NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Small business advocate Mark A. Turnquest says his “last hurrah” before retiring from advocacy will be to deliver a comprehensive blueprint for a Small Business Act—legislation he believes is critical to transforming the entrepreneurial landscape of The Bahamas.
Turnquest, founder and past president of the 242 Small Business Association & Resource Center (SBARC), has spent nearly two decades lobbying successive administrations for legislation to protect and strengthen micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). He said the lack of a legal framework has left the sector vulnerable to shifting government policies and stalled efforts at long-term growth.
“Unless there is a Small Business Act, we will never, ever proceed in what I call operational effectiveness and efficiency,” Turnquest said. “We’ve tried it for years. Every administration comes in with a new strategy, but nothing fundamental. Things will only change when there is a Small Business Act that is legislated.”
The culmination of that effort will be the 242 SBARC MSME Symposium, set for November. The event will unveil findings from Turnquest’s 16 years of advocacy alongside a dedicated two-year national study, now underway and due to conclude in 2026. That research will form the basis of a final report and position paper to be presented to government and stakeholders, including the Small Business Development Centre and the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce.
Turnquest said the study will deliver industry-specific insights from across the Family Islands, supported by both qualitative and quantitative data.
“This research will be exhaustive and comprehensive. It will be our last, best opportunity to set out a structure that can guide small business development for decades,” he said.
While acknowledging that the Davis administration has shown “positive interest” in small business legislation, Turnquest said it will require political will and “backbone” to bring an act to Parliament.
For him, the timing is personal as well as professional. Planning to retire from advocacy next year, Turnquest said the push for a Small Business Act represents the legacy he hopes to leave behind.
“This is my last hurrah. I want to go out knowing that I’ve given everything to ensure small businesses—the true engine of this economy—finally get the protection and support they deserve,” he said.
