FIRST UK BUSINESS MISSION TO BAHAMAS IN 20 YEARS

The Caribbean Council’s large British business delegation travelled to Nassau on 2nd October for a week of high-level business and government meetings including a programme in Grand Bahama.

The mission is the first of its kind in over 20 years and is an important marker of the growing interest in both the Bahamas and the UK in reconnecting after the pandemic and exploring new business ventures to benefit both sides. ?The event has seen substantial press coverage with headlines quoting, ‘UK Trade Mission Talks $1.3bn Bahamas Deals’ and ‘This is a new season of bilateral trade’.

The visit comes in the wake of a series of Caribbean Council investment events at which Bahamas Prime Minister, Hon. Philip Davis MP, was the keynote speaker in London in May 2023.

Managing Director of the Caribbean Council, Mr Chris Bennett commented:?

?“UK companies are world leaders at delivering complex, new infrastructure projects with private capital. Our delegation brings together experienced airport and port developers, global leading law firms, engineering consultants, and suppliers of quality energy and construction equipment. We are looking forward to understand better the plans and requirements for the Bahamas for their next step of growth and development to see where we can help play a positive role.”

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British High Commissioner, HE Tom Hartley added:

“I am extremely proud to be hosting the first British Trade mission to The Bahamas, and I want to thank the Prime Minister for his engagement with British companies at the Caribbean Council’s events in London in May 2023 – he provided the catalyst for so many companies to want to come. The Prime Minister, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Trade Commission, have been great partners in bringing Britain and The Bahamas closer together through trade, and I’m proud we’re now seeing the fruits: whether it be Bahamian rum in London, Kanoo opening new offices in the UK, or British companies prepared to build and invest in Freeport airport, this is the beginning of a new season of bilateral trade, investment, and job creation. I’m certain this week’s Trade Mission will generate more of the same.”

Senator the Honorable Barry Griffin, Vice-President of the Senate and Deputy Chairman of The Bahamas Trade Commission said:

“It speaks to the strong relationship between the UK and The Bahamas that The Bahamas was chosen as the location for this year’s UK trade mission. We are excited to deepen our trade and business ties with the United Kingdom. We hope that this mission is a productive one and we look forward to doing our part to building the foundation upon which there will be symbiotic trade and business?relations.”

Talks have focused on areas such as airports, ports, solar energy, and hurricane-proof homes.?

The UK delegation consists of 19 delegates representing around a dozen UK companies and organisations. ?The mission partners are Hogan Lovells law firm and Aggreko. Among the firms represented are Charles Russell Speechlys, JCB, Kestrel, Manchester Airports Group, Mott Macdonald, Nectar Group, Reid Steel and the UK Department for Business and Trade.

The Caribbean Council is grateful for the support of our Local Mission Partner, Kanoo, and our sponsors – the Bahamas Financial Services Board.

?This trade mission has been organised with the support of the British High Commission in the Bahamas, The Government of the Bahamas, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) and the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce.

The Caribbean Council

The Caribbean Council is a London-based membership organisation working to build beneficial relationships and two-way trade and investment between UK and companies and their Caribbean and Central American partners. ?We have been connecting quality businesses in the Caribbean and Central America since 2000.

The Caribbean Council has a full-time staff based in London, complemented by a regional network of on-the-ground consultants and associates working across key areas of industry and government.

The Caribbean Council’s mission is to support responsible, private sector-led trade, investment and development in the Caribbean and Central America.

To find out more about upcoming trade missions, please visit:

https://www.caribbean-council.org

Or contact – Maria Tereza Laino

Tel: +44 (0) 2075838739

[email protected]

Press coverage as it appears in the Nassau Guardian | Tuesday, October 3 2023