NASSAU, Bahamas -- Scotiabank Bahamas recently joined hands with The Bahamas AIDS Foundation in hosting the 2011 Red Ribbon Ball. Hosted under the theme, ‘I am Accepted,’ the Ball is the Foundation’s single largest fund-raising initiative, now in its seventeenth year. An annual supporter of the AIDS Foundation, Scotiabank was an Executive Corporate Partner to this year’s gala.

The Bank is a dedicated partner to worldwide efforts at the local, regional, national and international levels to reduce new HIV infections and minimize the impact of the illness.  Marketing & PR Senior Manager, Leah Davis, noted, “Our partnership with The Bahamas AIDS Foundation underscores our commitment to be socially responsible in this community. We will continue to embrace our role as a global partner in creating a healthier world.”

Pictured (L-R): Sandra Smith, co-chair, Red Ribbon Ball and Leah R. Davis, Marketing & PR Manager.

NASSAU, The Bahamas – Food and Agriculture Organisation Representative for The Bahamas, Jerome Thomas is on an official visit to ensure that this country taps into resources available for food production and security. 

His week-long visit started on Monday, November 22, 2010, with Courtesy Calls on v Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration the Hon. Brent Symonette; and the Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources the Hon. Larry Cartwright.

Mr. Thomas is the FAO Representative for Jamaica, Belize and The Bahamas and his job is to ensure that each country, starting at the school levels, know what the organisation is about and the resources available to each country.

Bi-annually, the FAO provides a Technical Cooperation Programme Facility (TCPF) of $200,000 to each country in various projects, geared toward improving its needs in agriculture and related areas.

Mr. Symonette acknowledged that there is need for such assistance and that efforts will be made to see where such resources could be used.

The 192-member Food and Agriculture Organisation is a United Nations agency, which leads international efforts to defeat hunger in developed and developing countries.

NASSAU, The Bahamas – The road works currently underway on East Street south (from the Robinson Road junction to Soldier Road) are a part of the New Providence Road Improvement Project (NPRIP) and are progressing “fairly” well.

Charlene Collie-Harris of the Project Execution Unit and public relations representative for NPRIP said the contractors, Jose Cartellone Construction Civilies, are moving in line with the programme and the Ministry is satisfied to date.

“We've now started progressing two new lanes on the western side and we've paved the first portion of those two lanes up to the roundabout on Independence Drive,” said Collie-Harris.

“We've also started the installation of deep wells which are 10-inch in diameter and 150 ft deep that divert the drainage along the whole length of the roadway. Along the side there are carrier drains and corrugated pipes that are the drainage inlets for both sides of the streets. Drainage wells have also been installed along the route.”

Once paving is completed the contractor will begin to install street light columns, sidewalks along the length of both sides of the roadway from the Robinson Road junction to Soldier Road. The advanced work on this corridor included the relocation of Bahamas Electricity Corporation poles.

NASSAU, Bahamas -- Executives of Royal Bank of Canada pay a courtesy call on Governor-General  Sir Arthur Foulkes on Monday, November 22, 2010 at Government House. Pictured from Left to right:  Nathaniel Beneby, President and Country Head, Bahamas and Turks & Caicos RBC Caribbean Banking;  Suresh Sookoo, Chief Executive Officer RBC Caribbean Banking;  Sir. Arthur; Ross McDonald, Sr. Vice President RBC Caribbean Banking and  David Hackett, Head Personal and Business Banking RBC Caribbean Banking.  

(BIS Photo/Derek Smith).

NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Ministry of the Environment met with representatives from the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) whom are contracted to propose to design, develop and install an electronic information system within the Department of Environmental Health (DEHS).

 On November 22, Dr. Merle Lewis and Ms. Yvette Holder paid a courtesy call on Minister of the Environment, the Hon. Earl Deveaux, to discuss the proposal that will digitally upgrade the inspection database to organise data entry, storage and analysis.

Ms. Holder is a contracted DEHS Consultant and is an experienced Biostatistician and Epidemiologist.  She would implement the new information system through setting up a framework for the automated system, providing training material, monitoring on-site beta-testing of computer systems, as well as debug and refine the new information system.

Photo: Pictured from left to right are Melony McKenzie, DEHS director; Dr. Merle Lewis, PAHO/WHO representative for The Bahamas and Turks & Caicos Islands; The Hon. Earl Deveaux, Minister of the Environment; Yvette Holder, DEHS consultant, and Ronald Thompson, permanent secretary in the Ministry of the Environment. (BIS Photo / Gena Gibbs).

The Bahamas, Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010 – Furniture Plus presented its first donation cheques to local charities selected by prize-winning customers through September this year and kicked off its Christmas season of giving. The beneficiaries for March through September are:  the Grand Bahama Heart Association, Grand Bahama Cancer Association, Grand Bahama Children’s Home, and in Nassau, the Ranfurly Home for Children, The Cancer Society, and the Children’s Emergency Hostel.

All six charities were thrilled that customers of Furniture Plus chose to support them, plus they gained added exposure to the causes they champion throughout the year. “The Bahamas community has proven to be a generous one,” said Mrs. Krystynia Lee d’Arville, Vice President of Marketing for Furniture Plus. “They have touched so many of our local charities by showing them that they are not forgotten and that we still care. Those who participated in this promotion should feel a great sense of pride.”

The company designed the “BELIEVE” 2010 campaign to make an impact in the community by not only rewarding customer loyalty for shopping in The Bahamas but also giving back to those in need through its Charity of Hope FoundationTM.  Furniture Plus stores in Nassau, Grand Bahama and Abaco have given away over $40,000 in prizes so far this year while donating to charities selected by winning customers. Since the campaign began in March, Furniture Plus has earmarked $7500 in cash donations for charity while advocating for community involvement with more donations slated for Christmas.

“Our employees and customers did an amazing job selecting charities for each island,” added Mr. Troy T. d’Arville, President and CEO for The Plus Group of Companies. “For example, the moneys received will aid the Ranfurly Home for Children in providing education for children housed at the home. The Cancer Society will use their donation to provide education and awareness to the family islands on breast and colon cancer screening. It’s so important to remember these important organizations.”

GREEN TURTLE CAY, Bahamas -- The second annual Green Turtle Cay Festival of Lights begins November 25th at Settlement Point.  The popular and colourful event brings a festive spirit to the cay and kicks off the holiday celebrations.  Beginning with an early dinner, excitement builds under the stars with a stage show and torch light procession. 

Festivities continue on Friday, November 26th with the Holiday Golf Cart Parade and Jingle Bell Trot.  Share a drink under the Christmas lights and enjoy a fireworks display to cap off your evening.

Starting at 12 noon on Saturday at Settlement Point is the Family Day Fair.  Activities for the kids includes the popular bouncy castle and a variety of delicious Bahamian dishes will keep all ages full and happy.

Visit the Green Turtle Cay Festival of Lights website by clicking HERE, and learn more about the history of this community celebration and upcoming events on Green Turtle Cay.

NASSAU, Bahamas -- The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with Caribbean Export Development Agency and the CARICOM EPA Implementation Unit will be hosting a two day Technical Workshop on Market Access and Trade in Services / Investments to be held on December 9^th and 10^th. The workshop is designed to provide a deeper appreciation of the CARIFORUM-EC Economic Partnership Agreement and to assist the various Countries with the EPA implementation.

Please register to join us for this workshop that is aimed to provide a better understanding of the agreement, implementation requirements as well as identifing the opportunities and challenges associated with the same. We anticipate a very interactive workshop and look forward to the active participation of the attendees.

As you will see from the attached agenda, the presenters are all experts in their area and are involved with the implementation of the EPA throughout the region. Their involvement in the negotiations of the Agreements as well as the implementation provides them with a wealth of knowledge on the various subject matters. You will also note from the agenda that after the morning session, the workshop then divides into two sessions, one to focus on matters relating to goods and the other related to services.

Please register for this event by sending an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with your full name, company name, phone contact and email address.