The Cabinet Office announces for general information that the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection, Ground Floor, Charlotte House, Shirley and Charlotte Streets will be closed effective Tuesday 13 October 2020 for deep cleaning and sanitizing due to a staff member having tested positive for COVID-19.

The Department of Environmental Planning and Protection will reopen on Wednesday 14 October 2020...

The Ministry of Health confirms today that there are eighty-five (85) additional confirmed cases of COVID-19. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to five thousand one hundred sixty-three (5,163).  There have been three thousand nine hundred thirty-seven (3,937) confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Providence, six hundred fifty-eight (658) confirmed cases in Grand Bahama, one hundred sixty (160) confirmed cases in Abaco, fifty-six (56) confirmed cases in Bimini, thirty-three (33) confirmed cases in Exuma, twenty-nine (29) confirmed cases in Eleuthera, nineteen (19) confirmed cases in Inagua, seventeen (17) confirmed cases in the Berry Islands...

Amidst global market volatility driven by a resurgence of COVID-19 cases globally, as well as increasing uncertainty around the upcoming U.S. elections, the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas was able to take advantage of a positive market window to successfully price a US$600 million issue of 8.95% bonds, due 2032 in the international debt capital markets.

This new transaction benefitted from the momentum created during a successful virtual investor roadshow that The Bahamas...

The Ministry of Health confirms today that there are fifty-five (55) additional confirmed cases of COVID-19. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to five thousand seventy-eight (5,078).  There have been three thousand eight hundred sixty-one (3,861) confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Providence, six hundred fifty-four (654) confirmed cases in Grand Bahama, one hundred fifty-seven (157) confirmed cases in Abaco, fifty-six (56) confirmed cases in Bimini, thirty-three (33) confirmed cases in Exuma, twenty-seven (27) confirmed cases in Eleuthera, nineteen (19) confirmed cases in Inagua, seventeen (17) confirmed cases in the Berry Islands...

The Office of The Governor-General wishes to advise that, The Governor-General and Chancellor of The Societies of Awards, The Most Hon. Sir Cornelius A. Smith, in exercise of his powers under Section 8 subsection 3 of The National Honours  Act, invokes his privilege and hereby announces the postponement of The Investiture and Conferment Ceremony scheduled for Monday 12th October 2020.

A new date for the Ceremony will be announced by the Office of The Governor-General...

The Ministry of Health confirms today that there are sixty-eight (68) additional confirmed cases of COVID-19. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to five thousand twenty-three (5,023).  There have been three thousand eight hundred six (3,806) confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Providence, six hundred fifty-four (654) confirmed cases in Grand Bahama, one hundred fifty-seven (157) confirmed cases in Abaco, fifty-six (56) confirmed cases in Bimini, thirty-three (33) confirmed cases in Exuma, twenty-seven (27) confirmed cases in Eleuthera, nineteen (19) confirmed cases in Inagua, seventeen (17) confirmed cases in the Berry Islands, twelve (12) confirmed cases in Long Island, ten (10) confirmed cases in Andros...

At 8:09pm this evening, the Department conducted a repatriation exercise of twenty-one (21) Chinese Nationals. The group consisting of thirteen (13) males and eight (8) females Departed the Lynden Pindling International Airport onboard Gulliv Air Flight 702, and will travel to Sophia, Bulgaria then onward to Yong Zhou, China.

All passengers met international travel requirements, inclusive of COVID-19 negative tests conducted at the Carmichael Road Detention Center. It is anticipated that additional similar exercises are forthcoming...

The Ministry of Education was the beneficiary of the “Healthy Return to School” initiative by IsraAID on Friday, October 9, 2020 when they received donated hygiene supplies for all government primary schools in Grand Bahama and Grand Cay.  The presentation took place at Freeport Primary School, and receiving the donation on behalf of the government was District Superintendent, Ivan Butler. The supplies include hand sanitizers, disposable gloves, disposable masks, thermometers, and disinfectant. The international non-governmental organization also intends to donate reusable cloth masks to government primary schools in the coming weeks. Shown from left during the presentation are: Vanessa McPhee, Finance Officer, IsraAID; Valarie Seymour, Community and Education Specialist, IsraAID; Mr. Butler; Gia Walker, Principal, Freeport Primary School...

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pleased to advise that H.E. Keva L. Bain, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of The Bahamas to the United Nations Office in Geneva, was appointed to serve on the Advisory Body of UNCTAD.  The Advisory Body advises the Secretary-General of UNCTAD on the broad objectives, content and structure of regular training courses offered by UNCTAD.  These courses are designed to assist capital based policy makers and academics gain a better understanding of the interrelated issues areas of trade, investment, finance and technology...

The Ministry of Finance has published two landmark pieces of legislation for public consultation as part of its modernization and reform agenda. The public consultation period for the Draft Public Debt Management (PDM) Bill, 2020 and the Draft Public Financial Management (PFM) Bill, 2020 will continue until mid-October to allow feedback and engagement around these critical legislative reforms... 

Inspirational, cheerful and fashionable are some of the words used to describe the late Jennie Mae Johnson McLeod, who served as a member of the custodial staff at Bahamas Information Services for nearly eight years.

Staff members -- while respecting Covid-19 safety protocols -- gathered on Tuesday, 6th October to reminisce and memorialize the life of Jennie Mae.

She transitioned from this life on Monday, 31st August after losing her battle with cancer.  Ever the valiant warrior

The Ministry of Health confirms today that there are eighty-one (81) additional confirmed cases of COVID-19. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to four thousand seven hundred thirteen (4,713).  There have been three thousand five hundred forty-five (3,545) confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Providence, six hundred fifty-two (652) confirmed cases in Grand Bahama, one hundred fifty-seven (157) confirmed cases in Abaco, fifty-four (54) confirmed cases in Bimini, thirty-two (32) confirmed cases in Exuma, twenty-five (25) confirmed cases in Eleuthera, nineteen (19) confirmed cases in Inagua, fifteen (15) confirmed cases in the Berry Islands, twelve (12) confirmed cases in Long Island, nine (9) confirmed cases in Andros, nine (9) confirmed cases in Cat Island...

The Cabinet Office announces for general information the closure of the following ministries, departments and agencies of government for cleaning and sanitization due to the presence of staff members testing positive for COVID-19:

•     The Ministry of the Public Service and National Insurance and the Public Service Commission closes its offices at the Meeting and Augusta Streets Complex for cleaning and sanitation on Wednesday 7 October 2020...

After calling for the re-opening of Eastern Cemetery Lane for over ten (10) years, one resident can now breathe a sigh of relief. Cabinet recently approved the request to re-open the historical thoroughfare, a development that has been welcomed with open arms, Works Minister, the Hon. T. Desmond Bannister confirmed on Tuesday. 

The Ministry of Health confirms today that there are seventy-three (73) additional confirmed cases of COVID-19. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to four thousand six hundred thirty-two (4,632).  There have been three thousand four hundred sixty-eight (3,468) confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Providence, six hundred fifty (650) confirmed cases in Grand Bahama, one hundred fifty-seven (157) confirmed cases in Abaco, fifty-four (54) confirmed cases in Bimini, thirty-two (32) confirmed cases in Exuma, twenty-five (25) confirmed cases in Eleuthera, nineteen (19) confirmed cases in Inagua, fifteen (15) confirmed cases in the Berry Islands, twelve (12) confirmed cases in Long Island, nine (9) confirmed cases in Andros, nine (9) confirmed cases in Cat Island...

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest said in just one year, he has no doubt that the Access Accelerator has had the single greatest impact on advancing the development of micro and small businesses in The Bahamas than any institution before in such a short period.

“Not only because of the direct investments made through government-sponsored grants, loans, and equity financing, but more importantly because the Access Accelerator has strengthened the entire entrepreneurial ecosystem...

The Cabinet Office announces for general information that the Ministry of the Environment and Housing, located on the Second Floor, Charlotte House, Shirley and Charlotte Streets will be closed effective Tuesday 6 October for deep cleaning and sanitizing due to a member of staff having tested positive for COVID-19.

The Department of Environmental Planning and Protection, Department of Housing and the Forestry Unit...

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. Peter Turnquest along with the Access Accelerator and its financial partners held a virtual press conference on Tuesday, October 6, 2020 to discuss the impact of AA-SBDC in the past year and plans for the budgeted $55 million for small businesses in the next 12 months. See enclosed remarks by DPM Turnquest:

Good Morning. 

Much has been said today about the success and the future direction of the Access Accelerator Small Business Development Center. Most importantly, we have heard the personal stories of Bahamian entrepreneurs...