The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce’s chief executive yesterday described its upcoming trade mission to India as “critical” to expanding opportunities for Bahamian commerce.

The India trade mission, proposed for February 19-27, is being organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Edison Sumner, who added that the Chamber is also planning to lead a delegation of Bahamian businesses with it.

“The mission is being organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Chamber of Commerce is going to be a part of it and is inviting members from the private sector businesses to also be a part of this,” Mr Sumner said.

“We explore to explore business opportunities  there for the Bahamas, whether it has to do with anything regarding communications and technology, garment manufacturing, light industry, the agricultural industry or the pharmaceutical industry.

“There are a number of industries in India that we think the Bahamas can benefit from, and how we can generate more business for ourselves.”

Mr Sumner added: “We see this this as being one of the critical kinds of trade missions that we can participate in.

“We think that business persons who are looking to expand their footprint, are looking to get into new products, services and improve upon how they conduct business, should take advantage of this opportunity and register to become a part of this delegation that is going to India in the next several weeks.”

Mr Sumner said the trade mission to India will be the first of several trade missions the Chamber has planned for 2016.

“The next mission we are looking at will be in March, where we will head to Panama to participate in the Expocomer trade show. We are also looking at Brazil for later in the year, and we want to take a delegation to Singapore to explore some business opportunities there as well as Mexico,” he said.

    “We are looking for some delegations to come to the Bahamas as well, the first being a group of about 60 persons coming in from China to do a tour in the Bahamas.

“We are also expecting later on to have a reciprocal trade delegation coming from - and going to - the state of Virginia in the United States. We are also looking for opportunities for reciprocal trade missions in Atlanta to pursue business opportunities there as well.”

Mr Sumner said that the Chamber is promoting trade in services as its focus for 2016.

“What that means is, in the first instance, we are working to finalise - and have already gotten some good advancements on - the partnership with the Ministry of Financial Services [on the Trade Informatioin Support Desk],” he added.

“That has now taken a new  progressive turn where we are considering shortlisting companies who have responded to the expression of interest to help design the framework for that.

“Our focus for 2016 is how we can expend trade opportunities for Bahamian businesses. These trade missions are falling right in line with our objectives.”