Pictured: Minister of State Kwasi Thompson delivers remarks to Baltimore Chamber of Commerce delegates March 7. (Photo courtesy BIS)

Kwasi Thompson, Minister of State for Grand Bahama, and Edison Sumner, CEO of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC), led a delegation of Bahamian public and private sector officials on a trade mission to the Washington DC and Baltimore area of the US March 5-7, 2018.

The trade mission explored the promotion of collaborative business links, both at the national and state level in the DC and Maryland area, so as to enhance the prospects for Bahamian trade and investment with the Washington DC area.

This was accomplished through the provision of opportunities for high-level and sector specific dialogue, networking and matchmaking.

The mission focused on financial services; tourism and creative industry; agriculture and fisheries; shipping and logistics; brewing (rum and beer); ICT and real estate. In addition to exchanging information on national foreign investment and tourism opportunities in The Bahamas, industries specific to Grand Bahama such as technology, transshipment and manufacturing/industrial were also highlighted for investor consideration.

The delegation engaged in high-level dialogue with senior US Chamber of Commerce and US Department of Commerce representatives to discuss opportunities for cooperation with trade facilitation and business expansion between the US and The Bahamas. They also met executives at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) on public and private sector initiatives that might be of benefit for the strengthening the business climate in The Bahamas.

A trade mission showcase reception was also convened at IDB on March 6 to further promote business opportunities in The Bahamas.

The delegation participated March 6-7 in high-level business dialogue with the DC and Baltimore Chambers of Commerce towards business-to-business matchmaking sessions with local companies interested in commercial links with The Bahamas.

The BCCEC also signed Memoranda of Understanding with both the DC and Baltimore Chambers of Commerce, providing the framework for long-term collaborative efforts towards business development and enhanced two-way trade.

It is anticipated that the Baltimore and DC Chambers will reciprocate the trade mission with their own missions to The Bahamas in 2019.

Pictured: Bahamian representatives at sector specific matchmaking sessions at the DC Chamber of Commerce March 6. (Photo courtesy BIS)

Pictured: Bahamian entertainer Ray Smith at the trade mission showcase reception at the IDB March 6. (Photo courtesy BIS)

Pictured: Bahamian and Baltimore delegates after signing of Chamber to Chamber MOU with the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce March 7. At centre are Baltimore Chamber president Eben Frederick and BCCEC CEO Edison Sumner. (Photo courtesy BIS)