The occurrences surrounding the Baha Mar and China Construction America leave a questionable assumption of the macroeconomic implications that state-sponsored investments of Chinese companies in the Bahamas constitutes a risk involvement. The undermined reaction to this fiasco is whether or not it should be treated as an isolated affair or a deepened reflection to a taste of what's to come. The relationship between the Bahamas and China has reached a pivotal moment as China begins courting Latin American and Caribbean countries being a symbol of economic relief amidst The United States pivot to East Asia and their continued meddling in the South China Sea territorial disputes.
The geopolitics of this investment fallout may forge the speculation of unprecedented insecurity of state-sponsored investments from China strengthening the United States curbing of China's economic and political influence among its strongest regional allies. Given the Bahamas voracious appetite of Foreign Direct Investment in our tourism product, there's a stronger need for a comprehensive evaluation and policy recommendations, now that Baha Mar has become the open door for the expansion of Chinese investment in our tourism industry.
To date, China remains a critical partner in The Bahamas economic diversification of its economy, despite this truth, many Bahamians have generally found it to be an unfavorable relationship. The mere conflict potential of this situation is seriously fueling more fears than hope due to the many unaddressed problems. There should be an interim normalization of relations between the three parties to avoid unmistakable dimensions that are conflict-enhancing further delaying the project's completion.
Currently, the situation bears no threat to fostering any adversarial relationship between China and the Bahamas but it has sullied China's image even further in the region. It would be irresponsible to allow a dispute, between a contractor and a developer, to derail the economic good of the project. All the hyperbolic statements, serve no useful purpose and is highly counterproductive only leading to hardened positions resulting in redoubled efforts on both sides to counter the other.
What is required at this moment is the need for a consistent level of clarity between all parties regarding their claims and grievances, and, on that basis, a clear indication of the consequences of alleged unacceptable unethical business behavior, along with a commitment to provide mutual assurances to avoid results that will further delay the opening of Baha Mar, while working to stabilize the long-term situation. All parties involved should commit themselves to undertaking a shared understanding and mutual assurances designed to avoid an escalating spiral.
It is essential to our relationship moving forward with China that we are able to build an image of credibility and mutual trust. This will allow Bahamians to see China's interest in the Bahamas as truthful both in words and in deed. It's particularly important that Bahamians understand their interests to dismiss any fabricated belief to incite fear, as their views toward China are very negative and mix signal. To dismiss any misguided speculation, China has always maintained a path towards peaceful development. The country has never pursued and will never pursue dominance in The Caribbean region. It has never fallen short of its commitment of respecting other countries’ voluntary choices of social systems.
The truth about Baha Mar is many of the solutions will be unpopular. Some will cause us to put up with inconveniences and to make sacrifices. The most important thing about these solutions is that the alternative may be a national catastrophe. Further delay can affect our economic strength as a nation. We can choose to control the situation instead of letting the future control us.
Latrae Rahming,
CEO of Bahamaren "Chinese Consultancy Firm
University of International Business and Economics ( Beijing, China) Student Government President"
Disclaimer:
The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his/her
private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of
TheBahamasWeekly.com
The occurrences surrounding the Baha Mar and China Construction America leave a questionable assumption of the macroeconomic implications that state-sponsored investments of Chinese companies in the Bahamas constitutes a risk involvement. The undermined reaction to this fiasco is whether or not it should be treated as an isolated affair or a deepened reflection to a taste of what's to come. The relationship between the Bahamas and China has reached a pivotal moment as China begins courting Latin American and Caribbean countries being a symbol of economic relief amidst The United States pivot to East Asia and their continued meddling in the South China Sea territorial disputes. 
