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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
The Prime Minister: The week started off with the reported trip to New York City by Prime Minister Christie and his delegation what amounted to a trade mission. The Prime Minister was in NY to secure expanded corporate support and partnerships for North Andros’ BAMSI in addition to marketing that lucrative and niche tourism market of Fly Fishing. The group of wealthy businessmen and industry leaders were excited about the Prime Minister’s plans to develop BAMSI and enhance the billion dollar fly fishing industry.
The delegation included Tourism Minister Hon. Obie Wilchcombe; Education Minister Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald; Agriculture Minister Hon. V. Alfred Gray; COB Council Chair Alfred Sears; BAMSI Chief HE Godfrey Eneas and senior government official. The ZNS broadcasting Network did a commendable job of covering this event and keeping us back home informed.
By week’s end the Prime was in South Carolina with his Tourism Minister promoting religious tourism. It is noteworthy that both religious and sports tourism led the revitalization of our tourism product after stopover arrivals were at a 27 year low a few short years ago.
The Disabilities Bill: Wednesday, the 16th July was a red letter day for The Bahamas as the bill addressing the specific needs of persons living with disabilities passed in the Lower House. The first reading was led by Minister of Social Services and Community Development, the Hon. Melanie Griffin. The Minister led a delegation to the United Nations where on the 24th September 2013 she on behalf of The Bahamas signed on to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Wage boost for public servants: The following day, the Bahamas Government and the Bahamas Public Service Union (BPSU) concluded a five year, $200 million industrial agreement. The agreement which takes effect in August 2014 includes minimum wage increases and hazardous pay for specific categories of workers. Some 20,000 public servants are set to benefit from this latest industrial agreement.
Labour Force Survey: The official authority and statute government agency on national metrics, the Department of Statistics released the latest jobs report on Friday, the 18th July. The report covered the period November 2013 to May 2014. In broad terms, this labour report indicated a reduction in the unemployment rate from 15.4% to 14.3%. Also, the report indicated that over 8,000 jobs were added to the economy since May 2012 along with a significant decline in the number of discouraged workers. Of particular note was Grand Bahama where the rate of decrease among discouraged workers stood at a record 60%.
East and West Grand Bahama to benefit from duty free concessions: Consistent with its pledge in its Charter for Governance Document, the government has announced the consultative phase of their economic initiative to facilitate the full recovery of the beleaguered economy of Grand Bahama. This initiative was a long time in coming as calls from several quarters have been made for the extension of certain tax benefits enjoyed within the city of Freeport to be extended to east and west Grand Bahama. It appears that the much needed relief for many residences and the tax incentives to potential investors are just what the doctor ordered for ailing Grand Bahama economy and better yet, will become a reality during the current fiscal year.
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