Bahamas Information Services Updates
Turning Grand Bahama into a Tech Hub
By Andrew Coakley
Nov 9, 2018 - 1:54:18 PM

THIS IS VITAL FOR GB – Minister of State for Grand Bahama, Senator Kwasi Thompson says it is vital for Grand Bahama to reach its goal of establishing a Technology Hub, as it would economically benefit not just Grand Bahama, but the entire Bahamas. (BIS Photo/Lisa Davis)

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- “The government has already begun implementing recommendations of the Steering Committee to make technology hub a reality,” Minister of State for Grand Bahama in the Office of the Prime Minister, Senator the Hon. Kwasi Thompson told participants at the recent first Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Conference, in Freeport.

“Over the past year significant progress has been made in our tech hub initiative. The Tech Hub Committee has unveiled their strategic plan that will help us to chart the way forward. I am convinced that we can help to make technology become a third pillar of this island’s economy, standing alongside Industry and tourism.”

Even as plans are being finalized to host the Second Annual Grand Bahama Technology Summit, November 14-16, 2018 at Grand Lucayan, focus remains on the future beyond the Summit – the road to Tech Hub for Grand Bahama.

The introduction of GIBC Digital to the Bahamas (in its role as a digital transformation facilitator), the expansion of itelBPO Smart Solutions, and the partnership between the Government of the Bahamas and Bahamas Technical & Vocational Institute (BTVI) to offer free ITC courses to Bahamian students have set the path towards that goal.

In investment trips abroad, Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Hubert Minnis and Minister Thompson visited big name tech companies in the United States to position Grand Bahama and The Bahamas within the new digital world scenario.

STARTING FROM THE BEGINNING – Alex Cameron, one of the international speakers from the first Grand Bahama tech Summit, returned to Grand Bahama following the conference to assist in the “Day of Code” project at Sunland Academy School. The project is an international one that allows school children around the world to learn the basics of coding during simultaneous broadcasts. Taking technology to schools throughout The Bahamas is one of the fundamental recommendations of the Grand Bahama Technology Hub Steering Committee. (BIS Photo/Lisa Davis)

As the island eyes the future and the establishment of a third pillar of the economy, work will surge toward hosting the GB Tech Summit each year, creating more partnerships with BTVI and UB for offering more tech courses and bringing local primary, junior and senior schools fully into the 21st Century with state-of-the-art technology.

“The second Grand Bahama Technology Summit will be a dynamic three-day experience: an epicenter for cutting-edge technology and an opportunity to be a part of Bahamian history,” said Minister Thompson.  It features a slate of global speakers on various aspects of the current world digital transformation.

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