The Tribune

Abaco’s infrastructure needs, investment prospects and economic resilience will be among the key issues examined at the 20th Annual Abaco Business Outlook on September 17.

The conference, being held at Abaco Beach Resort under the theme “Strengthening Foundations for Long-Term Prosperity”, will bring together government officials, utility providers, business leaders and tourism stakeholders to discuss the challenges facing the island’s continued economic development.

Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs Clay Sweeting will deliver the keynote address, while Abaco Chamber of Commerce President Chantelle Sands will provide an update on the Chamber’s work.

Ms Sands said the conference is intended to give businesses greater insight into policy developments, emerging trends and investment opportunities affecting Abaco.

“The upcoming Abaco Business Outlook is an important opportunity for our business community to come together, listen, learn, and prepare for what lies ahead,” she said.

“Having experts and industry leaders here from both the public and private sectors to share their knowledge gives our business owners an opportunity to gain valuable information that can help them make informed decisions and identify opportunities for growth.”

Infrastructure will be a major focus, with a panel examining the reliability and capacity of Abaco’s electricity, water and telecommunications systems and their ability to support business growth.

The session, “Delivering High-Quality Sustainable Infrastructure: Challenges, Constraints and Solutions”, will be moderated by Central and South Abaco MP and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Family Island Affairs Bradley Fox.

Panelists will include Bahamas Power and Light Chief Operations Officer Anthony Christie, Water and Sewerage Corporation Manager II of Family Island Operations Chrishano Edgecombe and Cable Bahamas Group of Companies Director of Consumer Sales Keiran Chase.

The discussion will revisit infrastructure commitments made at last year’s conference, when utility providers outlined plans to expand fibre connectivity, strengthen the island’s water system and upgrade electricity generation and distribution.

This year’s panel is expected to provide an update on those initiatives and the progress made over the past year.

Business resilience and the island’s ability to sustain growth will also come under discussion, with Victoria Albury, group assistant vice-president of business development for the Northern Bahamas at Leno Corporate Services, Robert Albury, managing director and principal technology consultant at Waves IT, and Brooke Greene, vice-president of sales and merchant engagement at Kanoo, participating in a session on the issue.

Ms Albury said Abaco’s ability to recover from adversity and work collectively remains an important part of its economic strength.

“Whether you have lived here for 10 years or all your life, you know how resilient this Abaco community is,” she said. “From the mainland to the outer cays, people work together to learn, improve, build and grow together.”

She said the island must now ensure that infrastructure improvements keep pace with economic growth and that Bahamians are positioned to benefit from expanding opportunities.

“How can we get the needed improvements, though, in basic infrastructure to follow our growth trajectory? How can we help Bahamians benefit from this growth in our communities and safeguard their future?” Ms Albury asked.

The conference will also examine the impact of artificial intelligence on tourism, with Bahamas Out Islands Promotion Board Executive Director Kerry Fountain moderating a panel featuring representatives from Tambourine, Bahamasair Holdings, Hotel Traffic Builders and the Ministry of Tourism.

Entrepreneurship, investment and economic diversification will form another area of discussion, while workforce development will be addressed by Baker’s Bay Director of Human Resources Anne Lightbourne and Deborah Pratt of DAPS Corporate Training and Business Services.

Doctors Hospital Health System CEO Dennis Deveaux is also scheduled to discuss the opening of the organisation’s new hospital in Grand Bahama and the medical services it will provide.

The 20th Annual Abaco Business Outlook will be held on Thursday, September 17, at Abaco Beach Resort.

Persons interested in attending can contact Margaret Albury at The Counsellors at malbury@tclbahamas.com or 322-1000.