This past Wednesday evening, the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation in conjunction with the Bahamas National Craft Association held its graduation ceremony for participants in a workshop on Shell Crafting and Painting with Texture. The Executive Chairman for BAIC The Hon. Arnold Forbes delivered the commencement address to the class of twenty-eight students. The Handicraft Department from BAIC spearheaded this training seminar, which targeted various arts and crafts training. During the graduation ceremony the Executive Chairman admonished the students to not to sit on the skills learnt. He noted that for many this is their first experience with the opportunity to use entrepreneurship to economically empower themselves. Further, Chairman Forbes also mentioned the launch and creation of the Bahamas Virtual Platform, which is geared towards promoting 100% Bahamian made products. He noted that the project can best be described as the Bahamian version of the e-commerce portal, EBAY.
Moreover, BAIC’s revamped and reinvented mandate under the new chairman was highlighted, as it will now focus on being more than an incubator for businesses. Ultimately, the Chairman intends for BAIC to become a facilitator of greater business growth in The Bahamas. He also noted that every effort will be made to follow up with fledgling businesses to ensure they succeed.
Earlier that day, the Chairman and his team paid courtesy call on the Island administrator Mr. Charles King and Junior Administrator Mr. Gregory Knowles. They also made an inaugural visit to BAIC’s sub office in Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera. The last courtesy call was to the Island School at Cape Eleuthera, at which he was accompanied by the Former PLP Candidate for North Eleuthera, Clay Sweeting. While touring the school the Chairman expressed interest in a future partnership between BAIC and the Island school to provide training and education primarily in the area of renewable energy. Finally, Mr. Forbes noted that an aggressive agenda can be expected during his tenure as Executive Chairman of BAIC.