The BCCEC, Cuba and the Way Forward

Current State of Affairs Change in US policies means changes for Cuba and entire Caribbean Opportunities for business partnerships between The Bahamas and Cuba Personal link to Cuba

Introduction and Agenda Planning, Partnership and Productivity Bahamas Chamber of Commerce plans for ensuring secure Bahamas Importance of partnerships, especially with Government End goal must be higher productivity

Plans for The Bahamas and Chamber National Development Plan “A goal without a plan is just a wish”. Antoine de Saint-Exupery (French Aristocrat, Pioneering Aviator) Planning to establish the Trade Information Services Chamber plans to be private sector lead

Plans for The Bahamas and Chamber Continue to advocate for Fiscal Reform and Responsibility, Accountability and Transparency Continued drive for Tax and Fiscal Reform Closely monitor the utilisation of new tax revenues Proper management of Government infrastructure spending

Plans for The Bahamas and Chamber Planning to establish the domestic arm of Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre MOU expected to be executed with the Government Re-launching the Small and Medium Enterprise Mentorship Program in conjunction with creation of Small Business Help Desk

Annual National Conclave Hosting of 2 nd National Conclave of Chambers of Commerce in The Bahamas “Ideas and Innovation” – refer to PARTNERSHIP Information village planned

Partnerships Principal objective of partnerships is putting together the best of two (2) or more groups to forge successful ventures Private Sector MUST partner with the Government to achieve economic success for the country Develop strategies Improve compliance with laws and regulations Collaborating on critical national issues

Partnerships with Family Island Chambers Executed MOUs with Family Island Chambers to set out working relationship Extended our own local partnerships, with the Cuban Chamber of Commerce Broaden the focus of the Private Sector beyond New Providence, and take advantage of all island economies.

Membership and Working Relationships Member of the International Chamber of Commerce Access to seat on World Chambers Federation Council and seat on International Court of Arbitration Working along with newly established Bahamas Chapter of The American Chamber of Commerce Developing partnerships with financial institutions and professional service Tripartite Group

Productivity Plans and Partnerships must be measured by PRODUCTIVITY The Bahamas continues to slip in World Bank Ease of Doing Business Careful analysis essential when contemplating social initiatives Must develop benchmarks to measure the success of policy initiatives Define fiscal success for The Bahamas, its businesses and its citizens

Conclusion BCCEC celebrating 80 years “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Benjamin Franklin “Never believe that a few caring people cannot change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have.” Margaret Mead – American Cultural Anthropologist Let’s first concern ourselves with changing The Bahamas and Cuba together for bigger and better things.