The Tribune

THE DEPUTY prime minister and a fellow Cabinet minister are among the speakers set to address next week’s Exuma Business Outlook.

Chester Cooper, also minister of education, science and technology and Exuma’s MP, will be joined by Pia Glover Rolle, minister of labour and national insurance, and Bradley Fox, parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Works and Family Island affairs, for the Outlook’s 20th annual staging at St Andrew’s Anglican Church Community Centre on Thursday, October 15.

The event will bring together government officials, business leaders and industry stakeholders for discussions on Exuma’s economic future. Held under the theme ‘Strengthening foundations for long-term prosperity’, this year’s Outlook will examine the island’s challenges, emerging opportunities and ongoing growth and development, with particular focus on infrastructure, aviation, workforce development, entrepreneurship and economic diversification.

Emmett Saunders, the Exuma Chamber of Commerce’s executive director, said this year’s event will be deliberately island-specific, focusing on the issues and opportunities accompanying the significant growth and development taking place across Exuma.

He added that particular attention will be given to ensuring local businesses and residents participate meaningfully in Exuma’s growth, while addressing the infrastructure and workforce requirements needed to support continued investment, tourism and business expansion.

Mr Saunders said presenters and panellists have also been encouraged to move beyond broad or general commentary, and instead give Exuma-specific insights, actionable recommendations and realistic timeframes for implementation. The objective, he added, is to identify practical pathways for addressing the issues that matter most to Exuma.

“As Exuma enters what we regard as a period of unprecedented growth and opportunity, the Business Outlook provides an important platform for ensuring that national policy, public investment and private sector strategy are better aligned with the realities and needs of Exuma’s business environment,” Mr Saunders said.

“More importantly, the Outlook should help advance a shared conversation about what Exuma needs today, and what must be put in place now, to ensure that its growth is sustainable, inclusive and beneficial to the wider Exuma community.”

Rupert Pinder, associate professor of economics at the University of The Bahamas, will examine Exuma’s prospects for economic growth, including the opportunities required to sustain expansion while ensuring local businesses and residents participate meaningfully in that growth.

Andre Miller, the Ministry of Tourism’s executive director of global communications, will speak on marketing Exuma. And the island’s infrastructure requirements will also be a major focus.

Anthony Christie, chief operations officer at Bahamas Power & Light; Henrea Curry of the Water & Sewerage Corporation; Keiran Chase, director of consumer sales at the Cable Bahamas group; and Owen Bethel, president and chief executive of INTI Corporation, will examine the challenges, constraints and potential solutions associated with delivering high quality, sustainable infrastructure capable of supporting population growth, investment, tourism and business expansion.

On construction and development, Sonia Brown, principal of Graphite Engineering, will present ‘Building right: Perspectives from construction professionals’.

Aviation will feature prominently through discussions on airport development, expanded airlift, airline operations, pricing, taxes and air flyover fees. Dr Kenneth Romer, deputy director general of tourism and director of aviation; Tracy Cooper, Bahamasair’s managing director; and Sarah Swainson, director of business development at Makers Air, are among those participating in the aviation discussions.

Ms Swainson, who will represent Watermakers Inc, Makers Air and Staniel Cay Yacht Club, said: “I’m genuinely looking forward to participating in this year’s Exuma Business Outlook and reconnecting with local stakeholders who understand both the opportunities and the challenges facing our community.

“I’ll be representing Watermakers Inc, Makers Air and Staniel Cay Yacht Club, which allows me to bring perspectives and experience from across several sectors serving Exuma and the wider Out Islands. I’m especially looking forward to listening to others and engaging in meaningful dialogue that moves beyond identifying challenges toward practical, grassroots solutions.

“I hope that these conversations help create a realistic road map of collaborative ideas that can be implemented immediately and have a meaningful local impact.”

The aviation discussions will also examine the importance of airport infrastructure in George Town, Staniel Cay and Black Point, as well as the need for reliable and expanded airlift in supporting tourism, investment, trade and broader economic development.

Renea Bastian, AML Foods vice-president of marketing and communications, and Derek Smith Jnr of CG Atlantic Medical Pensions, will focus on practical solutions for business resilience.

Ian Ferguson, the Tourism Development Corporation’s chief executive, and Debra Pratt, president of DAPS Corporate Training Centre and Business Service, will address the need to strengthen technical and soft skills, attract and retain talent and deliver top class service as Exuma’s economy expands.

The Exuma Business Outlook will also explore entrepreneurship, investment and economic diversification, with Demerus “Demi” Darville, founder of Fitfinity Fitness; Bryan Strachan of Aquaquest Escapes; and Carson Gray of Exuma TV/Gray Media, examining opportunities to strengthen local entrepreneurship, broaden the island’s economic base, create new avenues for investment and build greater resilience over the long term.

Persons interested in attending the 2026 Exuma Business Outlook may contact Margaret Albury at The Counsellors at malbury@tclbahamas.com or telephone (242) 322-1000. Registration is also available online at www.tclevents.com.