The Tribune

Prime Minister Perry Christie will deliver the keynote address at the third annual Andros Business Outlook, which is scheduled to take place on May 15 at Love at First Sight Hotel & Restaurant in Stafford Creek.

The forum’s theme will be ‘Charting a Course for Growth in Andros for 2014, in line with the Business Outlook series’ focus on economic growth and development.

Joan Albury, president of TCL Group, which organises the Business Outlook series, said: “In these symposia, insight into theGovernment’s thinking, plans and provisions regarding the development of the host community is essential. We are confident that this ministerial combination will provide enough access to stimulate valuable dialogue.

“Among the presenters will be Dr Omer Thomas, who has distinguished himself internationally in a number of high profile posts in the field of food production, including agro-industrial development.”

Taking the lead in the morning session, moderated by BAIC domestic investment officer, Alphonso Smith, will be Arnold A. Dorsett, assistant general manager of BAIC’s agricultural division, who will speak on the topic, ‘BAIC’s Role in the development of Andros’.

Godfrey Eneas, president of the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI), will then speak on the topic, ‘Strength and Courage’.

The agriculture panel includes Dr Thomas, who has also served as the CARICOM representative on the working and policy committees of the CODEX Alimentarius Commission of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to develop and harmonise international food safety standards and practice.

Dr Selima Campbell-Hauber, a Bahamian horticulturalist specialising in plant propagation through tissue culture, has won recognition for her skills in this field. She recently launched an organic farm called Field to Fork Community.

Bishop Caleb Evans, of the Church of God of Prophecy in North Andros, is a former member of the National Advisory Council for Agriculture. He will bring the practical story of agriculture to the podium, having dedicated more than 15 years to high-quality farming. A job creator, he specialises in growing “watermelons off the chain”, cabbages, tomatoes and onions.

Christopher Russell, director of forestry in the Ministry of the Environment, will highlight the economic value of Andros’s forests. He has been involved in the establishment of pilot forestry programmes in Abaco and Andros.

Lionel Johnson, dean and faculty of pure and applied science at the College of the Bahamas, will give an educational perspective on the development of the island’s natural resources.

The afternoon session will be moderated by Veronica Owens, president of the North Andros Chamber of Commerce. An MP between 2002-2007, as the director of the Andros Cultural Heritage Trail, Ms Owens, requested technical assistance from the Florida Association for Volunteer Action in the Caribbean and the Americas (FAVACA) to raise awareness of the historical significance of Andros, especially as regards black Seminole settlement.

She will give an update from the Chamber of Commerce and introduce the Vision Speaker, Peter Douglas, the Andros manager for the Ministry of Tourism, whose topic is simply ‘My Andros’.

The marine panel features Dr Vallierre Deleveaux, Prescott Smith and Eleanor Phillips.

The final hour of Andros Business Outlook 2014 is dedicated to the finance panel, led by Michael Cunningham, who chairs the Bahamas Entrepreneurial Venture Fund, the Government’s major thrust in stimulating the growth of small and medium business.