Minister of Transport and Housing JoBeth Coleby-Davis is making waves internationally after sitting down for an in-depth interview with Foreign Policy magazine, an award-winning international publication with over five million readers in over 100 countries.
The publication reports on emerging markets, developed countries and dynamic sectors of the global economy and provides balanced assessments from the people creating the opportunities.
Coleby-Davis, who was featured along with Prime Minister Philip Davis and Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, spoke extensively on the Bahamas government’s success in maintaining strong relationships in the shipping industry, growth potential for the blue economy and efforts to significantly boost its maritime registry.
Such growth was evident in 2022 when The Bahamas welcomed its largest ship and first floating LNG vessel to the flag. At 346,165 gross tonnage, the CORAL-SUL FLNG, is the largest vessel of any type on the ship registry.
“We are a voice on behalf of all flag members. The companies that fly our flags on their vessels expect The Bahamas to be the voice,” said Coleby-Davis.
Speaking to projects currently in the pipeline and opportunities for public private partnerships, the transport minister highlighted the work of Lowell J Mortimer Academy to train young professionals as well as plans to partner with a nongovernmental organization to advance a major cleanup effort.
“We’re learning from international trends how to strengthen and keep up with the competitive nature”, said Coleby-Davis who expounded on efforts to enhance the protection of the country’s borders and Bahamian waters.
Coleby-Davis’ interview with FP comes at an important time for The Bahamas, which recently reaffirmed its candidature for re-election to Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
“Maritime has been updating legislative and regulatory agendas so they fall in line with the IMO.
“The future of the maritime sector is going to see the advance in cleaner energy solutions,” according to the transport minister.
“The conversation that we are having right now is focused discussion with relevant international bodies to ensure that a balanced approach is maintained in the best interests of all stakeholders,” she added.
“The end goal is to remain a globally competitive jurisdiction - while preserving the qualities that make our country unique.”
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