The Tribune

The Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) is working closely with the Government to promote Freeport as an attractive location for business and investment.

Port officials joined Brent Symonette, minister of financial services, trade and industry, and Immigration at the Opportunities in the Caribbean Region Trade Conference (OCRTC) earlier this week in Miami, Florida.

Describing Freeport as "the country's industrial and commercial shipping hub", Mr Symonette told attendees about the advantages of a major port and international business centre just 68 miles off Florida.

"Today, Freeport offers the discerning investor guaranteed long-term tax concessions and benefits for financial, commercial and industrial enterprises - within this unique economic trade zone -that are superior to anywhere else in the region," Minister Symonette continued.

The OCRTC event follows a trade mission to Washington DC in late March, where the Government and GBPA also collaborated with the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC).

Derek Newbold, the GBPA's senior manager of business development, said: "Grand Bahama has significant competitive advantages. Its value proposition supports a wide range of economic sectors, including ICT and tech-related industries, manufacturing and value addition, alternative healthcare services, and shipping and logistics.

"Grand Bahama's infrastructure (both hard and soft), and proximity and cultural affinity to the US market, are complemented by a tax-friendly environment and excellent quality of life. When you combine these features with a skilled workforce, efficient processes and ease of doing business, one begins to see what key investors in Freeport have understood for decades.

"Joining forces with the Ministry of Financial Services and Immigration, and The Bahamas consulate team in Miami, to represent Grand Bahama at this event was a welcome opportunity for GBPA. We believe that co-operative initiatives such as this help to position Freeport and Grand Bahama as relevant contenders across the competitive landscape regionally."

"Public-private partnerships will be essential as we create a new narrative for Grand Bahama," said Ian Rolle, the GBPA's president. "Freeport's success will have a positive impact on the entire country, and we are beginning to see positive traction in terms of investment interest in Freeport once again.

"The recent branding of Grand Bahama as the tech hub of The Bahamas will serve to strengthen our position as regional leaders within the digital space. We applaud government's efforts, and are keen to work even more closely with them to help shape an environment that supports this innovative approach to advancing Grand Bahama regionally and globally."