Press Statement
The Honourable Lisa Rahming, Minister of Urban Renewal and Community Relations and Acting Minister for Grand Bahama, called on business and government leaders to use the Freeport–Riviera Beach Trade Mission to connect Bahamian companies with new partners, create jobs and expand training opportunities for young people.
In remarks for Monday’s opening ceremony at Pelican Bay Resort, Minister Rahming welcomed Riviera Beach Mayor Douglas Lawson and the delegation from Florida on behalf of the Government and people of The Bahamas. The November 8–11 mission brings together officials, business leaders, investors and entrepreneurs from the two cities under the theme “From Sister Cities to Strategic Partners.”
“Let us identify practical areas of cooperation, establish meaningful business connections, and develop partnerships that can be sustained long after this gathering concludes,” Minister Rahming said.
The Minister pointed to Grand Bahama’s proximity to the United States, established maritime infrastructure and industrial capacity as advantages for trade and investment. She encouraged participants to explore opportunities in logistics, tourism, technology and education, with particular attention to how small and medium-sized Bahamian businesses can participate. She also called for educational exchanges and professional development to help prepare Bahamians for the jobs those partnerships could create.
“At the heart of every successful economy are its people,” she said.
Minister Rahming commended the City of Freeport Council and the Ministry for Grand Bahama for bringing the mission together. She also recognised the Honourable Ginger Moxey, Minister for Grand Bahama and The Bahamas and Caribbean Representative for Sister Cities International, for championing partnerships that support business, cultural, educational and humanitarian exchanges.
The programme includes sector-specific meetings to connect businesses from both cities, an industrial and infrastructure session, and a session hosted by the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce and local business owners to present opportunities to the visiting delegation. A municipal ambulance handover ceremony at Rand Memorial Hospital and a closing strategy session are scheduled for Wednesday, November 11.
