Originally published in The Freeport News February 21, 2007 under the by line, The Chamber & You.

Submitted by: Christopher Lowe, President, Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce

One aspect of doing business in the Bahamas, and one that I am very observant of, is the law and how it relates to and governs aspects of doing business in the Bahamas.

In the past, when inquiring of various government departments and ministries, whose services we need in business, information might have been vague and certainly not available for study. Often contradictory information may have been given, with the word “interpretation” playing a major role in any attempt to learn the rules of the road.

Although this still happens today, it should no longer a problem, as the statute laws of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas are available on-line for any who would wish to

a) comply with and b) understand them.

Click here for the web site.

This is must read material for all citizens and residents of the Bahamas and by making it available to “the masses” we should see a maturation of the level of discourse we see in the press, and discussions we have in our living rooms as we navigate though our lives as citizens and people in business.

Whereas emotion has supplanted fact in many arguments held, truth and rule of law can re-emerge to guide our daily actions.

I am not suggesting that we all stop our social lives and read the statute laws from start to finish, but if referred to as needed, and as time allows we will better understand and avoid unnecessary conflict with neighbor, civil servant and government alike.

Incidentally the Hawksbill Creek Agreement can be found here, along with its amendments, ( chapters 261 through 265) and also the Freeport by laws, chapter 29, and a chapter (30) concerning Grand Bahama.

Too often we rely on “standard” practice in business, not realizing that “interpretation” has been applied in the past to suit special interests, interests that may have gone by the wayside along with changes of political fortunes or national direction, for example.

This is also one of the contributors to the lack of national understanding of the Hawksbill Creek agreements, and its potential for the Country.

Knowledge is power, especially when trying to operate within the law, which is paramount to civic duty, especially if we are to raise the levels of service, performance, initiative and success for both Bahamian and foreign investor alike.

Now, this information is likely to be regarded with both horror and appreciation alike, depending on the reader’s personal code of ethics with regard to the law of the land.

But maybe we can use an understanding of the law to curtail another of our bad habits, that of shooting the messenger.

As yet to be added to this website are the supplementary volumes, these being equally important for the better understanding by all concerned of the Rule of Law.

Insofar as they are not yet posted on the official government website, they should still be available on request from the relevant government ministries and departments.

As magistrates of the courts are often heard to say, “Ignorance of the law is no excuse”.

Christopher Lowe is the Operations Manager of Kelly’s Freeport Ltd,
And is currently the President of the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce.

If you would like more information on how to join or would like to learn more about the Grand Bahama Chamber of commerce please contact Mrs. Mercynth Ferguson, Executive Director/Administrator at (242) 352-8329.