The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation’s (BCCEC) chief executive said yesterday that it was ‘encouraged’ by the reception for this week’s joint trade mission with the Government to South Florida, and was now planning “match making” for potential partnerships with local firms.

Edison Sumner told Tribune Business that there was a very good turnout by the South Florida business community for the mission.

“It was a capacity crowd,” he added. “There was a lot of interest shown by people there in doing business in the Bahamas. There were people interested in trade relations, establishing new service industries in some areas, and particular interest in establishing Bahamian partnerships, and that’s been a big deal.

“Everyone was asking how they could connect with a local Bahamian business. That was encouraging to us in that we think that we would be able to do a lot of match-making for potential partnerships in the Bahamas.”

Mr Sumner added that interest was expressed in a wide range of industries, including  building supplies and materials, ICT infrastructure development and general merchandising.

“There was someone there  who said that  he wanted to submit a proposal to purchase a hotel in Grand Bahama, and we had two others who wanted to develop smaller properties on the Family Islands. It was a very productive meeting,” he said.

Mr Sumner added thata delegation is headed back to South Florida for the Florida International Trade and Cultural Expo from October 19-20. 

“I’m hoping we can take at least 20 Bahamian businesses there. It’s a large expo with over 30 countries to be represented, and over 300 international business, government leaders and civic leaders,” he added.

“They are making available to us what they call a Bahamian pavilion, so all Bahamian businesses interested in exporting their products to other countries, or who want to be a  distribution channel and have a partnership arrangement, all that can be arranged at that expo.”