A leading U.S.-based supply chain management company is looking to make Grand Bahama a thriving logistics hub, a move that could translate into thousands of jobs for those living on the struggling island.
New Level Logistics (NLL) Co. Ltd. recently submitted a logistics development proposal to the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) to develop a “book of business” of U.S. multinational corporations to invest in a distribution logistics hub as the Panama Canal prepares to open in 2014.
“On the employment side, we are looking at thousands of jobs. We’re looking at entry level jobs, managers, middle managers and logistics careers for Bahamians to be involved when a U.S corporation moves a distribution center employing maybe several hundred employees with each company,” according to Henry Johns, the company’s vice-president.
Johns pointed out to Guardian Business that banking, real estate, human resources and information technology (IT) are just some of the areas where the GBPA could benefit, if the proposal is approved. He is calling it a “win-win” situation for all parties involved.
“We are looking at an increase in banking, real estate and an overflow of various types of profits that the port would benefit from. The port would certainly benefit from licensing fees. If the port was interested in providing warehousing and distribution, if that’s part of the operations that they want to be involved with then they can utilize long-term leasing. There are human resources and information technology (IT) opportunities. There are also opportunities for Bahamian entrepreneurs to work with U.S. companies in setting up various support services. There are a lot of opportunities for the GBPA,” he explained.
He said The Bahamas has the “perfect” opportunity to be a hub for the Americas. “We really need to crank up the heat and get some interest to start the marketing now.
It’s time for investors to see why they should come to The Bahamas.
Most U.S. ports right now will not be able to handle the large vessels, but The Bahamas can do that. It would be a great opportunity for the GBPA to manage those larger vessels and this would be a hub for the Americas, South and Central America, the Caribbean but also drive an interest that Grand Bahama already has of creating a marketplace for the world, rather than for Bahamians to travel over to Panama,” Johns added.
In October, Ryan Pinder said he is looking to position Grand Bahama as a dominant trade hub for Latin America.
By Scieska Adderley
Guardian Business Reporter
