As the Minister for Grand Bahama, I recognize that there is a level of frustration beyond comparison among business owners on the island of Grand Bahama. Progress, in all of its many forms, though great in many ways, takes time and we rarely, if ever,  speak about the interim.

Here’s what this Davis/Cooper Administration has done in the interim: 

• A contract has been awarded for the repair of the Fishing Hole Causeway and work is currently in progress.  The paving of the service road is complete, and work on the bridge has begun and is estimated to be completed in 3-weeks.
  
• In the coming weeks, we will be breaking ground on a new hospital complete with an Oncology Center in Grand Bahama.
  
• The Administrators Complex and Magistrate’s Court’ in Eight Mile Rock is complete, and currently being outfitted.
  
• The long-awaited renovation to the Eight Mile Rock Gymnasium is now mobilized.
  
• The design work for a new Police Station in West End is currently in progress.

• For the Carnival Grand Port,  the clear and grub has been completed; dredge is in progress at 55%; with completion expected on the 1st of May 2023; the pier design and build Request For Proposal is pending award this month; the landside contractor Request for Information or Request for Quote is opened and published; The process for determining the site engineer and general manager is currently in progress; final reviews of Food & Beverage vendors are in progress, and should be awarded this month ; and the masterplan is being finalized for early Summer.
  
• Water’s Cay Dock design work and scope has been completed and work will begin once the tender process is completed.
• The signing of an MOU between BTVI and Nova Scotia Community College has taken place.
  
• Holmes Rock Primary School is in its final stages, scheduled for completion in August 2023, and to be filled with students THIS September.
  
• The government has confirmed that an agreement  has been reached with a partner for the redevelopment of the airport. 
• The Grand Lucayan continues to employ over 100 employees on a full and part time basis and there are ongoing discussions and significant interest in the Resort.

AND It is in this interim however, that we have been able to see:

• For the first time in over 20 years the reopening of Downtown Freeport, with not only the opening of AML Solomon’s but also
  The Downtown Farmer’s Market Enhancement Project which executed electrical installation to twenty-six (26) vendor booths for provision of power/lighting, metering systems for vendors, and roof repairs;
  
• Grand Bahama became a host to several national and international events;

• More opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs in the orange economy including the distribution of micro grants for creatives under the Empower Grand Bahama initiative.
  
• New and existing Sister City Relationships being established and improved
  
• More cruise calls to the island of Grand Bahama (More cruise passengers);
  
• New Businesses opening; and
  
• More direct flights to Grand Bahama from Raleigh  and Charlotte, North Carolina and Sunwing (Canada)

We must acknowledge that these are NOT small feats.

Progress is many things. But two things that it is NOT are linear and stagnant. Progress takes winding turns and the insertion of an intense amount of sweat equity.  It is ever changing and ever growing. It does not and should not stop. It can NEVER stop because there is far too much on the line. 

Everyday, I am reminded of the struggles and hardships that the people of Grand Bahama have endured and I am motivated by their strength. Grand Bahamians refuse to be broken; we refuse to lose heart, Instead, we continue to press on with unrelenting determination.

The Ministry for Grand Bahama is fueled by this determination, and as a result, launched initiatives such as “Beautiful Grand Bahama”, which provided employment for 350 persons from East to West Grand Bahama, impacting families and the local economy by providing vendor opportunities through construction, mass cleanup and debris removal projects, and the feeding component of the program.  

“Beautiful Grand Bahama” is just one of the initiatives spearheaded by our Collab; Partnerships for Development Unit, others include:

●    The clean-up of the dilapidated government-owned Lewis Yard School which had become an eye-sore within the local community and a habitat for vagrants and unsavory activities;

●  The revitalization of the cemeteries in Pinder’s Point, Lewis Yard and Hunters;

●    The rehabilitation of the Police Quarters at Peel Street which is planned to become the future site of the Police Cultural Village, a heritage tourism attraction;

●    The restoration of the Mermaid Pond in Eight Mile Rock; 

●   The transformation of the Grand Bahama Sports Complex Grounds; 

●  And the preparatory work done and completed at the University of The Bahamas Northern Campus new facilities. 

So, What’s To Come:

• The Continued Development and Revitalization of Grand Bahama’s tourism product in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and its Tourism Development Corporation; 
• The Continued restoration of cultural sites on the island of Grand Bahama under the Beautiful Grand Bahama Program for both domestic and international tourist experiences;  
• AND applications for the Empower Grand Bahama initiative have been processed with micro-grants being distributed in April. 

For more than 20 years, the Grand Bahama Business Outlook has provided a platform for stakeholders to update the business community on the way forward for our island.

One of the things that sets Grand Bahama apart is its distinctive business model, which is a testament to the unique relationship between the Grand Bahama Port Authority and the Government of The Bahamas.

In ‘Our Blueprint for Change’, the Davis/Cooper Administration pledged to enhance the ease of doing business in The Bahamas by revamping and streamlining various agencies “to become one of the most business-friendly countries for local and foreign investors.” 

The Ministry for Grand Bahama has already begun this process by meeting with executives from the Grand Bahama Port Authority to discuss priority areas for enhancing the ease of doing business on this island.

Our discussions centered on:

• Addressing regulatory anomalies that are restricting Freeport’s development;
• Amending the investment policy;
• Improving delays in obtaining work permit approvals.

We recognize the importance of creating an approval timeline for low-risk businesses and a one-stop shop for approvals for foreign applications.

We also agreed on the need to allow Bahamian entrepreneurs in industry sectors reserved for Bahamian ownership to sell minority stakes in those businesses to foreign equity partners or joint ventures with such partners if they wish to do so. This will enhance their access to capital and skills, optimize their return on investments and contribute to the overall economic growth of Grand Bahama.

As we progress, quarterly meetings will continue between the Ministry for Grand Bahama, Grand Bahama Port Authority, and Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce to ensure we remain focused on achieving our objectives.

However, it is not an overnight process. These objectives take time. 

Thank you, Mrs. Albury and the Counselors, for your commitment to this annual forum where we exchange information, ideas, and engage in robust dialogue about our collaborative efforts to get the job done on Grand Bahama.

Grand Bahama Island has tremendous potential, and the Government of The Bahamas is excited to engage all stakeholders to shape its future. Together, we can make Grand Bahama one of the most business-friendly destinations in the world.

Thank you!

Introduction of The Deputy Prime Minister

It is now my distinct honour to introduce you to our Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation and Member of Parliament for The Exumas and Ragged Island, The Honourable I. Chester Cooper.

Before politics, he was a business guru, operating in several countries in the Financial Services, Commercial Real Estate, Retail and FinTech Industries.

Coming from Forbes Hill, Little Exuma, he understands struggle, and the resilience it takes to overcome obstacles.

He is a friend to both myself and the island of Grand Bahama.

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Honourable, I. Chester Cooper.