A manufacturer of the country's most recognizable contribution to the fashion world is re-tooling his operation in an effort to fend off competition from counterfeiters and protect the jobs of its 18 employees.

Adapting in today's global market: Recently, Androsia secured local financing to invest in several new strategies in that fight for survival. The Andros fabric producer has launched an on-line shopping cart, facilitating domestic and international sales. It is also revising its product line and is in the process of redesigning its Web site. In addition, the company has been seeking new retail distributors throughout The Bahamas.

Still, there remains the growing problem of copycat, foreign-made Androsia products, points out company CEO Jeff Birch.

"Foreign companies don't care about the Bahamian economy or Bahamian manufacturers and jobs," he said. "So we have to adapt.

"We've taken another risk with this loan, in the hope that the Bahamian market will choose to support local manufacturers."

Androsia, the Bahamian manufacturer of hand-made batik products, concedes it has struggled to remain competitive in the face of lost market share.

In 2006, Birch went on record about a foreign-made batik product that was imitating Androsia's designs. His decision that same year to close the company's Cable Beach and Freeport stores seemed to bring home the point to many of his customers, who buy from Birch fabric they'll sew into clothes, handbags and object d'art.