Yesterday, the Bahamas Government launched its Registered Agent Information System, under which registered agents are able to incorporate international business companies and take advantage of a range of other corporate services electronically, in a secure, reliable environment.
Agents licensed by the Inspectorate of Financial and Corporate Service Providers (FCSP) or under the Banks & Trust Companies Regulations Act (BTRA), with fees paid to date, will be able to access the Companies Register of the Registrar General's Department using a dedicated IP address and identifying PINs.
In addition to the incorporation of IBCs, services available to licensed agents include name reservations, enquiries and reports, file downloads and maintenance, and filing of electronic documents. On the last, a Payment on Account system has been established. An online help feature is complemented by a Technical Help Desk.
An important feature of the new system is database file transfer, allowing agents to compare records with that of the Registrar General's Department, and ensuring consistency of data.
In launching the system on Wednesday, the Hon. Allyson Maynard-Gibson, M.P., Minister of Financial Services and Investments, pointed out that the technological upgrades to the Registrar General’s Department had been developed as part of overall e-government initiatives.
IBM Consultants are working with the Registrar General's Department to implement the RGD’s RAIS system, on a phased basis. On Monday, Errol Bodie, Advisory Sales Specialist at IBM (Bahamas) Limited, was one of the presenters at BFSB’s E-Commerce Symposium. He presented an overview of e-government developments in The Bahamas to date. (See Special Reports news item).
Full computerisation of all aspects of the Registrar General's office is expected to be completed within the next two years.
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