Source: Date: Updated: |
TheBahamasInvestor.com
Thursday, February 21, 2013 Thursday, February 21, 2013 |
The Bahamas is “open for business” according to Minister of State for Investment Khaalis Rolle, who says the government is committed to fostering an investor-friendly climate in the country.
Speaking yesterday during the first day of the Bahamas International Investment & Business Forum (BIIBF) in Freeport, the Minister highlighted Grand Bahama’s pool of skilled labour, close proximity to major markets and desirable lifestyle as qualities that could attract potential investors.
He also pointed to the country’s well-established financial sector and “long history of stable investments.”
According to Minister Rolle, the government has drawn up a national economic plan to streamline investment and target growing markets.
“Our approach to FDI (foreign direct investment) is a proactive one,” he said. “We are still looking at emerging markets such as Asia, Latin America, the Middle East. We are also looking at ways to improve the ease of doing business in The Bahamas. The economic downturn exposed some of our weaknesses, but it also exposed some of our opportunities and our strengths.”
The Minister highlighted investment in the Family Islands such as the Cove in Eleuthera and Baker’s Bay resort in Abaco, as well as the multi-billion dollar Baha Mar resort currently under construction in Nassau’s Cable Beach.
He also praised Atlantis Paradise Island for its contribution to the economy, saying: “I do not believe anyone in the Caribbean can boast of that large an investment in the tourism sector.”
The BIIBF is being hosted by the The Commonwealth Business Council (CBC) in collaboration with the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) and the Bahamas Investment Authority (BIA) and runs through February 22.
cmorris@dupuch.com