The Tribune

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

The Deputy Prime Minister has led a government delegation to Hong Kong as it bids to grow its maritime business from major Asian shipping centres.

KP Turnquest led a group that last week met with the Hong Kong Ship Owners Association, and other ship owning groups whose vessels are flying The Bahamas' flag. The visit was designed to promote The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) in Hong Kong and the wider Far East, as this nation seeks to grow its role in serving the region's maritime interests.

Mr Turnquest was accompanied by Renward WELLS, minister of transport and local government; Juanita Denise Lewis-Johnson, chairman, The Bahamas Maritime Authority; Peter Goulandris, deputy chairman, BMA; Cora Bain-Colebrooke, permanent secretary, ministry of transport and local government; Cardie Glen-Cox, director, BMA; Corey Terrez Damianos, aide to Deputy Prime Minister; Captain Dwain Hutchinson, managing director and chief executive (acting), BMA; Captain Jahangir Hussain, regional director, BMA.

The Hong Kong visit came after the Government team officially opened the BMA's new Tokyo office. "Japan is a great maritime nation, and The Bahamas ship registry is one of the world's top registries," Mr Turnquest said.

"The opening of our BMA Tokyo office represents an ever closer commitment to serving our valued Japanese shipowner clients. This will benefit the Japanese maritime community, and it will further the growth of The Bahamas flag, which has been a consistent contributor to our economy."

Mr Wells added: "The BMA serves its maritime clients comprehensively, rapidly and proactively. Though we have been registering and administering Japanese-owned vessels for many years, I am confident that our permanent office presence in Tokyo will enable us to further enhance our support for Japanese maritime interests, and build on the BMA's impressive record of success."

Mrs Lewis-Johnson, the BMA chairman, added: "Many have worked hard and long to help make the BMA Tokyo office a reality. We look forward to this office serving both Japan, and The Bahamas, for many years to come."

Also present were BMA Board director Cardi Cox; Bahamas Shipowners Association manager, Anders Brodje; and senior BMA staff.