The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation’s (BCCEC) chief executive yesterday expressed hope that leads from a recent Florida trade expo will turn into “viable investments” in this nation, adding that several interested companies have subsequently reached out to the organisation.

    Edison Sumner told Tribune Business that despite a much smaller delegation of Bahamian businesses than anticipated prior to Hurricane Matthew, there was “keen interest” at last week’s Florida International Trade and Cultural Expo from companies seeking to do business in the Bahamas and forge partnerships with local firms.

    “There was a tremendous amount of interest shown in doing business in the Bahamas, persons looking at different levels of partnerships with Bahamian firms, establishing partnerships for distribution channels, value chains, etc,” he said.

“We are looking now to follow through on those leads as well. We are hopeful that we can convert them to actual investors  in the Bahamas and establish a presence here, whether directly or through some Bahamian partnerships.”    

Mr Sumner added that  only two Bahamian businesses were able to make the trip post Hurricane Matthew.

“Prior to the hurricane we had 15 business who had intended to go. We also had government ministers and department heads who had planned to go as well, but we understood that they were not able to make the trip considering the obligations here,” he said.

“We also had two executives from the Abaco Chamber with us, US Embassy executives, and representatives from the Consulate Generals Office in Miami.”

    “We believe that we were able to give a very good representation  of the Bahamas to the degree that we had very significant interest from persons and businesses who expressed keenly that they wanted to do business in the Bahamas. We had the opportunity to present the Bahamas to all the delegates who were there from as far away as Africa,” said Mr Sumner.

   “Since we returned we have seen a number of those companies reach out  to the Chamber, seeking further assistance and guidance on how to get things done and who to connect with. We are happy to have those leads and we are hopeful that we can convert those into strong, viable investments in the Bahamas.”