As part of its annual Financial Centre Focus (FCF) programme, the Bahamas Financial Services Board (BFSB) has been hosting an annual Essay & Speech Competition since 2002. In 2008, the annual competitions were incorporated into the National Career Awareness Month (NCAM) activities, with BFSB joining with the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders in this initiative.
Again this year, Bahamas Business Solutions Limited (BBSL) has come on board as sponsors of the laptops (top prizes) for the event, with long-time sponsors KPMG and Rotary Club of Nassau Sunrise also continuing their support. The Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Financial Services, and the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce & Employers Confederation also have joined forces with NCAM for the competitions this year, with the Essay portion now expanded to include secondary schools throughout The Bahamas. The topic for both the Essay and Speech Competition this year is: *“A Valued Added Tax – Does This Suit A Modern Bahamas?”.*
*Photo Caption – Sponsors for the 2013 Essay & Speech Competition. Left to Right Erika Colebrooke, Bahamas Business Solutions Ltd.; Zoe Powell, SEO, Ministry of Education, Science & Technology; Evan Dean, Bahamas Business Solutions Ltd; Aliya Allen, BFSB; Jennifer Duncombe, KPMG; and Alanna McCartney, Rotary Club of Nassau Sunrise. Missing from the Photo are representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Financial Services, and the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation, all also sponsors of the annual competitions.*