By K Quincy Parker

Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell said that as both nations struggle to innovate and show a way forward for the region, The Bahamas looks to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago as an example of a successfully diversified economy.

Mr. Mitchell was speaking at a celebration of the 50th Independence anniversary of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, held on Aug. 31, at the British Colonial Hilton Hotel. He was joined by Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis and others.

Diplomatic ties between The Bahamas and the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago were established in 1973, when the Bahamas joined the Commonwealth as an independent country, and cemented when, in 1993, The Bahamas appointed a High Commissioner to CARICOM in the person of A. Leonard Archer.

Said Mr. Mitchell:

“The past few years have been difficult, however, as some of the strongest economies in the region, The Bahamas and Trinidad & Tobago must innovate to show a way forward, bolstering our stronger industries to withstand global headwinds, but The Bahamas also looks to Trinidad as an example of a successfully diversified economy – and one in which the number of niches is still growing.”

“We find inspiration in this example as we look to grow as an economy and establish a greater presence in the global marketplace,” he added.

“Whether in the halls of CARICOM, in the great athletic venues around the world, or in the pools and fields for CARIFTA competitions for our younger athletes, the exchange of ideas, efforts and synergies will not only build more successful countries, but will also contribute to a more successful region that dares to work hard and dream bigger than ever before.”

Mr. Mitchell spoke to the relationship between the two countries over the years. For example, he noted that during the early and middle part of the last century, Trinidadians came to The Bahamas to help build hotels, contributing to economic development of both countries.

“The University of the West Indies Campus at St. Augustine has fostered, and continues to foster Bahamian development, hosting Bahamian students and cultivating their passions, particularly for science, medicine and agriculture, equipping them to return home and apply the skills and expertise they gained in Trinidad,” he said.

As he celebrated the relationship between Trinidad and Tobago and The Bahamas, the minister recalled that Trinidad and Tobago also gave a significant gift of $500,000 to help The Bahamas recover from the devastation of hurricanes Francis and Jeane.

“In the same breath let me publicly thank Trinidad for its commitment to help us establish an Embassy in Brazil,” he said.

Mr. Mitchell noted that Trinidad & Tobago has positioned itself as a leader in many of the international organizations in which The Bahamas also holds membership, citing in particular the Commonwealth, where the Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago was appointed to Chairperson-in-Office of the Commonwealth from November 2009 to October 2011.

“History was made when Trinidad not only had two Prime Ministers as Chairperson-in-Office –Prime Minister Manning and Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar – and elected its first female Prime Minister, but by extension, made her the first female Chairperson-in-Office of the Commonwealth,” he said.

“As we celebrate women’s advancement this year in The Bahamas, marking fifty years of female suffrage, this is truly an accomplishment of which to be proud.”

Meanwhile, High Commissioner-designate HE Picewell Forbes represented The Bahamas at the independence celebrations at Port-of-Spain.