Freeport, Grand Bahama was the host location of the first mutinational E-Commerce conference for the year 2001. The E-Commerce Working Group organised by the Bahamas Financial Services Board (BFSB) attended the seminar in full force with the support of over 25 Bahamian companies participating as both sponsors and delegates.
Barry J. Malcolm, Executive Vice-President of the Grand Bahama Port Authority and Wendy Warren, CEO and Executive Director of BFSB, spearheaded a speakers panel which consisted of high profile representatives from companies such as Maxil Communications (Cable Bahamas), Axxess International (Merchant Axxess), Bahamas Online, Emagine Bahamas Ltd. and Global Commerce Bahamas Ltd.
The E-Commerce Working Group gave the international delegation a clear and positive message which illustrated our nation’s commitment to becoming an ideal environment to conduct E-Business and a formidable contender in the effort to attract e-business to our shores. The presentations made by Barry J. Malcolm, Wendy Warren, Michael Atkin of Maxil Communications and Michael Cunningham of New World Network (Arcos), highlighted the developments that were taking place in The Bahamas, which aptly illustrated our nation’s commitment to making e-commerce the “third pillar” of our economy.
The Bahamas was able to demonstrate its ability to provide the international speakers, sponsors and delegates with high-speed connectivity through the collaborative efforts of Maxil Communications and InfoVision. A “Communication Station”, consisting of numerous personal computers was set up at the seminar which allowed users to access e-mail and correspond via the internet. This tool proved to be invaluable to conference delegates, and received significant attention and praise from the seminar organisers and participants, as it allowed them to remain connected to their home country throughout the duration of their stay in The Bahamas.
In attendance at the conference were Ian D. Fair, BFSB Chairman, as well as representatives from institutions such as Bahamas B2B (Benelda.com), BISX, Higgs and Johnson, the Grand Bahama Port Authority Group, Callenders & Co., MeesPierson Bahamas Ltd., College of The Bahamas (Centre for Entrepreneurship), Americas International Bank, Doctors Hospital Health Systems, Family Asset Management, McDonald and Co., Star Capital Securities, Nexxus International, Grand Bahama Development Company, Sterling Securities and Oceanic Bank.
The size and scope of the delegation proved one thing, Bahamian businesses are intent on working together to propel The Bahamas as a leader in the e-commerce movement.
The support and interest generated by the Bahamian participants, specifically the e-commerce working group, will prove to be a valuable asset The Bahamas has to offer in its efforts to surpass its competitors in the e-commerce race.