Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar and Works Minister Desmond Bannister to be among speakers
ELEUTHERA, BAHAMAS — The ninth Eleuthera Business Outlook (ELBO) is set to take place on August 12 under the theme “Facing Unprecedented Times: Recover. Adapt. Advance.”
The virtual forum is being offered free to all registrants and features two Cabinet ministers — Minister of Tourism and Aviation Dionisio D’Aguilar and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister — addressing several of the most salient issues in The Bahamas today — tourism recovery and advancement and infrastructural modernization, with special reference to Eleuthera.
Also confirmed to make significant contributions to the forum is a slate of well-informed speakers from across The Bahamas economic spectrum and a representative of a major foreign investor.
Founder and chief organizer of the Bahamas Business Outlook Joan Albury, president of TCL Group, said: “Overall, our agenda addresses the major aspects of the Eleuthera subgroup’s value to the national economy, its potential to contribute even more and what is urgently needed to increase productivity and realize that potential more fully. There will be a question-and-answer period and I hope Eleutherans and other interested persons will register for the Eleuthera Business Outlook and ask questions. Participation is absolutely free.”
Thomas Sands, president of the Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce, which is a dedicated supporter of the Outlook, hailed the forum’s 2021 agenda and noted: “The Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce and I, personally, have supported the Eleuthera Business Outlook since its earliest days. We appreciate the sensitivity of organizers to the genuine needs of each community the BO series covers. This is especially so this time.”
Speakers’ attention will be turned on Eleuthera business development; the proposed Disney project at Lighthouse Point; issues of health and safety in the prevailing pandemic; the Sand Dollar, The Bahamas’ new digital currency; food security and technology.
Speakers and their topics will include: “The Creation of the Eleuthera Business Hub”, Thomas Sands, president, Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce; “Update: The Plans for Lighthouse Point”, a Disney representative; “Food Sovereignty is Attainable”, Deon D Gibson, sustainable agriculturalist; and “Healthcare in a COVID Environment”, Dr Charles Diggiss, president and CEO, Doctor’s Hospital Health System.
There will be two panel discussions: At 11am, “Restarting Tourism” with presenters Algernon Cargill, director of aviation, Ministry of Tourism and Aviation; Kerry Fountain, executive director, Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board; Janet Johnson, CEO and executive director, Tourism Development Corporation, Ministry of Tourism and Aviation; and at 1pm, “Digital Currency and Alternative Banking” with Kimwood Mott, project manager — digital currency implementation, Central Bank of The Bahamas; Khalil Braithwaite, chief marketing officer, Kanoo; and Jeffrey Beckles, managing director, Island Pay; and “Using Technology to Stimulate Growth” with Chantelle Sands, head of the Family Island business account, Cable Bahamas Business Solutions.
Moderating sessions one and two respectively will be Kerry Fountain and Ryan Austin, proprietor, COCOA Coffeehouse.
Reverend Allison Dean will open the day with a prayer, followed by the University of The Bahamas School of Music rendering the national anthem.
