By Deidre Brathwaite
NASSAU, Bahamas — Executive director Deodat Maharaj met with the minister of economic affairs and leader of the government in the Senate, Michael Halkitis and parliamentary secretary Wayde Watson to discuss providing innovative and targeted support to the Bahamian private sector.
All parties agreed that advancing the trade and investment agenda was critical to transforming the business sector in The Bahamas. Maharaj expressed his delight at meeting with the minister and his colleagues and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to providing the much-needed support to create options and opportunities for the people of The Bahamas.
Caribbean Export agreed to work closely with Bahamian businesses to boost their export capacity. At the same time, high interest was expressed in convening an investment forum for the Bahamas with the support of the agency. The minister also welcomed the direct support grants programme for the business sector and made a commitment to use his ministry’s platforms to promote the call for proposals that will be launched by Caribbean Export on October 22, 2021.
Monday’s meeting was one of several that Maharaj participated in since travelling to The Bahamas. In the coming week, the executive director will engage in robust dialogue as he meets with a range of stakeholders to discuss their challenges and the agency’s role in delivering concrete and practical solutions to access business opportunities, enhance private sector development and sustainability.
