GIBC Digital officially opened its offices on Grand Bahama this week. Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest, GIBC CEO Greg Wood, and other officials were on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Photo: Denise Maycock
By DENISE MAYCOCK
Tribune Freeport Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
GIBC CEO Greg Wood said Wednesday's opening of his company's office in Freeport marks the beginning of Grand Bahama's transformation in what to will be known as "Silicon Island" by the next decade.
Mr Wood revealed that officials from his tech company have already started designing a state of the art global training complex and data centre that will employ hundreds of knowledge workers on the island.
When completed, he noted that centre will attract executives from around the world to come to Freeport for training in areas of process engineering and automation, cybersecurity, and data science.
"It will also bring machine learning and artificial intelligence capabilities to the region, and we have just hired one of the brightest experts in the world to lead our efforts," he said.
"I envision a training centre that is the epicentre of the tech hub envisioned by the Minnis administration that will draw people who will want to work, live, and play here in Grand Bahama."
He stated that the centre will be a world class retail space with restaurants, office space, apartments and condos, an entertainment pavilion, a hotel, and a medical centre.
Mr Wood said Grand Bahamas has world-class amenities to attract and keep world-class talent.
"It is a place where like-minded people with a common interest in innovation and impact can come together and collaborate with other experts. It is an incubator for new companies to bring new products and services to the digital economy.
"It is a place that inspires growth, improvement, and excellence, and was built using the latest sustainable development methods, with 100 percent of its power derived from the sun and wind," he said.
He reported that much progress has been made since his first meeting with government on February 12, including the hiring of 25 people, and plans to hire an additional 25 by the end of the year.
Mr Wood also noted that the company's first class has completed phase two of their training programme and will ready by month's end for deployment to help transform organisations throughout the region.
"The transformation of Grand Bahama is underway, and when government and business work together, great things can be accomplished for the people," Mr Wood said.
"This is an important day because we are not just here to open an office. We are here to take the next step in the evolution of The Bahamas."
He commended Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, and others including Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest, Minister of State for Grand Bahama Senator Kwasi Thompson, and Ian Rolle, president of the GB Port Authority.
Mr Wood stated that GIBC is interested in creating opportunities and meaningful careers for talented and capable people who are eager to learn, grow, and prosper, while the company lays the foundation of a workforce prepared to lead in a global, digital economy.
He thinks that good paying jobs and a capable workforce will boost the need for local services in the community, increasing economic growth.
He says it will also attract other tech companies and jump-start the process of creating prosperity.
Of his company, he said: "We can help clients eliminate waste, reduce cost, and lower risk by re-engineering and automating processes; use data to make better more informed decisions faster to take advantage of opportunities; create a better user experience that will increase the lifetime value of each customer; and avoid the reputational damage that comes from failing to meet regulatory obligations or from corruption," he said.
Mr Wood started the company in 2011.
He said it not about making money, but about creating something unique in the world and solving challenges.
"We are excited to be a part of the Minnis administration's vision to make Grand Bahama a tech hub," he said.
"Ten years from now, Grand Bahama will be thought of as Silicon Island. This is the perfect time to be part of the growth and reinvigoration that's taking place here."
Comments
birdiestrachan 5 years, 10 months ago
I was under the impression they were trying to attract persons from abroad. they gave that impression. Did folks have to go out and buy blue clothes? and is the Government
giving this company a contract,
ohdrap4 5 years, 10 months ago
they rented the blue suits from seatless plp mps.
TalRussell 5 years, 10 months ago
Ma Comrades, Blue suit or not, Grand Bahamalanders are eager learn if their be more than KP's artificial intelligence capabilities to justify "uncosted and untendered" Imperial red shirts contracts. How's that other "uncosted and untendered" promise coming along, how Grand Bahamaland will be known as "Oban Oil Drums Storage Island" by the next decade.... notice how red seem eliminated Hotels from the next decade... opened Hotels. This is shaping up be Five years " uncosted and untendered" Imperialred shirts contracts..... just likes umpteen millions dollars flowing out PublicPurse in "uncosted and untendered" Auditor contracts. Wasn't that supposed be a really suspiciously bad PLP thing?
BahamaLlama 5 years, 10 months ago
This is the start of a company doing their part to kiss up to the government, in return for which, they will get a signed contract to run the Bahamian digital ID system which Bahamians won't stomach. And will result in them quietly "downscaling" it around 18 months later once they have the signature.
This company did not choose to move to Freeport. It was a condition of them getting the government contract, and saving Kwasi from not attracted a single company in a year.
Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 10 months ago
Spot on!
proudloudandfnm 5 years, 10 months ago
I still have no idea what they are training Bahamians to do....
I cannot imagine training people with no college degree in artificial intelligence. And if a college degree is a prerequisite what impact will this have on GB's MASSIVE UNEMPLYMENT?
sheeprunner12 5 years, 10 months ago
This sounds so sexy!!!!!! ............. Silicon Island ............. GB hipsters and airheads (like Cali)
sheeprunner12 5 years, 10 months ago
Mr Wood started the company in 2011.
He said it not about making money, but about creating something unique in the world and solving challenges.
"We are excited to be a part of the Minnis administration's vision to make Grand Bahama a tech hub," he said.
"Ten years from now, Grand Bahama will be thought of as Silicon Island. This is the perfect time to be part of the growth and reinvigoration that's taking place here."
This is a white foreigner saying that about setting up shop in our black country ......... and we must believe that shit???????? .............. Hope Minnis is not that daft ......... SMDH
truetruebahamian 5 years, 10 months ago
Who black around here?
TalRussell 5 years, 10 months ago
BUTT Talk! More weird sounding wind does comes out the comrade red shirts mouths- than they Ass holes.
ashley14 5 years, 10 months ago
I think the plan is without Bahamian's. I think they are running the Bahamians out.
ashley14 5 years, 10 months ago
I thought that when I saw that most of the Cruise ships don't stop there anymore. It eliminates the islanders from selling their souvenirs and what about the income from the excursions chosen by the guests. Taxi and bus drivers, restaurants, tshirts, if there are no guests there is no income.
K4C 5 years, 10 months ago
Hi Tech requires an educated work force
TalRussell 5 years, 10 months ago
Ma Comrades, there's always faint hope that the positive economic change required could come about by aligning with state of Florida... sure beats hell out turning damn place into potential environmental hazardous dumping ground Graveyard - empty Oil drums waiting rust.
observer2 5 years, 10 months ago
Can’t seem to find any background info on this company, it’s directors or officers.
It’s as if they appeared out of the blue with no past.
They have wiped and scrubbed their internet presence clean. Obviously learning from the tragic Oban fiasco.
It is beyond belief that these guys have been awarded contracts for a digital ID for all Bahamians, a Cryptocurrency for Bahamians, blockchain for all government transactions...at best its pie in the sky BS and worst the naive minis admin is being conned.
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 10 months ago
Given the weight of the project, It is extremely odd. I'm sticking to my belief that Minnis and Turnquest, who are both blind in this area, are being snookered by one voice whispering in their ears.
From biblical times on down, doesn't there always seem to be one devious person whispering in the ears of the king for their personal advancement?
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