MINISTER of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell introduced Michael Fountain, the Bahamas honorary consul for the Mid-Western United States, to the Chicago Community at a reception on September 5.
Mr Mitchell said Mr Fountain was presented with his official commission making him the first honorary consul for the Bahamas in Chicago, serving the Mid-Western states of the US.
The states include: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North and South Dakota and Wisconsin.
The minister said it was quite gracious of Mr Fountain to take on this pioneering task.
“There are several responsibilities which come with this duty: promoting Bahamian interests abroad; promoting good relations between Bahamians and the people of this region, this state, this city; promoting increased trade and commercial ties with the region, the state and the city; organising or at least supporting the organisation of Bahamians who live in this region, this state and this city; being a point of support and rescue for citizens of the Bahamas who are in problems; and being the first point of contact for those who are interested in knowing about the Bahamas.”
Mr Mitchell explained that Mr Fountain will be working with Paulette Zonicle, consul general in Washington, DC, on most matters, save and except on matters arising in states that are part of the district of the consul general in Atlanta.
He said the mission of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to make it as seamless as possible for Bahamians to move around the world whether for business or tourism.
“We believe that this area is one of the most dynamic in the world and it requires greater attention,” Mr Mitchell said.
“In addition, however, we have asked the US State Department to consider honorary consuls in Los Angles, Denver and Houston.”
http://www.tribune242.com/news/2014/sep/10/mitchell-introduces-new-consul-to-chicago/
