From:TheBahamasWeekly.com
This week in the Bahamas Commentary by Elcott Coleby: Sept 7 - 11
By Elcott Coleby
Sep 12, 2015 - 11:52:37 PM
Christie to CIS
delegates: Climate “Ripe” for Caribbean investment
Expressing
pleasure at the opportunity by the Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA)
and the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA) to
address the Summit, Bahamas Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie heralded
the summit’s theme that the time is right for Caribbean investment, and that "good
news" is on the horizon, with respect to the state of affairs of Caribbean
economies.
"This
year, there has been more resilience seen in those economies in the region with
rebounding tourism, which has been supported by a rejuvenated US economy,
lowered fuel prices and an improved investment climate," Prime Minister
Christie said during an address at the Caribbean Investment Summit, in London,
England, on Wednesday, September 10, 2015.
"The
climate is indeed ripe for inward investment in the Caribbean, which has
re-doubled its efforts toward implementing energy and fiscal reforms, promotion
of investment incentives, strengthening of compliance frameworks and continued
redress of social ills in the wake of the global economic crisis."
Christie
also believes that market accessibility, political stability, sound
infrastructure and favourable trade agreements are competitive advantages and
therefore make the region “ripe” for investment.
"The
Caribbean region as a whole provides competitive advantages of accessibility,
economic and political stability, adequate labour supply, modern
infrastructure, robust investment incentive frameworks and trade facilitation,
with some preferential access to markets through its trade agreements with
Europe, the United States and Canada," he noted.
Tourism,
Prime Minister Christie said, has and will continue to be the primary driver
and dominate the economic landscape of the Caribbean for the foreseeable
future.
"I
certainly remain convinced, however, that the tourism sector and its niche
industries will continue to be the engine of economic growth, employment, human
capital development, industry diversification and business improvement for most
of the 40 million citizens of the Caribbean," Prime Minister Christie said.
Supreme
Court Decision Paves Way to Completion of Baha Mar Resort
The
Bahamas Supreme Court released its written and final judgment on the
appointment of the third party Joint Provisional Liquidators on the matter of
Baha Mar Monday, 7th September as Justice Winder promised. Their
names are Krys Global and Alix
Partners.
The
Attorney General welcomed the decision, describing it as consistent with The
Bahamas’ national interest and pointed out that the decision “provided a
framework to secure a court-approved plan for completion and opening of Baha
Mar, and, in so doing, could pave the way to the timely completion and opening
of the resort.”
The
Ruling empowers the Joint Provisional Liquidators to take control of all bank
accounts and other assets of Baha Mar until such time as a court-approved plan
for the completion of Baha Mar is established on
November 2, 2015.
Clearly
the government believes the ruling provides a road map to a timely resolution
of the Baha Mar matter in that it serves the national interest, protects the
full value of the investment by Bahamian creditors, create jobs and delivers a
world class vacation experience.
“This
approach is in our national interest,” remarked Attorney General Sen. Allyson
Maynard-Gibson. “It provides a strong mechanism to protect the full value of
investments by Bahamian creditors; while putting the project in a position to
deliver on its promise, which is to generate job creation while delivering a
world class tourist experience.”
Maynard-Gibson
further pledged that the government will fully cooperate with the Joint
Provisional Liquidators, and encouraged other parties to do the same.
Government Minister present
at annual Exuma Town Hall Meeting
It
was a full house by any measure for a family island event of that nature. Some 300
residents of Exuma and the Cays attended the Exuma District Council’s Annual
Town Hall Meeting on the evening of September 10, 2015 to voice their concerns
and to hear updates from the government in addition to articulated plans for their
communities going forward.
Taking
the floor were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Urban
Development, Hon. Philip Davis; Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Hon.
Fred Mitchell and Health Minister Hon. Dr. Perry Gomez who provided updates on
their respective ministerial portfolios including infrastructure development, immigration
and healthcare.
Deputy
Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Urban Development the Honourable
Phillip Brave Davis highlighted numerous ongoing infrastructure projects including
the soon to be opened state-of-the-art mini-hospital, the upgrade to the Moss
Town Airport, road works and the establishment of an Urban Renewal Office in
Exuma.
Minister
of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Fred Mitchell clarified the government’s immigration
policies, giving particular focus to the government’s policy on the hiring of
skilled foreign labour; it is the classic Bahamianization policy of seeking out
Bahamians first for such job opportunities before applying for work permits for
foreign workers.
Clearly
the government feels that the opportunity to participate in such forums reiterates
the Government’s commitment to communication with residents and explain the alignment
between public policy and the Government’s initiative to build a Stronger
Bahamas, for a safe, prosperous and modern future.
Bahamasair Responds
to Bahamas242 Online
On
Monday, Bahamasair issued a stern statement in response to what it
characterized as a “nondescript piece” circulated online earlier in the week
where “allegations were levied against the Board, Management and Staff of
Bahamasair Holdings.”
The
allegations were of a photograph of a damaged fuselage posted on Bahamas242
Online and a suggestion that Bahamasair purchased the fuselage to place into
commercial operations.
Greatly disturbed and disappointed by the
allegations of corruption and carelessness, the statement branded the online missive
as an “outright lie,” “erroneous,” “misleading.”
“The photograph used to suggest the aircraft
purchased in 2014 was received with a damaged fuselage is an outright lie” said
Bahamasair in a statement on Monday 7th September. the fuselage
mentioned was purchased several months ago from a dismantled aircraft in Miami
to be used for simulated Cabin training for Flight Attendants, who must now
travel to Miami for manual training at a savings in excess of seventy thousand
dollars ($70,000) annually” said the statement.
Bahamas Postal Services commemorates Queen Elizabeth II Milestone
On the 9th of September 2015, at or around
17:30
local time in Great
Britain and at or around 1
2:30 pm
in The Bahamas, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II surpassed the reign of her
great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, becoming the longest-reigning British
monarch.
A brief bit of history:
Queen Elizabeth II assumed her ceremonial
duties as the Queen of England on 6th February 1952 at the age of 25
and her official coronation was held on 2nd June 1953. Her reign
continues to this day and is the longest of the forty-one kings and queens of
England since the Norman Conquest.
Her great-great-grandmother,
Queen Victoria whose reign she eclipsed, came to the English throne in 1838 at
the tender age of 18 and died in 1901 at the age of 81, having served for 63
years and 216 days.
To commemorate this historic milestone in the
life of the Commonwealth, the Bahamas Postal Service will issue
Britain’s Longest Reigning Monarch
commemorative postage stamps.
On the
15c postage stamp, Her Majesty is shown against the coronation stamp
and First Day Cover from 1953, a photo taken on 3rd November 1953
when she left Buckingham Palace in the Irish State Coach for Westminster for
the official opening of Parliament.
On the
50c postage stamp,
The Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) is prominently featured with a photo of
the facility during the Queen’s 1966 Official State Visit.
On the
65c postage stamp,
Her Majesty is shown having a chat with Sir Milo B. Butler, the first Bahamian
Governor General of an independent Bahamas, during her 1975 Official State
Visit.
On the
70c postage stamp,
the Queen’s grandson, Prince Harry, talks to local Scouts after attending a
service of Morning Prayer at Christ Church Cathedral on March 4, 2012 in
Nassau, Bahamas.
In Passing…
The
country lost two sports giants this week. Just as mourning family and friends
were eulogizing Livingstone Bostwick at Saint Agnes Church and laying his
remains to rest, the Reverend Enoch Backford passed away earlier this week. May
their souls rest in peace.
Ambassador
of the Republic of Cuba to The Bahamas Ernesto Soberon Guzman said good bye
this week as his tour of duty came to an end. Ambassador Guzman paid a courtesy
call on the Governor General, HE Dame Marguerite Pindling at Government House
on Friday, 11th September.
The
government of The Bahamas observed World Suicide Day with a one-day suicide
prevention symposium for health and social services professionals on Thursday,
10th September. Addressing the Opening Session was Mrs. Hannah Gray,
the Acting Managing Director of the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) who told
delegates that a recent report on suicide indicated that young males were seven
times more likely to commit suicide than women in the same age-group. The study
she referenced, conducted by Dr. David Allen and his team, revealed that one
quarter of the persons living in The Bahamas had considered suicide at some
point in their lives.
Minister
of Youth, Sports and Culture the Hon. Dr. Daniel Johnson held a press
conference on Thursday, 10th September to announce the 2015 National
Youth Awards. “The Bahamas government through its Ministry of Youth, Sports and
Culture has annually sought to recognize the outstanding contributions of youth
in all facets since the establishment of the National Youth Awards programme
more than 30 years ago,” said the Minister. Nominations of youths between the
ages of 16 and 26 in a number of categories can be uploaded at (
www.celebrateyouthbahamas.org
).
Some areas for nomination are entrepreneurship, arts and culture, leadership,
personal triumph, the environment, volunteerism in the community, agriculture,
education and religious pursuits. The nomination deadline is
Friday, September 25,
at
midnight.
The
Straw Market Authority officially opened its new Fire Safety, Surveillance, and
Nurse’s Facilities at the Downtown Straw Market, Bay Street on Thursday, 10th
September. Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Philip Davis, National Security Minister,
Hon. Bernard Nottage, Senior Government officials, Straw Market vendors and
members of the Straw Market Authority were all in attendance to mark the
occasion. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Urban Development
said the First Aid Station is “essential” for creating a first class facility. “Truly,
it is a first grade facility, outfitted with basic first aid supplies,
equipment and furniture required to render assistance until ambulance services
arrive,” he said. The Straw Market Authority has also installed a CCTV
surveillance camera in the Downtown Straw Market and organized a Surveillance
Unit to facilitate the system.
The
Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) has also announced
invitations for nominations for their inaugural Council award. This award was
announced at the Sixth Meeting of the Council on June 26, 2015 in Bridgetown,
Barbados. Calling the award its highest honour, the CDNEMA Council Award
recognizes “significant long-term efforts and contributions which have clearly
influenced the advancement of comprehensive Disaster Management in the CDEMA
member states.”
On
Friday via press release the government of The Bahamas remembered the fallen in
the horrific terrorist attack on the world trade center and the Pentagon 14
years ago. “Today The Bahamas remembers the tragic events of 11th
September 2001, or 911, and the destruction and loss of life on that day in New
York City” said the statement. “We extend our support once again to all nations
who lost citizens in that act of murder.
We
renew our pledge to fight violence in all of its forms.”
Chief
Justice the Hon. Hartman Longley will be out of the country for ten days and Senior
Justice the Hon. Jon Isaacs was sworn in as Acting Chief Justice at a short
ceremony at Government House on Thursday, 11th September.
The
College of The Bahamas held its Careers Symposium at the Harry C. Moore Library
on Thursday and guest speakers urged COB students to develop strong language skills
and a sound educational background to propel them through their chosen careers.
This message echoed the one recently delivered to students by Atlanta Mayor
Kasim Reed. The guest speakers were Raymond Winder, Managing Partner of Deloitte
and Touche and Joy Jibrilu, Director General of Tourism who highlighted the
advantages of legal training in the second largest industry, Financial Services
and Investment.
The
Department of Meteorology via NEMA issued a severe thunderstorm warning for
Grand Bahama, Bimini and The Berry Islands
on Friday. The duration is from
10pm
on Friday, 11th September 2015 to
midnight on Saturday, 12th
September 2015. Aircraft and seacraft are to take special precautions.
Do not forget the Caribbean Wellness fun/walk event to be held on
Saturday, 12th September 2015 at 6am beginning at Arawak Cay.
About the author: Elcott Coleby is a Deputy Director at the
Bahamas Information Services. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in
Chemistry (B.Sc) and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA). He provides
frequent commentary on public policy and communicates the works of the
government. Address all comments to the following email:
egcoleby44@gmail.com
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