Minister for Grand Bahama Michael Darville said November 6 that the planned Bahamas International Investment and Business Forum slated for February 20-21, 2013, on Grand Bahama is testament to the government’s commitment to the island.

Minister Darville’s comments came during a press conference at the Grand Lucayan Resort to launch the upcoming forum.

The conference is sponsored by the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GPA), the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC), the Bahamas government and members of the business community.

Minister Darville was joined by Minister of State for Investment in the Office of the Prime Minister Khaalis Rolle, GPA chairman Ian Fair, CBC’s director general and chief executive officer Peter Longsworth, president of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce Chester Cooper and its CEO Winston Rolle.

Darville told the gathering that, as Minister for Grand Bahama, it is his mandate to promote the advancement of the island as a tourism and industrial centre.

“The theme of this forum, At the Crossroads of 21st Century Trade and Investment, is timely and appropriate, as we have now reached a point where crucial decisions must be made in order to attract new investments to The Bahamas, but more specifically to Grand Bahama, which is considered the industrial capital of The Bahamas.”

“I am particularly pleased that this forum will take place on our beautiful island, which is strategically located in a free trade zone and positioned as an enviable transshipment hub in the Western Hemisphere,” he said.

He also told the gathering that the country’s stability and economic success relies heavily on the synergistic efforts of the private and governmental sectors in developing the key areas of tourism, financial services and the maritime industry.

“Through the collaborative efforts of the government, the Grand Bahama Port Authority and the Commonwealth Business Council, this forum will seek to raise the profile of Grand Bahama Island and promote this island as a global shipping and business center in preparation for the opening of the expanded Panama Canal in 2014.”

“The Ministry for Grand Bahama continues to work cohesively with the executive team at the Grand Bahama Port Authority to attract new investments to our island through specialized marketing efforts. The fact that this forum will take place on Grand Bahama Island next year is a testament of our commitment to better the lives of Grand Bahamians and I can assure you that this joint venture with The Grand Bahama Port Authority is only one of the many planned.”