MINISTER of Financial Services Ryan Pinder said he wants the world to know the Bahamas is "open for business".
After noting his "humility" at being entrusted with heading the reinstated ministry, Mr Pinder said he is ready to do his part in the newly elected government's plan to expand the economy.
These remarks were made during his contribution to the 2012/2013-budget debate taking place in the House of Assembly.
Mr Pinder said: "I am humbled by the decision of the Right Honourable Prime Minister for selecting me to be the Minister of Financial Services.
"In the Prime Minister's prior administration, it was he that had the progressive vision to create the Ministry of Financial Services - setting the way for regional competitors to mimic his method of governance.
"Thank you Prime Minister for the trust in continuing your legacy, I promise, I will not let you down."
Mr Pinder said that with the reintroduction of the ministry, several areas will be addressed, including:
the future of the financial services industry
the establishment of the Bahamas as an International Arbitration Sector
trade development and promotion
industrial expansion and promotion
He said that previously, the financial services industry was underserved, resulting in the industry "suffering".
"For the last five reporting cycles, the Bahamas has fallen in the rankings of the Global Financial Centres Index," said Mr Pinder.
"The Bahamas has fallen from being ranked 59, to 64, to 67, to 72 and now to 75 in the most recent report.
"We are listed 10th out of the top 10 offshore centres."
He said the government's mandate will be to ensure that the financial services industry will not merely be "Better in the Bahamas" but it will be "Best in the Bahamas".
"We have a plan, we are building a great team," Mr Pinder said.
Comments
B_I_D___ 12 years, 6 months ago
'Open for business'...not many will come if the government will renig on contractual agreements and try to take control of a private company...ie BTC. Good luck with the marketing!!
concernedcitizen 12 years, 6 months ago
didn,t the last minister of financial services under PGC have a closet full of US currency
bookiedread 12 years, 6 months ago
I must agree with Mr. Pinder that we are open for business, but the real question is, what kind of business. From past indication the business that this regime knows is taxing investors under the table. Not good business.
Philosopher_King 12 years, 6 months ago
Open for business, hopefully not For Sale.
HaveSomeTruth 12 years, 6 months ago
Agreed.
Concerned 12 years, 6 months ago
Joke of the day, "After noting his HUMILITY". Hahahahaha!!!
What part of Ryan Pinder is humble? His arrogance blinds him and prevents him from actually being a productive member of the Cabinet. He really should have stayed in Florida.
pfunkf 12 years, 6 months ago
truiey this is tne most shocking turn of events since the election campign.we were preached too about how they believe in bahamians,and forigeners were profeting too much at our expense.it proves how phoney our people and especially our preasent political leaders are.all the hype about how bahamians can compete sucessfully without forigners and build our own country ment nothing.so now we have relaunched a special compign to welome and beg the world too please come build the bahamas.i peedict that within two years this christie gov will be recalled smashing their old record of beign the worst government in bahamian history.if no other reason other than the decption they again play on us.what goes around comes around.
concernedcitizen 12 years, 6 months ago
next we will arm the financial sevice minister to deal with those honest foriegn investors that don,t want to play ball the PLP way ,,,,,,,pinder may take the crown of most creepy from shame and the potcake ,if he can wrestle it out of Bells hands...
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