The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

Bahamian Chamber of Commerce leaders have compiled a list of concerns that will be presented to the Government via a position paper within the next two weeks, Tribune Business has been told.

Edison Sumner, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation’s (BCCEC) chief executive, said Chamber heads from the various islands had raised a variety of concerns and recommendations on the way forward at last week’s National Conclave.

“In our private meeting with the Chamber heads we were able to put together quite a number of items that were raised as concerns by the various Chambers,” Mr Sumner said.

“We’re expecting that we are going to put all of those concerns into a paper that we would present to the Government within the next two weeks. Those concerns would be highlighted from the various islands, and make certain recommendations to the Government about how we think certain matters can be addressed going forward.”

He added: “We were disappointed that unlike last year, all the Chambers this year were not represented. We had some challenges coming out of Andros and, unfortunately, we didn’t get the participation this year of Abaco and Eleuthera, both of whom were also represented last year and also had their own unique challenges in being able to participate this year.”

Mr Sumner said the BCCEC was aiming to unlock more trade opportunities for the private sector, with plans underway to lead delegations to Haiti, Cuba and China this year.

“We see with Haiti, for example, that they are quite prepared to open certain service sectors,” he explained. “We are interested in leading a delegation back to Haiti later this year.

“We are planning a mission to Cuba in June. We are talking about hopefully getting a delegation to go to the Canton fair in China in October. Apart from that, also taking trade missions into various parts of the United States and Canada as well.”

Mr Sumner said the BCCEC has been in discussions with US officials about initiating at least three missions to the US before the end of 2015. “That would include a mission into the South Florida area, Washington, Atlanta and New York,” said Mr Sumner.