The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

IN remarks to technology industry leaders in Texas yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis pitched Grand Bahama as a technology hub prime for an influx of American business.

Grand Bahama, the industrial capital of the country, has been plagued by years of stagnant economic growth, which the Minnis administration has pledged to reverse.

His meeting and remarks to the Austin Technology Council/Texas Association of Business were carried live on his Facebook page, an unusual move for such meetings but in keeping with the administration’s tendency to make Dr Minnis’ activities accessible to Bahamians.

A couple of times during his speech, Dr Minnis highlighted the Commercial Enterprises Act, which controversially passed Parliament last year, as an example of a law through which prospective businesses could do business in the country.

“My government has embarked upon a major mission to establish the Bahamas, particularly Grand Bahama island, as a world-renowned technology hub,” Dr Minnis said, highlighting last year’s Grand Bahama Technology Summit which hosted “some of the finest minds in technology locally and from international tech giants”.

“Grand Bahama is uniquely suited to become an internationally recognised science, technology and innovation hub. We invite you to consider Grand Bahama as you plan your next start up or the expansion of your international enterprise. Grand Bahama and the Bahamas possess modern and superior infrastructure, modern roads, constant and reliable electricity supply of North-American standards, fully digital telecommunications and high quality high-speed internet.”

Dr Minnis’ delegation includes Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield, Grand Bahama State Minister Kwasi Thompson, non-resident Ambassador-designate for Central American States Cornelius Smith, senior policy advisor Joshua Sears, aide Kirk Bastian and social media aide/photographer Yontalay Bowe.