The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) yesterday said it was “on track” with its nationwide franchise store roll-out having launched 12 to-date, leading to the creation of more than 50 jobs.

Marlon Johnson, BTC’s senior vice-president of marketing and communications, told Tribune Business: “We have done nine in New Providence to-date, 12 in total. We’re very much on track and we probably have another one or two we will open before the end of the year, but we’re definitely on track with our plans and we have been pleased with the result so far.”

Mr Johnson added: “We’re very pleased with the business model. We’re not just creating employees, we’re creating opportunities for Bahamian entrepreneurs.

“We’re partnering with Bahamian entrepreneurs to generate businesses that actually lead to employment. We have more than 50 people employed by these entrepreneurs.

“It helps us to empower Bahamians and create employment.

“It reaches our accessibility.

“It’s about customer convenience. Many of our franchise stores have extended hours. The whole idea is we wanted to expand our footprint and make it easier for customers to interact with us.”

Mr Johnson said BTC would begin “in earnest” to place significant focus on the Family Islands.

“We will be looking in earnest in 2014 to have a significant focus in the Family Islands.

“The models we will likely use will be a store-in-a-store model. You will have a little kiosk or stand in an existing store, such as a general store, a food store or something ike that where people can go and get their BTC services,” said Mr Johnson.