The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

The Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) remains “the game in town” for all investors seeking to do business in Freeport, the island’s Chamber of Commerce president said yesterday.

James Carey, speaking to the continued uncertainty over whether the Government might force the Hayward and St George families to sell, or even buy Freeport’s quasi-governmental authority itself, argued that investors are likely to be swayed either way by what happens with the GBPA’s ownership.

“The GBPA is the game in town. It is the persons they go to. They are the pivotal point and I don’t think that persons who are not familiar with the set up in Grand Bahama will have an opinion either way because they just don’t know how it operates,” the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce president said.

Speaking about his and the Grand Bahama Chamber’s recent attendance at a major cruise industry conference, SeaTrade Cruise Global (STCG), where they teamed with the GBPA, Mr Carey said the event was an “opportunity” for Grand Bahama to showcase what it has to offer.

“There was an opportunity to speak with a number of persons who showed some interest in what we have to offer and, hopefully, it will result in some visitors. Some persons who may seek to do business there. So it was really promoting Freeport and our island,” he added.

The “best outcome” from such conferences is that they enable Grand Bahama businesses to meet potential investors, as well as organise and facilitate face-to-face meetings and future visits to the island.

Mr Carey said he remains optimistic that investors will scope out Freeport and be “enticed” by what they see, sparking more interest in the island. “I hope they look at the possibilities and, if nothing else, look at Grand Bahama as a vacation spot. That all adds to what we’re trying to do,” he said.

The GB Chamber is about to conduct a survey of the island’s business climate now there is a “bit more activity” post-COVID amid hopes this will pave the way for more economic development.

“There is nothing else happening on the island,” Mr Carey added. “We are just waiting on the sale of the Grand Lucayan, and still waiting on the big announcement on the airport. But the other projects that have been published over the last couple of months, we’re still waiting on them to kick in and make a difference.”