Freeport, Grand Bahama – Executives of The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) and Grand Bahama Development Company (Devco) warmly welcomed His Excellency Mohamed Abdulla Al-Rumaihi, Qatar Ambassador and Special Envoy to The Bahamas, during his first official visit to the island.
The visit was part of a two-day fact-finding mission that follows on the heels of the signing of official diplomatic relations in August between The Bahamas and Qatar. GBPA President, Ian Rolle, expressed his pleasure at the interest shown by representatives from the sovereign Arab state of Qatar.
“There is heightened interest among many of the nations in that region to diversify their economies away from oil and gas. As they now look to invest offshore, Grand Bahama Island is poised to reap the benefits due to our many advantages,” cited Rolle as he listed many of the island’s key attributes.
“We want to capitalize on what we have, the superior infrastructure that has already been put in place that is by far one of the best in the region,” Rolle added.
Ambassador Al-Rumaihi concurred and revealed that a major purpose of his visit was to confirm all that they had previously heard about investment opportunities in Grand Bahama. “It is very important for us to come and see what is available here,” he said. “We are looking abroad to develop long-term investment interests for Qataris but also to help other people develop themselves.”
Of particular interest were talks focused on the expansion of trade and logistics facilities on the island and real estate. “We are interested in exploring maximum opportunities for enterprise. The more information you can give us about your ideas for development, stirs our interest and confidence to come and look at the opportunity further and explore whether it is right and of value to us,” the Ambassador added.
Port Authority and Devco executives now look to welcome members of Qatar’s investment authorities during future visits to the island for further discussions regarding the master plan for the island’s development.
Grand Bahama Port Authority
Caption: QATAR ENVOY VISITS THE GB PORT AUTHORITY: Pictured (left to right) Arthur Jones, VP Building & Development, GBPA; Karla McIntosh, Senior Legal Counsel, GBPA; Graham Torode, CEO, Devco; Ian Rolle, President, GBPA; HE Mohamed Abdulla Al-Rumaihai, Ambassador of Qatar and Special Envoy to The Bahamas; Henry St. George, GBPA Director; Deann Seymour, Chief Financial Officer, GBPA; and Fahad Al-Nuaimi, Third Secretary, Embassy of the State of Qatar.