The Honorable Lynden B. Rose

Honorary Consul of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in Houston

Interviewed by: Katia Hadjiyska

An active participant in Houston’s political, civic and philanthropic life, Consul Rose is a practicing attorney and partner in the law firm of Stanley, Frank and Rose, LLP, in Houston, Texas.  Mr. Rose is also founder of the LM Rose Consulting Group.  He has previously served on the Board of the Regents of the University of Houston, his alma mater, Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Harris County Sheriff’s Civil Service Commission.  He currently serves on the board of Hermann Memorial Healthcare System, the largest not-for-profit healthcare system in the State of Texas.   Mr. Rose’s legal practice and consulting company’s clients include domestic and international organizations, and high net worth individual investors as well as elite professional athletes.  He is married to Marilyn Rose, also a native of the Bahamas, and they have three children, Madelyn, Lynden Jr., and Lynnard.

Katia: What does a Consul in your capacity do?

I was appointed as Honorary Consul for the Bahamas to look after and assist with the affairs of Bahamian Citizens here in the United States.  A part of my portfolio is also to promote trade, develop and sustain economic, scientific, cultural and educational relations between the Bahamas and the United States.  I also assist and give guidance and direction regarding visas for those non-U.S. persons who require visas to travel to the Bahamas.

Katia: Tell us about the Honorary Consulate of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in Houston. What parts of America are covered by the Consulate and what are the services it provides?

The Consulate of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas here in Houston covers the State of Texas and the Southwest Region of the United States, which includes Oklahoma and Arkansas.

Katia: What are some past, present and future goals for the Bahamas’ relationship with the U.S.?

Other than its border countries such as Canada and Mexico, the Bahamas is the United States closest neighbor.  The Bahamas has one of the most stable economies in the Caribbean Region with the number one industry being tourism and a well-developed financial services sector.  The Bahamas has the world’s third largest shipping registry and also located on the island of Grand Bahama is one of the world’s largest shipping hubs.

U.S. firms and investors play pivotal roles in tourism, real estate development and renewable energy, just to name a few.

In addition, the U.S. and the Bahamas share deep cultural ties and have had a long-standing relationship of cultural exchange.  The goal is always to maintain and further develop relations such as investments, economic, educational, scientific and cultural.

Katia: Tell us about your perspective on ways that U.S. – Bahamas cooperation may be furthered.

Last year the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, the Rt. Honorable Dr. Hubert Minnis, travelled with a delegation to the State of Texas on a business development mission.  The Prime Minister and his delegation met with Governor Abbot and other State officials, along with business leaders and technology leaders in Austin.  It was my pleasure to host the Prime Minister and his delegation here in Houston.  As a part of the investment mission  they met the Mayor of the city of Houston, Mayor Sylvester Turner, visited with officials of the Port of Houston Authority and had a private reception with investors and second home owners in the Bahamas.  There was also a grand reception with the diaspora to encourage development of the country.

Katia: What are some big picture issues facing the Bahamas today?

Economic recovery, cooperation and development.

Katia: How is the Bahamian business community uniquely positioning itself to help Americans who are interested in doing business in the Bahamas?

The government of the Bahamas  has engaged in business reform and modernization and has streamlined regulations and created platforms to provide a greater ease of doing business especially for investors.

The Bahamas continues to be a global leader in tourism and financial services and works to strengthen the industries, which includes foreign direct investment opportunities.