The Tribune

BY DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce hosted a seminar for small business operators in Grand Bahama yesterday.

The seminar, which was supported by the Grand Bahama Port Authority,began at 9am at the Chamber’s Office. It focused on the importance of proper bookkeeping and financial planning.

Raquel Hart, director of the chamber’s small business development committee, said one of the challenges that many small businesses face is keeping good financial records.

Ms Hart said that small businesses play a very pivotal role in the economic growth of the community.

“This particular seminar seeks to empower these persons to be able to do good business, to sustain and grow their businesses,” she said.

“We are excited to able to host such a seminar. We recognise that part of our mandate is to equip, empower and education the small business community.”

Ms Hart noted that there was an excellent line-up of presenters who are professionals in the areas of accounting, banking, and financial and strategic planning.

Charles Pratt, commercial manager at the Grand Bahama Port Authority, said the seminar was very timely and encourages business growth.

“We are always supportive of our small and medium size enterprises. Through the Enterprising Centre (at the GBPA), we look forward to support and assist where we can because these business grow the economy.”

Mr Pratt said the Enterprising Centre provides a range of services directly aimed at helping SMEs improve their chances of succeeding.

“We work closely with the chamber, BAIC, and lending institutions such as the Bank of the Bahamas, to help this sector of our business community grow and become more vibrant.

“We are happy to be a part of this event and we are inviting small businesses to take advantage of this opportunity,” Pratt said.

Chamber official Mercynth Ferguson said the chamber continues to work closely with small businesses in Freeport.

She said the Small Business Development Committee was established to ensure that small business operators are educated and informed of educational forums that can assist and prepare them to succeed.

Seminar presenters included: chamber president Barry Malcolm, Adrian Carey and Wenrick Clarke of Bank of the Bahamas, Fiona Bellot-Daniels, accounting lecturer at the College of the Bahamas, and Janice Carroll, of JC Management Accounting Co.