At this year’s STEP Asia Conference, Bahamian products were well received by conference attendees as the Ministry of Economic Affairs teams took the opportunity to promote locally-made products to an international audience.
As a bronze sponsor of the Conference, as well as a sponsor of the annual Gala event, the Ministry team gave attendees a “taste” of The Bahamas with a variety of teas from local tea manufacturer, Tasty Teas, chocolates from Graycliff Chocolatier, and a sponsorship draw for a luxury handbag from Bahamian-owned designer brand, Haus of Assembly.
Minister of Economic Affairs, the Hon. Michael Halkitis, says his team wanted to ensure that Bahamian culture, creativity, and talent were on display for the Conference’s international audience to enjoy and gain an appreciation for what The Bahamas has to offer:
“While our primary purpose at the Conference was to promote The Bahamas as a financial services jurisdiction, we also wanted to ensure that local businesses were showcased, and conference attendees could have insight into Bahamian excellence. We want them to know that The Bahamas is not just a great place to invest your money and secure your wealth, it is also an amazing place to visit and live.”
STEP Asia is the premier conference for Trust and Estate practitioners working in Asia, as well as for those who are attempting to tap into the Asian market. As The Bahamas is seeking to make inroads towards providing financial services for Asian clientele, STEP Asia represents an opportunity to promote The Bahamas and educate attendees about local service offerings and regulations.
The 2022 conference was the first in-person STEP Asia conference since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs wanted to ensure that The Bahamas made a lasting impression.

 
At the Conference, each delegate bag contained a Tasty Tea product and each place setting at the Gala dinner was adorned with a Graycliff chocolate gift from Graycliff Chocolatier.
The sponsorship draw for the handbag from Haus of Assembly drew major interest as attendees awaited the results.
Director of Financial Services, Brandace Duncanson, who was a part of the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ team in Singapore, says the inclusion of Bahamian-made goods is a promotional tactic that has was used previously at STEP Latin American Conference in Panama to great effect. She believes that the effort will pay off when it comes to leaving a positive impression of The Bahamas and could potentially generate interest in the Bahamian businesses featured:
“The sponsorship draw for the Haus of Assembly handbag was very popular with attendees. The eventual winner told us that his wife instructed him not return home without that bag. Many attendees approached us for extra Graycliff chocolates and teas from Tasty Teas. There were a lot of inquiries about all three businesses and whether their products were available internationally. It was a great showcase of Bahamian talent and an awesome opportunity for the local businesses.”
Director Duncanson indicated that the inclusion of locally made products will be a permanent fixture for future international conferences and events. She encouraged businesses and entrepreneurs interested in being featured in future events to apply for their government Vendor ID and contact the Ministry of Economic Affairs to express their interest.