Prime Minister Philip Davis’s Remarks at Opportunity Hub: Trade + Access to Global Markets

Thank you all for being here with us today.

As we begin, I can’t resist taking a moment to point out what young Bahamians can accomplish when given the opportunity: Senator Barry Griffin has been with our administration from the start and has worked so hard and with such distinction that he is now the Chairman of The Bahamas Trade Commission and our country’s Chief Trade Negotiator. 

Why did my administration hire more than two thousand young Bahamians? 

You are looking at one of the reasons why.

So I want to thank Senator Griffin, and his team, for the energy and innovation they bring to every room they’re in and to every strategy they develop.

Today, we are marking an important step forward for our country – one that has been a long time coming. 

We put forward for public consultation a comprehensive National Trade Policy in February of 2022, quite soon after coming into office. 

We made trade an early priority – even as we were addressing multiple crises – because we understood how important it was to create a new post-pandemic economic strategy – to grow our economy, to reduce our dependence on imports, to create more Bahamian success stories, and to situate trade within our larger plan for national development.

For the first time, our country has a clear roadmap to manage trade more strategically and to improve the competitiveness of Bahamian businesses. 

We want to build on our natural strengths in areas such as fisheries, creative industries, natural products, and high‑value services, even as we deepen the linkages between tourism and local producers. 

That is the work now underway across ministries and agencies.

As I think we all agree, these are very interesting times in which to live (and govern!).

There is great potential for small countries like ours – although of course, along with everyone else, we are also navigating significant uncertainties. 

What I believe – and this belief animates our policy decisions– is that we should never set our sights low. 

I know that we can thrive, and not just survive, in these changing times.

We led an economic recovery that created thousands of new jobs – now we need to create thousands more, and good ones, so people can do more than just get by.

We need more ownership opportunities for Bahamians – we need more Bahamian innovators and entrepreneurs.

We are working to create the conditions that foster economic success – our energy reforms and our infrastructure investments are nationwide efforts, unprecedented in scale.

And of course, we are investing in our people – because preparing Bahamians for emerging opportunities is the best way to build a bigger, more inclusive economy.

Our Opportunity Hub is a single point of access for the many initiatives developed across different Ministries and agencies, including Upskill Bahamas, the National Apprenticeship Programme, the National Youth Guard – all new programmes developed during our term – as well as grants, financing, mentoring, and access to expertise.

Of course, trade and diplomacy are also important tools in creating new opportunities for Bahamians  – that’s how we help Bahamians compete beyond our borders.

When we expand trade:

• We create new revenue streams for Bahamian businesses.
• We encourage innovation and competition, and 
• We reduce our dependency on limited markets.

The Bahamas Trade Commission, which advises the government on trade policy and connects Bahamian entrepreneurs to global opportunities, is advancing a National Trade Diversification Strategy, to identify new regions and sectors for growth, and a National Export Strategy, to create a structured pathway for Bahamian businesses to become export-ready, including support for scaling operations and entering international markets.

In addition, as many of you know, the Trade Commission is steering our PricePal Initiative – which is a technology-driven platform designed to increase price transparency, lower the cost of living, and empower consumers.

Today, we are introducing the Bahamas Trade Commission digital platform, which features a comprehensive Trade Resources Page designed to support Bahamian businesses.

This website is a central access point for trade, business, and global opportunity.

• It brings together in one place:
  • Financing and funding opportunities;
  • Trade missions and international events;
  • Import and export guidance;
  • Market intelligence and analysis, and
  • Practical toolkits for doing business locally and internationally.

For the small business owner, it answers the question, “How do I grow into a bigger business?”

For the entrepreneur, it provides visibility into new opportunities.

For the professional, it shows how your skills can be exported beyond The Bahamas. (Perhaps the very skills you gained via participating in Upskill Bahamas! More than 14,000 Bahamians are now enrolled).

Our goal is a shift in mindset – from “What can I do here?” to “Where in the world can I compete (from here)?”.

We know that to move the dial on exports, we have to make it easier for Bahamian entrepreneurs to find opportunities, understand requirements, access finance, and navigate the practical realities of selling into foreign markets. 

The platform creates a system of opportunity – with information, access, pathways, and support.

The website connects national policy to the everyday decisions business owners make. 

Looking ahead, we see the potential of new technologies to function as a powerful equaliser for small countries like ours. 

Technology can help our agencies analyze global demand trends, streamline customs and compliance processes, and deliver tailored guidance to businesses at scale. 

It can help Bahamian businesses improve productivity, quality control, and marketing, whether you are exporting seafood to a distant market or selling creative content online.

I want to encourage Bahamians – business owners, entrepreneurs, professionals – everyone – to explore the platform. 

The world is within your reach!

We hope you will walk – or even run – through the doors that we’re opening.

May God Bless You, and May God Bless the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.