The US-Television’s documentary on Tourism in The Bahamas last year was such a success with U.S. viewers that the producers of the show sent a team back this year – a rare occurrence – to cover the island’s economy.
“We believe that it is very important to showcase the attractiveness of The Bahamas and the attention it is getting to potential investors, specifically those from New York,” said Alfonso Regalado, one of the Program Coordinators. “We want to show that The Bahamas has everything – a good banking and trust sector and to show good governmental support of the industry.”
Key areas that will be featured in the documentary include improvements in financial services, including a strengthened legislative landscape. Innovative products in the sector such as SMART funds and Foundations will also be showcased. The real estate industry will also be covered under financial services.
In addition, the documentary also plans to highlight the relationship between the public and private sectors which has gained some favorable comments recently from the Minister of Financial Services and Investments Allyson Maynard-Gibson. The Bahamas Financial Services Board also believes cooperation between those sectors have strengthened.
US-Television in conjunction with Fox 5 has roughly 20 million viewers “with a discretionary income of $357 billion” which the show’s producers believe could spell big investments for The Bahamas. Players in the financial industry have generally been receptive to participating in the program, realizing the importance of promoting a competitive and thriving financial industry.
Mr Regalado also explained the importance of timing in working on a documentary featuring the Bahamas’ economic climate. “There are a lot of announcements of possible investors from the United States and the Caribbean,” he said. “Kenneth Lewis made that statement just 3 weeks ago exclusively to Fox.”
Mr Regalado and other members of the coordinating team have already spent a week in Freeport working closely with the Grand Bahama Port Authority.
By: BARRY WILLIAMS, The Nassau Guardian
