. He said businesses or government officials in Freeport who are interested can contact the Embassy. While in Grand Bahama, Mr Hatcher also met with various persons about forming partnerships involving outreach on Grand Bahama. He attended a grant workshop for grant recipients and spoke with teens at an HIV prevention workshop hosted by Red Rose Ball Committee at Canal House. Mr Hatcher said he also attended mission disaster relief conference held by the Office of Foreign Disaster Citizens, which part of the USCID programme in the United States. He said they were able to discuss ways to better deliver disaster assistance more effectively in the event of a hurricane. Mr Hatcher toured the affected areas of Irene and previous hurricanes here on Grand Bahama. He said they have great partners in the Bahamas to deliver assistance and works closely with NEMA.