By IAN FERGUSON THE EXPRESSION 'Buy Bahamian' was uttered many years ago in a desperate plea to encourage locals to support, and buy goods and services, produced in the Bahamas. I believe it was Cleveland Eneas who once jokingly declared that Bahamians were born with the inalienable right to travel to Miami. It seems as if we are programmed to boarding the boat or plane, particularly during holiday seasons, to purchase items that are either produced locally or imported by Bahamas-based wholesalers and retailers. Some Bahamians argue the point that after airfare, accommodations, ground transportation, other incidentals, customs and duty charges, they still fare better shopping abroad. This has clear and direct implications on the extreme mark-up on goods imported and sold locally. Other Bahamians claim that the quality of the Bahamian product and service is so far below the international industry standards that they cannot support the sale of shoddy products. Again, there are those in the business community who insist that Bahamians are unable to produce the quantity of products and services consistently to satisfy the needs and wants of their consumers. They would much rather take the option of buying goods from a company that can constantly supply them with the quantity and quality of products they require. With the unflattering knowledge that well over 80 per cent of everything we consume as a community is produced internationally and imported, there must continue to be a thrust towards encouraging Bahamians to become owners and operators of their own businesses. These statistics are not only disheartening, but provide evidence of how unprepared we are to achieve some level of self-sufficiency in supplying even our basic human needs. Like everything else in life there are 'pro's' and 'cons' to be weighed in the decision-making process. Choosing whether or not to buy Bahamian as a consumer or business person is no exception. Do you spend a few extra dollars to have your furniture locally produced? Do you purchase paper and have your printing needs serviced by a local company, or do you fall prey to the marketing schemes of the widely-advertised international firm to print your company paraphernalia? As you make these seemingly simple decisions, naturally your own company bottom-line is the foremost thing guiding the final decision. While the success and sustainability of your company is critical, there are some other crucial factors that must be examined as you settle on shopping overseas. Here are your top five reasons to Buy Bahamian: 1. Money spent here stays here, reducing the money leaving the country 2. Increased local spending greatly adds to the creation of jobs in the community 3. When local businesses are strong, they are more likely to invest in the local communities 4. Convenience equals savings: buying local saves you time, and time is money 5. Encourage local prosperity * NB: About the author Ian R. Ferguson has a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Miami. During the course of his nearly 20 years in education, talent management and human resources, he has served both the public and private sector. He currently serves as manager of the Chamber Institute.