This conference running from the 22nd to the 24th of April 2004 is designed to cover pertinent information such as Border Securities, Investments/Tax Incentives, Labour/Management Relation on Day One; FTAA, Services &, Investment chapters, Future of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, and an Alternative Economic Vision for he Bahamas on Day two. Part proceeds will go to the Childrenﾴs Homes in Freeport and Nassau, and a donation will be made to the Rotary Scholarship Fund.
The presenters will include: Hon. Allyson Maynard-Gibson, MP, Hon. Frederick Mitchell, MP, Hon. James Smith, MP, Mr. Robert Witajewski, Charge dﾴ Affairs, United States Embassy, Mr. Rawle Maynard, Former Magistrate Mr. Mark A. A. Warner, formerly General Counsel of the OECD Trade Commission, Mr. Pierre Suave, OECD Undersecretary for Trade, Dr. Gilbert NMO Morris, Executive Director, The Landfall Centre.
The venue is Westin at Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort, and the cost of the conference is $350.00 per person.
Speaking of the conference Mrs. Gwen Newbold said: ﾓthat the Grand Bahama Chamber is continuing in its commitment to the community in providing public forum for discussion of important issues. Additionally, we are bringing together Chamber representatives from Florida and the region to discuss the way forward for business in the immediate future. Having the US Embassy participate also opens our discussions to what is really meaningful for Bahamians, which is our relationship with the United States. Our partners, at The Landfall Centre are central to these discussions, in this case on the FTAA and particularly, on explaining an alternative economic vision for the Bahamas going forwardﾔ.
Dr. Gilbert NMO Morris supported Mrs. Newboldﾴs remarks: ﾓThe Grand Bahama Chamber has a unique responsibility as it operates at the heart of a most innovative instrument ﾖ The Hawksbill Creek Agreement. The Chamber must be able to say what new avenues are available for its development.ﾔ
Asked about the speakers on the FTAA on the 23rd, Dr. Morris explained why The Landfall Centre invited them: ﾓMark Warner is a colleague of mine. We both were invited to address White House and US Treasury Staff on the OECD in May of 2001. Additionally, Mark works at the heart of the international trade arena having taught in Eastern Europe, Vietnam and now in Denmark where he is based. So even though he is from Barbados, he has not set limits on himselfﾔ.
Dr. Morris said that: ﾓPierre Suave is a master of trade integration and has negotiated and advised at the highest levels and has taught in this area at Harvard University. Rawle Maynard is a principle thinker on the Hawksbill Creek Agreement I know. He will show how Freeport can grow. I will confine myself to the task of exploring an alternative economic vision for the Bahamas, not by bashing FTAA membership, but by showing how The Bahamas can compare its actual developmental potential against the potential benefits of the FTAA.ﾔ
He concluded that: ﾓThis is going to be a wonderful conference. It must be in Freeport because here a multi-billion dollar trade platform is being developed. We have 120 high school students booked for the Master-classes on the 22nd and 23rd, with students also coming from COB. Our conference packets will include a copy of Minister Zhivago Laingﾴs book on trade: Who Moved My Conch. We have about 212 spaces left, but they are selling in groups. We invite everyone to join us for an informative weekend.
Those who would like to attend in Nassau should go to www.landfallcentre.com and call us to register, in Freeport, call the Chamber at 352-8329ﾔ.
