The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The FINANCIAL Services Minister yesterday emphasised the need for specialisation within the Bahamian legal profession, arguing that it was of the “utmost importance” to ensure local technical capacity keeps pace with policy developments.

Speaking at a press conference to announce the launch of a pilot course on the law and policy of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ryan Pinder said: “Part of these educational initiatives, especially in the context of trade, is to ensure that the capacity among Bahamians keeps pace with the policy development we do as a country.

“That’s of utmost importance, otherwise if you develop new areas of your economy without helping to develop your people, then your people will not fill those opportunities that might exist.

“The launch of this timely trade law course symbolises the importance of public and private sector partnerships, which will enable new opportunities for professionals in the Bahamas.

“We’re pleased that the College of the Bahamas law faculty has responsibility for the academic content of this course, and that the course will be taught by Lisa Benjamin, an assistant law professor at the College of The Bahamas. We hope to further develop this pilot course into a graduate certificate-based course where we could add up to six trade courses at the College of the Bahamas; actual certification courses and programmes in trade law and matters in international trade.”

The four main components of the course are the history of WTO; its structure and functions; the accession process and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. The course, which comes with a $350 charge, will start this Saturday, with other session to follow on July 6, 13, 20 and 27 between 9 am and noon.

“I have always advocated for specialisation in the Bar because I think it helps advance the country - attorneys as well as the Bar Association - and creates new opportunities for our professionals. This is a perfect example of how we are trying to develop a specialty in capacity for our practitioners,” said Mr Pinder.

Addressing the country’s WTO accession process, he added: “We’re continuing to advance on the technical level. Within the coming weeks we look to go to Cabinet to present our revised offer to the WTO on both trade in services and trade in goods. We look to have that done within the next few weeks and be able to shortly thereafter schedule a working group session in Geneva for early fall.”

Justice Rubie Nottage, speaking on the pilot course, said: “It’s important to realise that this initiative is consistent with the vision of the College of the Bahamas as it moves towards university status.

“We want to be shown to support and drive nation development and fill national needs. We feel that this course is a good example of the college being responsive, and it will also help to foster closer collaborative relationships between the LLB law programme, practicing attorneys, the Bahamas Bar Association and the Ministry of Financial Services.

“This short course is an example of some of the innovative programmes that we hope will develop into more from the college, and that will help the nation and support the vision that we have of a university that is truly fulfilling the national goal of our young country.”