Bahamas Holds Multinational E-Commerce Seminar

Bahamas Financial Services Board

25 May 2001

This story was reproduced by kind permission of The Bahamas Financial Services Board at: http://www.bfsb-bahamas.com

Freeport, Grand Bahama has hosted its first multinational e-commerce seminar for the year 2001. The E-Commerce Working Group formed in March to coordinate a national effort on e-business development, attended the two-day seminar last week in full force, with the support of over 25 respected Bahamian companies participating as both sponsors and delegates.

Barry Malcolm, Executive Vice-President of the Grand Bahama Port Authority and Wendy C. Warren, CEO and Executive Director of The Bahamas Financial Services Board, spearheaded a speakers panel which consisted of high profile representatives from companies such as Maxil Communications (Cable Bahamas), Axxess International (Merchant Axxess), SRG - Bahamas Online, Emagine Bahamas Ltd. (Info-Vision), Global Commerce Bahamas Ltd., and The CEO Network. Mr. Malcolm and Ms. Warren are the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Working Group, respectively.

The E-Commerce Working Group gave the international delegation a clear and positive message, illustrating The Bahamas' commitment to become a formidable contender in the effort to attract e-business to its shores. Speeches given by Barry Malcolm, Wendy Warren, Michael Atkins of Maxil Communications and Michael Cunningham of New World Network (Arcos) highlighted the developments taking place in The Bahamas, and aptly illustrated the nation's commitment to making e-commerce the "third pillar" of its economy.

The Bahamas was able to depict its ability to provide the international speakers, sponsors and delegates with high-speed connectivity through the collaborative efforts of Maxil Communications and Emagine Bahamas Ltd. A "Communication Station" consisting of numerous personal computers was set up at the seminar, allowing users to go online to check their e-mail and correspond using the Internet. This tool proved to be invaluable to the delegates and received significant attention and praise from the seminar organisers and participants, as it allowed them to remain connected to their home country throughout the duration of their stay in The Bahamas.

Also participating in the seminar were Ian Fair, Chairman of The Bahamas Financial Services Board, Lisa and Duke Wells from Bahamas B2B (Benelda.com) as well as representatives from institutions such as BISX, Higgs and Johnson, Grand Bahama Power Company, Callenders & Co., MeesPierson (Bahamas) Limited, College of the Bahamas, Americas International Bank, Doctors Hospital Health Systems, Family Asset Management, McDonald and Co., Star Capital Insurance, Nexxus International, Grand Bahama Development Company, Sterling Securities and Oceanic Bank and Trust.

The size and scope of the delegation proved one thing: Bahamian businesses are intent on assisting their country to become a leader in the e-commerce movement. The support and interest generated by the Bahamian participants, specifically the E-Commerce Working Group, will prove to be the most valuable assets The Bahamas has to offer in its efforts to surpass its competitors in the e-commerce race.

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