One of the world’s fastest-growing franchise companies, Mail Boxes Etc. opened another branch in The Bahamas, marking yet another step toward the Government’s goal of making The Bahamas a centre for E-Commerce.
Located in the Harbour Bay Shopping Centre, the diverse business facility was officially opened by Prime Minister Perry Christie on Thursday afternoon.
“My Government is fully committed to positioning The Bahamas to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the global economy, maintain its status as a leading international business centre and remain competitive,” Mr. Christie said.
Caleb Enterprises Limited (CEL)/MBE, a wholly owned Bahamian company, was formed to enhance trade and commerce in The Bahamas, the Caribbean and other ‘Third World’ countries.
Located in the Harbour Bay Shopping Centre, the company holds rights to expand to cover the entire English-speaking Caribbean, comprising 14 countries.
The first branch of Mail Boxes Etc. was opened in The Bahamas in December, 2002.
The global leader in its industry, Mail boxes Etc. provides a full range of business and communications services to general consumers and the small-office/home-office market. Through its network, MBE has become a provider in the rapidly growing area of E-Commerce by providing a physical link to the virtual world.
According to Managing Director, Gershan A. Major, “We are embarking on a time where the world is changing. There is a global convergence in everything we do in terms of trade and commerce and The Bahamas is at the fore in this undertaking. When we look around the world and we see the power of the Internet, and the power of E-Commerce and we understand the impact it is going to have on economies of the region, The Bahamas is doing itself justice to position itself to take advantage of that power.
“Mail Boxes Etc., is one of those companies that will truly embrace the E-Commerce revolution. I am excited about that simply because as we continue to look for ways to stimulate our economy and ensuring that we create jobs and opportunities for Bahamians, this is one of the vehicles in which we can make that happen,” he said.
“Could you imagine the great companies of the world, the Microsofts, the great companies that leave legacies to children who are yet to be born? That is what our vision is all about. Caleb Enterpises Limited to leave a legacy for our children’s children,” Mr. Major said.
Mr. Major said CEL will become a tremendous business opportunity for the country, Bahamians and people of the region.
On hand for the launching were senior executives from both UPS and MBE, which has added The Bahamas to their worldwide network of leading E-Commerce fulfillment and mail transshipment that boasts some 1,069 locations in some 38 territories.
Officially declaring the business open, Prime Minister Christie said in these days of “instant everything, it is pleasing to note that there is one location here in The Bahamas where you can have most of your communications needs met.”
“It is also very coincidental that this business venture is being launched when my Government is in the process of putting in place the legal environment for E-Commerce in The Bahamas. E-Commerce can be the third pillar of the Bahamian economy, proving high quality opportunities for Bahamians, as did tourism and banking,” Mr. Christie said.
Prime Minister Christie said he firmly believes that an E-Commerce industry in The Bahamas can only be successful if the Government takes the lead, and the Government is committed to E-Government, he affirmed.
Already, plans are underway to expand the government-wide area network, which is designed to link up all ministries and related agencies to facilitate the exchange of information.
“It is envisaged that the requisite infrastructure connecting all ministries and department in Government, inclusive of the Family Islands will be in place in the shortest possible time frame,” the prime minister said.
The Government will accelerate its programme of developing and improving government online processes to advance the business facilitation initiative and will provide electronic services to the public in a phased approach, the prime minister said.
By Keva Lightbourne, The Nassau Guardian
