Member of Parliament for South Andros Picewell Forbes has been appointed the country’s new Ambassador to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and will also serve as the non-resident High Commissioner to the Commonwealth countries of the Caribbean.
The announcement puts to rest months of speculation about what role Mr. Forbes would play in the government.
According to Prime Minister Perry Christie Mr. Forbes brings with him a wealth of experience as a member of parliament and has a vast background in the Caribbean.
The new ambassador once served as president of the Guild of Graduates of the University of the West Indies, the first and only Bahamian to have done so thus far.
Mr. Christie said this puts Mr. Forbes on better footing in terms of knowing the region and its people.
“The Ambassador to CARICOM is an important post for The Bahamas. I told the minister of foreign affairs when we were in Opposition that as soon as we were back in office, we would have to travel around the region to ensure that our friends in the region knew that The Bahamas was back and re-engaged in the region,” Mr. Christie said.
The new ambassador will be charged with assisting in that responsibility, he said.
Mr. Christie added that Mr. Forbes brings a unique set of skills to support this mandate.
“Kingston is an important capital for us since it is a place where so many Bahamian students live. It is also the capital from which many of the European delegations serve The Bahamas. Our new ambassador will have the job of working to help to develop what we hope will become a consulate general in the not too distant future,” Mr. Christie sad.
Mr. Forbes’ appointment comes amid public criticisms about Mr. Christie’s recent government board decisions.
In fact, for a while it was speculated that Mr. Forbes – a broadcaster by profession – would lead the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas (BCB); however, that did not happen.
Mr. Christie said while Mr. Forbes was initially picked to chair the BCB’s board, due to the many friendships he holds at the corporation, this posed a direct conflict of interest.
“Instead, he said he is happy to serve his country on the international stage,” Mr. Christie said
“This is no vacation for me,” said Mr. Forbes.
“In fact, I take this assignment with the utmost seriousness as the face and ears of my country through the region.”
“My duties would entail that of representing The Bahamas in negotiations and discussions with the government of CARICOM countries and other regional bodies in the Caribbean, in particular the CARICOM Secretariat,” he said.
Mr. Forbes continued, “My duty will also be to outline and publicise the policies and activities of the Bahamian government while monitoring developments and policies, laws, and political, economic and social spheres of CARICOM and report on their possible implications on the Bahamian society.”
Also of note is Mr. Forbes’ duty to foster and promote friendly relations including the development of economic, political and cultured relations between The Bahamas and CARICOM.
He said protecting and promoting the economic interests of The Bahamas – particularly in the respect of trade, investment and financial services – and advise prospective investors in CARICOM on investment opportunities in The Bahamas and the procedures for availing themselves of these great opportunities is also crucial.
