The Tribune

‘The Financial Voice’ (TFV) forum will conduct its annual examination of the Government’s 2013-2014 Budget and other issues relating to the Bahamas’ fiscal health on Thursday, May 30.

Now in its sixth year, ‘The Financial Voice’ will be carried live by ZNS-TV 13 at the J. Whitney Pinder Building, on Collins Avenue, from 8pm-9:30pm. Members of the public tuning in to the broadcast will be able to ask questions of the panel by telephone, text and fax.

Joan Albury, president of the TCL Group, which organises The Financial Voice, said the panel will follow up on the outcome of ‘burning’ national issues that were the focus of the June 2012 forum. She added that the 2013-2014 Budget will be the main focus, particularly issues likely to have the greatest impact on the nation’s fiscal health.

“Last year the focus was on certain burning national issues, not least of which were the newly-elected Government’s commitments regarding mortgage relief for homeowners facing foreclosure and tariff harmonisation,” she said.

“While the 2013-2014 Budget will take centre stage, it is important to assess the progress of these and other economic issues arising since then. No doubt, discussions and questions will arise regarding the planned imposition of the Value-Added Tax or VAT, the pros and cons of drilling for oil in our waters, the implementation of National Health Insurance, and the future of the University of the Bahamas based on the constraints of funding.”

Panellists have been drawn from key economic sectors. They include: Rupert Pinder, assistant professor in economics, the College of the Bahamas; Gowon Bowe, partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC); Dr Delon Brennen, deputy chief medical officer, Ministry of Health; Marcellus Taylor, deputy director of planning and development, Ministry of Education; and Hubert Edwards, senior manager - business and strategic management, Bank of Bahamas. 

Mrs Albury said: “That we are able to put on the Financial Voice and attract the participation of so many Bahamians is an outgrowth and evidence of the maturing of Bahamian democracy.

“We at TCL are pleased that it contributes annually to increasing public information and discourse. No one will disagree that we have reached a critical stage of our country’s development, one that is fed by changing values, but most immediately by the blow the so-called ‘Great Recession’ has delivered to employment and the finances of individual households and the country.

“We have received dire warnings from the International Monetary Fund and various international rating institutions. It is essential that we secure national participation in getting the Bahamas and its people out of the financial trough we’re in that threatens our security as a nation. The only way to achieve this level of input is to make sure that as many Bahamians as possible understand the current economic position and government plans for improving the situation.”

TCL’s president described the panel as a very talented group. She added: “We would be pleased to welcome the participation of as many Bahamians and other interested individuals as possible in the forum by joining us at the Whitney Pinder Building on Thursday, May 30, or by viewing the event live on ZNS-TV and asking questions in person or electronically.”