Yesterday was the second annual Bahamas Chamber of Commerce, meet the Minister Forum where several government Cabinet Ministers appear on stage with brief introductory remarks and them field questions from the Chamber membership. It brings the government to the people in a more relaxed but respectful atmosphere.

This event is a highlight on the Chamber’s calendar and both sides should be applauded for pulling it off.

Well of course your not so humble blogger just had to ask a couple questions.

I reminded the Ministers present of the laws that require businesses to hire accountants to sign off on our annual business license tax or we would not be allowed to open our doors. Yet I do not recall reading anything about audited financial statements for the government corporations and other entities being presented to the House of Assembly in ages.

Mr. Brent Symonette, Deputy Prime Minister, responded saying that they are making great efforts to accomplish this goal as they are committed to do.

Secondly, I reminded Dr. Hubert Minnis, Minister of Health that The Nassau Institute’s contact, a renowned health care economist had offered to provide free advice for the government if they chose to take him up on it.

Dr. Minnis responded that he did not fancy himself as a fount of all information and his door was open.

I thanked him for his change of heart.

My final question was to Mr. Phenton Neymour, Minister of State at Works, regarding the fact that there was no representative from the Bahamas Motor Dealers Association on the committee that is preparing the National Energy Policy. Particularly in view of the fact that local car dealers both add to the problem but can help offer potential solutions and insight into what is happening in the industry we work in from day to day.

I didn’t want to say that it would be useful so they didn’t make any more great announcements like reduced duty on hybrid vehicles that are not yet exported to our country – Good PR, but no practical results at this time from such an action.

All in all this is an excellent event, where Ministers of Government are able to get unfiltered views of what is going on in our community in the minds of our fellow citizens.

Thanks to all the politicos and congratulations to the Bahamas Chamber for a great idea.