Our commitment to our market extends beyond corporate business objectives and we are proud of our continued participation in national development programmes, most notably our annual scholarship grant to the College of The Bahamas, now in its twentieth year. Since its inception, the scholarship programme has benefited more than seventy-five students.

In 2000 we were pleased to pledge both financial and practical ongoing support to the Youth Empowerment and Skills Training (Y.E.A.S.T) Institute which helps build social, technical and career skills for at-risk young men in our community. In November 2003 we assisted in hosting and organizing a major fund-raising luncheon that included among the 300 attendees His Excellency Sir Sidney Poitier, KBE, Ambassador to Japan and UNESCO, who gave the principal address.

Our commitment to the nation’s youth is further displayed in our twenty-year sponsorship of the annual Barracuda Swim Club’s national meet held each November. In addition, we are an annual sponsor of the Interscholastic Chess Tournament conducted by the Bahamas Chess Federation.

Recognizing the importance of helping create a healthier nation, in 2003 we pledged a three-year financial contribution to the Kerzner International/William Jefferson Clinton Foundation AIDS/HIV initiative for The Bahamas. This follows a four-year pledge to the Cancer Society of The Bahamas in its fund-raising efforts to build a Cancer Caring Centre in New Providence. In 2005, the company committed to a 5-year pledge of $10,000 per year for the Bahamas National Trust's development of the Harrold and Wilson Ponds National Park.

While these substantial contributions are worthy of special note, we are pleased to lend financial support to numerous other charitable organizations and social outreach programmes to help build stronger communities.