The Inter-American Development Bank launched two studies that show the low regard citizens have for the quality of public services they receive and how innovation can help make these services less bureaucratic. [IDB Release](http://www.iadb.org/en/news/news-releases/2017-01-12/perceptions-of-bureaucracy-in-latin-america,11704.html)
Business
IBFS 2017: Responding to Change Through Innovation
The annual [International Business & Finance Summit](http://www.ibfsbahamas.com/ibfs2017/ ) (IBFS) will be held January 26-28, 2017 in the idyllic surroundings of Grand Bahama at the Lighthouse Pointe, The Grand Lucayan Resort. It will bring together key stakeholders, executives and thought leaders to discuss matters pertinent to the industry. Specifically, says BFSB CEO Tanya McCartney, *”IBFS 2017 … Read More
The Bahamas Makes Progress in the Implementation of CRS
Minister of Financial Services the Hon. C.V. Hope Strachan reported today that [the Bill](http://www.bfsb-bahamas.com/news.php?cmd=view&id=3694&pre=y) to provide for the implementation of the Common Standard on Reporting and Due Diligence for Financial Account Information in Tax matters and for connected purposes now has been passed unanimously in both Houses of Parliament. A release from the Ministry notes … Read More
FSB On Decline in Correspondent Banking
The Financial Stability Board (FSB) has released its latest progress report on the implementation of its four-point action to assess and address the decline in correspondence banking. The progress report includes a set of deliverables for 2017 to implement the action plan, and describes progress in taking forward the plan: * Further examining the dimensions … Read More
US Senate Passes US-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act 2016
The [legislation](https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/hr4939) to enhance US engagement with the Caribbean has passed both the House and Senate and is headed to President Barack Obama for signature into law. Sponsored by Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), ranking member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), a former chair of the Committee, the new … Read More
IMF Mission Concludes Visit to The Bahamas
An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team led by Jarkko Turunen visited The Bahamas from December 7-13, 2016, to update the economic and financial outlook following Hurricane Matthew. The team reports that despite significant damage by Hurricane Matthew, growth is expected to resume next year, supported by construction activity and work toward completion of Baha Mar … Read More
FSB Regional Consultative Group for the Americas Meets in Nassau
The Financial Stability Board (FSB) Regional Consultative Group (RCG) for the Americas met in Nassau today at a meeting hosted by the Central Bank of The Bahamas. At their meeting, members of the FSB RCG for the Americas began by reviewing the FSB’s Work Plan and policy priorities for 2017. In particular, the group discussed … Read More
Caribbean Infrastructure Finance Forum 2016
CIBC FirstCaribbean was title sponsor for the 3rd Caribbean Infrastructure Finance Forum held Dec 6-7 at the British Colonial Hilton. Managing Director of Corporate & Investment Banking, Berisford Grey says the institution is committed to assisting governments across the region to achieve their infrastructure development goals. *”What we want to do is be there as … Read More
Securities Commission Rules to Facilitate Small Business Funding
New Rules under development by the [Securities Commission of The Bahamas](http://www.scb.gov.bs) would allow entrepreneurs to use crowdfunding to raise up to $1,000,000 and make it easier for small businesses to raise up to $3,000,000 per year. Crowdfunding Rules as well as Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Rules are being developed to introduce specific regulations … Read More
Accountants on the Business Front Line – With Strong Role in National Development
The Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie delivered Opening Remarks at the 2016 Accountants Week series of seminars today. The [Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants](http://www.bica.bs/) (BICA) is partnering with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants to host the seminars under the theme, ‘Capitalising on Our Past and Building Opportunities for the Future’, and PM Christie … Read More
The Hon. K. Peter Turnquest was born on August 22nd, 1964 in the Bahamas and earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Prairie View A&M University, and his MBA from Nova Southeastern University. He is a Certified Public Accountant and has been in public and private practice for over 30 years in the area of financial accounting and reporting, audit, corporate services, merges & acquisitions, receiverships and liquidations. Mr. Turnquest has had wide business experience having led international sales and manufacturing operations in several countries.
A former Attorney-General of The Bahamas and one of Her Majesty’s Queens Counsel, John’s practice concentration are financial services law and regulation, corporate governance, business restructuring & insolvency, and commercial litigation. He has also been advisor in several major acquisitions and mergers within The Bahamas, and also in acquisitions by or mergers with regional entities.
The Honourable Brent Symonette presently serves as the Minister of Financial Services, Trade & Industry and Immigration. In May 2017, Minister Symonette was elected as the Member of Parliament representing the constituency of St. Anne’s, Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas. An alumnus of Brunel University in Middlesex, England, he graduated with a BSc (Hons.) in Law and Political Science. He is a Barrister-at-Law having been called to the Bahamas Bar in 1978. Mr. Symonette is a respected and experienced politician having served in many governmental capacities for approximately thirty (30) years. His political career began in 1987 where he was appointed to the Senate of The Bahamas serving in this capacity for two consecutive five year terms. In 2002, he was elected as the Member of Parliament for the Montagu Constituency. During his parliamentary career he served as Minister of Tourism and Attorney General, Deputy Leader of the Free National Movement Party (FNM), Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration.
Valdez K. Russell serves as the principal of VKR Insights, a communications and reputation management agency. Throughout his professional career, Valdez has been instrumental in facilitating public relations and communication strategies to help individuals and organizations to build relationships and influence change.
Diego Zuluaga is a policy analyst at the Cato Institute’s Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives, where he covers financial technology and consumer credit. Before joining Cato, Zuluaga was Head of Financial Services and Tech Policy at the Institute of Economic Affairs in London. While at the IEA, he authored papers on the social value of finance, the role of offshore centers, the regulation of online platforms, and the taxation of capital income, among others. His work has been featured in print and broadcast media, such as the Times, Newsweek, and the Daily Telegraph. Zuluaga is a prolific public speaker as well as a former lecturer in economics at the University of Buckingham.
Ms. Christina R. Rolle is the Executive Director of the Securities Commission of The Bahamas, having been appointed effective 26 January 2015. Ms. Rolle has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. Over the course of her career, Ms. Rolle has acted as Director and Deputy CEO for a prominent international private bank and held various senior managerial positions with local and other international institutions including Head of Trust and Fiduciary, Head of Risk, Compliance and Corporate Governance and Manager of Banking Services.
Mr. James H. Smith is currently in retirement since June, 2007. Before then, he served in Parliament as a Senator and in the Cabinet of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas as the Minister of State for Finance during the period 2002 to 2007.
Llewellyn Boyer-Cartwright is a partner in Callenders & Co., The Bahamas’ oldest law firm and recipient of numerous international awards of recognition including the Corporate International Global Award.
Michael Allen has professional expertise in corporate and commercial law, including derivatives law as it relates to the participation by Bahamian entities in financial derivatives transactions, real estate & development, aviation law and wealth management.
Linda Beidler-D’Aguilar joined Glinton Sweeting O’Brien as a partner in July 2015. In her practice she specializes in the structuring and creation of vehicles (including investment funds) for multinational institutional clients as well as private clients; she also advises on corporate transactions, securities law (including public and private offerings) as well as general commercial matters.
Ryan Pinder has been a partner in the law firm of Graham Thompson since January 2016. His practice areas include banking law, corporate and commercial law, investment funds, securities law, capital markets, trusts and estate planning and structuring. He specialises in financial services solutions, planning and wealth management for high net worth individuals and families, and their associated companies and businesses throughout the world.