Pictured: Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis speaks to the media February 5, 2019, while on a visit to Freeport, Grand Bahama. (BIS Photo/Lisa Davis)

The Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, was in Freeport on Monday for the announcement of Carnival Cruise Line’s plans for a mega port in East Grand Bahama.

The Grand Port is expected to be completed in late 2021, and during the construction phase will employ some 1,000 people.

“We have several projects to discuss as it relates to Grand Bahama to take Grand Bahama even further,” said the Prime Minister.

The Grand Port project, he said, will give Bahamians the opportunity for ownership in the tourism and cruise industry.

“There is a lot of spinoff in terms of indirect job opportunities. Traditionally, the hardest thing in getting an economy started is trying to find that first investor. Historically, once you find that first investor, for some reason everything else just follows.”

The Prime Minister said during the Cabinet meeting, they will discuss a number of investors who want to invest in Grand Bahama.