By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE China Export Import (EXIM) Bank has approved the government's request to utilise the Baha Mar Convention Centre for it to host the annual general meeting of the Boards of Governors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC) next month. 

The Surpeme Court placed Baha Mar into receivership late last year after approving an application from the EXIM Bank. Deloitte and Touche's (Bahamas) Managing Partner Raymond Winder and partners from the firm's China officer were appointed receivers on behalf of the bank. 

At a ceremony in the Convention Centre on Friday morning, State Minister for Finance Michael Halkitis said the facility's handover from the EXIM Bank "paves the way for a successful hosting of the IDB-IIC agm and for greater things to come in the future". 

"This is a very significant step because it allows us the opportunity to showcase this wonderful facility to senior government officials and prominent public and private sector representatives from 48 countries around the world," he said. "Further, it demonstrates the country's ability to host major international meetings, conferences and conventions and reinforces the government's commitment to continue to work diligently with the China EXIM Bank to complete and open this vital addition to the country's tourism product and by extension the national economy." 

Chinese Ambassador to the Bahamas Yuan Guisen also expressed his pleasure with the successful handover process. 

"The Baha Mar Convention Centre is one of the largest convention centres in the Caribbean area, which will provide a new opportunity for the Bahamas to host international and regional large scale meetings and conventions which will help to promote the economic growth of the Bahamas," he said via a translator.  

The IDB-IIC annual meeting will take place from April 7 to 10 at the Convention Centre. A series of seminars on topics of interest to participants will be sponsored prior to the opening of the meeting. 

The meeting is held in late March or early April of each year in one of the IDB's member countries.