New Abaco Chamber head wants more collaboration with private, public sectors

New Abaco Chamber of Commerce President Chantelle Sands said she intends to collaborate more with private and public sector entities on strategies and initiatives to make it easier to do business in Abaco, while actively exploring strategies to attract new business and investment.

Sands, in a written Whatsapp statement to Guardian Business, said she wants the Abaco Chamber to “act as a hub for business owners, investors and government agencies, and ensure consistent messaging and a structured approach to addressing business concerns, therefore improving coordination and communication for all in the business community”.

Sands, who is also the head of B2B sales at Cable Bahamas Limited, added that upon taking the helm of the Abaco Chamber, “The first order of business is to get some realignment with the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation, and the various government agencies, promoting the Abaco Chamber as the island’s centralized entity and first point of contact to disseminate and gather information for projects and future planning.”

Sands took over from Daphne DeGregory-Miaoulis, who ended her term earlier this month, touting successes in nursing Abaco back to economic health following Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sands continued: “By working with all sectors, the Abaco chamber will be able to assist with the growth and development of the business community, and by extension also create more opportunities and wealth for the residents.”

The first agenda item discussed by Sands’ board was education and how the Chamber can assist with upgrading or upskilling the workforce.

“Meetings are being scheduled as we speak with the BCCEC [Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation], Ministry of Labor, and private professional training agencies, and there will be a scheduled workshop or training days to pursue this issue.”

Abaco is still in a rebuilding phase from Hurricane Dorian, that devastated the island in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic the ensuing year slowed down that rebuild.

Sands continued: “By working with all sectors, the Abaco chamber will be able to assist with the growth and development of the business community, and by extension also create more opportunities and wealth for the residents.”

The first agenda item discussed by Sands’ board was education and how the Chamber can assist with upgrading or upskilling the workforce.

“Meetings are being scheduled as we speak with the BCCEC [Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation], Ministry of Labor, and private professional training agencies, and there will be a scheduled workshop or training days to pursue this issue.”

Abaco is still in a rebuilding phase from Hurricane Dorian, that devastated the island in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic the ensuing year slowed down that rebuild.