THREE WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS GET GRANTS FROM CHINESE EMBASSY

Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper (third from left) extended congratulation’s to Aniska Barnett of the Olde Nassau Cafe, Sophia Smith of the Edgewater Restaurant in Exuma and Valincia Rolle of Queen Designs in the Creative Industries on receiving grants from the Embassy of China in Nassau, Bahamas. People’s Republic of China Ambassador to The Bahamas Dai Qingli is third from right.

By OSWALD T/ BROWN

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 14, 2023 – Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, who is also Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, posted a collection of photos on his Team Cooper Facebook page on Thursday, December 14, 2023, that I absolutely have to share with readers of my online publication BAHAMAS CHRONICLE, which has a huge following among the Bahamian diaspora across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom as well as in The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean.

**Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper with People’s Republic China Ambassador to The Bahamas Dai Qingli**

Deputy Prime Minister Cooper posted the photos with the following narrative:

“One of the main objectives of the Tourism Development Corporation is to empower small and medium sized Bahamian businesses.

Three businesses owned by Bahamian women got a major boost this week with grants from the Chinese Embassy coordinated through the TDC.

Congratulations to Aniska Barnett of the Olde Nassau Cafe, Sophia Smith of the renowned Edgewater Restaurant in Exuma and Valincia Rolle of Queen Designs in the creative industries.

All three women entrepreneurs are making strides catering to tourists and Bahamians and forging ahead to make their mark.

Thanks to the Chinese Embassy and thanks to the TDC for organizing the grants.”