The Tribune

The Financial Voice (TFV) forum, which brings together experts from various sectors to discuss issues impacting the Bahamian economy, will make its fifth annual examination of the 2012-2013 Budget on June 19 at the J. Whitney Pinder Building on Collins Avenue, beginning at 8pm.

The event is open to the public, and will be carried live via ZNS television. Members of the public tuning in to the broadcasts will be able to ask questions of the panel by telephone, text or fax.

The TFV is likely to tackle the Government's mortgage relief commitment, the provisions for rationalising tariffs and excise, and for bringing the national debt/GDP ratio in line with what international finance experts consider prudent.

The panellists are I. Chester Cooper, president of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation, and chief executive of BAF; Hubert Edwards, senior manager for business and strategic management, Bank of Bahamas; Gowon Bowe, partner, PwC; Dr Robin Roberts, urologist and director, UWI School of Clinical Medicine & Research - the Bahamas; Chris Mortimer, entrepreneur; and Rupert Pinder, economist and assistant professor, the College of Bahamas. The Bahamas Hotel Association will be represented by its President, Stuart Bowe.

Joan Albury, President of the TCL Group, organisers of The Financial Voice, said the 2012-2013 Budget was a crucial one for the country, and one which Bahamians need to understand.

"At this critical stage of our country's development, we are pleased to be presenting this edition of The Financial Voice. It's our first public forum since May 7, and the first private sector event to discuss the new national Budget at such a high level. It is our hope that the conversation will help Bahamians to understand more fully the challenges and opportunities reflected in the 2012-2013 budget now being debated in Parliament," Mrs Albury said.

"While we have been experiencing signs of pulling out of recession, the slowing of growth in the US, the widening economic crisis in Europe and the cooling of China's economy suggest that we are far from out of the woods. Bahamians need to know of these conditions and how they impact our livelihood, so that we can all be a part of managing those impacts.

"It should be a matter of pride that The Bahamas has done an admirable job to date in keeping our economy above water. The 2012-2013 Budget will be crucial in keeping us going in the right direction to better fiscal health. I believe that our expert TFV panel will advise fiscal prudence for the public and private sectors and for families and individuals."