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PM welcomes International Distributors to G.B.

FREEPORT, G.B. – Prime Minister the Right Honourable Perry Gladstone Christie officially welcomed International Distributors (Associated Grocers) to Grand Bahama Thursday, indicating that their advent here could spell a reduction in food prices throughout the country, and new employment opportunities for Bahamians.

International Distributors, which is constructing a mega wholesale distribution outlet off Queen’s Highway in the area of the Fishing Hole, is staging their Annual Trade Show on Grand Bahama. The firm has on display at the Our Lucaya Resort an impressive display of grocery and related products and has attracted hundreds of foreign buyers.

Utilizing the services of the Freeport Container Port, the company plans to bring items to Grand Bahama and ship them to various points in the Caribbean and around the globe.

Prime Minister Christie, accompanied by Tourism Minister, the Honourable Obie Wilchcombe felt it important enough to break away from Wednesday’s sitting of Parliament to be with the firm as they embark on this new venture on Grand Bahama Island.

He told International Distributors and other investors that the Government of The Bahamas is very much appreciative of their investments in The Bahamas and would do whatever it can to ensure its survival.

He said that when he spoke with senior executives of International Distributors several months ago, the vision had led him to believe that the success of International Distributors will in fact be a catalyst to further developments, further contributions, and new businesses being attracted to the island of Grand Bahama.

Mr. Christie informed that during a recent visit to the Freeport Container Port he was informed by the Managing Director that because of businesses like International Distributors, the Port would undertake a $100 million expansion immediately, which would translate into an additional 200 well paying additional jobs for Bahamians.

“When I asked about this particular business and tried to come to understand its meaning to our country, I was told that when the building is completed some four months from now we can expect ultimately some 200 jobs being created in our economy by this particular venture,” he said.

He informed the many persons assembled on the Great Lawn at Our Lucaya that The Bahamas is “very hot” in the international marketplace, and that the International Monetary Fund has indicated that this year and 2008 we could expect growth of 6 1/2 to 7% “and I thought at the time they were under estimating the growth.”

Continuing, Prime Minister Christie said “So that you can appreciate what is happening in this country, in that last several years we have experienced over $18 billion of capital inflow. That translates itself into extraordinary opportunities for our country, and for those who live in it, particularly for Bahamians.”

Mr. Christie said that investments not only translate into jobs, but entrepreneurial opportunities for Bahamians who want to establish linkages.

The Prime Minister noted that in discussions with executives of International Distributors he came to understand that their business here could exceed more than $600 million annually.

Taking note of the fact many attending the trade show had come from the Caribbean region and other parts of world, he informed that “this business is intended to ensure that you are able to get excellent products through the facilities that will be established here.”

He then told the owners that somewhere in this process they will have to see how The Bahamas will be able to access food, foodstuffs from the region coming to Freeport. This he said would result in cheaper prices for food items for Bahamians.

Mr. Christie said he has great optimism for the island of Grand Bahama, and that only last week he flew to Florida where he spoke to several hundred buyers of property in the mega Ginn Development at West End, Grand Bahama.

He told the many hundreds attending the Trade Show that “this is a country that offers you an opportunity for absolutely splendid recreation. It is a place where you are able to see opportunities for investments, and for good return on that investment. It is an island whose people are the best resource that we can offer.”

Mr. Christie said that in the coming weeks and month all will see why he is so optimistic.

“Things are happening and happening for the people in a very positive way,” he said.

He told International Distributors that they have begun what he hopes will be a long tenure, and that he believes the business will grow from strength to strength and will be an inspiration for other companies in corporate America, “who will see why you came here and who will understand the manifold benefits that would be theirs if they were to follow suit.”

He told executives of the company that both he and Tourism Minister the Honourable Obie Wilchcombe had taken time out from their busy schedule to be with them “to be able to ensure that you fully understand that you have the support of the Government and people of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas as you embark of this new venture.”

By SIMON LEWIS
Bahamas Information Services