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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Perry Christie announced a $200 million eco-friendly luxury resort for the Exuma Cays at the Signing Ceremony of a Heads of Agreement at the Office of the Prime Minister on February 1, 2016. The Prime Minister is pictured centre, and next to him, the Developer Dona Bertarelli. Also seated are Minister of Tourism the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe second left, and Minister of State for Investments in the Office of the Prime Minister the Hon. Khaalis Rolle. Standing behind are government ministers. (BIS Photo/Peter Ramsay)
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NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie lauded the development of a $200 million eco-friendly, high-end luxury resort on neighbouring islands, Children's Bay Cay and Williams Cay, both situated 15 minutes off the northern coast of Barraterre, Exuma.
"The resort will add to the economic and social development of the Exumas and will certainly be another bright spot in The Bahamas archipelago of Islands," Prime Minister Christie said, during the signing of a Heads of Agreement between the Government of The Bahamas and sister companies CB Commander Limited and CH Amiral Limited, February 1, 2016 at the Office of the Prime Minister. "Among its benefits is the high-end branding affiliated with a prominent European family; and diversification of the tourism industry in the form of a 5-star experience for high net worth individuals."
Also present for the signing were several Cabinet ministers and stakeholders.
Prime Minister Christie said that the owner of the project, Dona Bertarelli, is member of a prominent Swiss family.
He added that, in addition to her philanthropic activities in marine conservation, life sciences and children's education, Ms. Bertarelli sits on the Board of several companies and is actively involved in managing the family's business interests which includes a five-star Grand Hotel Park in Gstaad that was honoured as 2013 Best Hotel in Switzerland by Premium Switzerland and rated in the 2012 Robb Report's World’s Best Resorts list.
Prime Minister Christie noted that Children's Bay Cay will be developed into an exclusive five-star ultra-luxurious resort and golf club and will feature a boutique 50-pavilion room hotel; five over-the-water pavilions; five estate homes; a club house comprising a restaurant boutique library, screening room, bar and lounges; a beach club; spa, gym and Pilates center; a marina village with restaurants and small cinema complex; a nature and environment center; a managed marine park; and a 20-slip marina that will accommodate vessels up to 120 feet.
"As a further demonstration of the Developer's respect for the environment, a nature park is planned for the uninhabited Windsock Cay, which lies about ¼ of a mile off Children's Bay Cay," he added.
Williams Cay will be a private section of the resort and will contain an ecological oriented 18-hole golf course designed by Tom Fazio, Prime Minister Christie said.
"The Cay will have 15-20 villas; the over-the-water pavilions; a welcome center; a villa owner club house; nature trails; biking and jogging trails; and seaplane and helipad facilities," he added. "A bridge will link Children's Bay Cay and Williams Cay."
Prime Minister Christie noted that the architecture will take into consideration the topography and the natural environment, as well as a pavilion-style resort which will be easier to blend into the natural environment of The Bahamas.
"Most of the natural landscaping will remain intact and unspoiled," he pointed out.
"As with all project developments, the findings of environmental impact assessment study and the accompanying management plan will be strictly adhered to and closely monitored through joint efforts of the Developer and Government."
Prime Minister Christie said that for the benefit of both Exumians and the resort, the Developer will construct and fully outfit a medical clinic, police station and a fire station at Barraterre, which will be transferred to Government and staffed and maintained by the relevant agencies. Also planned for development on acquired private land at Barraterre is the project's back-of-house facility, a solar farm, support services and a residential subdivision for resort employees, he added.
"To this end, consultations with the residents of Barraterre and the Project Manager are ongoing with a view to ensuring direct community involvement which seeks to share full project information with all stakeholders, remedy residents' concerns and incorporate the residents' suggestions into project development," Prime Minister Christie said. "These consultations aim to make certain the Barraterre Settlement benefits economically and socially from all related project activities."
"The direct impact of the development will result in a significant increase in business activities for Bahamians in the areas of small aircraft services, boat and ferry services, food, beverage, hardware, material suppliers, fuel suppliers, security services, brokerage, freight and logistics businesses, maintenance, waste and refuse disposal services, construction industry wide contractors and intra-island transportation," Prime Minister Christie stated. "The Developer, in partnership with BAMSI, will train and support local Exumian farmers for the supply of fruits and vegetables to the resort."
Employment prospects for the residents of the Exumas will be increased significantly, Prime Minister Christie said, as the project intends to employ 350 - 400 Bahamians for construction works over a five-year period.
"The projection of the number of employees required for resort management and operations within the first two years is 223 persons, and within three years to eight years there will be 312 persons employed," he added. "The Developer in collaboration with the National Training Academy and BTVI will set up a training programme for prospective employees, to train them to provide highest international standards of service."
The Lead Project Manager for the eco-friendly resort is Michel Neutelings of the Milo Group who has been instrumental in the development of some of the most elite resorts in the Caribbean and the Atlantic including Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos Islands, Guanahani in St. Barts and Old Bahama Bay Resort on Grand Bahama Island, Prime Minister Christie noted.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this momentous occasion is yet another indication of foreign investors' strengthened confidence in the economic policies of my Administration and bodes well in all aspects for the people of The Bahamas," Prime Minister Christie said. "This resort development certainly fits well into the overall development plan for the Exumas. I would like to thank Ms. Bertarelli for this major investment in The Bahamas which will see the creation of a very distinctive upscale residential resort, the magnificent pristine environs of The Exumas will be something to behold. I assure her of the full cooperation of my Government."
"Bahamians can be assured that the Government is mindful of sustainable development protecting indigenous Bahamian settlements and culture, and indeed our pristine waters, land and cays, and has therefore implemented measures to avoid and mitigate any changes not beneficial to our country," Prime Minister Christie said.
"The Bahamas is progressing as planned, and my Government continues to attract foreign direct investment to benefit our people and maintain a pro-business climate for Bahamian entrepreneurs."
Related:
Dona Bertarelli unveils an ultra-luxury boutique resort for Exumas Cays, the Bahamas
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