Source: Date: Updated: |
TheBahamasInvestor.com
Thursday, September 28, 2017 Thursday, September 28, 2017 |
Delivering the keynote address at the Official Opening Ceremony of the Department of Local Government’s Leadership Training Conference earlier in the week, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said the government has a responsibility to ensure that the Family Islands are platforms for development by investing in infrastructure and other public amenities.
He said the administration is committed to providing Crown Land grants to Bahamians – especially descendants of the various Family Islands – for a variety of economic projects, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said earlier this week.
The projects that would be considered include tourism, niche agriculture and aquaculture.
This includes providing incentives for the development of small, environmentally friendly boutique hotels, bonefish lodges and other small, quality resorts through marketing and promotional support.
A major objective of the plan is to empower descendants of the various Family Islands to return to their place of birth as part of an overarching plan to revitalize and rejuvenate Family Island economies, said the Prime Minister.
“The key to the sustainable economic growth of The Bahamas includes the untapped potential of the Family Islands,” said Minnis.
“We want to help empower descendants of these islands to return to their place of birth to revive, rejuvenate and invest in their communities.”
“Local government should also be strengthened to help make crucial decisions related to the overall economic growth, development and governance of our islands. Toward this end, we hope to explore possibilities for you as local government officials, to raise capital for specific, pre-approved, strategic projects for advancing your island’s economic development,” Prime Minister Minnis added.
He said the development of heritage sites and related activities will help to “preserve and protect” the natural environment and create cultural sites that can be showcased for Bahamians and tourists.