The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

THE concept of developing a national plan for The Bahamas is “long overdue” a key private sector executive said, as the Caribbean Growth Forum (CGF) launched yesterday.

Private and public sector stakeholders met at the CGF yesterday to begin dialogue today on ways to enhance productivity and economic growth in The Bahamas. Edison Sumner, CEO of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce & Employer’s Confederation (BCCEC) said: The concept of developing a national plan for The Bahamas is long overdue but is certainly very timely as we celebrate the country 40th anniversary of independence. The plan we hope will help to guide our development over the next 40-50 years. We at the Chamber are excited that this initiative will now be getting the attention it deserves and expect that the development of a national plan will be exhaustive and intensive but will also be equally gratifying for all those whole will be involved in the process and will also be most beneficial to The Bahamas.

“It is the private sector that will drive trade and commerce and by doing so create entrepreneurial opportunities and job incentives for people as well as encourage creativity and innovation,” said Mr Sumner. Mr Sumner said that BCCEC chairman Chester Cooper is pushing the introduction of a mentorship program as well as a business incubator and entrepreneurship centre in partnership with the College of the Bahamas and the Entrepreneurial Venture Fund.

The Caribbean Growth Forum aims to facilitate a platform for public and private sector dialogue around the growth challenges with a view to identifying practical and implementable solutions that will inspire action in each of the 15 Caribbean territories. The initiative is supported by Compete Caribbean which is a $40 million programme jointly funded by the Inter-American Development Bank, The Canadian International Development Agency and the United Kingdom Department of International Development (DFID).